From 27 to 31 May 2026 the Swiss theater The Canton of Vaud will host a new edition of the Swiss Theatre Days, an event that for over a decade has served as a privileged observatory on national stage production. The festival, now in its thirteenth edition, is divided into Yverdon-les-Bains e Lausanne, involving some of the main theatrical institutions of the region.
The operational heart of the review will be the Benno Besson Theater, flanked by The Échandole and from Vidy-Lausanne Theatre. In these spaces, a program will take shape that intertwines selected performances, professional meetings, and reflections on cultural policy.
A selection that crosses languages and territories
The artistic direction, entrusted to Julie Paucker, has identified six productions for the SÉLECTION 2026, chosen from a shortlist of seventeen titles. This process provides a complex picture of contemporary Swiss theatre, characterized by the coexistence of different 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 from Euripides, to contemporary creations such as To Fail, also developed in collaboration with the LAC Lugano Art and Culture.
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.
There is no shortage of international collaborations: the magazines Theater der Zeit e MOVEMENT 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: Besides di François Gremaud, which will debut in Lausanne on the eve of the festival. This choice underscores the focus on new productions and the desire to engage with 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 theFederal Office of Culture, offering visibility to the awarded 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/
