Jury Reflections from the Vaslui County School Theatre Festival

In November 2025, I had the honour of being invited as a jury member at the Victor Ion Popa National School Theatre Festival in Vaslui — an event that transformed the city into a vibrant meeting point for young performers from Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Italy. Supported by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and organised in partnership with the Vaslui County Centre for Excellence, the festival brought together more than 1,000 spectators and showcased 38 productions across three days.The festival was also supported by the Vaslui County Council, the Vaslui County School Inspectorate, the Municipality of Vaslui, the Municipality of Bârlad, and REPECO.

What impressed me most was the artistic courage of the students: from reinterpretations of classics such as Cinderella, Amintiri din copilărie, Eminescu’s poetry or The Little Prince, to contemporary creations exploring identity, culture and the world they inhabit. The new francophone section, developed with OIF–REPECO, added an international dimension that highlighted the educational value of theatre and the importance of mastering a global language like French.

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Being part of the jury allowed me to witness the energy, imagination and sincerity that young actors bring to the stage. Their work reminded me why school theatre matters: it builds confidence, nurtures creativity and creates communities where art becomes a shared language.

At the end of the festival, I also led two on‑stage workshops for students at the ‘Dimitrie Cantemir’ Cultural Centre, introducing them to the Willow Method. I am grateful to the organisers, teachers and students whose dedication made this edition such a powerful celebration of youth and performance.