About us
•
Sibiu Performing Arts Market is an associated structure of Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS) , aimed at granting opportunities for all artists, cultural managers, performing arts institutions or cultural networks to meet important producers from around the world. Through our events, we provide the context for the promotion of artistic projects and establishing collaborations, as well as for sharing and learning the most recent information in the performing arts field.
Since its first edition in 1997, Sibiu Performing Arts Market has developed into an important cultural network, facilitating connections between festivals and artists, performing arts, independent companies or public institutions. Every year, participants from all over the world, representing various cultural organizations (artistic management agencies, NGOs, public institutions, independent companies, etc.), meet in Sibiu and build connections as well as potential partnerships. At its last edition, the Market introduced its curated Pitch Project Session, receiving over 100 applications, from which only 10 were selected to pitch before a distinguished jury. This edition also marked a major transformation, as The Market rebranded as SIPAM, reinforcing its international presence. Networking remained at the core, fostering solid collaborations and meaningful industry connections.
This edition will take place between the 22nd and the 25th of June 2026.
This edition will take place between the 22nd and the 25th of June 2026.
Team
•
Constantin Chiriac
President
A theatre and film actor and a cultural leader, Constantin Chiriac studied Acting in Bucharest, and holds cultural management diplomas from the USA Information Agency, from the UK University of Hull, as well as from the Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond.
A theatre and film actor and a cultural leader, Constantin Chiriac studied Acting in Bucharest, and holds cultural management diplomas from the USA Information Agency, from the UK University of Hull, as well as from the Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond.
Throughout his career, he has created internationally renowned structures, started many international projects and led big teams. He is the President of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, the General Manager of the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre in Sibiu, and the President of the Sibiu Performing Arts Market. He played a decisive role in obtaining the title of Sibiu - European Capital of Culture 2007 and in the project’s undeniable success. Moreover, he was a member of the Panel for the selection and monitoring of European Capitals of Culture (2009-2012).
He is a professor at the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu and was granted the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by Leeds Metropolitan University (2008) and by West University of Timișoara (2018); he holds classes and conferences in universities all over the world. His work has been acknowledged through countless awards and distinctions, including the 2014 Aspen Institute Award for Contribution to Romanian Cultural Patrimony and the Prize granted by the Japan Foundation and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015). He is an Officer of the Order of the Belgian Crown (2011) and an Honorary Tourism Ambassador since 2014. Besides, he was made a Knight of the National Order of Merit (2000) and an Officer of the Order of Cultural Merit from the Grand Duke of Luxembourg (2017). In 2018, he was awared The Royal Decoration of the Cross of the Romanian Royal House, for the Radu Stanca National Theatre Sibiu, the Honorary Citizenship of Sibiu County and the Honorary Citizenship of Râmnicu Vâlcea. In 2019, the French Minister of Culture, Mr. Franck Riester conferred Constantin Chiriac the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France) and he also received "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays" from the Japanese Government. In 2020 he was conferred the decoration: Knight of the Legion of Honor, by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in France. In the same year, he was granted the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by The Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, The Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts from Chișinău and The National University of Arts George Enescu Iași, as well as The Cultural Distinction from The Romanian Academy. In 2021 he receives the UNITER Award for The Digital Stage. In 2022 he was granted the title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy Sibiu and the title of Honorary Citizenship of Iași City. Receives The Order of “Cultural Merit” in the Rank of Officer and, for the Radu Stanca National Theatre, he receives The Order of “Cultural Merit” in the Rank of Commander, from the President of Romania. Within the 30th anniversary edition of FITS, he receives The Excellency Distinction and The Honorary Diploma from the Romanian Ministry of Culture. The president of the State of Israel offers him a distinction and recognition. He receives the Radio Romania Award for Culture and Arts 2023 for the 30th edition of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, within the Radio Romania Gala – Bucharest. At the beginning of 2024 he is granted The Angel Award from The International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), he is awarded The Honorary Citizenship from the Municipality of Sibiu, and the”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu offers him the title of Professor Emeritus. He receives the special award from the Romanian Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, dedicated to the models of good practices that he has implemented and that highlight the tourism potential of our country and the professionalism of local hospitality companies, both among Romanians and internationally. He receives, for the Sibiu International Theatre Festival, The Order of Civil Merit from King Felipe
VI of Spain and at the UNITER Gala 2024, he receives the UNITER President's Award for 30 years of FITS. In 2025 he receives The Outstanding Contribution Award from The Network of Silk Road Arts Festivals.
Constantin Chiriac has played in more than 40 performances, collaborating with important directors, such as Iulian Vișa, Andriy Zholdak, Mihai Măniuțiu, Silviu Purcărete and Kushida Kazuyoshi; he has also held one-man-shows and poetry recitals in over 50 countries. Some of the most famous films in which he has performed include Moromeții / The Moromete Family (directed by Stere Gulea), Croaziera / The Cruise (directed by Mircea Daneliuc) and Undeva la Palilula / Somewhere in Palilula (directed by Silviu Purcărete). He is the founder of: Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Sibiu Arts Market, Democracy through Culture Foundation, Theatre and Cultural management School within the Lucian Blaga University from Sibiu, International Platform of Doctoral Research in the Field of Performing Arts within the Lucian Blaga University from Sibiu, Sibiu European Capital of Culture 2007 Program, Association for the Sibiu European Capital of Culture 2007 Program, Sibiu Walk of Fame.
Arina Bartha
Coordinator
Arina Bartha grew up backstage. Now she’s running the show. We’re thrilled to announce Arina Bartha as SIPAM Coordinator - a role that feels written for her. Arina didn’t choose the performing arts; she was born into them. Arina Bartha-Lazar coordinates SIPAM as a meeting point for the world’s most compelling artistic voices. With an instinct for connection and a vision shaped through cultural diplomacy, she turns encounters into collaborations and ideas into movement - guided by a simple belief: one spark can move souls.
Arina Bartha grew up backstage. Now she’s running the show. We’re thrilled to announce Arina Bartha as SIPAM Coordinator - a role that feels written for her. Arina didn’t choose the performing arts; she was born into them. Arina Bartha-Lazar coordinates SIPAM as a meeting point for the world’s most compelling artistic voices. With an instinct for connection and a vision shaped through cultural diplomacy, she turns encounters into collaborations and ideas into movement - guided by a simple belief: one spark can move souls.
Vicențiu Rahău.
Consultant
Vicențiu Rahău is a cultural curator and researcher with over a decade of experience in the performing arts. Since 2012, he has coordinated FITS indoor programming and has served as Artistic Consultant for TNRS since 2015. In 2022, he also became Coordinator of the theatre’s digital platform, scena-digitala.ro. With academic training in philosophy and theatre and a PhD in Performing Arts (2018), Vicențiu combines practical expertise with a strong theoretical foundation. He also teaches at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.
Vicențiu Rahău is a cultural curator and researcher with over a decade of experience in the performing arts. Since 2012, he has coordinated FITS indoor programming and has served as Artistic Consultant for TNRS since 2015. In 2022, he also became Coordinator of the theatre’s digital platform, scena-digitala.ro. With academic training in philosophy and theatre and a PhD in Performing Arts (2018), Vicențiu combines practical expertise with a strong theoretical foundation. He also teaches at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu.
Cosmin Chivu
Consultant & Conferences Moderator
Cosmin Chivu is a stage director, educator, and arts leader whose career spans three decades of theatrical innovation across Europe and the United States. A key figure in international arts networking, Chivu has served since 2016 as the curator and moderator of the Sibiu International Performing Arts Market, associated with FITS, one of Europe's largest theatre festivals.
Cosmin Chivu is a stage director, educator, and arts leader whose career spans three decades of theatrical innovation across Europe and the United States. A key figure in international arts networking, Chivu has served since 2016 as the curator and moderator of the Sibiu International Performing Arts Market, associated with FITS, one of Europe's largest theatre festivals.
As a theatre director, Chivu has built a distinguished reputation in the development of new plays and his interpretations of Tennessee Williams's lesser-known works. Chivu's productions of The Mutilated, Something Cloudy, Something Clear, Camino Real, The Remarkable Rooming House of Mme. Le Monde, and the world premiere of A Recluse and His Guest have earned critical recognition, including New York Times and Time Out Critic's Picks and a Drama League Award nomination in the Best Revival category. His directing credits span prestigious venues including La MaMa, The Lincoln Center Theater, HERE Arts Center, and The Cherry Lane Theatre, and over twenty festivals from New Orleans to Bangkok and from Sibiu to Athens. Professional affiliations include The Actors Studio lifetime membership, and fellow of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and the Drama League, NYC.
Chivu is a professor at the Sands College of Performing Arts at Pace University in New York City. He previously served as Executive Director and Chair of The Actors Studio Drama School and as head of the BA Acting and BA Directing programs in the International Performance Ensemble. Chivu's international academic reach is extensive. He has conducted workshops and master classes at institutions across four continents, including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, the Warsaw Film Academy, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, and the Lisbon Theatre and Film School.
Chivu holds a PhD in Theatre and Performing Arts from Lucian Blaga University in Sibiu, Romania; an MFA in Directing from The Actors Studio Drama School at The New School University, New York City, and a BFA from the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iasi, Romania. His work continues to explore the intersection of classical training, contemporary practice, and global collaboration.
Iulia Rusu
PR & Communication Officer
Iulia Rusu is an emerging cultural manager with Bachelor’s degrees in both studies: Performing Arts at Hyperion University in Bucharest, as well as Communication and Public Relations at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Socio-Human Sciences. She has around three years of experience as an actress on Bucharest’s independent theatre scene and has also collaborated with the Romanian National Opera on several productions. She maintains a strong connection to the Italian theatre scene, having taken part in several international projects and collaborations. She is currently completing her MA in Cultural Management & Entrepreneurship at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Letters and Arts, Department of Theatre Arts. Alongside her academic work, Iulia is active as an education trainer, collaborating with educational institutions and the private sector, and she manages multiple student theatre productions in Sibiu. Since 2025, Iulia has been part of the SIPAM team, working on communication and promotion for the programme.
Iulia Rusu is an emerging cultural manager with Bachelor’s degrees in both studies: Performing Arts at Hyperion University in Bucharest, as well as Communication and Public Relations at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Socio-Human Sciences. She has around three years of experience as an actress on Bucharest’s independent theatre scene and has also collaborated with the Romanian National Opera on several productions. She maintains a strong connection to the Italian theatre scene, having taken part in several international projects and collaborations. She is currently completing her MA in Cultural Management & Entrepreneurship at Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Letters and Arts, Department of Theatre Arts. Alongside her academic work, Iulia is active as an education trainer, collaborating with educational institutions and the private sector, and she manages multiple student theatre productions in Sibiu. Since 2025, Iulia has been part of the SIPAM team, working on communication and promotion for the programme.
Adriana Bârză-Cârstea
Meetings and Classes with Great Choreographers” Event Moderator and Coordinator
Adriana Bârză-Cârstea is associate professor PhD at the Department of Drama and Theatre studies, Faculty of Letters and Arts, “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu. She is a member of the Center for Advanced Research in Performing Arts and Cultural Management (CAVAS), as well as a choreographer and artistic advisor for the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (SITF) for the Dance section. Since 2010, she has been in charge of coordinating the Workshops Section within the SITF. She has also coordinated and moderated the Meetings and Classes with Great Choreographers session, part of the Sibiu International Performing Arts Market, since 2015. Her professional activity includes leading movement and dance workshops, leading student projects, and teaching national and international dance, movement and theatre studies classes. She has also created the choreography for many national and international theatre and dance-theatre productions. Her research and artistic interests focus on the theoretical and practical development of body expression training for actors and dancers and on exploring the interdisciplinary “bridge” between theatre and dance.
Oana Vasiliu
SIPAM Interviews & Editorial Content
Oana Vasiliu is a journalist and communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in cultural journalism, gastronomy, tourism, and social impact. She has studied journalism, public relations, marketing, international relations, and anthropology. Her work explores culture, heritage, and community through storytelling — and within SIPAM, she helps translate complex sector realities into clear, human conversations.
Oana Vasiliu is a journalist and communication consultant with over 15 years of experience in cultural journalism, gastronomy, tourism, and social impact. She has studied journalism, public relations, marketing, international relations, and anthropology. Her work explores culture, heritage, and community through storytelling — and within SIPAM, she helps translate complex sector realities into clear, human conversations.
Teresa Brayshaw.
”Cultural Conversations” Event Moderator
Ștefan Tunsoiu
”Cultural Conversations” Event Coordinator
Ștefan Tunsoiu is an actor at the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu and part-time lecturer PhD at the Department of Drama and Theatre Studies of the Faculty of Letters and Arts, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, teaching classes in acting and improvisation, within the Acting section. As an actor, member of the acting company of the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu, he has performed in over 30 shows, having worked with some of the most appreciated directors in Romania. For FITS,in addition to performing, he coordinates the Cultural Conversations event.
Ștefan Tunsoiu is an actor at the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu and part-time lecturer PhD at the Department of Drama and Theatre Studies of the Faculty of Letters and Arts, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, teaching classes in acting and improvisation, within the Acting section. As an actor, member of the acting company of the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu, he has performed in over 30 shows, having worked with some of the most appreciated directors in Romania. For FITS,in addition to performing, he coordinates the Cultural Conversations event.
Roxana Vîlcu
Website & Digital
Ștefania Prodea
Website & Digital
Adelina Deaconu
Legal Advisor
Alex Pașca
Graphic Designer
History
•
2025
•
The edition highlighted projects with strong contemporary relevance and encouraged hands-on professional exchange, opening new pathways for mobility, co-production, and collaboration. A key milestone was the introduction of a new film-focused panel, held in dialogue with acclaimed director Cristian Mungiu. Networking remained at the core, fostering solid connections across diverse cultural territories, while the close relationship with ICR, a long-standing strategic partnership built over many years, continued to be a pillar of SIPAM’s international outreach and development.
2024
•
The Market introduced its curated Pitch Project Session, receiving over 100 applications, from which only 10 were selected to pitch before a distinguished jury. This edition also marked a major transformation, as The Market rebranded as SIPAM, reinforcing its international presence. Networking remained at the core, fostering solid collaborations and meaningful industry connections. The strategic partnership with ICR continues to be a pillar of our international outreach and development.
2023
•
The Market enhanced global cooperation between enthusiastic artists, professionals and cultural operators. The hybrid format of this edition was welcomed by participants and meaningful and useful dialogues took place in a framework that focused daily on each category of participants. The Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) remained a key partner in supporting our mission.
2022
•
The Market built a bridge between the in-person and online dimensions, and created a global space for meetings and discussions in the performing arts. We are grateful for the continued support of our strategic partner, ICR, whose collaboration helped broaden our international visibility.
2021
•
In 2021, The Market took place in a hybrid format, combining the physical and online dimensions, thus enabling participants in Sibiu to connect with those who could not travel, and be together through digital solutions. Our strategic partnership with ICR played a vital role in making this connectivity possible.
2020
•
Even during those times, in 2020, The Market, together with FITS, managed to keep the stakes high, by continuing to create platforms of dialogue online, involving worldwide managers and theatre professionals. This was made possible through the unwavering support of our strategic partner, ICR.
2017
•
2017 brought the first Speed Networking event, a new format of quick, focused meetings that facilitate a large list of contacts and the exchange of information in a short space of time. Later that decade, the entire world experienced a shocking transformation with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite those difficult times, we greatly appreciated the strategic partnership with ICR, which has been key to our progress and shared vision.
2016
•
In 2016, the first edition of the workshop Festivals in the 21st century: Who Are They For, How We Do Them, How Do We Finance Them? takes place. The strategic partnership with ICR is a constant source of support for cultural initiatives.
2015
•
In 2015, The Market hosted its first European Capitals of Culture conference (then called European Dimension and Community Involvement) and the first edition of the workshop Meetings and classes with great choreographers. Thanks to our strategic partnership with ICR, we achieved meaningful results.
2013-2014
•
Got its first website and saw its first international conferences, socializing events and workshops, among which the first editions of Festival Readings and the first workshop on presenting artistic productions within The Market, The Art of Pitching (2013). The strategic partnership with ICR empowered the Market to achieve more together.
2010-2012
•
Between 2010 and 2020, the Sibiu Performing Arts Market entered into a partnership with Open Street, created the first edition of the section Talkback seminars, later known as Cultural Conversations (in 2011) and later printed the interviews into a first printed edition of the Cultural Conversations (in 2012), moved to a new, warmer and more appropriate venue. The strategic partnership between the Market and ICR continued to enhance our ability to innovate.
2007
•
2007 is remembered as an important year for the local and national environment in the European and global cultural context, the year when Sibiu held the title of European Capital of Culture and when Romania became a member of the European Union, which favored the development of The Market, translated into a higher number of participants and of international promotion opportunities. The strategic partnership with ICR has contributed directly to SIPAM’s growth, visibility, and cultural impact.
2004-2009
•
Later, between 2004-2009, The Market and FITS were part of Europe Arts, an association aiming at stimulating, training and supporting classical theater, street theater or circus artists, authors and directors to establish a relationship with audiences from a different culture or not speaking the language of performing arts. We are proud to work alongside the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) in a strategic partnership that continues to bring tangible results.
2003-2006
•
Between 2003-2006, FITS and The Sibiu International Performing Arts Market were part of the European network EUNETSTAR (European Street Arts Network), funded by artistic directors of nine festivals from eight countries, with the purpose to produce, develop and promote street art and outdoor theatre.
2000
•
At the beginning of the 2000s, The Market expands its cultural and artistic horizon, welcoming guests from all over the world, and starts creating exceptional events, such as East/West Meeting of Festival Directors – an exchange of ideas moderated by festival directors and cultural management specialists, enabling participants to see performances from the FITS programme and meet other participants of The Market, while developing a special section of gipsy music, contemporary dance and rock performances.
1997
•
In 1997, the Sibiu International Theater Festival (FITS) sets up the Sibiu Performing Arts Market, an annual project taking place during the Festival, with the purpose to create a cultural alternative in Central and Eastern Europe, the possibility to establish a network of festivals, a database of creators and managers and a coherent dialogue platform to serve this part of the continent. Later that year, The Market became part of EurAAm Bourse – a project initiated by nine arts markets in Europe and Quebec, which decided to create a space for cooperation and artistic exchange, aiming to develop, promote and show performances internationally, in order to facilitate access to new cultural markets.