CALL FOR PROPOSALS OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE FORUM OF THE
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN'S THEATRES IN SUBOTICA, 2026

Dear theatre experts!

It is our pleasure to inform you that International Festival of Children's Theatres Subotica (Serbia), in co-operation with the Theatre Museum of Vojvodina from Novi Sad (Serbia), is organizing an INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COLLEGE OF THEATRE ARTS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH conference for the seventeenth time.

XXXIII INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN`S THEATRES SUBOTICA (20 – 25.september 2026)
XVII THEATRICAL ARTS RESEARCH FORUM FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

TOPIC: THE PHENOMENON OF SPACE AND ENVIRONMENT IN THEATRE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Theatre for children and youth, as an artistic phenomenon, encompasses a wide range of artistic and social activities. Each of these aspects is rooted in space and time - in other words, in an environment defined by choice or necessity. The space in which a theatrical event unfolds, or an artistic idea takes shape, serves as a cultural framework that gains new meanings and perspectives through theatrical expression. The environment, as a determining or sociological factor, in interaction with the theatre, opens up possibilities for new choices that can themselves become artistic content.

Theatre for children and youth creates opportunities for exploring diverse artistic perspectives within various settings – from the stage and classroom to site-specific performances and other spaces where actors, puppeteers, and performers engage young audiences through artistic expression. The role of the environment in the artistic process, whether as a stimulating or limiting factor, reinforces awareness of the importance of adult responsibility in creating theatre for children and youth. Methodologies of drama pedagogy, applied theatre, and practical work with children and young people in the community offer possibilities to enhance the creative environment across different theatrical contexts.

Potential subtopics:
- The phenomenon of space within the theatrical environment
- Space: the relationship between content and form in theatre for children and youth
- Space as a catalyst for creativity in the youngest audiences
- Space as an essential element in the theatre for children and youth
- The relationship between space and speech in theatre for children and youth
- Space, sound, and environment
- The development of language and speech within the stage space
- Literature and audience in theatre for children and youth
- The environment as a factor of social conditioning and responsibility
- New technologies and the environment in theatre for children and youth
- The influence of the environment on theatre for children and youth
- Heritage and environment

For the seventeenth time, the Research Forum for Children and Youth Theatre Arts invites theatrologists and researchers of theatre art for children and youth to take part in the 33rd International Festival of Children’s Theatres – Subotica, and to contribute to the theatre laboratory that, each year, raises new questions and offers fresh perspectives on this vital aspect of social and cultural life – theatre art for children and youth.

Head of the Forum is Marijana Prpa Fink, PhD

*** We have the honor to invite you to contribute by your presence and participation to the success of this meeting, which is going to be held within the framework of the 33rd International Festival of Children's Theatres Subotica, Serbia, over four days between 21 – 24 September 2026.

Participants can decide in which section they want to contribute and send their proposals in written form (up to 500 words). Proposals must be sent no later than February 28, 2026.

Authors of accepted proposals will be notified no later than April 1, 2026!

The Festival will send an earlier reply to participants who need a confirmation of participation to ensure their arrival in Subotica. Therefore, you can send proposals until December 15, 2025 and you will receive a response promptly.

Sessions will be held in Serbian and English with simultaneous interpretation provided.

Papers presented during the conference will be published in full as a collection of papers, bilingually, in Serbian and in English language.

The authors whose proposals are accepted will be expected to submit their full papers (2000-4000 words) in English or in Serbian by 31st January 2027.

Please send your proposals to the following address: lutfestsubotica@gmail.com

Contact person: Zrnic Eva - coordinator of festival programs

Participants in the conference (chosen to present their papers) will be guests of the 33rd International Festival of Children’s Theatres in Subotica in September 2026. The organizer will provide transportation from the airport (Belgrade or Budapest) to Subotica and back (for those arriving by plane), free entrance to all Festival events, and cover accommodation costs for the duration of the conference (4 nights, hotel - full board).