The Mateřinka 23 Festival, a renowned international event showcasing professional puppet theaters for preschool children, concluded its 27th edition in Liberec on June 17th. The festival featured over forty sold-out theatrical productions by nineteen companies, including international groups from Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and Slovakia. The awards ceremony recognized outstanding individual performances and contributions to the field of puppetry.

The independent group Puppets Without Borders received two awards for their impressive adaptation of the Nordic myth “Nilas and the Thousand-Headed Herd.” Tereza Černohorská was honored for her exceptional work in set design and co-authorship, while Dora Bouzková was recognized for her outstanding acting and co-authorship.

The Naive Theatre Liberec also received well-deserved recognition. Vít Peřina was awarded for his remarkable text and dramaturgy in the play “Grandma Red Riding Hood Celebrates Her Birthday Today!” The heartfelt performance in the production “That’s Angelic!” by the Drak Theatre from Hradec Králové earned Luděk Smadiš for his outstanding acting (the Prize of the Governor of the Liberec Region).

The jury acknowledged the remarkable concept of the performance “Komodo” by the Lampion Theatre from Kladno, honoring Olga Ziebińska and Jakub Maksymov. Katarina Aulitisová received the award for her exceptional directing and concept in the production “Okololo” by Bratislava Puppet Theater from Bratislava (Prize of the mayor of the city of Liberec).

In addition to the performances, the festival provided a rich program for attendees. They enjoyed evening productions tailored for adults, concerts, film screenings, puppet workshops, and a festive parade.

Source: divadlo.cz
Image: Festival of professional puppet theatres in Liberec; source