ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — The event happens in a different city every few years and participants from all over the world are thrilled to take part. Crowds rush to buy tickets for events they might never otherwise see. It was founded in Greece, and international cooperation and good will are high on the list of aims.

Yes, it’s the Olympics — but this is the Theater Olympics, a roving festival founded in 1994. About every four years since (but not always), it has popped up in a new city around the world, each iteration directed by an eminent local theater personality but involving the members of an international committee.

This year, for the first time, the Theater Olympics are being hosted by two cities: The festival began in St. Petersburg, Russia, in June, ran concurrently during August and September in Toga, Japan, and then continued in Russia until Dec. 13.