Thirteen shows from around the globe at the 33rd International Festival of Children’s Theatres - Subotica

This year's 33rd edition of the International Festival of Children’s Theatres – Subotica, organized by the Open University Subotica, will take place from September 20 to 25, featuring an exceptionally compelling program comprised of 13 shows from around the world aimed for toddlers and school-aged children.

Speaking of the festival’s 33rd edition, program curator Dr. Marijana Prpa Fink emphasized: “This year’s festival is shaped by a commitment to high standards in theatrical creation, an accessible stage language for children and youth, and a diversity of theatrical forms - both acting and puppetry. Thirteen productions from ten countries across Europe and Asia will make six days in September an unforgettable experience for the children and youth of Subotica.From stories of friendship and coming of age, to protagonists discovering new and peculiar worlds, to new technologies now an integral part of everyday life - and even of growing up - the 33rd International Festival of Children’sTheatres-Subotica, like all its predecessors, will offer fresh perspectives and a sensory experience of the finest theatrical expression.Outstanding artists from China, the United Kingdom/Wales, Poland, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Republic of Srpska, and Serbia will bring the spirit of art as a means of mutual understanding - and as a language that everyone speaks.”

Three productions in this year’s program come from Serbia. The Theatre for Children and Youth Kragujevac will present Alice’s Dreams, directed by Luana Gramegna, taking audiences and performers alike on a shared, dreamlike journey in which everyone is invited to discover their own sense of wonder. The Youth Theatre of Novi Sad will present The Magic Flute, directed by Renata Karola Gatika, introducing children to opera for the first time in a witty and playful manner. The audience can also look forward to Butterflies in Love by Amela Vučenović, performed by the Subotica Children’s Theatre and created using the captivating technique of traditional Chinese shadow theatre.

The Children’s Theatre of Republic of Srpska arrives at the festival with The Forgotten Story, directed by Andrej Boka. Through an imaginative stage setting, the production brings to life the magic of stories passed down from one generation to the next. From Croatia comesTheStar and the Darkness, a production that gently explores the fear of the dark, while also touching on uncomfortable emotions, dreams, boredom, and silence.

The State Puppet Theatre of Ruse from Bulgaria will present Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, directed by Todor Valov - a contemporary Bulgarian musical for children, families, and audiences of all ages. The Hungarian Bóbita Puppet Theatre will present The Carrot Tale, written and directed by Attila Szabó: a collection of small stories - tiny yet persistent, firmly rooted in the ground, just like the notorious carrot that cannot be pulled out. The Italian theatre company Quintoequilibrio will perform Felicia, a contemporary puppet production that combines a fairy-tale quality with important social themes, moving beyond traditional clichés.

The Polish Pinokio Theatre from Łódź will perform Aleksandra Pejcz’s play Ojoj: the Great Story of a Little Line, inspired by Serge Bloch’s picture book. The play - told by actors, puppets, sound and movement without using a single (existing) word – will make children laugh and touch adults.

The Spanish Teatro Firulete will present The Immigrant: a Puppet Tragicomedy in 8 Scenes and an Epilogue, in which author Marcos Vilela seeks to reach the audience’s heart through simplicity and draw their attention to a sensitive and timely subject. From Wales arrives Where the Leaves Blow, an interactive, musical, witty, and imaginative theatre experience that employs natural objects to awaken the senses and inspire children’s imagination, encouraging them to create, build, play, explore, and communicate.

China will be represented by two stage productions. Everything’s Changing, performed by the Shanghai China Welfare Institute Children’s Art Theatre, is based on the picture book of the same name and tells a story about nature, the world, and humanity. The Zhejiang Modern Drama Troupe Co., Ltd from Hangzhou will present Fantastic Dreams of Mountains and Seas by Miao Zhao.

The International Festival of Children’s Theatres - Subotica is among the most important regional festivals bringing together authors who dedicated their lives’ work to the youngest. Focused primarily on puppetry - but always allowing space for other art forms - the Festival continues its contribution to promotion and development of children’s theatre in Serbia.

For its outstanding contribution to development of performing arts for children – and culture in general – in 2005 the Festival was presented with a Vuk Award - Serbia’s highest cultural recognition. Four years later, the Festival was crowned with a Pro Urbe Award for significant contribution to the development and reputation of city of Subotica by adding to its material and cultural legacy. The Festival is also the laureate of a 2009 special international award for contribution to development of drama education Grozdana’s Giggle awarded by the Centre for Drama Education in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina headquarters of IDEA (International Association for Drama/Theatre and Education)).

Traditionally, the International Festival of Children's Theatre - Subotica is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Provincial Secretariat for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities and the Municipality of Subotica, whereas The Vojvodina Theatre Museum is acting as a partner in the festival's production. The executive producer of the festival is the Open University Subotica.