Welcome to the Fifth “Novi Sad Theatre Festival”
The number of submissions for the Fifth International Festival of Professional Theatres for Children and Young People, “Novi Sad Theatre Festival,” has exceeded all our expectations. This stands as clear evidence that the festival—hosted by the Youth Theatre and the City of Novi Sad—has secured its place among the most prominent and prestigious European festivals dedicated to children and young audiences.
This year, the role of selector was entrusted to the three-member Artistic Council of the Festival. Out of nearly four hundred submitted productions, we selected nine which, in our view, stand out for their quality, artistic approach, and the ways in which they address sensitive yet relatable themes for children and young people.
This year’s festival program is marked by productions that, alongside outstanding acting or dance, make use of puppetry, puppeteering techniques, or various objects as significant means of artistic expression. The selected performances reflect contemporary theatrical tendencies in combining different art forms and genres, as well as the use of new technologies and techniques to further engage the modern young audience.
The selected productions also reflect the authenticity of local poetics, aesthetic practices, and social contexts of the countries they come from, offering insight into the development and importance of theatre for young audiences in their respective environments. Presenting these diverse artistic approaches within the field of performing arts will contribute to the exchange of knowledge and cultural perspectives, enrich the cultural life of Novi Sad, and deepen the understanding of different artistic traditions.
We wish the audience, as well as all participants, guests, and colleagues, an inspiring experience—one filled with the magic of theatre and the discovery of its new possibilities and aspirations.
Artistic Council of the Novi Sad Theater Festival/selectors:
Slavica Vučetić, actress, Council president
Neda Danilović, actress
Saša Latinović, actor