Festival Purpose

1) Expanding Busan’s Theatre Scene to the World

The Busan International Performing Arts Festival, held in South Korea’s second-largest city, Busan, has actively provided audiences with high-quality performances by inviting outstanding international and domestic productions. The 22nd BIPAF not only continues to showcase these remarkable works but also introduces a global expansion program, creating a gateway for Busan’s theatre scene to enter the international stage.

2) Advancing Busan as a “City of Arts and Culture”

The Busan International Performing Arts Festival has showcased a wide range of performing arts genres, including physical theater, family theater, puppet theater, and street performances, without being confined to a specific genre. This year, the festival expands its scope beyond traditional theater performances by introducing more programs in outdoor and public spaces, creating a broader festival experience. We look forward to transforming Busan into a "City of Cultural Enjoyment", where everyone can participate and enjoy, fostering a sense of cultural pride among its citizens.

3) Fostering Civic Pride and Community Engagement

The Busan International Performing Arts Festival goes beyond simply presenting renowned domestic and international productions. It has continuously worked to create programs that allow everyone to engage with the festival easily. This year, the festival enhances participation opportunities through "NextGen LAB," where local artists and future performers take an active role in creation, and the "10 Minute Open Plays" open to all citizens. By fostering a sense of pride as active participants rather than mere consumers of art, the festival aims to create a space where artists and citizens can connect, interact, and share the experience together.

4) Expanding International Artistic Exchange

Over the past 21 years, the Busan International Performing Arts Festival (BIPAF) has fostered networks not only within Korea but also with diverse artistic organizations worldwide, contributing to the expansion of international cultural exchange in the private sector. Having previously signed an official agreement with the prestigious Avignon Off Festival, BIPAF achieved another milestone in 2024 by establishing a cultural exchange partnership with ‘Fabbrica Europa Festival’ in Italy, enabling outstanding Korean artistic groups to expand internationally. Additionally, BIPAF is actively engaging in exchanges with renowned artistic organizations and festivals in Romania, Hong Kong, and beyond, further strengthening Busan’s role as a hub for international artistic collaboration.

Overview

Event Title	The 22nd Busan International Performing Arts Festival – ‘Regeneration & Balance’(In Commemoration of the Year of Korea-Italy Cultural Exchange)
Dates	May 23 (Fri) – June 1 (Sun), 2025 [10 days]
Venues	Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre, Busan Citizen's Hall Small Theater, Adapter theater, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater, Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, Millac the market, Dongseo University Sohyang Experimental Theater
Participation	58 works in 14 countries
Participating Countries	Italy, United States, France, Canada, Chile, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea, Uruguay, Mexico, United Kingdom, Thailand etc.
Invitation Program	○ Opening & Closing Ceremony - Opening Ceremony <May 23 (Fri) 19:00, Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> - Closing Ceremony <June 1 (Sun) 17:30, Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> ○ Invitational Performance May 23 (Fri) – June 1 (Sun) (10 days) - Indoor Performances (Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre, Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater, Adapter Theater) - Outdoor Performances (Busan Cinema Center Outdoor Plaza, Millac the market) ○ Opening Invitational Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> May 23 (Fri) – May 24 (Sat) Tragùdia – The Song of Oedipus (Italy, USA | Teatro di Sardegna) ○ Closing Invitational Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> May 31 (Sat) – June 1 (Sun) The Vegetarian | (Italy, South Korea | Daria Deflorian) ○ Invited Outstanding Overseas Performance <Busan Cinema Center Haneulyeon Theatre> May 27 (Tue) – May 28 (Wed) Antigone | (Israel | Beit Lessin Theater) ○ Invited Outstanding Overseas Performance <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater> May 31 (Sat) Ascension | (France | SITIO) ○ Global Networks <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater> May 24 (Sat) – May 25 (Sun) Chair / IL POSTO | (Japan, Italy | Mum&Gypsy) ○ Global Networks <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater> May 28 (Wed) – May 29 (Thu) War 愛 | (South Korea | Baewoochango) ○ Invited Outstanding Domestic&Overseas Performance(Street Performance / Opening and Closing Ceremony Performance / Outdoor Stage) Busan International Theater Festival – Dynamic Street 2024 Gold Prize Winner: Flowlaiyee (Hong Kong) May 31, 13:00 – Dynamic Street Celebration Performance (Outdoor Plaza, Busan Cinema Center) May 31, 17:30 – Closing Celebration Performance (Lobby, Haneul Theater, Busan Cinema Center) June 1, 13:00 – Dynamic Street Celebration Performance (Outdoor Plaza, Busan Cinema Center) June 1, 17:30 – Closing Celebration Performance (Lobby, Haneul Theater, Busan Cinema Center)
Global Program	○ K-Stage (Supporting the Global Expansion of Outstanding Korean Performing Arts Groups) May 24 (Sat) – June 1 (Sun) <Adapter Theater Hall 2, Dongseo University Minseok Small Theater> - 6 Korean Performing Arts Groups | Each group performs twice over two days ○ Global Networks (International Festival Exchange Program) - May 24 (Sat) – May 25 (Sun) <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater>   Chair / IL POSTO | (Japan, Italy | Mum&Gypsy) - May 28 (Wed) – May 29 (Thu) <Busan Citizen’s Hall Small Theater>   War 愛 | (South Korea | Baewoochanggo) ○ BIPAF KIDS PROGRAM <Baekyang Arts Center Theater> May 5 (Mon) – May 7 (Wed) A Sick Day for Morris McGee (Israel | Train Theater) May 11 (Sun) – May 13 (Tue) Tailor Made (Israel | Ornan Braier) ○ Global Forum (International Forum) - May 25 (Sun) <Adapter Theater Hall 1> - Current Trends & Future Prospects of International Performing Arts Festivals ○ Global Connection (Artist Exchange & Networking Program) - May 26 (Mon) <Adapter Theater Hall 1> - Networking between Korean performing arts groups and international festival representatives
Participating Program	○ 10 Minute Open Plays (Citizen Participation Program) May 24 (Sat) – May 25 (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 31 (Sat) – June 1 (Sun) <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. ○ ARTIST TALK   Tragùdia – The Song of Oedipus (Friday, May 23)   Chair/IL POSTO (Saturday, May 24)   Antigone (Monday, May 27)   War 愛 (Tuesday, May 28)   Ascension (Friday, May 31)   The Vegetarian (Friday, May 31) - 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. ○ BIPAF NextGen LAB (Master Class Workshop) May 17 (Sat), 17:00~21:00 / May 18 (Sun), 13:00–18:00 Masterclass Workshop led by playwright and director Takahiro Fujita, head of the Japanese theater company Mum & Gypsy

Host	Busan Metropolitan City
Supervision	Busan International Performing Arts Festival Organizing Committee, Busan Cinema Center, Busanjin Cultural Foundation
Sponsor	Embassy of Italy in Korea, Italian Cultural Institute in Korea, Embassy of Israel in Korea, KRX Korea Exchange, Busan Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance, Arts Council Korea, Dongseo University