In 2005, actress Marilena Triantafyllidou visited Salzburg, Austria, for the first time in her life, a theatrical performance of young children. A year later, returning to Greece, he introduced the Artika group with Katerina Alexakis and began to create theatrical performance who could visit children from infancy to six years of age. Eight years later, Artika will organize the first International Festival of Theater and Performing Arts for young audiences aged 0 to 6 called “From the Beginning”, which will take place from today Thursday, 05.04., until Monday, 05.08.

In this great feast of the first age of man and ArtAccording to the plan of the inhabitants of Artik, there will be six theatrical performances, two Greek and four foreign, which will be held at the ELER and Porta theaters, master classes for professionals, master classes for children, discussions and an exhibition of paintings with 141 works. illustrated by dozens of famous artists from all over the world and will be shown on four large screens in the foyer of the Porta Theatre.

“Our goal is to find and create new forms of expression and communication through the performing arts and in collaboration with other art forms in Greece and abroad, which will bring the public closer to theater and art. At the same time, we believe that the youngest, from 0 to 6 years old, are capable and sensitive citizens of the world, and we cannot deny them their right to art,” says Ms Triantafyllidou.

But how to plan a show for this age group of viewers? “Perhaps it will not necessarily be based on text, on speech. He may focus more on movement or music. But these are theatrical performances, not songs and compartments. They have simplicity, but not simplicity,” he notes. As Ms. Triantafyllidou points out, the big difference between toddler theater and older theater is that when addressing infants and toddlers, you need to take into account the specific audience they see in front of them, and determine tension, pace, and themes accordingly. how he handles any topic.

“It should also create a connection with that audience, make them feel secure, feel trusted.”

And for those wondering if toddlers can watch or “understand” a theatrical performance, Ms. Triantafyllidou explains that at this age, emotions and feelings are the main reason. “One and a half year old children may not understand in the sense in which we understand it, but they will perceive many things on an emotional and aesthetic level. They can get emotional, they can cry, I’ve seen it happen. I saw children who, as soon as they get on their feet, rush to hug the actor.