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

Organized by the Open University Subotica, this year's 33rd edition of the International Festival of Children’s Theatres - 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.

The festival's curator Dr. Marijana Prpa Fink selected works from China, Wales/Great Britain, Poland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina/Republika Srpska and Serbia.

Three domestic productions are arriving to the festival. Alice's Dreams (a production of Kragujevac Theatre for Children and Youth, directed by Luana Gramenja), takes its cast and audience on a joint dreamlike experience where everyone is encouraged to recognize their own wonders. The Magic Flute (directed by Renata Karola Gatika and performed by the Youth Theatre of Novi Sad) introduces children tothe genre of opera in a witty and playful manner. The Children's Theatre of Subotica will delight the audience with a performance of Butterflies in Love by Amela Vučenović, produced in the compelling technique of traditional Chinese shadow theatre.

The Children's Theatre of Republika Srpska will present their play The Forgotten Story (directed by Andrej Boka) which – through an imaginative stage set-up – brings to life the magic allure of old stories passed down through generations. Through movement, music, play and puppets, a Slovenian production of Down I Go – Up You Jump by Godot Institute (written by Anja Štefan and directed by Tadej Pišek) takes us on a playful journey in pursue of happiness and friendship.

The State Puppet Theatre Rousse from Bulgaria is arriving with Aladdin's Magic Lamp (directed by Todor Valov): a contemporary Bulgarian family musical for children and audiences of all ages. The Bobita Puppet Theatre from Hungary is bringing a performance of The Tale of the Carrot(written and directed by Attila Szabó): a collection of stories tiny, yet persistent and firmly rooted (just like thatinfamous carrot).From Italy comes Felicia by the Quintoequilibrio Theatre: a contemporary puppet show that combines a fairy-tale quality with important social themes while transcending traditional clichés.

The Polish Pinokio Theatre from Łódź will perform The Sand Wolf by Osa Lind, a play in which young audience members – along with its six-year-old protagonist Karusia and the Wolf - reflect on the most important questions of childhood. Through simplicity of the play The Immigrant: a Puppet Tragicomedy in 8 Scenes and an Epilogue by the Spanish theatre company Teatro Firulete, its author Marcos Vilela seeks to touch the audience's hearts and draw their attention to a certain sensitive and contemporary topic. The Welsh production Where the Leaves Blow is an interactive, musical, witty and creative theatrical experience that employs natural objects to awaken the senses and open children's imagination to creation, playing, exploring and communication.

Two shows are arriving from China: Everything is Changing (performed by the China Welfare Institute Children’s Art Theatre from Shanghai), based on the picture book of the same name, is a story about nature, the world and people, while the Zhejiang Modern Drama Troupe from Hangzhou brings a production of Fantastic Dreams of Mountains and Seas by Miao Zhao.

The International Festival of Children’s Theatres - Subotica is among the most important regional festivals gathering 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 Theatres - 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 production of the festival. The executive producer of the festival is the Open University Subotica.