Chile And Argentina Shine With International Theater Festivals

Following the success of Buenos Aires` international theatre festival, held toward the end of 2009, Chile`s Santiago a Mil festival kicked off this week, continuing the celebration and showcasing of the region`s strong thespian community. 


The event is organized and run by the Foundation Festival International de Teatro a Mil, every January, whereas FIBA occurs every two years. 

Chile’s Santiago a Mil theater festival burst onto the scene in 1994 with a total of five plays. Since then it has grown significantly with this year’s festival hosting close to 50 plays—both national and international productions. 

Buenos Aires’ international theater festival followed suit, beginning three years later, in 1997.   While it usually takes place in September, after a change of leadership this year, the festival was held in October.  

Both festivals are usually held over a period of three weeks.  However, this year’s theater festival in Buenos Aires ran for only two weeks (October 5-18), packing in as many performances as possible during this short period of time.  

Both festivals not only highlight diverse artistic expressions (theater, music and visual arts) from their each country, but from those around the world as well.  International companies come from as far away as Poland, Russia, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain and countries as near as Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico.  

Translations are provided for productions performed in languages other than Spanish, although for musical or dance performances they are rarely needed. 

Both festivals are complemented by a series of cultural events that are usually free for to the public, including movies, readings, roundtables and workshops where it is possible to meet and speak to authors, screenwriters, producers, directors and performing artists who are part of the festival.  

There is also a mix of mainstream, experimental and street theater performances staged in various locations throughout the city, also free of charge. 

This year’s Santiago a Mil Theater Festival runs until January 31