Theatre Epicentre, the umbrella organization bringing together professional associations dedicated to theatre for children and young people, is proud to announce the 8th Croatian TYA and Puppet Theatres Showcase – an annual event presenting the most significant achievements of Croatian theatre for young audiences and puppetry.

This year, the Showcase will take place from 5 to 10 October 2025 in Čakovec and Zagreb, as part of the 28th Meeting of Professional Theatres for Children and Young People organized by the Croatian Centre ASSITEJ.

The aim of the Showcase is to promote the highest aesthetic and innovative achievements in theatre, as well as to foster strong international connections. A professional jury selects the most remarkable productions from Croatian theatres of diverse aesthetics and genres, in order to present them to festival directors, producers, and selectors of prestigious international festivals.

This year’s Showcase will host renowned experts and producers from: Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Germany, France, Poland, Iran, and Slovenia.

We look forward to meeting you and celebrating theatre together!

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

ASSITEJ SCHEDULE

October 5, 2025, SUNDAY

15:00 – Močvara, Zagreb (Showcase)
TRICYCLE TRAUMA, CIRKUS PUNKT AND THEATER IN MOČVARA
ECHO

October 6, 2025, MONDAY

10:00 (Competitive Performance)
RIJEKA CITY PUPPET THEATER
THE DAY I TURNED INTO A BIRD
(Puppet and Drama Performance, audience on stage)

14:00 (Competitive Performance)
TEATAR POCO LOCO
AWAKENING
(Drama Performance, audience on stage)

17:00 (Competitive Performance)
ART ORGANIZATION THEATRICAL TROUPE SMJEŠKO
PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!
(Drama Performance, audience on stage)

October 7, 2025, TUESDAY

9:30  (Showcase)
RIJEKA CITY PUPPET THEATER
RABBIT AND THE STREEM
(Puppet Performance, audience on stage)

13:00 (Competitive Performance)
LOFT
MORIS
(Puppet Performance, audience on stage)

17:00 (Competitive Performance)
TEATAR TIRENA
UNDER PRESSURE
(Drama Performance)

October 8, 2025, WEDNESDAY

10:00 (Competitive Performance + Showcase)
ZADAR PUPPET THEATER
THE PLACE WHERE LAVANDULILILI GROWS
(Puppet and Drama Performance)

11:00  (Showcase)
TEATAR CIRKUS PUNKT
GENERATION XYZ
(Drama Performance, in front of the Čakovec Cultural Center)

17:00 (Competitive Performance + Showcase)
THEATRICAL TROUPE PINKLEC
CITY OF A COMPLEX STATE
(Drama Performance)

18:00
Čakovec Cultural Center Gallery
“Solidarity and Resilience: how performing arts for children and youth can survive in times of instability and inequality” – Round table

October 9, 2025, THURSDAY

10:00 (Competitive Performance)
CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATER IN VARAŽDIN
THE STORY OF ZORKO THE CLEVER AND ABOUT HAPPINESS
(Drama Performance)

14:00 (Competitive Performance)
POŽEGA CITY THEATER
TRIO RIO
(Drama Performance)

17:00 (Showcase)
EMMA TEATAR
MIRACLE IN LANDFILL
(Puppet and Drama Performance)

19:00
Čakovec Cultural Center Gallery
Exhibition Opening “80 Years – Split City Puppet Theater”

October 10, 2025, FRIDAY

9:15 (Showcase)
LOFT
BABIES ARE AWESOME!
(Puppet Performance, kindergarten)

13:00 (Competitive Performance)
SPLIT CITY PUPPET THEATER
THE SECRET LIFE OF SPLIT’S PUPPETS
(Puppet and Drama Performance)