The 28th International Children's Theater Festival is officially opened

On Sunday, September 19, at the Children's Theater in Subotica, the twenty-eighth edition of the International Children's Theater Festival was opened with a solemn ceremony. This year's festival edition lasts until September 24 and is held at several locations in Subotica, with the main program that includes 10 performances by ensembles from Israel, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Brazil, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska) and Serbia.

Stevan Bakić, the mayor of Subotica, said at the opening ceremony: "Children's joy and love for good performances gathered us for the 28th time in Subotica at the great International festival of Children's Theaters. Last year, we held a reduced and modest festival because the corona virus pandemic separated us from our friends around the world, who wanted to visit us and show their great performances to the children of Subotica. Despite all the challenges, we did not allow the tradition to be interrupted, fear to overpower art and children's smiles."

The mayor of Subotica continued his address with the words: "It was precious for us that we gathered then and presented the highest award of the Festival to the great Vladimir Andrić, who marked the growing up of many generations in Serbia. It was the last opportunity for such an honor, because the great artist left us in February this year. That is why we must continuously celebrate life and creativity, since every day and every event dedicated to beauty, play, togetherness and children is a value and inspiration in this difficult time of huge challenges that the world poses to each of us."

The Lifetime Achievement Award "Little Prince" was given to director and actor Jovan Caran, and creator of puppets, costumes and scenography Ludmila Konstantinova Hense from Kazakhstan, for exceptional contribution to the development of culture and performing arts for children. The posthumous award for a life dedicated to creativity for children went to director Dragoslav Todorović, and the award was received by his associate Erika Janović. The award was presented to the winners by the Mayor of Subotica, Stevan Bakić.

Jovan Caran thanked the present with words: "It is a bit frightening to know that from this moment I am in the company of such great people as Jurkovski, Boris Goldovski, Lule Stanković, and many others. It is even scarier when I remember that I need to compare my works with all the greats. There is also Hartig Sandor, who founded our puppet theater in which I spent my professional life, so it turns out that I am only a consequence of his puppetry activities. But I also have something to do with all of them, and that is my dedication to this work, and my constant need to encourage those less conceited muses to sometimes direct their blessings to our children's theater and children's art."

When receiving the award, Ludmila Konstantinova Hense said: "I thank the organizers of the Festival for this wonderful award. I would like many theaters from different countries to appear at the Festival, which would delight the audience, especially children."

Sandrine Grataloup, member of the jury of the competition program, independent cultural worker, former vice-president of ASSITEJ in France and member of the board of Scenesd'enfance-ASSITEJ of France, also addressed the audience: "This is not my first time in Serbia, because I have already come to Belgrade. Now I am discovering the beautiful city of Subotica. I was very happy when I saw how you welcomed us at the Festival, with children singing and dancing. That would be unusual in France, and for me it is very special and touching. I'm excited to discover all these shows coming from all over the world."

At the opening ceremony of the Festival, the winners of the Little Prince Award, who passed away this year, Vladimir Andrić and Minja Subota, were also honored.

The competition program of the Festival was opened on the stage Jadran of the National Theater in Subotica with the play Spirits of Forest by the Cia Elder Kloster Theater from Brazil. This is a puppet theatrical performance without speech, but with exciting music that presents creatures from Brazilian folklore that is responsible for the natural balance, as well as their tireless struggle with the coming world of technology.

"Since there is no speech in the play, the children watch examples of attitudes towards nature, such as leaving garbage, using a mobile phone, and damaging trees. Through these examples, they can see that we can take care of nature and that we have to be responsible. They can be intuitive and identify these activities with what their parents, grandparents are already doing," said Elder Kloster the author of the play. "Children react to figures that are from our folklore. We also see the reactions of adults, so one father told me that this is actually a show for adults, because we are aware that we are doing something bad with the planet. The reactions are good,” added Giselle Semicek, the show's executive producer.

On the second day of the festival, on Monday, September 19, in the competition program, the audience will be able to see the plays Aero performed by the Odivo Theater from Slovakia (Children's Theater Subotica, 10 am), and Oz from Hungary (Vaskakas Puppet Theater, Jadran Stage of the National Theater at 12 am). The exhibition of Student Posters will be opened at 9 am in Danilo Kiš Foundation for Youth Culture and Creativity, while the exhibition in honor of the laureates of the Little Prince Award will be opened at 11:15 am in the Gallery of the Open University Subotica. The audience will be able to see the ballet play The Snow Queen (out of competition) at 4 pm at the Children's Theater in Subotica, while at 5 pm in the Eurocinem the repertoire includes film Stela directed by Stevan Vujičić. A conversation with the laureates of the Little Prince Award, Jovan Caran and Ludmila Konstantinov Hense, which will be moderated by Dr. Zoran Đerić, the Festival selector, is also scheduled for 5 pm at the Hotel Patria.