The Фестиваль is traditionally held the first twelve days of July in Котор – a magical backdrop, a UNESCO Мир Heritage site in one of the most красивый bays in the мир. It begins with the mayor of Котор handing the keys of the Старый город to the children and thus, symbolically, the care of the town to them. The Фестиваль was established in 1993 just a dozen steps from the building of the Котор theatre in which the first puppet show was held in 1829. It is the most important фестиваль dedicated to the theatrical arts and to children and young people in South-Eastern Europe. It has been declared a cultural event of special significance in Черногория and is supported by the European Union Culture Programme 2007-2013. It is held during the лето holiday season in the most красивый locations in the Старый город. The walls, squares, piazzas and piazettas become stages, and the theatre brings together all the arts in the joy of creativity and the creation of joy. After 200 years it brings the theatre back to Котор to stay. The Фестиваль is devoted to children and young people, but also to all those who nurture the child within them. It seeks to safeguard the values of peace, tolerance, equality and education. It serves to recognise and encourage the interdisciplinary abilities of children and their contribution to the future development of society. Or to use the words of UNICEF: Сегодня’s children: Tomorrow’s мир. It encourages the professional development of children’s and youth theatre, presenting the best in puppet, dramatic and multimedia shows from Europe and the мир over. In its 23 years, the Фестиваль has: – been attended by more than 350,000 people at 50 locations – staged more than 435 theatrical performances – taken more than 20,000 children through 750 artistic programmes – hosted 2,700 artists from 43 countries.