Theatre Professionals from Around the World Gather at the Baltic Drama Forum in Riga
From November 5 to 8, Riga will become the center of Baltic and international performing arts, hosting the Baltic Drama Forum 2026. The event will bring together theatre professionals, researchers, critics, and practitioners to explore the latest processes in Latvian theatre, discuss contemporary performing arts trends, and foster new international collaborations.
The Baltic Drama Forum takes place every three years in each of the Baltic countries on a triennial basis. This year's program includes an international scientific conference, discussions on contemporary dramaturgy, readings of the latest plays, and a wide demonstration of Latvian theatre performances.
As Anna Sīle, one of the organizers of the Baltic Drama Forum, emphasizes in an interview with Skonto Media Group (SMG), theatres are increasingly focusing on international collaborations and the search for new stories:
"More and more theatres are thinking about international collaborations, where team members may come from different countries, and theatres are actively thinking about creating new dramaturgy. Because what reflects what is happening in the world today more than dramaturgy created today? And art is that great tool that allows a person to look at certain issues with different eyes — where sometimes it seems: 'Hm, I didn't think it could be like that!' These, in my opinion, are the latest trends that we can see in both Latvian and, frankly, Baltic performing arts."
Sīle also notes that during the forum, viewers and guests will have the opportunity to watch striking performances created at home, reflecting the latest development trends in Latvian and Baltic performing arts.
From November 5 to 7, the international scientific conference "Liminal Practices in Contemporary Academia: Between Artistic Research and Research in the Arts" will take place at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) and the LKA Theatre House "Zirgu pasts" in collaboration with the conference "Cultural Crossroads." It will focus on the relationship between research in art and artistic research.
Meanwhile, on November 6 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Theatre House "Zirgu pasts," everyone interested is invited to the discussion in English "No Time for Drama," led by playwright Rasa Bugavičute-Pēce. The conversation will be dedicated to the significance of new dramaturgy, its risks, and its journey from the author's idea to the stage.
On November 7 from 3:00 PM, readings of the latest, yet-to-be-staged plays by Baltic authors will take place at the LKA Eduards Smiļģis Theatre Museum. Admission is free, with invitations available in advance on the "Biļešu paradīze" website or at the box offices.
Photo: Baltic Drama Forum 2026
