KISS & KIIT Students Make History at World Shakespeare Festival 2026
Tribal Students Perform Shakespeare in Santali on European Stage
Ten students from KIIT and ten from KISS achieved international acclaim by performing Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, *Hamlet*, and *Macbeth* in the Santali language at the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2026 in Romania, marking the first time Shakespearean plays were presented in a tribal language on such a global stage, coinciding with the Ol Chiki script's centenary. After their successful performances, which garnered praise from 71 universities and over 3,000 participants, the students returned to Delhi and presented a special show on June 4th, 2026, in collaboration with the Romanian Embassy and KISS-KIIT for prominent figures. This significant cultural achievement, as highlighted by KIIT Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta, brought pride to India and showcased tribal culture and language internationally.
Ten students from KIIT and ten from KISS achieved international acclaim by performing Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, *Hamlet*, and *Macbeth* in the Santali language at the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2026 in Romania, marking the first time Shakespearean plays were presented in a tribal language on such a global stage, coinciding with the Ol Chiki script's centenary. After their successful performances, which garnered praise from 71 universities and over 3,000 participants, the students returned to Delhi and presented a special show on June 4th, 2026, in collaboration with the Romanian Embassy and KISS-KIIT for prominent figures. This significant cultural achievement, as highlighted by KIIT Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta, brought pride to India and showcased tribal culture and language internationally.
Ten students from KIIT and ten from KISS achieved international acclaim by performing Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*, *Hamlet*, and *Macbeth* in the Santali language at the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2026 in Romania, marking the first time Shakespearean plays were presented in a tribal language on such a global stage, coinciding with the Ol Chiki script's centenary. After their successful performances, which garnered praise from 71 universities and over 3,000 participants, the students returned to Delhi and presented a special show on June 4th, 2026, in collaboration with the Romanian Embassy and KISS-KIIT for prominent figures. This significant cultural achievement, as highlighted by KIIT Founder Dr. Achyuta Samanta, brought pride to India and showcased tribal culture and language internationally.
New Delhi, June 5: Ten students from KIIT and ten students from KISS spent two months in Romania to practice and perform Shakespeare's plays—Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Macbeth—in the Santali language at the World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2026 in Romania.
Following their successful performances in Romania, the students returned to Delhi on 4th June 2026. A special performance was organized in Delhi for distinguished personalities and eminent citizens of Delhi in collaboration with the Romanian Embassy and KISS-KIIT.
They earned international acclaim for staging Shakespeare's plays in the tribal Santali language at the festival, which featured 71 universities and over 3,000 participants worldwide.
For the first time, the students from India performed Shakespeare’s plays in tribal language, Santali. The performance came in the year that the Ol Chiki script of the Santali language celebrates its centenary, carrying forward the pride of the Santali language onto a global stage.
Expressing his happiness, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, KIIT, KISS & KIMS congratulated the students over the achievement. He said, “We are delighted that KIIT and KISS were selected to represent India at this prestigious festival. Their achievement brought pride to KIIT, KISS, Odisha and the country. Previously, they had visited foreign countries mainly for sports events; however, this time they visited a European country, Romania, to showcase tribal dances and promote cultural exchange”, he added.