November 18 - 27, 2026, Nicosia, Cyprus
We’ve heard it, we’ve all heard about all the sticks and spears and swords, the things to bash and poke and hit with, the long, hard things, but we have not heard about the thing to put things in, the container for the thing contained. That’s a new story. That’s news.
[...] The trouble is, we've all let ourselves become part of the killer story, and so we may get finished along with it. Hence it is with a certain feeling of urgency that I see the nature, subject, words of the other story, the untold one, the life story. *
The world as we know it is ending.
You are urged to put together a survival backpack.
What do you choose to contain in it?!
What stories would you want told if the world ended tomorrow and all that can be
salvaged is in that very backpack?
What do you choose to carry to the future?
Is it endless light or is it a soft blanket?
Is it a personal memoir, or an entire library?
Is it a sachet of seeds, soil, a cutting from your favourite fruit bearing tree?
Is it a song?
What is the backpack? What does it look like?
Is it a ziplock bag?
Is it a can of something?
Is it the jar containing grandma's preserved sweets?
Is it the tote bag with your entire personality in it?
This is a space of open possibilities.
This is a call for performance designers, sound designers, video artists, costume designers, lighting designers, experiential designers, visual artists, spatial artists, to respond on the themes of survival- urgency- resilience for the exhibition of SENA 2026: OISTAT Southern European & Northern African Forum and Festival, organised by the Cyprus Centre of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (CYCSTAT).
Drawing from the idea of the survival backpack, performing arts practitioners are urged to interpret the theme as literally or as conceptually as they please. We welcome works of various scales and formats, physical origital, expanded scenographic practices, explorations of materiality, space, memory, collective storytelling from emerging or established professionals.
Entries will be shortlisted by a jury of international reviewers together with exhibition curator Eleni Ioannou. Chosen works will be displayed in the exhibition to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus in November 2026. During that time, parallel events TBA will also take place.
[ APPLICATION FORM ]
ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS
Performance designers, set designers, lighting designers, costume designers, video artists, experiential designers, visual artists, spatial artists and sound designers based or working in the performing and visual arts within the Southern Europe and Northern Africa region (Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Libya, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Vatican City).
PARTICIPANTS MUST
- provide a written proposal of exhibit concept by 02 AUGUST, 2026, together with any drawings, images etc supporting the proposal, via the application form.
If shortlisted:
-submit assembly manual/ technical or other drawings/ technical rider if necessary.
-provide via post, file transfer or in person any materials/objects/files to be exhibited.
What CYCSTAT can provide:
-assembly in the space after participants directions.
-technical support, lighting, and other technical outputs (projector, speakers etc).
-any small cost material needs that can be sourced locally (ie materials that cannot be posted).
TIMELINE
02 AUGUST
deadline for submissions.
30 AUGUST
shortlisted applicants to be notified.
02 OCTOBER
deadline for shortlisted participants to submit finalised technical manual and to provide CYCSTAT with objects/materials/ files to be exhibited.
(More info on the welcome formats in the application form.)
18-27 NOVEMBER
exhibition + parallel events TBA.
For any queries do not hesitate to contact [email protected]
ABOUT SENA
SENA is a platform that fosters exchange across the regions of Southern Europe and Northern Africa, bringing together diverse practices in scenography and performance design. Through exhibition, discourse and collective gathering, SENA creates a space for dialogue, collaboration and critical reflection on contemporary scenographic practices. Previous editions of SENA were held in Egypt (2022), Morocco (2022) and Serbia (2024).
SENA 2026, is co-organised between CYCSTAT (the Cyprus Centre of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians), OISTAT (International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians) and the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus.
ABOUT CYCSTAT
The Cyprus Centre of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (CYCSTAT) is the official professional body representing scenographers, theatre architects, technicians in the performing arts, and researchers in Cyprus. As a member of OISTAT, CYCSTAT serves as a vital link between the local and international performance design communities.
Dedicated to advancing performance design as a cultural, artistic, and research-driven discipline, CYCSTAT has put forward initiatives fostering professional exchange, education, and international collaboration. Its activities include exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and symposia, notably Performance Design Futures Symposia (2022, 2025), an internationally established platform for dialogue regarding the future of scenography and performance design.
Through its international partnerships and advocacy, CYCSTAT aims to promote the visibility of Cypriot performance design worldwide and to create opportunities for practitioners, and researchers to engage with contemporary developments in the field.
ABOUT OISTAT
OISTAT was founded in Prague in 1968. It stands for “Organisation Internationale des Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes de Théâtre” in French, and “International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians” in English. OISTAT is a global network for theatre practitioners celebrating design, technology and architecture in live performances.
The Mission of OISTAT is:
-To stimulate the exchange of ideas and innovations, and to promote international collaboration in professions which support live performance;
-To serve the art form of performance, and the people who design and create live performance;
-To promote the formation of OISTAT Centres, and the participation of individuals, alliances, and institutions in all regions of the world to achieve these aims;
-To encourage life-long learning among live performance practitioners;
-To respect the integrity of all cultures and celebrate the diversity as well as the similarities of those who work in support of live performance (continued on next page)
SENA 2026 is organised by CYCSTAT with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cyprus and OISTAT.
