BIPAF 2026
The 23rd Busan International Performing Arts Festival, 2026
| Event Title | The 23rd Busan International Performing Arts Festival – ‘Difference and Repetition’ |
|---|---|
| Dates | May 9 (Sat) – May 17 (Sun), 2026 [9 days] |
| Venues | Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre, Busan Citizen's Hall Small Theater, Adapter theater 2, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater, Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, Millac the market, UN Peace Park |
| Participation | 46 works in 13 countries |
| Participating Countries | Poland, Brazil, Hungary, Italy, Romania, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Portugal, and the Republic of Korea, etc. |
| Programs | Opening & Closing Ceremonies / Opening & Closing Performances / Invitational Performance / Celebrating Performance / Global Program “K-Stage” / 10 Minute Open Plays / Dynamic Street / BIPAF NextGen LAB / Artist talk / Global Link : BUSAN is good / Global Networks / Global Connection / Artist’s Table |
| Host | Busan Metropolitan City |
| Supervision | Busan International Performing Arts Festival Organizing Committee, Busan Cinema Center |
| Sponsor | KRX Korea Exchange, Busan Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance, Arts Council Korea, Hungarian Cultural Institute in Seoul |
| Partners | I Love Stage, Yesul-eun Gongyuda, Aura Stage, Dongseo University, Millac the Market, Disabled, Adam Mickiewicz Institute |
 Festival Purpose |
| 1) Busan Theatre Reaching the World |
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Held in Busan, the second-largest city in the Republic of Korea, the Busan International Performing Arts Festival has built a strong foundation of performing arts infrastructure and has taken the lead in providing audiences with access to outstanding international and domestic productions. The 23rd Busan International Performing Arts Festival aims not only to present high-quality invited works, but also to establish a gateway for Korean theatre—including Busan-based productions—to enter the global stage through newly developed international exchange programs, contributing to the advancement of Busan theatre in a global era. |
| 2) Advancing Toward “Busan, a City of Culture and Arts” |
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The Busan International Performing Arts Festival has consistently showcased a wide spectrum of performing arts without limiting itself to a single genre, presenting physical theatre, family theatre, puppet theatre, street theatre, and more. In 2026, the festival will expand beyond traditional theatre venues to include outdoor spaces and public squares, broadening the scope of the festival experience. By creating an open and accessible cultural celebration that can be enjoyed anywhere, the festival envisions Busan’s growth as a city where citizens take pride in actively engaging with culture and the arts. |
| 3) Fostering Civic Pride and Community Engagement |
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Beyond presenting acclaimed domestic and international productions, the Busan International Performing Arts Festival has continuously worked to make the festival accessible to a wide audience. The 23rd edition will further strengthen opportunities for participation through programs such as Master Classes involving local artists and emerging practitioners, as well as the 10-Minute Theatre Festival, which is open to all citizens. By encouraging participation rather than passive consumption, the festival seeks to cultivate long-term civic pride and create a space where artists and citizens connect, breathe, and grow together. |
| 4) Contributing to the Expansion of International Arts Exchange |
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Over the past 22 years, the Busan International Performing Arts Festival has established extensive networks with artistic organizations in Korea and abroad, actively contributing to the expansion of private-sector international cultural exchange. Having signed an official partnership agreement with the world-renowned Festival Off Avignon, the festival has continued to foster international collaboration through exchange agreements with Fabbrica Europa Festival in Italy, partnerships with the Edinburgh Festivals, and invitations to festivals in Romania. At the same time, it has supported Korean performing arts companies in reaching international audiences and strengthened exchanges with leading festivals and arts organizations in countries such as Chile and China. Through these efforts, the festival continues to play a key role in expanding Busan’s international arts exchange landscape. |
| Overview |
| Event Title | The 23rd Busan International Performing Arts Festival – ‘Difference and Repetition’ |
| Dates | May 9 (Sat) – May 17 (Sun), 2026 [9 days] |
| Venues | Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre, Busan Citizen's Hall Small Theater, Adapter theater 2, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater, Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, Millac the market, UN Peace Park, Yongcheon Jiral Small Theater |
| Participation | 46 works in 13 countries |
| Participating Countries |
Poland, Brazil, Hungary, Italy, Romania, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Portugal, and the Republic of Korea, etc. |
| Invitation Program |
○ Opening & Closing Ceremony - Opening Ceremony <May 9 (Sat), Busan Cinema Center> - Closing Ceremony <May 17 (Sun), Busan Cinema Center> ○ Invitational Performance May 9 (Sat) – May 17 (Sun) (9 days) - Indoor Performances (Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre, Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater, Adapter Theater 2) - Outdoor Performances (Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, Millac the market, UN Peace Park, Yongcheon Jiral Small Theater) ○ Opening Invitational Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> - May 9 (Sat) – May 10 (Sun) AlphaGo_Lee. Theory of Sacrifice (Poland | STUDIO theatergallery) ○ Closing Invitational Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> - May 16 (Sat) – May 17 (Sun) MERRY-GO-ROUND (Hungary | NATIONAL THEATRE OF BUDAPEST in collaboration with HUNGARIAN NATIONAL DANCE ENSAMBLE and its orchestra) ○ Invited Outstanding Overseas Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> - May 12 (Tue) – May 13 (Wed) Tom at the Farm (Brazil, Portugal | Quadrovivo) ○ Global Networks <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater> - May 10 (Sun) Richard 3. The Man (Romania | “Tony Bulandra” Theatre) ○ Global Networks <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater> - May 14 (THU) - May 15 (FRI) Haboob (Republic of Korea | MJB theater) ○ Invited Outstanding Domestic&Overseas Performance(Street Performance / Opening and Closing Ceremony Performance / Outdoor Stage) To be announced |
| Global Program |
○ K-Stage (Supporting the Global Expansion of Outstanding Korean Performing Arts Groups) May 10 (Sun) – May 17 (Sun) <Adapter Theater Hall 2, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater> - 5 Korean Performing Arts Groups | Each group performs twice over two days - Participating groups: HADA ART Company, Theater company TAEYANGEUI BADA, Art group C, Theatre company "Ddungddanji", Creative organizatin sungchanpa ○ Global Networks (International Festival Exchange Program) - May 10 (Sun) Richard 3. The Man (Romania | “Tony Bulandra” Theatre) ○ Global Link: Busan Is Good! (Overseas Exchange Performance Program for Busan-based Theatre Companies) - May 12 (Tue) – May 13 (Wed) - Showcase performances featuring up to six Busan-based performing arts companies ○ Global Connection (International Exchange Networking Program) - May 12 (Tue) – May 13 (Wed) - Networking sessions with domestic artists participating in the Busan International Performing Arts Festival and international delegates ○ Artist’s Table (Roundtable with International Directors & Busan-based Artists) - May 10 (Sun), May 13 (Wed) - Talks with directors of invited productions, discussing the creative processes behind internationally acclaimed works and the development of theatrical language |
| Participating Program |
○ 10 Minute Open Plays (Citizen Participation Program) May 9 (Sat) – May 10 (Sun) <Millac the market> - The 10 Minute Open Playsis a citizen participation program designed for anyone who loves performing arts. It is a creative and passionate space where participants can express themselves through various forms of performance, including theater, skits, mime, dance, musicals, magic, and non-verbal acts—all within a 10-minute limit. This program provides an opportunity for individuals to showcase their hidden talents and creativity in a dynamic and engaging way. The 10 Minute Open Play program is divided into two categories: <General participation> and <College of Major participation>. ○ Dynamic Street (A street play contest program) May 16 (Sat) – May 17 (Sun) <UN Peace Park, Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza> - Dynamic Streetis one of the main programs of the Busan International Performing Arts Festival, designed for anyone visiting Busan to enjoy. It aims to break the stereotype that theater only belongs on a stage inside a theater, making it a more familiar and accessible art form for the public. Through an open call, renowned street performance teams from both Korea and abroadwill gather at the Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, sharing the joy of the festival with citizens. Additionally, festival attendees can fully immerse themselves in the experience through interactive programsin the Experience Zone. ○ BIPAF NextGen LAB (Master Class Workshop) - Date: To be determined - A workshop where outstanding international directors and domestic artists collaborate ○ ARTIST TALK AlphaGo_Lee. Theory of Sacrifice (Saturday, May 9) Richard 3. The Man (Sunday, May 10) Tom at the Farm (Tuesday, May 12) Haboob (Thursday, May 14) MERRY-GO-ROUND (Saturday, May 16) - A meaningful communication time where you can understand the performance more broadly through Q&A session and conversation after the show! Artist Talk is a time for performers and audiences, where you can directly see the audience's perspectives and opinions on performing arts, and have deep conversations between performers and audiences. |
| Host | Busan Metropolitan City |
| Supervision | Busan International Performing Arts Festival Organizing Committee, Busan Cinema Center |
| Sponsor | KRX Korea Exchange, Busan Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance, Arts Council Korea, Hungarian Cultural Institute in Seoul |
| Partners | I Love Stage, Yesul-eun Gongyuda, Aura Stage, Dongseo University, Millac the Market, Disabled, ADAM MICKIEWICZ INSTITUTE |