A Look Back at Rehearsal for Truth 2025

As the curtain falls on the 2025 Rehearsal for Truth International Theater Festival, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for being part of this powerful journey.

Over the past three weeks, from May 26 to June 15, our stages came alive with voices from Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Together, we explored stories of resistance, identity, and endurance — stories that resonated deeply under this year’s theme: Perseverance.

It came to our attention throughout the festival just how urgently these performances spoke to the moment we are living in. From the striking premiere of Blood, Sweat, and Queers to the intimate talkbacks, panels, and community conversations, the 2025 program reminded us again and again of Václav Havel’s words: “The answer lies in the human heart.”

On behalf of the Vaclav Havel Center thank you for showing up — for the artists, for the stories, and for the spirit of dialogue and solidarity that defines this festival.

We look forward to welcoming you again in 2026.

Missed it live? Watch the highlights now.

Live Stream Available in July: 

Watch Connection (Belarus/Austria) Online

A solo performance performed live in Salzburg and broadcast to the theater. Based on the true stories and letters of Belarusian female political prisoners. This play is about freedom and imprisonment, decisions and consequences, guilt and responsibility, strength and weakness. It is a piece about the lack of connection with political prisoners. About the author’s connection to her country and connection between European democracy and Belarusian dictatorship. 

These words begin the play “Connection”, dedicated to Belarusian political prisoners, and in particular to Maria Kolesnikova – a woman who inspired millions of Belarusians, a woman who became a symbol of freedom, creativity and courage, a woman who has been in Belarusian prison for almost 5 years. This performance is based on the real stories and letters of Belarusian women political prisoners. It is a play about freedom, decisions, guilt and about connection. About connection with your country. About the connection between democracy and dictatorship. About the lack of connection with political prisoners.

It is a reminder of the importance of democracy and how easy it is to lose it. 

Time: 45 minutes, Language: English, with elements of Belarusian and German

If you weren’t able to join us in person, you can still experience it — the recording will be available during July with a suggested $10 donation.

Thank you once again for being part of the journey.