The call for submissions for the 18th International Street Theater Festival of Marivan, scheduled for November 2025, has been officially announced.
According to the Public Relations Office of the Center for Performing Arts, the festival aims to promote and strengthen street theater, encourage the exchange of contemporary theatrical experiences among performance groups in producing and presenting various forms of outdoor theater, foster empathy and solidarity, enhance social joy and participation, highlight social issues, and engage directly with audiences and citizens to communicate key concepts and current societal concerns.
The festival features several sections, including:
• A street theater competition focusing on themes such as empathy, environmental issues, and the culture of self-sacrifice;
• Alternative performances including environmental theater and performance art;
• A section for children and youth with an educational focus;
• Ritual and traditional performances;
• An international section;
• A research section;
• The “Nishitman” (Kurdish) section;
• And educational workshops.
The deadline for submitting documents and physical media (CDs) for all sections is September 13, 2025. For selected works from other festivals and the research section, the deadline is extended to September 30, 2025. The selected entries will be announced on October 7, and the main event will take place in November in the city of Marivan.
The International Theatre Festival of Marivan is a popular event among the city’s residents, who actively participate as both citizens and audience members. Last year, a father and son from Marivan were invited by a theatrical group from Canada and Germany to perform in a play titled “Banana-o-Rama.”
Interestingly, despite the performance being in English, the local audience watched attentively and warmly applauded the actors.
