According to the Theater’s Artistic Director, Ruben Babayan, the theater needs for schoolchildren than teachers
In 2015, the Yerevan State Puppet Theatre after Hov. Tumanyan will turn 80 years old. In the last 15 years, during the times of the Artistic Director of the Theater, Ruben Babayan, this cultural center participated in more than 50 international festivals, from India to U.S. And every time, winning the high praise by the international authoritative committees, the Theatre has always returned with laurels. The four major awards won by the Armenian Theatre at the World Fest 2014 in the Venice City, Florida, USA, was not exception: “Outstanding Production”, “Outstanding Visual Impact”, “Outstanding Soundscape” and “Excellence in Puppet Craft and Performance” defined by the theatre critics.
In the conversation with “Aravot”, Ruben Babayan first noted, “In the result of one year-long negotiations, we were invited to the festival, moreover, the organizers had taken care of all the expenses, and from Armenian side, our Ministry had taken care of our visas, which, in fact, is not a small amount.” Then he said that there is no restriction in genre in this festival traditionally held in Venice, and only the Puppet Show introduces itself by opening the event. The Armenian puppeteers presented the performance of “The Winged” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (director – Zaruhi Antonyan, artist – Alina Aleksanyan). Our interlocutor also informed that the festival was attended by 14 countries, including Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Argentina, Latvia and others.
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To the observation that every time during various international event, probably you are impressed by something or maybe you’re learn something new, Mr. Babayan answered, “Argentineans’ performance at the festival was interesting, where there was a combination of elements of mime, plastic drama, puppet and shadow theater. The U.S. performance of the troupe consisted of actors with autism was exciting and inspiring: the actors were on the stage who were “working” with their doctors, psychologists, stage director and prompter, one after the other. It was a brilliant and bright presentation. It caused not a pity, but aroused admiration and pride that both these people actually enjoy their own art, and the audience. This is the very supreme task of art: be happy yourself and offer it to others.”
We made a small tour with Ruben Babayan to the past theatre season. In 2013-14, six performances for children and adults were staged at the Puppet Theater. The Artistic Director singled out “PRO-Semiramis” performance by Aida Simon’s choreography and by Nairi Zarian’s “Ara the Beautiful”, noting that it was the first successful attempt in his theatre in the genre of dance, and the performance was implemented by the principle of modern ballet. For upcoming jubilee theater session, Mr. Babayan said, “I do not want to talk about upcoming projects. I would only single out one or two of them. On November, we will first time attend one of the upcoming greatest festivals of Puppet Art held in Thailand, then the mono-performances festival traditionally held and enjoying prestigious in Germany. In the Theatre Art, if you reach a certain height and are contented with it, then you may leave the theater at that moment. Keep in mind that the theater is in need for the schoolchildren and not the teachers. The explanation is logical: learning is more interesting and effective than teaching.”
Samvel DANIELYAN
In the photo – “The Winged” performance at the American World Fest festival
