At the Exhibition Grounds, the 11th edition of the Prague Quadrennial has begun

Prague - The 11th edition of the Prague Quadriennale (PQ), an international competitive exhibition of scenography and theater architecture, was inaugurated tonight at the Holešovice Exhibition Grounds. Until June 24, it will offer a competitive section of national exhibitions, the student section Scenofest, and a section on architecture and technology in the Industrial Palace, engaging all the senses of visitors. Four years ago, around twenty thousand people attended.
    The organizers from the Prague Theatre Institute expect a record participation of 5,000 accredited theater professionals and students from over sixty countries. According to them, this is not just a static exhibition, but a vibrant and colorful festival accompanying this largest showcase of contemporary theater in the world.
    The opening ceremony was already lively, with speakers walking onto the stage through a large box that is one of the main motifs of this year’s edition. The director of PQ, Ondřej Černý, first welcomed the Minister of Culture Václav Jehlička, who highlighted the uniqueness of this world showcase. “The Prague Quadriennale has its roots in the liberating atmosphere of the late 1960s, with scenographer Josef Svoboda being among its founders,” said Jehlička. He emphasized that theatrical scenography is a dialogue between abbreviation and the reality of life, which reflects it.
    According to American theater scholar and educator Arnold Aronson, who is the general commissioner of PQ, this showcase is the largest of its kind in the world. Aronson estimated that since the last edition, at least fifteen million theater performances have taken place globally. Meanwhile, actors receive applause every evening. “However, you will rarely see scenographers, and their work is often not understood or appreciated by the audience,” he said.
    Hundreds of guests were also greeted from the stage by representatives of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) and the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT), which was founded in 1967 in Prague. To the sounds of a Šumava brass band, a gypsy ensemble, and a Vietnamese music group, the attendees entered the Industrial Palace and viewed the national exhibitions and other sections. Just before them, those who traditionally made last-minute adjustments fled the scene.
    A variety of events will also take place in the center of Prague. Tomorrow afternoon, elderly men and women will appear sitting on chairs at a height of six meters on the facades of selected buildings around Republic Square or in Jungmannova Street, absorbed in their daily activities. In the evening, the premiere of a street project by performers and musicians will take place, starting with a costumed parade through Prague.
    The organizers traditionally consider elementary and secondary school students, child visitors, as well as their parents and teachers. They have prepared scenography and costume workshops, an exhibition of costumes designed and created by children, but primarily an adventurous game in the Industrial Palace.
    PQ will provide a unique platform for the meeting of theatrical cultures and artists from around the world, an unparalleled opportunity for the exchange of experiences, discovering new theatrical trends, technical possibilities, and working processes. In addition to statutory awards (Golden Triga and gold and silver medals in various sections), the UNESCO Award for the support of the arts in the field of performing arts will be presented, which this organization awards every two years to young artists. The awards will be announced on Monday, June 18.