The History of Romanian Independent Theatre

First of all, I would like to start with the definition of a particular word:
independent
adjective
UK /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt/ US /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dənt/
Meaning: not influenced or controlled in any way by other people, events, or things, i.e. an independent enquiry/organization.

Assuming that the Cambridge English Dictionary is right, and before we start describing the Romanian independent theatre movement, how can this simple definition help us understand independent theatre in general: What does a theatre need in order to be called independent? Not be affiliated with a state or an official institution? Is it a matter of financial or ideological independence? Is an independent theatre free of censorship? What is its relationship with politics? So many questions that go far beyond the simple answer the dictionary gives us. We shall keep them in mind while we follow the history of Romanian Independent Theatre from the early days to the contemporary performances of a diverse set of theatre groups and ensembles.

Download the full article here (published in gift – zeitschrift für freies theater 02/2021)