In the heart of Istria, the city of Rovinj-Rovigno once again opens its doors to the magic of puppetry, preparing for the third edition of the Istrian Puppet Festival "Abracadabra". From Monday, May 26th, to Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, the streets and squares of this picturesque city, as well as its theatre stages, will be filled with laughter, imagination, and the art of puppets. The organizer of this cultural gem, the Open Public University of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno - Università popolare aperta della Città di Rovinj-Rovigno, this year again promises a rich and diverse program intended for all generations, from the youngest kindergarteners to experienced lovers of theatre art. This year, the festival also extends beyond Rovinj, including events in Kanfanar and Žminj, thereby spreading the magic of puppets throughout Istria.

The Open Public University of the City of Rovinj-Rovigno, as the central institution for culture and education in the city, continuously works on promoting art and bringing cultural content closer to its citizens and visitors. Their dedication to organizing festivals like "Abracadabra" testifies to the importance they attach to the development of the cultural scene and the enrichment of Rovinj's tourist offer. The festival's partner is the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, an institution that plays a key role in educating future generations of artists, including puppeteers. The artistic director of the festival, doc. art. Nenad Pavlović, Master of Acting and Puppetry and assistant professor at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, guarantees high artistic quality and program diversity with his experience and vision. Pavlović, a Pula native, with many years of experience as a performer and author in numerous theatre projects throughout Croatia and abroad, brings a passion for puppetry, clowning, and non-verbal theatre.

The "Abracadabra" festival is not just a series of performances; it is an all-day experience that includes lively parades, interactive street workshops for making puppets and juggling, and, of course, numerous puppet shows that will take place at various locations in the very heart of Rovinj. More than thirty puppet shows and workshops await visitors, and the fact that all programs are completely free is particularly delightful, making culture accessible to everyone.

Grand Opening and the Magic of the First Day

The festival magic begins on Monday, May 26th, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Trg na Lokvi. From here, a cheerful procession of puppeteers and Rovinj kindergarteners, accompanied by colorful puppets, will move along the picturesque Carera Street to the main city square, Trg Maršala Tita. It is on this square, at 10:00 AM, that the grand opening of the festival will take place, the moment when Rovinj will officially become the capital of puppetry.

Immediately after the opening, at 10:30 AM, on Trg Maršala Tita, Kazalište lutaka Zadar (ZKL Zadar) will perform the show "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". This popular story, intended for children aged 3+, will last 40 minutes and will surely delight the youngest audience. Kazalište lutaka Zadar, founded way back in 1952, is an institution with a rich tradition and a recognizable artistic expression, and their performances often address important life values. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" is no exception, bringing a story about growth, change, and the beauty of nature. The second performance of the same show, this time for slightly older children, aged 8+, is scheduled for 12:30 PM at the same location.

Parallel to the performances, in Trg Valdibora from 10:00 AM, visitors will be able to participate in a street juggling workshop led by Toni and his faithful dog Passito. This workshop offers an opportunity to learn new skills and have good fun outdoors.

The afternoon program on Monday also brings creative activities. At 5:00 PM on Trg Maršala Tita, a street puppet-making workshop will be held under the expert guidance of Ida Klarić, a graduate puppet technologist. Ida Klarić, with experience in making costumes, scenography, puppets, and props, and a completed study of design for theatre, film, and television at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, will share her knowledge and skills with the participants, enabling them to create their own puppet creations.

The evening hours are reserved for another treat from Kazalište lutaka Zadar. In the Multimedia Center (MMC) space at 6:00 PM, and again at 8:00 PM, the play "Flora" will be performed. This play, also lasting 40 minutes and intended for an audience older than 8 years, deals with the current ecological theme. The story follows a girl Flora who, together with the animal inhabitants of the forest, tries to solve the problem of plastic pollution. Through song, play, and interactive scenes, "Flora" conveys a strong message about the importance of environmental protection and responsible behavior towards nature. This emphasis on ecological themes shows how puppetry can be a powerful medium for education and raising awareness about important social issues.

Second Day of the Festival: New Stories and Skills in Rovinj

Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, brings new puppet adventures and creative challenges. The program begins at 9:00 AM in Trg Valdibora with the play "The Nasty Hunchback" performed by Gradsko kazalište Zorin dom from Karlovac. This play, lasting 35 minutes and adapted for children aged 4 and up, is based on the instructive fairy tale by Rije Trdin. GK Zorin dom, with a long and rich theatrical tradition, is known for quality productions for children and adults. "The Nasty Hunchback" will have a second performance the same morning at 10:00 AM, also in Trg Valdibora.

At 11:00 AM, the festival events move to Trg Maršala Tita, where students of the MA Study of Puppet Animation from Osijek will present "The Story of Rolling". This performance, which lasts 45 minutes and is intended for children older than 4 years, provides insight into the work of young, upcoming puppet talents. The Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, which is also a partner of the festival, is the first and only higher education institution in Croatia that offers a complete study of acting and puppetry, thereby significantly contributing to the development and professionalization of the puppet scene in the country.

The afternoon on Tuesday is again reserved for popular street workshops. From 5:00 PM in Trg Valdibora, Toni and the dog Passito will once again entertain and teach juggling skills. After them, at 7:00 PM, at the same location, Ida Klarić will hold another street puppet-making workshop, providing a new opportunity for everyone who wants to express their creativity and learn the basics of this wonderful skill. These workshops, in addition to being fun, also have an important educational role, encouraging manual skills, creativity, and teamwork in children and young people.

The evening program moves to the more intimate atmosphere of Kazalište Gandusio. At 6:00 PM, and again at 8:00 PM, Gllugl teatar will perform the play "The Little Mermaid". This adaptation of the classic fairy tale, lasting 40 minutes, is intended for an audience older than 10 years. Gllugl teatar, known for its innovative approaches and combination of acting, puppetry, and music, will surely offer a unique interpretation of this timeless story. Kazalište Gandusio, with its rich history, provides an ideal ambiance for such theatrical experiences, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the magical world of The Little Mermaid. Accommodation in Rovinj during the festival can be in demand, so it's good to check stay options.

Festival Finale with International Guests and Stribor's Forest

Wednesday, May 28th, 2025, is the last day of the "Abracadabra" festival, but it brings an equally rich and exciting program. The morning begins at Kazalište Gandusio, where at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM the graduate play by students of the Academy of Arts and Culture from Osijek, "Stribor's Forest", will be performed. This adaptation of the famous fairy tale by Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, lasting 45 minutes and intended for an audience older than 8 years, represents the crown of their studies and an opportunity to show their acquired knowledge and talent. Performances of graduate plays often bring fresh and innovative approaches to classic works and are an important indicator of the direction in which the young puppet scene is moving.

Simultaneously, from 10:00 AM, in Trg Maršala Tita, a street puppet-making workshop with Ida Klarić will be held again, while Trg Valdibora will be the place for a street juggling workshop with Toni and the dog Passito. Toni and Passito will repeat their workshop in the afternoon, from 6:00 PM in Trg Valdibora, providing the last chance to participate in this fun activity.

The highlight of the international part of the program awaits us on Trg Maršala Tita. At 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Compania Ueueue from Montreuil, France, will perform the play "Ooh Teresina!". This musical-visual spectacle, lasting 35 minutes and intended for children aged 4 and up, brings the legendary Pulcinella to life in a contemporary story about love, freedom, and social conventions. The guest performance of the French troupe enriches the festival with an international perspective and provides the audience in Rovinj with insight into recent trends in European puppetry.

The grand finale of the festival will take place at Kazalište Gandusio at 7:00 PM. Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana from Slovenia, one of the most respected puppet houses in the region, founded back in 1948, will perform the play "The Bear and the Little One". This play, lasting 50 minutes, is a story about an unusual friendship and acceptance of differences, and the theatrical story begins when a duckling hatches from a lost egg and thinks it is a bear. The guest performance of Lutkovno gledališče Ljubljana represents an exceptional opportunity for the Rovinj audience to enjoy a top-notch puppet performance and art that transcends borders.

During the festival, educational workshops for educators on the topic of puppet techniques are also planned, under the mentorship of a full professor from the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, which further emphasizes the educational character and aspiration of the festival towards professional development and knowledge exchange. The "Abracadabra" festival in Rovinj thus becomes not only a place of fun and artistic enjoyment, but also a platform for learning, development, and promotion of puppet art in its full breadth and diversity. With its rich program, which combines tradition and modernity, domestic and international artists, "Abracadabra" confirms Rovinj's status as an important cultural center that nurtures art for all generations. Visitors coming to Rovinj for the festival can also explore accommodation options in the city to fully enjoy the three-day magic of puppets.