As part of the LIFE TRŠCA project, this year we created the puppet show "Who created Lake Cerknica?" , introducing children to one of the many stories about the origins of Lake Cerknica in a playful, imaginative and fairy-tale-like way.
The show brings together two travellers, explorers, seekers and storytellers. Each of them has their own story about how Lake Cerknica came into being. One prefers witches, while the other favours sheep, and both are convinced that they know the right answer. When their stories do not quite match, they start teasing each other, but eventually join forces. With the help of puppets, musical instruments and the audience, they create a new story together about who made the lake.
The performance is intended for children aged 5 to 9 and lasts approximately 35 minutes. Miha Razdrih and Tines Špik were responsible for the script, direction and dramaturgy, and they also perform in the show. Lorena Bukovec created the set design, costumes and puppets. The performance was produced by Kanal 13 and Notranjska Park.
A story that has already reached more than 600 spectators
This year, the show has already been performed five times. It premiered in April at the Cerknica Cultural Centre, where it was seen by 143 spectators. In May, it travelled to Loška Dolina, where it was performed at the Grajski PUNkT festival in front of Snežnik Castle. In July, it was presented at the Krpan Gallery in Cerknica as part of the Fairy Tales Under the Treetops festival, and in Truške, where it was performed as part of a very special edition of the Floating Castle festival. The final performance of the year took place in September at the Martin Krpan Kindergarten in Cerknica, where as many as 250 children watched the show.
In total, this year's five performances were seen by 610 spectators. Even more important to us than the number, however, are the responses we have received. Children quickly become immersed in the story, following the two travellers and their search for the answer to who created the lake with great interest. They are not merely spectators, but also become co-creators of what is happening on stage. Adults, too, respond to the performance with plenty of laughter and smiles, showing that the story has found its way to different generations.
Special thanks go to Miha Razdrih and Tines Špik for creating a performance that brings the story of Lake Cerknica closer to the youngest audiences in a playful way that resonates with them. Thank you for all your effort, creativity and for this wonderful performance.
We are delighted that we can introduce children to Lake Cerknica and its stories through play and imagination as well. Perhaps, after seeing the show, one of the young spectators will look at the lake with new eyes – with greater curiosity and interest, and perhaps also with a desire to get to know it and help protect it.
The implementation of extensive nature conservation projects exceeds the financial capacity of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing by the European Union.
The implementation of large-scale conservation projects exceeds the financial capabilities of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing from the European Union.
