On Palm Sunday, Abracadabra National Children's Theatre celebrates its 24th birthday!

As every year, on Palm Sunday, at the National Children's Theater Abracadabra there will be a double celebration, in the light of spring and stories dedicated to this special time of the year. The story that tells us why the willow weeps and why its branches are hallowed on Palm Day will bring young and old together in a moment of real emotion.

For almost a quarter of a century, an original children's theatre project has been developed, from one season to the next, within the TNB, organized at the initiative of the Abracadabra Foundation and co-produced with the National Theatre of Bucharest since 2001. Marian Ralea is the author of the project, as well as the actor and director who puts the magic of the stories on stage, giving the little ones the chance to play, every Sunday morning, in a different premiere. The youngest spectators of the National Theatre become child actors under the guidance of the Wizard of Fairy Tales and his team. Every Sunday morning, joining forces and imagination, young and old actors build a new story together.

Back in the days when there was neither Facebook nor the tablet, more precisely, on the Plam Sunday in 2001, the Wizard of Fairy Tales together with his talented assistants raised the curtain of the National Children's Theater Abracadabra for the first time.

Then, one season in a row they invited children, both young and old, to become Heroes in Fairy Tales and to Play Theater. They have been able to build their shows together, using the magic formula Abracadabra, based on fairy tales but also on their own souls, with imagination, talent and a great love of the Game. In the spotlight, the little ones take to the stage and become Kings and Queens, Pretty Fairies and Glodielocks, dragons and Witches, Good and Evil from the Romanian fairy tales.

Protected by the magic of the flowers and the willow branch consecrated on Palm Sunday, the Abracadabra National Children's Theater has reached a new anniversary, to which, according to tradition, as the Magician of the Fairy Tales reminds us, all those who bear the names of flowers are expected.

You are welcome at NTB on the morning of April 13, 2025, from 11.00 am, in the Media Hall, to enjoy the Anniversary of the National Children's Theatre Abracadabra and the Feast that precedes Easter, Palm Sunday.

Translated by Andreea Codrea-Boeriu

Interactive theatre, shows for children aged 4-10 

The National Theatre for Children is a project initiated by the Abracadabra Foundation, which is run by the actor Marian Ralea in partnership with the National Theatre of Bucharest. Here, children go on stage and become the fairytales' heroes. As in a true magical place, the children, "armed" with only simple elements of costumes and décor, learn how to conquer their fears and bravely fight the evil spirits and dark forces found in old and new Romanian fairytales.

The Fairytales Magician and his crew invite the theatre's little spectators to a theatrical season, titled Romanian fairytales, which will be full of events and novelties,. Playing Theatre will once again be the key element of the Sunday get-togethers so loved by the little ones and also by parents and grandparents.

Soon, a new project for both young and older children will come to life. It will appear under the title "Theatre as a Game" and will be a Club for initiation in theatre.

The National Theatre of Bucharest has changed its appearance. The complex modernisation process includes both the current theatrical season and the ones which are to follow. In this context, the Theatre for Children is challenged to redefine its mission in this new, complex and powerful cultural centre. We invite you to whiteness this transformation.

The entrance to the Media Hall is from Batiștei Street, on the newly built avenue linking the Studio Hall to the Great Hall, through NTB's Ticket Agency. All tickets cost 20 lei. Running time: 2 hours. 

Translated by: Ivan Diana Ioana

MTTLC, The University of Bucharest