Victor Ion Popa Theatre Barlad

The Victor Ion Popa Theatre in Bârlad is the professional theatre institution of Vaslui County, based at Strada Republicii no. 268, in the municipality of Bârlad. Inaugurated on the evening of 28 December 1955 under the name Teatrul de Stat Bârlad, the institution opened its activity with the performance of "Mielul Turbat" by Aurel Baranga, directed by Sică Alexandrescu, staged as a national premiere. On the completion of its first year of activity, in 1956, the theatre was given the name of the playwright, director and actor Victor Ion Popa (1895–1946), a prominent figure of interwar Romanian culture and a native of Bârlad, author of landmark plays such as "Mușcata din fereastră" and "Take, Ianke și Cadâr". The institution operates as a repertory theatre with a permanent acting company, offering dramatic theatre performances, comedies and productions for children. Its repertoire includes both classical Romanian and international plays as well as contemporary productions. Over the decades, the theatre has developed international collaborations, undertaking tours in France, particularly in Strasbourg, for local audiences and the Romanian diaspora. The municipality of Bârlad is accessible by road via DN24 and by rail via the București–Iași line, with a stop at Gara Bârlad, located approximately 1.5 km from the theatre.