The “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu dedicates 2026 to celebrating playwright Radu Stanca

Throughout 2026, the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu will organize a series of events dedicated to the personality and work of playwright, poet, and essayist Radu Stanca, an important figure of Romanian culture and the namesake of the institution.

The anniversary program includes staged readings and public meetings in Sibiu, through which Radu Stanca’s work will be brought back to the attention of young audiences and the general public.

“Dear spectators, we evoke the one who, through his spirit and creation, watches over the National Theatre that bears his name: Radu Stanca. The poet of ballads and the creator who shaped the destiny of Sibiu’s theatre was also one of the great visionaries of Romanian culture. Among other things, we owe him the idea that the theatre in Sibiu should also have a German section, a proposal he formulated in 1956, continuing a tradition that began here as early as 1788, with the first German-language theatre in this space.

The most beautiful man in this city, the prince of darkness, Radu Stanca succeeded in immortalizing Sibiu through his writings. As a sign of gratitude, the Radu Stanca National Theatre dedicates the entire year to him, bringing his literary work back to life – his poems, essays, and plays. Together with our partners – ASTRA Library, Sibiu high schools, Lucian Blaga University, the Brukenthal National Museum, and the Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy – we will organize public readings and meetings with audiences so that Radu Stanca’s work may once again reach people’s hearts. It is a heartfelt tribute to the one who gave so much to our theatre and our city. Thank you for receiving these gifts with generosity.”
— Constantin Chiriac, General Director of TNRS

Radu Stanca (b. March 5, 1920, Sebeș — d. December 26, 1962, Cluj) was a playwright, poet, essayist, and theatre director, and one of the central figures of the Sibiu Literary Circle.

His relationship with the Sibiu theatre began at a young age. On May 31, 1947, he appeared on the theatre’s stage in the performance Păcat de tine, Tony by Puiu Maximilian, playing the role of Dorel Slăvescu. On February 13, 1949, Sibiu hosted the premiere of Căsuța din câmpie by Samuil Marșak, the first production directed by Radu Stanca, together with technical director Boby Tiberiu.

In 2004, the “Radu Stanca” Theatre in Sibiu became the “Radu Stanca” National Theatre, the only national theatre in Romania administered by a local authority, and it continues to carry forward the artistic and cultural legacy of the man whose name it bears.