skampa

international theatre festival

The first International theater festival in Albania

Up Next: “TE JESH / TO BE”

28th Edition Sep.30 – Oct.05

PETRICHORA

By Amalia Kontogianni

Directed by

Charilaos Thomos

 

MEDEA MATERIAL

By Heiner Müller

Directed: Ayşe Emel MESCI

 

FOR A BETTER WORLD

By Roland Schimmelpfennig

Directed:

Artūras Areima

 

EXTENSION

Thursday – October 2-6, 2025

EDITION 27

STREET THEATRE AND…

Thursday – December 6-10, 2024

EDITION 26

Skampa International Theatre Festival was founded in 1999, at a symbolic turning point between centuries, a moment that not only marked a shift in time, but also inspired new artistic visions and contemporary creative concepts. Today, it stands as one of Albania’s leading cultural events, held annually every autumn in the historic city of Elbasan. Dedicated to contemporary theatre and intercultural dialogue, the festival showcases major trends from both Albanian and international stages, welcoming more than 4000 artists and over 270 premieres from countries across Europe, the Americas, and beyond.

Its rich program spans physical theatre, classical productions, and experimental performance, complemented by workshops, presentations, and exhibitions. Organized by the Albanian Contemporary Theatre Association (A.T.K.), with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Elbasan, the festival celebrates artistic exchange, cultural diversity, and creative innovation on an international platform.

25 YEARS OF SKMPA

25 Years of Skampa Festival

GATES OF TOMORROW

Thursday – December 6-10, 2023

Edition 25

THEATRE SONG

October 11  – 15, 2022

Edition 24

THEATRE THREE

30 September  – 06 October, 2021

Edition 23

TRACES

December 29, October  04 2020

Edition 22

ATLAS OF TRANSITION SIGNS

October 11 – 17, 2019

Edition 21

ATLAS OF TRANSITION

October 17 – 22, 2018

Edition 20

AWAKENING

October 22 – 27, 2019

Edition 19

NEW ENERGY

October 30 – November 4, 2016

Edition 18

DIALOG

October 25 – 30, 2015

Edition 17

ARKITEKTURA E NDJENJES

October 13- 17, 2013

Edition 15

KONTEST

November 14 – 24, 2012

Edition 14

THEATRE

November 19 – 24, 2011

Edition 13

UNIVERSE OF THEATRE

October 20 – 27, 2010

Edition 12

OPENNESS

October 27 – 02 November, 2009

Edition 11

THEATER DIVERSITY

October 04 – 11, 2008

Edition 10

THEATER OF SENSATION

October 25 – 31, 2007

Edition 07

THEATER OF SENSATION

October 07 – 31, 2006

Edition 08

TENDENCE

October 29 – November 29, 2004

Edition 06

SECOND EDITION

October 28 – November 05, 2000

Edition 02

SECOND EDITION

Dicember 15-21, 1999

Edition 01

Skampa Theatre

A historic and cultural theatre in Elbasan, built in 1935 as a gift to the city. It is known for its excellent acoustics, rich repertoire, and for hosting dramatic, comedic, and theatre festival performances.

University of Arts

The Main Hall of the University of Arts in Tirana is a dedicated cultural venue that hosts concerts, theatre performances, and academic events, offering an intimate setting that brings together students, artists, and audiences in the heart of the city’s artistic life

Public Performances

“Public  performances in Elbasan and Tirana bring art directly into the heart of the cities, transforming streets and plazas into open-air stages. These events create a lively cultural atmosphere where residents and visitors gather to experience theatre, music, and dance as part of everyday urban life.”

Cultural sites

“Real Scampis in Elbasan is an archaeological and cultural site built over the remains of the ancient Roman city of Scampis, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the city’s Roman past through preserved ruins, stone structures, and historical exhibitions.”

Theatrical Performances

Live theatrical performances presented on the Skampa Theatre stage, combining strong artistic expression with an intimate historic setting.

Workshops

Educational workshops held within the Skampa Theatre Festival, bringing together artists, professionals, and young creatives through practical training and exchange.

Street Theatre

Open-air performances that transform public spaces into vibrant stages, engaging audiences directly within the city during the festival.

NEWS FEED

“It is heroic to procreate theater, but also to institutionalize it. Then to give it to the public.”

Miho Gjini

Studies, Art Critic, Writer and Publicist.

Skampa Festival is not only an event for this country … You have wonderful actors the serious troops. On the stage, you have done an art understandable to all. This is the most unexpected thing for me.”

Aldo Xhovaneti

Theater Critic, Roma, Italy

“Such events contribute in the best of ways in creation of unique identity multicultural for the societies that look in progress towards the future.” The cultural unification is a step towards the integration.”

Evangjelos Venizellos

Former Culture Minister, Greece

“The Festival with its history and tradition is a great opportunity to convey the contemporaneity of different cultures, it’s a valuable contribution for enriching life and enhancing the quality of life, an excellent way to get and given artistic experience. I express my best wishes for the success of this festival.”

Edi RAMA

Prime Minister of Albania

You already have an ambassador which would easy substitute the work of 70 ambassadors, around the world. Your culture must be urged. It improves respect. This was revealed by your audience which strangely enough I wouldn’t have thought so.”

Antonio Alamo

Spanish Playwright and Art Critic

27

Editions

270

Thetrical Performances

4000

Artists

over 50

Countries

Over 10000

Spectators

Atlas Of Transitions

Skampa International Theatre Festival is part of the EU-funded Atlas of Transitions project, promoting contemporary theatre through international collaboration.
The festival contributes to cultural exchange and artistic mobility by connecting local and European theatre practices.

Edition 27 Kick off

International Theatre Festival Skampa 2025 officially opens with the participation of nine theatre troupes, marking the start of a vibrant program of performances and cultural exchange.
The festival brings together local and international artists, reinforcing Skampa’s role as a key platform for contemporary theatre and international collaboration.

"Marina & Ulay" at the International Theater Festival "SKAMPA" in Albania

The Embassy of Romania in Tirana announces the International Theatre Festival Skampa as a major cultural event, highlighting its role in promoting international artistic dialogue and cooperation.
The festival brings together theatre professionals from different countries, strengthening cross-border cultural exchange.

ELBASAN l Pupe di Pane al Festival Internazionale del Teatro SKAMPA – 24° ed.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Tirana announces the participation of the Italian performance Le Pupe di Pane at the Skampa International Theatre Festival in Elbasan.
The event highlights Italy’s contribution to the festival and strengthens cultural dialogue through contemporary theatre.

Get In Touch

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437M+6G Elbasan, Albania

8R77+WW Tiranë, Albania

Phone: +355692496169
Email: info@skampafestival.com