New Delhi to Host BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 with Participation from 9 Countries
The Ministry of Culture will organize the BRICS Theatre Festival from October 12 to 14, 2026, under the theme 'Shared Stories, Shared Futures'.
Under India's BRICS presidency, the Ministry of Culture will organize the 'BRICS Theatre Festival 2026' in New Delhi from October 12 to 14, 2026. The theme for this three-day festival has been set as “Shared Stories, Shared Futures.” The event will bring together more than 100 theater practitioners, scholars, students, and cultural representatives from nine BRICS member and partner countries.
Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Mr. Vivek Agrawal, described the event as a significant cultural engagement. He stated that the festival is based on the 'Bhopal Declaration' adopted during the meeting of BRICS Culture Ministers held in August 2026. This declaration emphasized cultural cooperation, people-to-people exchange, and the creation of strong networks among artists. To facilitate this objective, India also proposed a voluntary artists' registry.
Participating countries in the festival will include India, Russia, South Africa, Iran, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. India will present two theater performances, while Russia will be represented by two theater groups. Other participating nations will showcase their diverse languages, dramatic traditions, and contemporary creative expressions.
The program will be inaugurated on October 12, 2026, at the National School of Drama (NSD). Performances will take place across various prominent venues in New Delhi, including the Abhimanch and Samमुख auditorium of the National School of Drama, Kamani Auditorium, LTG Auditorium, and Meghdoot Theatre.
The festival will showcase classical, contemporary, and experimental forms of theater. Additionally, interactive workshops and discussions will be organized for directors, artists, and production teams to share insights on acting methodologies, theatrical craft, and technical design. The National School of Drama, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture, will serve as the nodal agency for this festival.
