Mini teater at Matanzas – the puppetry capital of Cuba

Mini teater at Matanzas – the puppetry capital of Cuba 

On April 20 and 22, 2008, Mini teater is taking part in the 8th International Puppet Festival at Matanzas in Cuba. Within the competition program - selected by Mr. René  Fernández Santana, the president of the organizational committee of this year Festival– Mini teater will present its most often awarded festival performance The Story of the Tsar Saltan (by A.S. Pushkin), first for adults and then for children. The organizers of the Festival, the Teatro Papalote and the city authorities of Matanzas supported by the Cuban Ministry of Culture, have proven that this is one of the most widely responded and visited puppet festivals in Cuba in a number of years so far. This year it takes place from April 19 to April 27. Mini teater is the only Slovenian theatre representing Slovenia. The city of Matanzas, which lies not far from the capital Havana, has been proclaimed as the Cuban capital of puppetry due to its rich tradition in puppetry art.

The puppet-theatre performance was produced by Mini teater in co-production with Novo kazalište Zagreb and ARL Dubrovnik. It was directed by Aleksandar Anurov, one of the most prominent Russian actors and directors. The visual concept was designed by the Russian set designer Ana Viktorova. The music was written by Mitja Vrhovnik Smrekar. The costumes were designed by Ana Savić Gecan. The actors playing in the performance belong to the top Slovenian theatre actors: Akira Hasegawa, Nataša Matjašec (recipient of the national Prešeren Fund Award 2005), and Milan Štefe (recipient of the national ZDUS Award for performing achievements in 2004).

More information about the festival on:  http://www.tallertiteres.cubaescena.cult.cu/