Basilio Novaplaywright and cultural managercelebrate 50 years in it theater. And it celebrates it with the fifteenth edition of the International Festival of Children and Youth Theater (FITI), inaugurated this Monday with the participation of international delegations and local proposals for the whole family.
With a dedication to Spainthe programming will take place until the 24th of this month in different rooms theater. The billboard is made up of the works “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”, “The Beautiful Ridiculous Ones”, “The Circus of Wonders”, “Donkey Stories”, “Rats, the Fabric of Time”, Mum’s Way” and “Songs of a Cicada”.
Basilio Nova shared details of the event and talked about his time at the cultural management in the Dominican Republic.
—If you look at the footprint of 50 years back, what do you see?
Well, I see a lot of satisfaction, a lot of joy, a lot of suffering, a lot of helplessness, but also a great pride in having decided to dedicate myself entirely to culture, to theaterto work for children, for youth, but also doing theater for adults. There is that burden of many mixed feelings, but the sum of all that is pure satisfaction.
—When did Basilio’s professional life begin, already in theater?
My first beginnings were in 1974in Villa Juanawith a group of friends, schoolmates, neighbors. We start to do theater in the neighborhood. At that time, we were all young students at the Sacred Heart of Jesus School. It was in that context that we began, led by Salesian priests, which had a great influence on the path we took. The times were very turbulent, with a lot of repression, and the youth of that time were looking for a way to oppose what was not right. That’s how we started in this performing art.
—What was the process that led you to dedicate yourself professionally to theater?
In 1980after six years of doing theaterI met with the boys of the group in Boca Chica, on our sixth anniversary, and I proposed that we dedicate ourselves to theater in a professional manner. At first, many resisted, but some, like Jesús and Reinaldo, decided to move forward. This is how in 1981 we created the theater Cúcara Macara, which turns 43 today, with the aim of bringing theater to children and youth, something that was quite neglected at that time.
—What motivated you to do theater for children and teenagers?
The boys and girls were looking theater and they couldn’t find it, especially at that time. We then decided to create a space for them. In the 80s, my thinking was clear: young people had to be taken off television, and the theater It was the best way to do it. Today we continue to think the same, but now we have to “snatch” children from digital platforms, which are not always positive for them, as has already been shown in various studies. He theater Done well, designed with criteria and designed for them, it continues to be a powerful tool for their development.
—What can you tell us about him? International Festival of Theater for Children and Youth (FITI) what are you organizing?
This year we celebrate the 15th edition of the FITI. It is an event that brings groups from Argentina, Colombia, Cuba, Spain and, of course, from the Dominican Republic. One of the shows What we present is “The Beautiful Ridiculous Ones” by Molière, an adaptation that we have made thinking of today’s young people, incorporating social networks into the plot, something that is very familiar to them. It is a proposal that takes us back to the 17th century, with all its costumes and scenery, but adapted to the present.
—What other shows we can wait in the FITI?
In addition to “The Beautiful Ridiculous Ones”, we bring works such as “Ratós, the history of time in Colombia”, “Stories of donkeys from Cuba” and “The circus of wonders”, a joint production between Colombia and Spain. We will also be presenting my own one-man show “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” at NovaTeatro, with which I celebrate my 50 years in it theaterand “Cantares de cigarra”, both productions of Cúcara-Mácara.
—What do you hope to achieve with this festival?
My goal is to continue promoting the theater quality for children and young people. During these 15 days we will offer an exquisite menu of theaterwith national and international productions, and the idea that the theater continue to be an educational, entertaining and transformative tool.
“In the 80s, my thoughts were clear: we had to get young people off television and theater was the best way to do it”Playwright
An attractive billboard
- With a dedication to Spainthe programming will take place until the 24th of this month in different rooms theater.
- The billboard is made up of the works ““The Pied Piper of Hamelin”“The Beautiful Ridiculous Ones”, “The Circus of Wonders”, “Stories of Donkeys”, “Ratoes, the Fabric of Time”, Mum’s Way” and “Cantares de Cicada”.
- The works will be appearing in various scenarios important of Saint Dominic: the Manuel Rueda Room, the Dramatic Room of the Palace of Fine Arts, the Guloya Theater, the Banreservas Cultural Center, the Cultural Center of Spain and in NovaTeatro.
- There will also be functions at the Manitas de Oro School and at the Doña René Klan Guzmán Hall in Conani.
- will be offered morning performances for schools and night performances on weekends. Although he cost real of the tickets should be between 1,500 and 2,000 pesos, they will be available to the public for a symbolic contribution: 400 pesos for schoolchildren and 500 pesos for families.
