The Tbilisi Biennale of Stage Design 2026, in collaboration with OISTAT, invites submissions
for presentations at the Tbilisi International Symposium 2026.
The Symposium will take place as part of the Tbilisi Biennale of Stage Design in Tbilisi,
Georgia, on October 15–16, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (local time). The venue will be
announced in due course.
About the Symposium
The Tbilisi International Symposium provides a platform for leading professionals and emerging
voices in the fields of theatre, stage design, costume, architecture, and technology, including
artists, educators, and researchers.
We invite proposals that engage with the central themes of the Symposium:
• “War and Theatre” – reflecting urgent global and regional concerns
• “Theatre and Fashion” – the main theme of the Tbilisi Biennale of Stage Design 2026
The Symposium aims to foster a dynamic and inclusive exchange of ideas and practices across
disciplines.Suggested Thematic Sections
Section I: War and Theatre
• Performing Crisis: Theatre Amid War and Acts of Resistance
• Theatre as Witness: Staging War, Memory, and Trauma
• War on Stage / Stage at War: Reimagining Conflict Through Performance
Section II: Theatre and Fashion
• Practice: Inspiration, Transcription, Adaptation
• Research: Scenographic Materials and New Publications
• Education: Innovation and Tradition
Eligibility and Applications
Researchers and practitioners at all career stages and from all relevant disciplines are encouraged
to apply. We particularly welcome submissions from current research students and early-career
researchers.
All proposals must align with the Symposium themes outlined above.
To apply, please complete the submission form by May 31, 2026.
Presentation Format
The Symposium will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation.
We are committed to ensuring accessibility and encouraging diverse international perspectives. If
you are unable to attend in person, you may submit a pre-recorded presentation to be hosted
online and made available to Symposium participants.
For inquiries regarding pre-recorded presentations, please contact the Biennale Director, Nino
Gunia-Kuznetsova, at ninogunia@yahoo.com prior to completing the application form.
Please note:
• Pre-recorded presentations will not be screened during the live Symposium sessions
• All submissions must meet the thematic requirements: Working Language
The working language of the Symposium is English.
Important Dates
• Submission Form Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Abstract Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: End of July 2026
• Presentation Schedule Announcement: August 31, 2026
• Presentation Materials (PPT) Submission: October 1, 2026
• Symposium Dates: October 15–16, 2026 (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, local time)
*Please note that deadlines are subject to change. Applicants will be notified of any updates.
Registration link: Registration form