When Irena ©taudohar and I started to create the international festival of contemporary theatre and dance ten years ago everybody seemed sceptical: “Not another festival! And not at the end of August! Who will come?…” But as it turned out within the first year, late summer was the right time, when people come back from holidays a bit softer, happier, and more vulnerable but at the same time with more selfesteem, full of fresh energy and new expectations, open for different dialogue and new encounters. And Mladi levi are like that. We surprised ourselves within the first year and filled the halls. Festive and creative atmosphere has formed permanent links among the audi-ence, artists and professionals. From its inception a loyal fan base grew and grew and working in this sphere is both a pleasure and a challenge.
Mladi levi succeeded not only to fulfil the late summer gap in cultural events but also to create a space where young artists have the opportunity to break into the international arena of new trends with the opportunity to affirm but at the same time a tolerance to make mistakes. They walk the thin line of exploring the unknown and create something that is or can become mainstream tomorrow. Mladi levi festival does not impose certain themes or frameworks but raises new questions through the personal stories of the art-ists, who try to find new paths, spaces and distance from ever present themes. They do not assume the position of the one who knows but of the one who is in searching.