INTERNATIONAL LUT FEST OFFICIALLY OPENED

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, MARCH 30 /SRNA/ – The International Festival of Professional Puppet Theatres for Children - Lut Fest, whose motto is "The Puppet – a Mirror of Time," was officially opened today at the Istočno Sarajevo National Theatre with a unique puppet performance.

The festival was opened by the Assistant Minister for Culture of Republika Srpska Tanja Đaković, who said that the vision and long-standing dream of the organisers of Lut Fest has finally been fully realized, as prestigious puppet performances will from this year also be staged in the newly opened temple of art – the Istočno Sarajevo National Theatre.

"The International Puppet Theatre Festival - Lut Fest, with the cultural and artistic achievements of world puppetry, has for years been passing on to younger generations a love for theatre art, which is precisely the strength of culture that in an interesting and educational way forms theatre audiences," Đaković said.

During the official opening of this year's festival, actors from the Puppet Scene of Toša Jovanović National Theatre from Zrenjanin performed the play "Miša Pupin Idvorski," directed by Petar Pejaković.

The director of Lut Fest Vitomir Mitrić presented this ensemble with the sculpture "Golden Anima – Radoslav Lazić" on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the continuous and dedicated work of the Puppet Scene of Toša Jovanović National Theatre, recognising its exceptional contribution to the development of puppetry and as a sign of long-standing partnership.

The sculpture and an artwork by academic painter Borko Močević were received by the director of the Zrenjanin theatre Uroš Pavlov, who thanked Forum Theatre, the organiser of Lut Fest, for recognising the Zrenjanin theatre's dedication and commitment to the development and promotion of puppetry art.

The festival host and producer Aleksandra Mitrić-Štifanić emphasized that the Zrenjanin theatre, through its long tradition and achievements, has confirmed its lasting dedication to the art of puppetry, which transcends time and generations.

"By nurturing a synthesis of tradition and contemporary theatrical expression, this theatre has over the decades shaped the aesthetic and educational values of puppet theatre, leaving a deep and lasting influence on the development of audiences and artistic practice," Mitrić-Štifanić said.

The competition programme includes the Puppet Scene of Zrenjanin Toša Jovanović National Theatre, Subotica Children's Theatre, Niš Puppet Theatre, Novi Sad Youth Theatre, Mostar Puppet Theatre, and Dagestan Makhachkala State Theatre from the Russian Federation.