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Matica hrvatska and the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb marked the 130th birth anniversary of Miroslav Krleža

Matica hrvatska and the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb marked the 130th birth anniversary of Miroslav KrležaFrom the theatre — 12. May 2023.

On May 11, at Matica hrvatska a colloquium was held marking the 130th birth anniversary of Miroslav Krleža and celebrating him as a theatre writer. The event was organised by Matica hrvatska and the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. Through thematic displays, writers, university professors, drama artists and stage directors presented the literary and theatrical opus of one of the most prominent Croatian writers.

The president of Matica hrvatska Miro Gavran in his speech emphasised how Miroslav Krleža is multiply linked to Matica hrvatska. He pointed out that despite the fact that he was a novelist, storyteller, poet, essayist, lexicographer, this colloquium presents him solely as a theatre writer, primarily because in these recent times, his drama opus is the most vital segment of his entire opus.

The general manager of the CNT in Zagreb Iva Hraste Sočo looked back at Krleža's beginnings, at the dispute with the Drama director of that time Josip Bach and then at the time when after WWII, he dominated the stage of the CNT in Zagreb. Since then, all until today, when we are rerunning his drama In Agony and staging a new production of Leda, Krleža has constantly been on the repertoire of the Zagreb national theatre house, said the general manger.

Academician Krešimir Nemec opened the colloquium with the presentation „Painters in Krleža's dramas: from art to business“ and a scene from the drama In Agony was performed by actors Nina Violić and Livio Badurina (directed by Ivica Buljan for the CNT in Zagreb). Further on, Dino Pešut talked about the works of Krleža and his opus and thematised the dramaturgical play between the Kings and Leda. Drama artist Anja Šovagović Despot gave her experience in interpreting the role of Baroness Castelli-Glembay, professor Lucija Ljubić spoke about the actresses from the world opening nights of theatre productions of the Glembay cycle and Professor Ivan Trojan spoke about Krleža's In Agony staged in Osijek. Professor Helena Sablić Tomić also spoke about the staging of Krleža's works in Osijek, while stage director Ivan Planinić referred to his readings of Krleža and shared his experience in staging Krleža's Legends.

An exhibition of posters and evening programs of Krleža's works on the stage of the CNT In Zagreb prepared by Silvija Kolar, the head of the CNT Archives, was displayed along the colloquium in the small hall of Matica hrvatska.

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