The 39th edition of the International Theatrical Festival ‘VALISE’ will be held from 25 to 28 June 2026 at the Puppet and Actor Theatre in Lomza, Poland.

The VALISE Festival is a renowned and highly respected international theatre event. For many years this event has attracted outstanding artists and theatre companies from around the world.

Over time, more than 370 theatres from 50 countries have participated in the Festival, including the United States, Japan, China, Argentina, New Zealand, Iran, Spain, Israel, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Germany, and many others.

Their presence and exceptional performances have shaped the Festival’s rich history and contributed significantly to its international prestige.

Each edition of the VALISE Festival is not only a gathering of distinguished artists but also a platform for the exchange of ideas and artistic experiences.

The Festival provides a space for puppet theatre, visual and form-based theatre, as well as interdisciplinary art. It also inspires the exploration of new directions in contemporary performance.

The Festival has a competitive character, showcasing the most interesting and valuable performances from around the world.

For the 39th edition in 2026, we plan to invite between 12 and 14 theatre companies to participate in the competition programme.

An integral part of the programme is the non-competitive open-air programme. It features around eight outdoor ensembles that will bring energy, diversity of form, and direct interaction with audiences to the public spaces of Lomza.

The open-air cycle ‘My City’ links theatre with urban space, engaging the inhabitants of Lomza and transforming the Festival into a true celebration of art.

We warmly encourage submissions that reflect form theatre. Such works should be open to artistic exploration, innovative means of expression, and diverse theatrical aesthetics.

The Festival remains faithful to its traditions while embracing contemporary challenges and the rich diversity of theatrical languages.

The main theme of the 39th edition will be 'THEATRE – BRIDGES OF UNDERSTANDING'.

Under this motto, we wish to highlight form theatre as a universal language of dialogue that connects audiences and artists across linguistic, cultural, and social boundaries.

Theatre is a space where diverse traditions, aesthetics, and sensibilities meet, building bridges of understanding and fostering integration.

For many years, the VALISE Festival has demonstrated that art can be a source of openness, tolerance, and solidarity—values of profound importance in today’s world.

The Festival Regulations provide detailed information on the financial, technical, and organizational requirements.

We kindly ask all participants to read the regulations carefully before submitting an application. Each theatre company may submit a maximum of two performances for the competition.

Applications must be sent no later than 15 January 2026 to the following address: dyrektor@teatrlomza.pl.

39th INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL FESTIVAL VALISE
25 - 28 June 2026, Łomża (Poland)

Organizational Office:

Teatr Lalki i Aktora, plac Niepodległości 14, 18-400 Łomża (Poland), tel. +48 86 216 59 55

website: teatrlomza.pl; e-mail: dyrektor@teatrlomza.pl

TIN: 718-11-38-271, REGON: 00125861

Application Form

Learn more