Established in 1994 at the Université de Liège (Belgium), AITU-IUTA supports university-level theatre creation, education, and research. With members in over 50 countries across five continents, the association fosters international collaboration and dialogue.

Past congresses have taken place in:

• Canada, Senegal, Poland, Greece, Italy, Mexico, UK, Belarus, Belgium, Colombia, and Russia.
  
  

The aim of the International University Theatre Association is to develop and promote university theatre worldwide. ‘University theatre’, in this context, means any theatrical activity carried out within higher and tertiary education institutions, as training, creative or research activities, either theoretical or practical.

Aware of the role theatre plays in fostering dialogue and understanding between cultures, the association promotes exchanges and collaboration between university theatres (be it spontaneous student theatre, assisted, vocational or professional work) as well as contacts with amateur and professional theatres.

The association, rich in its diversity, will not tolerate political, national, linguistic, racial, religious, sexual or any other kind of discrimination.

Founded on the principle of solidarity and cooperation the IUTA is an independent network open equally to all its members according to their individual circumstances.

Vilnius University, founded in 1579, is one of the oldest academic institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. It has a rich tradition of student theatre spanning over 400 years, making it an ideal host for the 2026 Congress.

The university’s Culture Centre continues this legacy by supporting:

• Student theatre groups
• Interdisciplinary artistic projects
• Performance-based cultural activities

Under the theme University Theatre in the Time of Global Challenges, the Congress will address topics such as:

• Climate Crisis and Ecological Responsibility
• Political Instability, Repression, and Activism
• War, Occupation, and Conflict
• Migration and Identity
• Pandemics and New Theatrical Forms
• Artificial Intelligence and University Theatre
• Rethinking the Role of University Theatre in a Changing World

The program will include:

• Academic presentations
• Workshops and demonstrations
• The International University Theatre Festival

Join Us in Vilnius!

We warmly invite you to be part of this vibrant international gathering. Let’s reconnect, share ideas, and inspire each other through the power of university theatre.