PLAYBREAK o’clock

The theme of this year's Festival of Ecological Theatre for Children and Youth, under the slogan PLAYBREAK, emerged as the common thread running through this year's programme selection. Year after year, the Festival has increasingly embraced performances that, in both genre and subject matter, present an alternative vision of performing arts for young audiences, standing apart from the conventional and dominant model of children's theatre in Serbia. This year's theme draws attention above all to the diversity and boldness of the genres and topics showcased at the Festival, as well as to the richness of the cultures from which they originate.

Such a programme is more commonly associated with major cities and European theatre centres, where audience development has reached a high level thanks to a broad and diverse cultural offering. It is therefore particularly significant—and somewhat surprising—that a smaller town such as Bačka Palanka has become a meeting point for contemporary theatre practices. In this sense, the Festival brings to Bačka Palanka performances that reflect the latest developments in theatre for children and young people, presenting a collection of bold and often experimental theatrical forms.

Unlike traditional theatre, contemporary theatre for children and young people is built on the idea that the concept of the "fourth wall" and the audience as passive observers is no longer sufficient for children's development. Participatory forms, on the other hand, offer multiple artistic and educational possibilities.

This year, the Festival wishes to emphasize that, here, the "fourth wall" has finally been broken down completely—through new participatory, immersive, and inclusive theatre forms, as well as through themes that do not patronize children, but instead invite conversation and critical reflection. In doing so, it affirms the idea that a theatrical work continues to exist long after its formal ending. The Festival also highlights that children and young people need a life free of illusions, and that we, as adults, have a responsibility to introduce them to the world as it truly is, rather than through "rose-coloured glasses."

At the same time, our goal is to empower them to become active participants in shaping that world, rather than silent observers, as is so often the case in traditional theatre. We encourage them to build communities according to the principles of contemporary theatre, in which they are equal participants. The image created by conventional and dominant children's theatre in Serbia also reflects society's broader attitude toward children, who are too often underestimated, sidelined, marginalized, overprotected, or patronized. This year's Festival therefore seeks to change that picture and draw attention to the importance of understanding diversity, embracing people and cultures that are different from our own, and recognizing the value of new storytelling formats that encourage children and young people to take an active role in shaping the world they live in.

Looking back at previous Festival slogans, we realized that they often sounded overly serious, melancholic, or pessimistic. This time, we wanted to sound quite the opposite: cheerful, optimistic, and playful—because that is what people tend to expect from a children's festival (along with all the stereotypes that come with it). Through this humorous title, however, we deliberately draw attention to the absurdity of such expectations.

PLAYBREAK stands for breaking worries, breaking the fourth wall, and breaking down prejudice—all at once becoming an invitation for children to participate, engage, and take action.

Sonja Petrović Paripović, Festival of Ecological Theatre for Children and Youth Director