On May 14, 1996, CIATRE (Associació de Companyies de Teatre Professional de Catalunya) was founded with a clear goal: to strengthen and preserve an independent and private model of creation, management, and dissemination of performing arts. Three decades later, we are still here, more alive than ever, defending creation, culture, and all the people who fill the stage with magic. To celebrate this milestone, the Sala Ars in Barcelona hosted the 30th anniversary celebration of CIATRE, a gathering that brought together professionals, companies, institutions, and organizations linked to Catalan performing arts to commemorate three decades of work in defense of the sector. The event was marked by a festive atmosphere of reunion and served to highlight the association’s trajectory and the role it has played over the years in consolidating and defending professional theatre in Catalunya. The celebration included a cava reception and a performance by the company, which brought rhythm and energy to the evening.
One of the most notable moments of the night was the institutional recognition and collective memory ceremony led by CIATRE president Susana Lloret and founder and vice-president Anna Rosa Cisquella. Both reflected on the evolution of the association and the main milestones achieved over these thirty years. The event also paid tribute to two key figures in Catalan performing arts: Marcel Gros, in recognition of his career in clowning, and Carles Cañellas, who this year celebrated fifty years dedicated to the art of puppetry. The organization also acknowledged the work of all the people who have been part of the entity, with a special mention to CIATRE coordinator Maribel Tomàs.
The celebration featured broad institutional representation, including Sònia Hernández, Minister of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya; Xavier Marcé, Councillor for Culture and Creative Industries of the Ajuntament de Barcelona; Edgar Garcia, director of the Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals; Nèlida Falcó, head of the Performing Arts Area at the Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals; Núria Lomas, manager of Cultural Services at the Diputació de Barcelona; Mireia Sabaté, head of the Artistic Diffusion Office of the Diputació de Barcelona; Xavier Fina, Director General for Cultural Promotion and Libraries of the Generalitat de Catalunya, and Ingrid Llopart, Deputy Director General for Cultural Promotion of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Among the entities present at the event were ADETCA, ACPDC, TTP, AADPC, CDAEC, UNIMA Catalunya, and ACET.
Thirty years after the founding of CIATRE, the sector has once again highlighted its shared commitment to continue working together so that the performing arts remain a living, bold, and essential space. 30 years of companies, stories, emotions, projects, resilience, and love for the performing arts.
