Ukraine's first festival at the intersection of theatre, music, performance. Debut edition 12-15 October 2026 in Lviv.
Kurbasy announced on 8 January 2026 the founding of their own 'Kurbas' festival in Lviv — at the intersection of theatre, music, and performance. The debut edition runs 12-15 October 2026 (4 days) in various Lviv locations: Zankovetska Theatre, Lesia Ukrainka Theatre, Lviv Philharmonic, Lviv Opera House, and an open-air stage at Rynok Square. The festival name — a reference to Les Kurbas, reformer of Ukrainian theatre in the 1920s. Debut edition lineup — 12 performers from 7 countries: 1) Kurbasy (Ukraine, headliners, performance 14 October); 2) Carmina Slovenica (Slovenia, see separate news); 3) Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (Estonia); 4) Pomerium (USA, leading early-music choir); 5) Hilliard Ensemble (UK, a cappella legends); 6-12) additionally 6 Ukrainian ensembles (DakhaBrakha, Pikkardiyska Tertsia, Khoreia Kozatska — see PR1, PR5 — and others). Festival concept — interexposition of three art forms: 1) Theatrical productions (5 plays over 4 days, limited audience of 300 spectators each); 2) Concerts (8 performances in different halls, capacity 200-2000 spectators); 3) Performances and street-shows (open-air, free access). The festival is funded by the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation (4.5 million UAH) and Lviv City Council (2 million UAH). Expected total audience — 18 thousand spectators over 4 days.
