A Békéscsabai Napsugár Bábegyüttes első külföldi fellépésétől az első nemzetközi bábfesztivál megszervezéséig (1961-1968)

Abstract

From the First Foreign Performance of the Sunbeam Puppet Ensemble from Békéscsaba until the Organization of the First International Puppet Festival (1961-1968)
The career of The Sunbeam Puppet Theater of Békéscsaba has been shaped even more by the experience of international competitions, active participation in the international puppetry scene and foreign performances than the domestic success. These hard-earned relationships brought them growth, confidence and last but not least, conscious development. In my research, I examine the exact period of time when The Sunbeam Puppet Theater becomes a member of UNIMA to the first international puppet festival organised by them. These creative years, from 1961 to 1968 are the prime example of the support and recognition that an amateur theater can gain with committed work and solid artistic conception. The importance of this period is also supported by the fact that the international relationship network established during these times significantly shaped the international and professional career of The Sunbeam Puppet Theater for nearly three decades, all the way to the 1995 passing of Mr Konrád Lenkefi. Last but not least, a new initiative, the International Childrens’ Puppet Festival of Békéscsaba, was established, which was the first to bring international puppet shows for children to Hungary after 1945.