From May 27 to 31, 2026, Swiss theater will gather in the Canton of Vaud for a new edition of the Swiss Theater Days, an event that for over a decade has served as a privileged observatory of national stage production. The festival, now in its thirteenth year, will take place between Yverdon-les-Bains and Lausanne , involving some of the region's leading theater institutions.
The heart of the festival will be the Théâtre Benno Besson , alongside L'Échandole and the Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne . These spaces will host a program that combines selected performances, professional meetings, and reflections on cultural policy.
A selection that crosses languages and territories
The artistic direction, headed by Julie Paucker , has identified six productions for the SÉLECTION 2026, chosen from a shortlist of seventeen titles. This process paints a complex picture of contemporary Swiss theatre, characterized by the coexistence of diverse linguistic traditions and aesthetic approaches.
The selected works come from both established theaters and independent contexts, delineating a diverse panorama that combines experimentation and dramaturgical research. The performances will be presented in their original languages, with surtitles, underscoring the inclusive and multilingual nature of the event.
The titles on the programme include productions ranging from rewritings of classics, such as Hekabe by Euripides, to contemporary creations such as Venir Meno , also developed in collaboration with the LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura.
A festival that is also a space for discussion
In addition to its artistic programming, the Swiss Theatre Days serve as a platform for discussion. The supporting program includes round tables, meetings with artists and professionals, and informal events designed to foster exchange between audiences and industry professionals.
The festival's center, centered around the Théâtre Benno Besson, thus becomes a gathering place where artistic practices and reflections on cultural policies intertwine. A special day will also be hosted in Lausanne, with a continuous program at the Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne.
International collaborations are not lacking: the magazines Theater der Zeit and MOUVEMENT will follow the festival with an editorial eye, broadening its resonance beyond national borders.
A look at contemporary creation
Alongside the official selection, the festival offers an "Hors Sélection" event: Mon Frère by François Gremaud , which will premiere in Lausanne on the eve of the festival. This choice underscores the festival's focus on new productions and its desire to tap into the current scene.
The variety of offerings—from spoken theater to hybrid and site-specific forms—reflects a dynamic cultural system, in which companies engage with international institutions and networks. In this sense, the Giornate represents not only a showcase, but also a laboratory of ideas.
Between promotion and recognition
The Swiss Theatre Days also work in synergy with the Swiss Performing Arts Awards promoted by the Federal Office of Culture , offering visibility to the award-winning artists and contributing to the valorization of the sector.
In a European context marked by profound transformations in the live performance system, the festival thus confirms its role as a tool for promoting and reflecting on Swiss theatre.
Information and programme
Further details on the event and related events will be available online starting from the end of March on the official website:
https://journees-theatre-suisse.ch/it/
