The ‘Conference by Candlelight’ offers opportunities for networking and collaboration with both the international OISTAT commissions and the Swedish OISTAT, followed by the main conference events from 4 to 6 June 2026.
The ‘Conference by Candlelight’ is an international forum for academics, researchers and professionals to discuss the artistic, technical and cultural dimensions of candlelit performances and their significance for 21st-century theatre.
Main conference June 4 - 6, 2026.
General Assembly Perspectiv June 3 2026.
Workshops before conference 1, 2 or 4 days
Participants can look forward to an exciting programme, including professional development workshops and expert-led tours of three royal court theatres from the Baroque era. The events will take place in collaboration with the Drottningholm Court Theatre (1766), the Gripsholm Castle Theatre (1781) and the Confidencen Palace Theatre (1753) – all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Activities include guided tours, behind-the-scenes demonstrations and hands-on workshops on historical stage machinery, candlelit performance techniques, and period costumes, sets and props.
Detailed information and application link here:
https://sttf.se/conference-by-candlelight
MAIN conference programme
June 4:
Presentations on the stage of Drottningholms Slottsteater
On the program:
- What is the world considereing as historic light today?
- The Drottningholm experience - reconstruction of historic light
- The Eye and its Perception of Light and Colours
- The history of stage lighting
Conference programme will include lunch and refreshment breaks during the day
Dinner hosted by City of Stockholm in City Hall
June 5:
Presentations on the stage of Confidencen, Ulriksdals slottsteater
On the program:
- The Confidencen experience - working with candles
- A stage director’s approach to historic light – demonstrations and discussions with the workshop leaders on sets, costume, make-up and lighting
Conference programme will include lunch and refreshment breaks during the day
June 6:
Study visit to Gripsholm Palace morning, by bus.
No refreshments during the outing.
End of conference
Conference fees:
| Member Perspectiv/OISTAT/STTF | 2500 SEK (approx. €233) |
| Non-Member | 2900 SEK (approx. 270 €) |
| Student Member Perspectiv/OISTAT/STTF | 1,700 SEK (approx. €158) |
| Student Non-member | 2100 SEK (approx. 196 €) |
The conference is a collaborative event arranged by
PERSPECTIV - Association of Historic Theatres in Europe
OISTAT - International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians
STTF - Swedish Association of Stage Technicians
SLF - Swedish Lighting Designers Association
in cooperation with
Confidencen Ulriksdals slottsteater and Drottningholms Slottsteater.
The conference is supported by the City of Stockholm.
