The Cyprus International Theatre Festival (CITF) is pleased to announce its full 2026 lineup, marking a notable moment in the island’s cultural scene. This season, Limassol will host a group of world-class talent from France, Mexico, Italy, Switzerland and Germany, among others, bringing together legendary masters for a week of performances. From the elegance of European cinema to the sharp humour of contemporary literature and the energy of physical theatre, the 2026 program shows the power of a strong, independent artistic voice.
The festival’s headline lineup features:
- Marianna de Sanctis: The award-winning Italian circus innovator and hula-hoop virtuoso performs Mother. Woman. Artist., a raw and defiant “stand-up circus” story.
- Magic Garden: Swiss-German co-founders Corinne Maier and Tina Müller present their experimental “theatrical inquiry,” challenging the traditional boundaries between the stage and the audience.
- Gabriela Muñoz: The world-renowned Mexican clown presents her international hit Perhaps, Perhaps… Quizás, a masterclass in moving comedy centered on the search for real love.
- Vera Polozkova: The celebrated poet performs her special anniversary program, Red Thread, a musical journey alongside composer Alexander Manotskov.
- Lyudmila Petrushevskaya:One of the most significant living writers and playwrights, bringing her unique blend of humor and deep humanity to the CITF stage. She will be joined by Natalya Sindeeva, founder of the independent channel TV RAIN, and Evgenia Borzykh, actress and front-woman of SBPCh.
- Fanny Ardant: The iconic French actress and cinema legend performing innovative “spoken opera” Cassandra with the Symphony Orchestra, this is a rare opportunity to see a true icon of the European culture.
Message from the Artistic Director
This year marks the third season of our festival. It already feels like something constant — something people are beginning to recognize, to expect, to trust. We have reached important milestones and built something that has its own identity and achievements.
For the first time, the festival takes place in a compact seven-day format — one week, one event, one continuous celebration. This concentration creates a special atmosphere: each day flows into the next, forming a single cultural experience.
We are especially proud that this year the festival is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Limassol. This support is deeply meaningful to us. We have also built a warm and truly collaborative partnership with Pattihio Theatre, whose team has embraced the festival so fully that, during these days, the theatre and the festival become one.
As always, we bring unexpected discoveries to the island — artistic works gathered carefully from festivals around the world that our team attended over the past year. Each performance has been chosen with attention and belief.
Behind this stands a remarkable team and an extraordinary advisory board, people who contribute their professionalism, experience, and dedication to this bold and ambitious project every single day.
This year, we are honoured to welcome the legendary French actress Fanny Ardant, who will perform alongside the local symphony orchestra — a powerful collaboration between the international and the local artistic community.
I invite everyone to reflect on this year’s theme. To think about our mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. And to listen carefully to what strong female voices have to say to us from the stage.
I want to thank every spectator who chooses to dedicate their time to share these moments of cultural intensity and joy with us.
Alexander Weinstein
This year’s festival is built around the powerful theme “SHE IS HERE”. This central focus is dedicated to the presence of women whose independent, recognizable, and strong voices are shaping the modern world. Through their work, these artists use the stage as a place for honest storytelling, celebrating the strength required to build an independent path in the arts.
Beyond the main performances, the program includes a variety of side-events, professional workshops, and open conversations with the artists to foster a deeper connection with the audience. Full information available on festival website: www.citf.cy
Event Details:
- Dates: March 2 – March 8, 2026
- Location: Limassol, Cyprus (Pattihio Theatre and various other venues)
- Artists: Fanny Ardant, Ludmila Petrushevskaya, Vera Polozkova, Gabriela Muñoz, Mariana de Sanctis, Magic Garden.
- Tickets: Available through www.soldoutticketbox.com
About the Festival
The Cyprus International Theatre Festival (CITF) brings world-class performers from across the globe to Cyprus. In its third season, the festival stage is dedicated to the power of the individual female voice under the theme “SHE IS HERE”. The festival invites audiences to the Pattihio Theatre in Limassol to experience a week of performances and events that celebrate the strength, truth, and presence of women who stand on their own.
