Absences and Silences as spaces of potential for new scenographic futures: Theme of PQ 2027
Prague Quadrennial will explore the theme of Absences and Silences—not as voids, but as spaces of potential: As forms of historical and artistic reflection, or aesthetic and dramaturgical tool, and as testing grounds for thinking about new scenographic possibilities. Special focus will be placed on what has not been seen or heard—perhaps because it usually happens outside the spotlight, offstage, or beyond traditional canons, centers, and textbooks. The theme highlights scenographic moments, methods, and projects that work with absences and silences or center them in their approach, directing attention, shaping rhythm and spatial dynamics, engaging the body, and deepening meaning.
“Crucially, absences and silences can create opportunities to imagine what is still emerging or yet to come, carving out space for the futures we have yet to shape,” points out Barbora Příhodová, Artistic Director of Prague Quadrennial.
Program of PQ 2027
The program structure of PQ 2027 builds on the continuity of previous editions. Its core will once again include two major exhibitions curated by participating countries and regions: the Exhibition of Countries and Regions and the Student Exhibition.
These will be accompanied by program sections prepared by the Curatorial team of PQ, presenting contemporary scenography and performance design in various ways:
- PQ Performance Space – focused on performance space and theatre architecture
- PQ Talks – a series of critical conversations on scenography
- PQ Performance – a program of live performances, both on and off stage
- PQ Studio – an educational platform for both students and established practitioners
- PQ Publication Cultures – exploring publications and knowledge communities around scenography
- PQ Hive – a program for wider audiences, children, young people, and families
- PQ 60 – program marking the 60th anniversary of PQ
Open calls for these program sections will be published on October 1, 2025. The deadline for registration of countries and regions is November 30, 2025.
PQ 60 is a special program marking the 60th anniversary of Prague Quadrennial in 2027. It aims to critically explore PQ as a global cultural phenomenon since its founding in 1967 and to present it in its transformations and contexts to the professional community and the wider public. It includes digitalization and systematization of PQ Archives, as well as research activities, such as an online symposium in fall 2025. During PQ 2027, PQ 60 will offer an immersive installation that presents the developments of Prague Quadrennial over the six decades.
Additionally, PQ 2027 will include a platform for professional networking, a showcase of Czech-based artists, and an accompanying music program.
International Curatorial Team of PQ
The curatorial team for the 16th Prague Quadrennial includes: Brazilian scenographer and professor Renato Bolelli Rebouças; British theorist and author Rachel Hann; Prague-based Chilean director, scenographer, and performer Pedro Gramegna Ardiles; Portuguese architect, scenographer, and cultural mediator Sara Franqueira; scenographer, educator, and Artistic Director of PQ 2019 and 2023 Markéta Fantová; Czech-British theatre historian, translator, author, and practitioner Pavel Drábek; and researcher and curator Anna Hejmová, who has also been leading PQ archival and research activities since March 2025.
“Since its beginnings in the 1960s, the Prague Quadrennial has been a unique meeting place of diverse cultures and artistic approaches. The fact that this intercultural exchange takes place right here in Prague—with active participation of Czech artists and professionals—is, in my opinion, an exceptional opportunity,” says Martin Baxa, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic.
Full information and upcoming events by PQ
The complete artistic concept of the 16th edition of the Prague Quadrennial, detailed information about its program, and a schedule of upcoming activities are available at pq.cz/pq2027.
On 11–12 September, the Quadrennial team is preparing an online symposium titled 60 Years of PQ as a Meeting Place of Scenographic Worlds.
The next international professional meeting, featuring curators of participating countries and regions, will take place in mid-April 2026 in Prague.
Prague Quadrennial (PQ) is the largest international event in the field of scenography, performance design and space. PQ aims to create opportunities for the presentation of contemporary scenography and performance space, to map and support innovative work in this field and to provide an inclusive space for dialogue between professionals, students and the wider public. The Prague Quadrennial was founded in 1967 in Prague and has been held every four years without interruption. At each of its editions, participants from an expanding number of countries and regions, often exceeding 80, gather in Prague. Today, PQ combines elements of both an exhibition and a live arts festival, and its program typically includes hundreds of exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops, and professional discussions.
11,000 accredited visitors actively participated in the 15th PQ in 2023, and the performance and accompanying program in the public space reached over fifty thousand spectators. In between its editions, PQ functions as a continuous platform that creates opportunities for international exchange in the field of scenography through special projects, artist residencies, symposia, and publications. The 16th edition of the Prague Quadrennial will take place in June 2027.
PQ is initiated by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and organized by the Arts and Theatre Institute.
Arts and Theatre Institute (ATI) is a state-funded contributory organisation established by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. Since 1959 the mission of ATI is to provide the Czech and international public with comprehensive services in the field of theatre and partially also in other areas of the arts. ATI operates as an open centre of information, scholarship, consultation, education, and publishing. Moreover, it organises and participates in international projects, engages in research, documentation work, collecting activities, and organising exhibitions. ATI encourages a strategic approach to culture, and it supports and connects culture professionals and artists across different disciplines on the national and international scene.
