by Cristina Ghinea
Photography is an art that complements the Sibiu International Theater Festival. Through it, moments are immortalized, the spirit and memory of events are prolonged and shared. Being part of the FITS team of photographers is not easy, but it is certainly a unique and rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. FITS photographers witness the transformations over time of the festival, its spectators, the organization, the city and the times, thus always being part of the miracle.
Three of those who have been contributing to the FITS image archive for years and capturing moments by means of which the festival is represented in numerous corners of the world – Dragoș Dumitru, Mihaela Marin and Sebastian Marcovici – answered a few of our questions.
Mihaela Marin authored dozens of exhibitions, book covers, illustrated books, photos of performances in theaters in the country and abroad, and several photo albums related to theater performances created by renowned directors such as Andrei Șerban or Silviu Purcărete.
For how many years have you been attending FITS?
Mihaela Marin: My story began in 2008. An absolute premiere! It was my first time as a photographer at a theater festival and the first time I had the opportunity to see and photograph a Kabuki performance. I am referring to the show Natsumatsuri Naniwa Kagami, directed by Kazuyoshi Kushida.
What does FITS mean to you personally and professionally?
Mihaela Marin: Every time I come to Sibiu, to the festival, I feel like I’m coming home.
Every time I attend with the same impatience to discover new shows, to meet again dear people, fellow theater lovers. Here I had the opportunity to meet directors, actors, scenographers, creators of stories that I really needed. It was also here that I met my fellow photographers, we learned to work as a team, to help each other and we grew together.
What are the most valuable memories/encounters that FITS has offered you?
Mihaela Marin: I have many fond memories.
Biță Bani, Valentin Nicolau, Silviu Purcărete, Hetty Sturmer, Lia Manțoc, Vasile Şirli, the Faust team, Eugenio Barba, Thomas Ostermeier, Pippo Delbono and many other wonderful people.
At the festival, we released the albums FAUST and THE SCARLET PRINCESS and saw unforgettable performances: Faust, directed by Silviu Purcărete, Titus Andronicus, directed by Yamanote Jijosha, Inside the Skeleton of the Whale, directed by Eugenio Barba, Book of Job directed by Eimuntas Nekrosius, The Marriage of Maria Braun, directed by Thomas Ostermeier and many other wonderful stories.
What are your thoughts for FITS’ 30th edition?
Mihaela Marin: Happy Birthday, FITS! And a heartfelt thank you to director Constantin Chiriac for the joy he has brought us all these years.
