Podgorica, 15. septembar 2019.

The play „Vanda Lavender“ from Croatia is the best play at the Eight International Puppetry Festival

The play „Vanda Lavender“ performed by Rijeka City Puppetry Theatre, is the best play as a whole at the Eight International Puppetry Festival, held in Podgorica from 11th to 15th September.

According to the decision of the Children’s jury, as the president of the jury Luka Killian, stated, the best play of the festival is „Error 404“ by Angeles de trapo from Malaga, Spain.

The president of professional jury and dramaturgist Goran Bulajic, said that by a majority of votes it was decided to award the best director award to Biserka Kolevska for directing the play „Odyssey – a dream about return“ performed by the Children’s Theatre from Banja Luka.

„The jury unanimously decided to award Svila Velickova for the for best scenography for the play ‚Odyssey – a dream about return‘. Award ‚Dragan Radulovic‘ for the best dramaturgy was given to Jelena Tondini for the play ‚Vanda Lavender‘. The award for the best aesthetic and technological solution for puppets went to Nadia Imerio for puppets in the play ‚Under the Strings‘ performed by the KronikoKab from Ossi, Sardinia (Italy)“, said Bulajic.

He added that the award for best original music was given to Anita Valo and Mary Jaman, for music in the play „Vanda Lavender“.

Bulajic said that three equal awards for acting skills went to the ensemble performances of „Vanda Lavender“, Nadia Imperio and Mirjana Djordjevic for the role of Ida in the play „Little Ida’s flowers“ by the Puppetry Theatre from Nis.

Representative of Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, Iva Ivanic Pavkovic said on behalf of the Rijeka City Puppetry Theatre that it is a great honor to be in Podgorica and that the awards are a great recognition for the work so far and an incentive for future work.

„Everything is fantastic, and I wish you a lot of success in the future“, said Ivanic Pavkovic.

A member of the professional jury, and director of the Kragujevac Children’s Theatre and International Puppetry Festival „Golden Spark“, Jelena Stojanovic-Patrnogic, said that in the past few days Podgorica had been a center for connecting artists, cities and countries of the world.

„This is what makes me extremely happy. But for us participants, the most important and the most beautiful are actually you, the audience that fills the halls daily - in the morning and in the evening. The first association for this Festival is the space in front of the Cultural Center „Budo Tomovic“, which is crowded with beautiful and happy children waiting in line to watch the play“, said Stojanovic-Patrnogic.

A member of the jury, actor and deputy minister of culture of the Republic of Northern Macedonia, Vladimir Lazovski, wished the children a happy childhood with the International Puppetry Festival.

During this year’s Festival the following plays were performed: „Odyssey – a dream about the return“ of the Children’s Theatre from Serbian Republic from Banja Luka, „Little Ida’s flowers“ by Puppetry Theatre from Nis, „Vanda Lavender“ by Rijeka City Puppetry Theatre, the play „Under the Strings“ by KronikoKab from Ossi, Italy and „Error 404“ Angeles de trapo from Malaga, Spain.

Sponsors of the Festival were: Capital city, Ministry of Culture of Monenegro, Petrovic Njegos Foundation, Embassy of Italy in Podgorica, Embassy of Spain in Belgrade, Ministry of Culture of Republic of Croatia, Cultural center “Budo Tomovic”, Children’s Association, BI Communication, Montenegrin Electric Power Company, Celebic Company, Hipotekarna bank, Delta City, Universal Capital Bank, Water Supply and Sewerage Podgorica, Daily press Dan, Metropolis media, Portal Roditelji, Arhimed, Gracia, portal CDM, Radio Titograd, Radio Montenegro, Grafo Group, Fotografika, DC club and Lila Vila World.

Podgorica, September 10th 2019

The International Puppetry Festival will be opened tomorrow with the play „Odissey – a dream about return“

The Eight International Puppetry Festival, which will start tomorrow and run until Sunday, will be opened by the play from Bosnia and Hercegovina „Odissey – a dream about return“, and according to the organizers of the Festival - high quality plays from five states will be performed this year.

The founder of the Festival, Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić, pointed out at the press conference that five countries are participating at this year’s Festival – Italy, Croatia, Spain, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Serbia.

„This year, as in previous years, we have excellent plays. We made sure that these plays are for children of three years and older, because we all know how few shows we have for the youngest. The Festival starts tomorrow. It will be opened with the play ‚Odissey – a dream about return‘, by Thetare for children from Banja Luka Republika Srpska and it’s for the children of seven years and older“, said Burzan Nikolić in PR Center.

She said that the play from Serbia „Little Ida’s flowers“, by Puppetry theatre from Nis, will be performed on Thursday.

„This play is for children of three years and older. On the third day of the Festival, we have a play from Croatia called ‚Vanda Lavender‘, which is also for the age of three plus and will be performed by Rijeka City Puppet Theatre. Then we have a show from Italy, ‚Under the Strings‘ by KronicoKab from Ossi for the six plus age, and we have a show from Saponia Angeles de trapo from Malaga, ‚Error 404‘“, said Burzan Nikolic.

She emphasized that this year, the organization of the International Puppetry Festival did not lack significant support from various institutions.

„This year’s Festival also takes place within the Podgorica Cultural Summer, thanks to the Capital city. Of course, there is the support of Ministry of Culture, Petrovic Njegos Foundation, Montenegrin Electric Power Company (EPCG), Water Supply and Sewerage, companies, banks, numerous printing companies and the media. This year we also had the support of the Embassy of Italy in Podgorica, the Embassy of Spain in Belgrade and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia,“ said Burzan Nikolic.

When asked why there will be no performances in other cities in Montenegro as in previous years, Burzan Nikolic said that the desire to hold the Festival in each city was „very feasible if we had capacities that we do not have now“.

„We started ambitiously, managed to organize shows in the cities, we are still open to organizing such shows, but there is a lack of funds. Unfortunately, we don‘t have enough money to play shows in other cities,“ Burzan Nikolic explained.

The Founder of the Festival, Davor Dragojevic said that the chairman of the jury is the dramaturge Goran Bulajic from Montenegro, and the members are Deputy Minister of Culture of the Republic of Northern Macedonia Vladimir Lazovski and director of the Kragujevac Children’s Theatre and the International Spark Festival „Golden Spark“ Jelena Stojanovic-Patrnogic.

„They will make decisions about the best plays and will award prizes for the best performance as a whole, for the best direction, the best dramaturgy ‚Dragan Radulović‘, the best aesthetic and technological solution of puppets, the best stage design and three equal awards for acting skills and the award for the best original music,“ Dragojevic said.

The main point of the Festival this year, as he emphasized, was the quality of the performances „and besides, we wanted it to make completely different thematic approach to the performances.“

„We will have stories from Greek mythology to modern computer technologies. And as for the puppetry technologies themselves, we will have the canvas as a puppet to the marionette. We have done a good job and we cannot wait for the Festival to begin. We think that this year, interest in the Festival is bigger than ever. That’s what we have earned through our work so far,“ Dragojevic said.

On the last day of the Festival, he added, as an honor for the awarded, the City Theatre from Podgorica will perform the play „The Little Pirate“.

Advisor to the Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital, Sanja Vojinovic, said that the Capital city is dedicated to creating a cultural policy that starts from the youngest.

„First of all we need to encourage parents to visit the theatre with their children, and when you succeed and attract that audience you have done your work. We honor every effort and everything that Davor and Ljilja are doing for this Festival. I hope that we will continue to work well together. The Capital city is always there for all such and similar initiatives,“ Vojinovic said.

The president of Children’s Jury, Luka Killian, said that the members of the jury are obliged to be present at each play.

„If one member of the jury fails to appear at the play, he loses the right to vote. The votes eventually sum up and the show with the most votes wins the award. Apart from me, the jury members are Lara Dlabac, Dunja Cupic, Petra Stojkovic, Anika Janjusevic, Djordje Sebek, Kosta Golubovic, Tara Nenadovic, Anja Makrid, Niksa Janjusevic and Una Stankovic,“ Killian said.

The Eight International Puppetry Festival will be held form 11th to 15th of September in Podgorica, in Cultural Center Budo Tomovic, and the entrance to all performances is free.

Podgorica, September 16th 2018

The Seventh International Pupperty Festival Podgorica is closed

Professional and Children’s jury agreed: The best play of the Festival is „Tobi“, perforemed by the Theatre for Children and Youth, Skoplje

The Seventh International Puppetry Festival Podgorica, Montenegro 2018, held from 12th to 16th September in the Cultural Center „Budo Tomovic“ within the Podgorica’s Cultural Summer, was officially closed on Sunday evening by declaration of the Festival’s awards and the performance of special guests, students of Elementary school „Maksim Gorki“ who performed the play „Captain John Piplfoks“.

Grand prix for best play was awarded to the play „Tobi“, performed by the Theatre for Children and Youth in Skopje, Macedonia.

The award for best direction was given to Dragoslav Todorovic for his direction of „Tobi“, performed by the Theatre for Children and Youth in Skopje, Macedonia.

The best dramaturgy award „Dragan Radulović“ was given to Todor Valov for the text of the „Pair of shoes“, performed by Children’s Theatre Subotica.

The award for the best aesthetic and technological solution was given to Irina Somborac for puppets in „Tobi“, Theatre for Children and Youth in Skopje, Macedonia.

The award for best scenography was given to Eva Farkašova for the scenography of the play „Toy store“, City Theatre Podgorica.

The award for best original music was given to Conrad Roginski and YanTa for the music of the play „Family partyTheatre of puppets and actors, Valbrzih, Poland.

Three equal prizes for acting skills were awarded to: Pavle Ilic for his role in „Toy store“, City Theatre Podgorica, Gregus Zalan for his role in „Pair of shoes“, Children’s Theatre Subotica and Mary Gjorgijovska for her role in „TobiTheatre for children and youth in Skoplje, Macedonia.

Winners of the Festival were decided by an international jury consisted of eminent cultural and theatre staff. Chairman of the jury was Goran Bulajic, director and playwright, Montenegro, and the members were: Dikla Katz, founder and actress in Theatre Key from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Aleksandar Alek Rodic, director of Little Theatre „Dusko Radovic”, Serbia.

President of the jury, director and dramatist Goran Bulajic praised the organization of this year’s Festival: „We support the noble mission of puppetry development in Montenegro and we are thankful for the good organization of the Festival“.

The Children’s Jury awarded the play „Tobi“ performed by Theatre for Children and Youth Skoplje Macedonia, for the best play of the Festival.

Members of the Children’s jury were children from Podgorica’s primary schools, who are mostly members of the acting school led by Davor Dragojevic: Tara Nenadovic – the president of the jury and members: Niksa Janjusevic, Pavle Bogicevic, Vasilisa Jovovic, Anika Janjusevic, Stasa Matovic, Marija Skerovic, Strahinja Jovovic, Marko Pesic, Jovan Backovic, Dunja Cupic, Luka Killian and Lara Dlabac.

Except in Podgorica, two Festival ensembles performed in Herceg Novi and Mojkovac. Serbian ensemble performed their show at the Dvorana Park in Herceg Novi, while the Polish ensemble performed at Mojkovac Cultural Center Nenad Rakocevic.

As in previous years, the entrance to all performances and contents of the Festival was FREE.

Festival was supported by: Secretariat for Culture of the Capital of Montenegro, Podgorica’s Cultural Summer, Cultural Center Budo Tomovic, Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, Petrovic Njegos Foundation, Agency for electronic media, Children’s federation, Turskish Cultural Center Yunus Emre, Embasy of Israel, Polish Ministry of Culture, Montenegrin Electric Power Company (EPCG), Hipotekarna bank, Universal bank, Celebic Company, Delta City, Montenegrin electro transmission system (CGES), Center for Ecotoxicological Examinations and numerous media, print houses and individuals.

To the great pleasure of the founder, for the first time since the foundation of the Festival, its visual identity is based on the work of an artist. Namely, all visual and promotional campaign solutions are the work of a prominent academic sculptor Nina Vukcevic, inspired by the Festival.

Podgorica, September 7th 2018

The Seventh International Puppetry Festival, Montenegro 2018

Puppetry festival is starting next week

The Seventh International Puppetry Festival Podgorica, Montenegro 2018, which will be held from 12th to 16th September in Cultural Center „Budo Tomović“, within the Podgorica’s Cultural Summer, will officially open the door of the magical world of puppets on Wednesday 12Mth September at 20 h, when the play „Toy store“ of Podgorica’s City Theatre will be performed in the Great Hall of the Cultural Center.

During this year’s Festival, children will enjoy performances by actors from six countries. In addition to Montenegrin actors, the Festival will host ensembles from Ukraine, Macedonia, Turkey, Poland and Serbia.

Ukrainian troupe Theatre of the actors and puppets Ternopole will perform the play „Tales of a Chicken called Ryab“; Theatre for Children and Youth from Skoplje, Macedonia will perform the play „Tobi“; Doll House Flying Hand from Ljuljeburgas, Turkey will perform the play „Stone“, whilst Theatre of puppets and actors from Valbjieh, Poland will perform the play „Family Fun“. From Serbia this year the Children’s Theatre from Subotica is coming to the Festival, and the kids will enjoy their show „Pair of shoes“.

Except in Podgorica, two Festival ensembles will visit Herceg Novi and Mojkovac. The Serbian crew will perform their show at the Dvorana Park in Herceg Novi, while Polish ensemble will perform at Mojkovac Cultural Center Nenad Rakocevic.

This year’s Festival is also competitive, and the awards will be decided by the international jury as well as a children’s jury consisted of Podgorica’s primary school children.

Festival is supported by Secretariat for Culture of the Podgorica City, the Ministry of Culture and other sponsors, donors and friends.

As in previous years, the entrance to all performances and contents of the Festival will be FREE.

Podgorica, September 17th 2017

The Sixth International Puppetry Festival Podgorica is closed

The Grand prix of the Festival for „Fables from the shadow“ of Kragujevac Children’s Theatre

The Sixth International Puppetry Festival Podgorica, Montenegro 2017, held from 13th to 17th September in Cultural Center „Budo Tomović“, within the Podgorica’s Cultural Summer, was solemnly closed on Sunday evening by proclaiming the Festival’s Prize and concert of the sensational KIC Pop choir.

The Grand Prix for Best Performance as a whole was awarded to the play „ Fables from the shadow“ in the performance of Kragujevac Children's Theatre.

The best direction award was given to Biserka Kolevska for directing the play „Fables from the shadow“, performed by the ensemble of Kragujevac Children's Theatre.

The award for the best dramaturgy „Dragan Radulović“ was given to Emilija Mrdakovic for the dramatic processing of the text „Romeo and Juliet“ by William Shakespeare in the same play, performed by the ensemble of the Podgorica’s City Theatre.

The award for the best aesthetic and technological solution of puppets was awarded to Svila Velickova for puppets in the plays „Fables from the shadow“ by Kragujevac Children's Theatre and „Romeo and Juliet“, of the Podgorica’s City Theatre.

The best scenography award was given to Diana Prvanova for the scenography in the play „Petar Pan“, of the Theatre for Children and Youth Skoplje (Macedonia).

The award for best original music was given to Jovan Obradovic for music in the play „Romeo and Juliet“, of the Podgorica’s City Theatre.

Three equal prizes for acting are awarded for: drama: Jelena Simic and Vule Markovic for the roles of Julia and Romeo in the play „Romeo and Juliet“ of the Podgorica’s City Theatre, for the puppet animation: Tatjana Pavlovska Kocovska for the role of Tinkerbell in the play „Petar Pan“, Theatre for Children and Youth Skoplje and for animation: Darija Nesic, Milos Milovanovic, Milomir Rakic and Vladimir Djokovic for the role in the play „Fables from the shadow“, Kragujevac Children's Theatre.

The Children's Jury awarded the play „Romeo and Juliet“ of the Podgorica’s City Theatre for the best play of the Festival.

The Festival’s awards were decided by an international expert jury consisting of renowned cultural and theatre staff: Miroslav Radonjic, Master of Teatrology, author, editor and editor of numerous books in the field of theatre studies - Serbia, Mensura Vanja Popovic, member of the Theatre Council and former director of the Podgorica City Theatre and Dubravka Drakic, actress and also former director of the Podgorica City Theatre.

„I must emphasize that it makes me particularly happy that we made the decisions unanimously. There were very good opinions and extraordinary analysis. I think it is very important that the award for dramaturgy was also included, because it turns the focus of the Festival's future, so that it takes care of dramaturgy as well because good access to good text has to be a good show. I showed a great joy in front of my colleagues and in front of the audience because there is nothing nicer than when the audience responds to the decision of the jury, to our satisfaction, which means we have not made a mistake. This Festival is important above all because it carries the element of education and I would be very happy if some of the performances were shown out of Podgorica too. During the performances we could saw that young people responded to what they wanted to be close to them and what they needed, and I think that, regardless of others turning their attention from us, everything is based on culture“, said the president of the expert jury Miroslav Radonjic.

Members of the Children's Jury were pupils from Podgorica’s primary schools: Dina Nikolic – President of the Jury, Marija Jovicevic, Milica Bulatovic, Viktor Vukcevic, Ljubica Djurkovic, Jelena Boljevic, Dara Stojanovic, Viktor Dlabac, Adrijana Albijanic, Lucija Podlesnik, Dunja Prelevic, Djina Stojanovic, Nemanja Bulatovic, Lara Velimirovic, Marija Adamovic, Ksenija Babovic, Mina Tomasevic, Manja Dragojevic, Ivan Djakonovic, Jovan Magdelinic, Janja Cetkovic and Ognjen Novosel.

Closing ceremony was held by a respected journalist Emina Hodzic Knezevic. By thanking the children for everything they did to actors and organizers during the show, Emina wrote to them: „We spent five great days together: children, puppets, joy and love. One does not go without the other. I know you’ve had a great time; I know because you're telling and showing that. And with words and smiles and applause and singing. And so, dear children, because you are the reason that this Festival exists, and because you are the most important thing in the whole universe, we give these hearts to you, never to forget that.“

KIC Pop choir once again delighted the audience with its repertoire of popular hits of pop music, and special surprise was the performance of the Festival's anthem. Children soloists Jovan Aleksic, Katarina Radulovic, Lorena Jankovic and Komnen Vukovic joined the choir especially for this occasion.

This year's Festival was attended by actors from 5 countries. Montenegro was represented by Podgorica’s City Theatre, which performed the play „Romeo and Juliet“. Tempo Theatre from Ankara Turkey performed the play „Bremen Musicians“. Macedonia was represented by the Theatre for Kids and Youth from Skoplje, with the play „Petar Pan“. Representatives of Serbia were members of the Kragujevac Children's Theatre ensemble with the performance of the play „Fables from the shadow“. The Carnation Theatre represented Spain with the play „Seven Lambs“.

During the five days of the Festival, over 3000 little children and their parents enjoyed performances.

As in previous years, the entrance to all performances and contents of the Festival was FREE.

This year’s Festival was supporetd by: Secretariat for Culture and Sport of Podgorica Municipality, Ministry of Culture, National Tourism Organization, Turskish Cultural Center „Yunus Emre“, Cultural Center „Budo Tomović“, Petrovic Njegos Foundation, Agency for electronic media, Children’s foundation, Montenegrin Electric Power Company (EPCG), Lovcen life insurance, Celebic Company, Hipotekarna bank, Universal Capital bank, Jugopetrol, Delta City and numerous media, print houses and individuals.

Photographs and media materials of the Festival can be downloaded from the official web site (www.lutkarstvo.me), available in Montenegrin, English and Russian, as well as on the Facebook page of the International Puppetry Festival, Podgorica – Montenegro (www.facebook.com/lutkarstvo).

Podgorica, June 1st 2017

6th International Festival of Puppetry Podgorica, Montenegro 2017, in September

Puppets from three continents arrive in Podgorica

The 6th International Puppet Festival Podgorica, Montenegro 2017 will be held in the period from 13th-17th of September 2017 at the Cultural Center "Budo Tomovic", within the framework of the Podgorica Cultural Summer. Preparations for the festival are going on and the arrival of puppet theaters from three continents from six countries: Turkey, Serbia, Albania, Kenya, Ukraine and Montenegro, have been announced.

„Namely, after Europe, Asia, South and North America, the children of Podgorica will have the opportunity to get to know the culture of the country from East Africa through the story, music and movement of puppets, and will be able to help the artists of the Festival of Puppetry, And that's Kenya“, said Davor Dragojević, actor and director of puppetry, Co-founder of the Festival.

The festival is of a competitive nature, and the awards will be decided by the international expert jury, as well as the children's jury composed of children from primary schools in Podgorica.

The festival is held with the support of the Secretariat for Culture of the Capital of Montenegro, the Ministry of Culture and other sponsors, donors and friends. „We want to highlight the support provided by the Turkish Cultural Center ‚Yunus Emre‘ in Podgorica for the third time“, said Ljiljana Burzan-Nikolic, a prominent social worker and co-founder of the Festival.

„Although the financial support has not yet been completely closed, we are confident that we will receive positive responses from the sponsors and we use this opportunity to invite companies and organizations for support in building a better society“, says Burzan-Nikolić.

As every year, the entrance to all the contents of the Festival is FREE.

Cetinje, December 9th 2016

Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić and Davor Dragojević awarded for philanthropy

The FAKT- fund for active citizenship, in cooperation with the Directorate for Diaspora and the Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the EU Delegation in Montenegro and Cano Koprivica Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers and Charles Stewart Mot, are awarding the Iskra Awards since 2009.

Among the other winners of this worthy reward, in the category of citizenship contribution, the Zetski dom in Cetinje, a Special Award for Civic Contribution to the general good Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić and Davor Dragojević, founders of the International Puppetry Festival, were rewarded by this award.

During the five years of the festival, twenty-three thousand youngest visitors from Podgorica, Tuzi, Niksic, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor, Petrovac, Cetinje, Berane, Rozaje, Bijelo Polje, Kolasin, Danilovgrad, Andrijevica, Petnjica and Mojkovac visited the festival.

During the five years of the festival, twenty-three thousand youngest visitors from Podgorica, Tuzi, Niksic, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor, Petrovac, Cetinje, Berane, Rozaje, Bijelo Polje, Kolasin, Danilovgrad, Andrijevica, Petnjica and Mojkovac visited the festival.

The entrance to all performances is free.

In the explanation for awarding Ljiljana and Davor is said:

Special Recognition for Civil Contribution to the common good: Ljiljana Burzan-Nikolić and Davor Dragojević, founders of the International Puppet Festival

When five years ago founded the „"International Puppetry Festival“, Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić and Davor Dragojević started an exciting, not only cultural and educational but also philanthropic adventure.

Thanks to the initiative of these theater enthusiasts, children throughout Montenegro have been able to recognize the charms of puppetry and theater in the past five years and to gain the first knowledge of people and the world through the art of puppetry.

Devotedly involved to this mission, allowing free access to these contents, organizers of the festival have opened the doors of theater space and art to their children of Montenegro, including those coming from vulnerable and socially vulnerable groups and families. Thanks to such an approach, the performances shown at this festival so far, could have been seen by some 23,000 children, including children who, in other conditions, would still not enter the theater.

The funds necessary for program realization are collected by organizers of the festival through donations and sponsorships, but they invest their work, time, knowledge and skills from the love for the theater and from the faith to the benefit that the theater brings to the children.

Due to their commitment to cultural upbringing, enrichment and refinement of children through the theater, Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić and Davor Dragojević are this year's winner of the Special Award for Civil Contribution to the Common Good.

Why kids love the Festival of Puppetry?

We asked kids why they love the Festival of Puppetry, and they answered. And what would you like see? :)

Podgorica, 7th August 2016.

Preparations underway for The Fifth Puppetry Festival

The Fifth International Festival of Puppetry Podgorica, Montenegro 2016 will be held from 14 to 18 of September in the KIC "Budo Tomovic" as part of Podgorica Cultural Summer.

Puppet theater groups from seven countries have confirmed participation: Turkey, Ukraine, Serbia, Brazil, Mexico, Israel and Poland.

A great support to Festival is provided by Turkish Cultural Center in Podgorica "Yunus Emre", as well as the Embassy of Israel in Belgrade.

Within the Festival there will be held exhibition of works by the beloved children's poet, journalist and artist Dragan Radulovic, which will give a special value to this year's Festival, since these remarkable works have not been exhibited for two decades.

Aside from Podgorica, performances will be also played in several other Montenegrin cities. Berane, Mojkovac and Herceg Novi are certain, and we are arranging Plav, Petnjica and Andrijevica.

In honor of the anniversary, the International Jury of the Festival, beside the president of the jury, the Montenegrin director Goran Bulajic, will have four members, and those are: Jelena Stojanovic-Patrnogić, Director of Theatre for Children in Kragujevac (SERBIA), Fatma Keceli, a professor at the Department of Theatre Duzce University (Turkey), David Burman, director of the International Festival of puppet Theatre Kukart (RUSSIA) and Sejfo Seferovic, actor and ambassador of our Festival.

The fifth, anniversary Festival has been supported by the Capital City Department of Culture, KIC '' Budo Tomovic '', Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Petrovic-Njegos Foundation, EPCG, CGES, Hipotekarna Bank, Lovcen life insurance, Celebic company, Jugopetrol and NGO Corner.

As in previous years, the entrance to all performances and contents of the Festival is FREE.

The Festival is founded and organized by actor and director Davor Dragojevic and a professional in the field of communications and social worker Ljiljana Burzan Nikolic.

Podgorica, 10th September 2015.

Montegrin theatre performance today in Podgorica, Bulgarian tomorrow

The Fourth International Puppetry Festival Podgorica, which is taking place from September 9 to 13th 2015 in KIC “Budo Tomović”, has been formaly opened on September 9th, at 8 pm.

The honoured Ambassador of Festival, H.M prince Nikola Petrović opened the Festival and the same evening, after the opening ceremony, the Puppetry Theatre from Mostar played the performance "Cold Heart" performance. The opening ceremony was hosted by actor of City theatre of Podgorica, Sejfo Seferović, while the participants were also the kid dancers from Dance Club “Beauty” as well as kid singers: Jovan Aleksić, Katarina Radulović, Milutin Radulović, Iva Vujošević, Jadranka Đurišić and Pavle and Ksenija Bogićević.

On September 10th at 6 and 8 pm, in DODEST hall of KIC “Budo Tomović” in Podgorica the "Fisherman and Fishy" will be performed by City Theatre Podgorica. Earlier today, the theatre from Mostar played "Ice heart" in Herceg Novi.

The third day of the Festival, on Friday September 11th, at 6 and 8 pm in Podgorica the bulgarian "Ugly ducking" will be performed in DODEST hall. The same day, in Ulcinj, at 5 pm the "Guliver’s adventures" will be performed by Puppetry theatre Tirana from Albania. At the same day also, the children from Rozaje will have opportunity to watch the Serbian "The curious little elephant" by Children Theatre Kragujevac which will take place in Centar for culture at 3 pm.

As part of the Festival program, the exhibition of small figures and paintings "All that smily faces" by artist Dušanke-Dude Božović has been opened.

The entrance to the performances is free. Tickets (that just serve to guarantee the place) could be picked up one hour before the performance begins, in KIC "Budo Tomović".

The Detailed programm could be downloaded from the official Festival web site: www.lutkarstvo.me, in Montenegrin, English and Russian language as well as from the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lutkarstvo

Festival is financed by many sponsors and donors, therefore there is a plenty of individuals and companies we would like to thank for the support. This year our supporters are: Ministry of culture, Secretariat for culture of Podgorica Municipality, KIC „Budo Tomović“, Petrović Njegoš Foundation, Agency for electronic communications and postal activities, Montenegro Airlines, Montenegrin Electric Power Company (EPCG), Lovćen life insurances, Hipotekarna bank, Cosmetics market, Domen, Montenegrin electro transmission system (CGES), Securities Comission, NLB bank, Plantaže and numerous media, print houses and individuals.

Podgorica, 8th September 2015

The fourth International puppetry festival is going to start tomorrow

The Fourth International Puppetry Festival Podgorica, Montenegro 2015, which will take place from September 9 to 13th 2015 in KIC “Budo Tomović”, as part of Podgorica Summer Cultural Fest, is going to start on Wednesday, Septembar 9th at 8pm. The honoured Ambassador of Festival, H.M prince Nikola Petrović will open the Festival. The same evening, after the opening ceremony, the Puppetry Theatre from Mostar will play “Ice Heart”, in the big hall of KIC. During the short opening ceremony the kid dancers from Dance Club ”Beauty“ will have the performance as well as kid singers: Jovan Aleksić, Katarina Radulović, Milutin Radulović, Jadranka Đurišić, Iva Vujošević and Pavle and Ksenija Bogićević.

The second day of the Fest will be performed „ Fisherman and Fishy“ by City Theatre Podgorica in Dodest hall in two turn at 6 pm and at 8 pm. On Thursday, September 10, in the framework of the program „ The good theatre is for kids“, will be performed in Herceg Novi „Ice heart“ from Bosnia, in the „Park“ hall at 1 pm.

Beside theatres from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, the theathers from Bulgaria, Serbia and Albania will participate also.

Podgorica is the main place of all the events, but some performances will be hosted also by Herceg Novi, Ulcinj, Rožaje and Tuzi.

As part of the Festival program, the exhibition of small figures and paintings “All that smily faces” by artist Dušanka Duda Božović will be opened.

The Festival is a contest by nature, therefore the international expert jury consisted of estemeed cultural and theatre representatives: Goran Bulajić, director and scrip writer - Montenegro, PhD prof. Fatma Kečeli, cathedra for theatre Düzce University - Turkey and Marta Aroksalaši, actress and director of Children Theatre Subotica – Serbia.

The members of the children jury are the pupils of primary schools in Podgorica, members of School of acting art, DC Club: Andrej Dlabač – President and members: Matija Đaletić, Novak Nikolić, Marija Jovićević, Milica Bulatović, Nikolaj Kaluđerović, Viktor Vukčević, Marko Vučinić, Ksenija Babović, Jovan Radulović, Marija Adamović, Dina Nikolić, Ljubica Đurković, Jelena Boljević, Dara Stojanović, Viktor Dlabač, Adrijana Albijanić and Manja Dragojević.

Traditionally, the entrance to the performances is free, and tickets (that just serve to guarantee the place) could be picked up one hour before the performance begins, in KIC “Budo Tomović”. The performances take place twice a day, starting at 6 and 8 pm, and detailed programm could be downloaded from the official Festival web site: www.lutkarstvo.me, in Montenegrin, English and Russian language as well as from the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lutkarstvo

Festival is financed by many sponsors and donors, therefore there is a plenty of individuals and companies we would like to thank for the support. This year our supporters are: Ministry of culture, Secretariat for culture of Podgorica Municipality, KIC „Budo Tomović“, Petrović Njegoš Foundation, Agency for electronic communications and postal activities, Montenegro Airlines, Montenegrin Electric Power Company (EPCG), Lovćen life insurances, Čelebić, Hipotekarna bank, Cosmetics market, Domen, Montenegrin electro transmission system (CGES), Securities Comission, NLB bank, Plantaže and numerous media, print houses and individuals.

Podgorica, 30th June 2015

Fourth international festival of puppetry in september

Fourth International Festival of Puppetry is going to be held on 9th - 13th September, 2015 in Podgorica and other towns of Montenegro. All the performances will be performed at our kind host KIC “Budo Tomovic“. Performing of Festival plays in other towns of Montenegro are going to be agreed on and depends on interest of local centers of culture and their willing to organize it. This year, Festival is held within “Podgorica's culture summer“.

This year, for the first time we will host puppetiers from Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also from Bulgaria and Serbia. The fifth country is, of course, our Montenegro.

The basic principle of the Festival stays the same: entrance for all Festival performances is free of charge. Although, it is needed to get a free ticket, to be sure that everybody has a seat.

Festival is founded and organized by actor and puppetry director Davor Dragojević and communication proffesional Ljiljana Burzan Nikolić.

Festival has a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lutkarstvo where it is possibile to communicate with organizers and to be informed about the Festival's news. Official web site of the festival is: www.lutkarstvo.me.