Young Theater Festival in Bale: The Art of Play and Emotion

From 20 to 26 September 2026, Bale will once again host the Young Theater Festival, an international artistic and scientific event bringing together young artists, students, educators, researchers and professionals from Croatia and abroad. This year’s edition is held under the theme “The Art of Play and Emotion”, focusing on the connection between theater and performing arts, psychology, creative therapies, and the fields of art and health. Through a diverse programme of workshops, lectures and practical activities, the Festival offers an opportunity to gain new knowledge, exchange experiences and develop artistic and professional skills. Among this year’s mentors and lecturers are renowned artists and experts from Croatia and abroad, including theater and film actress Selma Alispahić, Canadian actor Filip Geljo, known for his roles in the Avatar sequels, British drama therapist Anna Seymour, and Romanian actor, director and professor András Hatházi, a long-standing Festival mentor. The programme is intended for students and young artists, as well as anyone interested, including teachers, educators, psychologists, creative therapists, parents and other professionals. A special part of the programme is dedicated to children and parents, with activities that use play and creative expression to encourage the development of emotional literacy. Programme open to the public Most of the Festival programme is intended for registered participants, while throughout the Festival week there will also be a rich evening cultural programme open to everyone. Admission to all programmes open to the public is free. 20 Sep · 19:00 · MMC "Ulika" Anatomy of the Unknown (Anatomija nepoznatog) – exhibition by Breza Žižović 20 Sep · 20:00 · Tomaso Bembo Square Activists (Aktivisti) – performance by Teatar Fort Forno 21 Sep · 19:00 · Tomaso Bembo Square Just Imagine (Zamisli samo) – children’s performance by GIG Teatar 21 Sep · 19:45 · Tomaso Bembo Square What Is Grandpa For? (Čemu služi deda) – performance by Teatar Fort Forno 22 Sep · 19:00 · foyer of the Mon Perin Conference Hall Altar of Solitude (Oltar samoće) – performance by the Theatre Department of the Arts Academy in Split 22 Sep · 21:00 · Mon Perin Conference Hall Ay, Carmela – Made in BiH – documentary film by Selma Alispahić 24 Sep · 21:00 · cistern next to the church in Bale Life Is Beautiful Only When One Sacrifices Without Fear (Lip je život samo ontar kad se prez straha žrtvuje) – author’s poetic project 25 Sep · 19:00 · MMC "Ulika" fLORA – exhibition by Marko Šošić 26 Sep · 20:00 · Mon Perin Conference Hall Festival Closing Ceremony and Presentation of the Festival Workshops (Svečano zatvaranje Festivala i prezentacija festivalskih radionica) Through its programme, the Festival explores how art, play, movement and creative expression can contribute to personal development, learning and individual well-being. Some activities will also take place outdoors, including psychological counselling while walking, further connecting the Festival’s artistic and educational programme with Bale and its surroundings. The Young Theater Festival in Bale is organised by the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, University of Split, Municipality of Bale – Valle, Tourist Board of Bale – Valle and Mon Perin d.d. Registration for the workshops is now open. Information about the programme and registration is available through the official channels of the Young Theater Festival.