Festival PERSPECTIVES
The Franco-German festival of performing arts — 48th edition in Saarbrücken and Moselle
About Perspectives
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A Festival on the Border River
Festival Perspectives is arguably the most important ambassador of Franco-German cultural cooperation on stage. Founded in 1978 as the French Theatre Week, it has evolved over the decades into a bilingual, multidisciplinary festival that programs the performing arts of both countries equally — a unique feature in the European festival landscape. Since 2007, it has been supported by the Foundation for Franco-German Cultural Cooperation, based in Saarbrücken.
Saarland Meets Moselle
The festival consistently crosses the border: 21 venues on both sides of the Saar are spread across Saarbrücken, the surrounding Saarland, and the French department of Moselle (Sarreguemines, Forbach, Metz, Saint-Avold). A shuttle program connects the venues, and many productions travel between the cities. The financial backers reflect this — in addition to Saarland and the state capital Saarbrücken, the French department of Moselle has also been contractually involved in financing since 2002.
International Stars on Saarland Stages
The programming combines established stars with young voices. The 2026 edition will feature, among others, works by Mariano Pensotti (Argentinian theatre), Caroline Guiela Nguyen (French documentary theatre), a revival of a Pina Bausch choreography (in collaboration with Australian dancer and choreographer Meryl Tankard), and the acclaimed Australian circus collective Circa. In total, the 48th edition comprises around 40 performances — nine guest performances, three co-productions, a reading series, four film programs, two club nights, and two workshops.
Themes 2026
Three thematic lines run through the program: Identity, existential questions, and family history. The artistic direction selects productions that explore these themes from German, French, and international perspectives — a concept that aligns with the festival's cross-border mission.
Accessibility as a Program Point
Perspectives consistently invests in accessibility. For the 2026 edition, new program pictograms have been introduced to indicate which productions are suitable for deaf audiences (with visual elements), for visually impaired audiences (with a focus on sound), or with German Sign Language interpretation. The city and venues are also largely wheelchair accessible.
Awards 2025
The previous edition brought two important recognitions: The collective DARUM received the Nestroy Special Prize in 2025, and the play ARMOUR was awarded the Maeterlinck Prize in the circus category — both productions were featured at the festival in Saarbrücken. Over 8,000 visitors attended in 2025.
Saarbrücken as a Festival Stage
During the festival, the state capital of Saarland transforms into an open stage: The Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken, the E-Werk, the Garage, the Filmhaus, the Tbilisser Platz with its circus tent, and several clubs will host performances. Public spaces and open-air areas are also included. In Moselle, the Théâtre de Sarreguemines, the Carreau Forbach, and the Centre Pompidou Metz are central venues.
Perspectives — edition 2026
With the 2026 edition, the Festival Perspectives continues its cross-border programming. Nine guest performances from Germany, France, and internationally, three co-productions, a reading series, four films, two club nights, and two workshops are spread across ten festival days. Highlights include Mariano Pensotti's documentary theatre, Caroline Guiela Nguyen's politically charged family portraits, a revival of a Pina Bausch choreography by Meryl Tankard, and the acrobats of Circa.
A special feature of the 2026 edition is the consistent focus on accessibility: special performance formats for deaf and visually impaired audiences, as well as sign language interpretation, are an integral part of the festival concept.
Programme Perspectives 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026 — Opening
- Evening — Two free circus performances in Saarbrücken (Tbilisser Platz)
- Theatre production at the Théâtre de Sarreguemines (F)
Friday, May 22, 2026 to Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Guest performances by Mariano Pensotti (Argentinian theatre) at Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken
- Productions by Caroline Guiela Nguyen (French documentary theatre)
- Revival of a Pina Bausch choreography by Meryl Tankard (Tanzwerk Saarbrücken)
- Circus production by the Australian collective Circa in the festival tent at Tbilisser Platz
- Reading series at the Saarbrücken City Library
- Film program at Filmhaus Saarbrücken
- Co-productions in Forbach, Saint-Avold, and Metz (F)
- Two club nights with electronic music at E-Werk Saarbrücken
- Workshops for professionals and amateurs
Weekend, May 29–30, 2026 — Closing
- Festival closing at Saarländisches Staatstheater Saarbrücken
- Final performances in the French program section
The complete daily program with all 40 performances, venues, and start times will be published on festival-perspectives.de and in the printed festival newspaper.
Highlights Perspectives 2026
- 40 performances at 21 venues in Saarland and Moselle
- International names: Mariano Pensotti, Caroline Guiela Nguyen, Meryl Tankard, Circa
- Two free opening circus performances
- Consistent accessibility (sign language, tactile, auditory)
- Cross-border shuttles between Saarland and Moselle
- Over 8,000 visitors in the previous edition
Prices Perspectives 2026
Single tickets range from €12–€35 depending on the performance, concessions €8–€20. Festival passes offer discounts. Opening circus performances on May 21 are free. Online via ticket-festival-perspectives.mapado.com or at the festival office, Schillerplatz 2.
Practical information — Perspectives
Getting There
By Car: A6 (Saarbrücken–Mannheim) or A8 (Luxembourg–Pirmasens), exit Saarbrücken-Innenstadt. Parking garages at Schlossplatz and Schillerplatz.
By Train: Saarbrücken Hbf — direct ICE from Frankfurt, TGV from Paris (just over 1h45). From the main station, a 10-minute walk to the festival center at Schillerplatz.
From Saarbrücken Airport (SCN): 15 minutes by bus.
Festival Passes and Tickets
Online via ticket-festival-perspectives.mapado.com or on-site at the festival office at Schillerplatz 2, 66111 Saarbrücken. Phone +49 681 3092-486 (Tue–Fri 10 am–6 pm, Sat 10 am–2 pm). Discounted festival passes available.
Shuttle and Cross-Border Connections
Festival shuttles connect Saarbrücken with the French venues (Sarreguemines, Forbach, Metz). Passes including a Saarbahn day ticket are available.
Language
Performances are usually shown with surtitles in the respective other language (German/French). English surtitles are also provided for international guest performances.
Accommodation
Hotels in Saarbrücken city center (4-star from €100, boutique hotels and guesthouses from €70). Tip for festival visitors: Hotels near Sankt Johanner Markt — short distances to all venues.
Tip
Attend the opening events with two free circus performances in Saarbrücken — then purchase a festival pass.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Perspectives al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Perspectives
Staatstheater Saarbrücken und 20 weitere Spielstätten in Saarland und Moselle
Schillerplatz 2, 66111 Saarbrücken