The 25th International Children’s Theatre Festival begins today, October 14, in Banja Luka, bringing together theater companies from 11 countries for a week of performances that will continue until October 20.
Organized by the Children’s Theatre of Republika Srpska, the festival will officially open with the premiere of The Snow Queen, directed by Aleksandra Spasojević.
According to the organizers, festival selector Slobodan Perišić faced a challenging task in selecting the program from approximately 150 applications submitted by theaters and performing arts companies.
This year’s festival will feature 14 productions, offering audiences a diverse selection of children’s theater and puppetry from across Europe.
Theater companies from 11 countries to perform
The international program includes the Niš Puppet Theatre from Serbia, the Georgi Mitev State Puppet Theatre from Yambol, Bulgaria, and the Horácké Theatre from Jihlava, Czech Republic.
Other participants include David Zuazola and Theatre Unia from Spain and Poland, Mostar Puppet Theatre from BiH, Rijeka City Puppet Theatre from Croatia, and Harlequin Puppet Theatre from Eger, Hungary.
The festival will also welcome Full House Theatre from Zagreb, Croatia; the Theatre for Children and Youth from Skopje, North Macedonia; the Theatre for Children and Youth from Kragujevac, Serbia; Theater 11 from Bremen, Germany; Pinocchio Puppet Theatre from Belgrade, Serbia; and the A. A. Bryantsev Youth Theatre from St. Petersburg, Russia.
Festival marks 70 years since theater’s first premiere
The opening date carries special historical significance for the Children’s Theatre of Republika Srpska.
Exactly 70 years ago, on October 14, 1956, the institution staged its first premiere, The Forest King, marking the beginning of its theatrical tradition in Banja Luka.
The theater itself was established on December 30, 1955.
This year’s festival therefore celebrates not only its 25th edition but also seven decades since the institution’s first production.
The opening performance of The Snow Queen adds another milestone to the anniversary celebrations.
Director Aleksandra Spasojević, a leading actress at the Children’s Theatre of Republika Srpska, will mark 30 years of professional engagement with the institution through this production.
International jury to select festival winners
The international jury will consist of director Miroslav Benka, theater scholar Vesna Kosec Torjanac and actor Željko Milićević.
The jury will present the Grand Prix for Best Overall Production, as well as awards for Best Direction, Best Set Design and Best Music.
Five equally ranked acting awards will also be presented, alongside the Dragan Banjac Award for Best Comic Performance and several special prizes.
The festival’s principal patron is the Office of the President of
Source: RTRS
