Savremena’s students and their teachers have created a holiday fairy tale collage which leaves the viewers breathless.

Instead of having the New Year’s show at Savremena, it was decided for Savremena to digitally enter the students’ homes, to the special delight of the parents.

You are well aware that at Savremena, we foster creativity, imagination, community and friendship. This time, we have a special and unusual present for you that will show our optimism and joy. It is, of course, the New Year’s play “How Grinch Became an Elf”, which the students prepared together with their teachers.

In front of you is a holiday collage of fairy tales and songs presented by the Elf and Grinch. The play addresses our beautiful childhood memories of shared family moments, the fairy tales with which we went to sleep, or the treats our mums and grandmums baked for us; these are memories which, if we allow them to overwhelm us, can turn even the biggest curmudgeons into nice people.

Enjoy the children’s play

Taking into account the current circumstances, we could not have a live performance. So, we recorded everything and put it online. The scenes were taped carefully by two or three students who adhered to the safety measures. Everyone, including the film crew, truly enjoyed this unusual project, showing that plays are the best spice of school life.

Teacher Mirjana Ilić, who wrote the script, says that “the New Year’s play is a collage of fairy tales and songs presented by the Elf and Grinch. Given that this year we are unable to perform the play at the school, we decided to record it and take it to the homes of our students and their parents.”

With regard to the themes covered in the play, Mirjana says that it focuses on “beautiful childhood memories that maintain our joy of life even after we stop being kids… These are beautiful childhood memories of shared family moments, the fairy tales with which we went to sleep, or the treats our mums and grandmums baked for us; these are memories which, if we allow them to overwhelm us, can turn even the biggest curmudgeons into nice people…”

How did the students prepare?

“Due to the current circumstances, the students prepared online. Each scene took an hour to tape, with two or three students who adhered to the preventive measures.”

Why is it important to produce school plays?

“In school plays, we foster, among other things, creativity, imagination, diversity, community, trust and friendship; all the beautiful things that are the best spice of school life. School plays are also an opportunity to get to know each other in a different light; to grow together, become someone else, laugh and cry together…”

How important is it for the group and how inspiring was it for you personally?

“This play is authentic because the teachers are also in it. My colleague Maja and myself play the Grinch and the Elf, which allows us to connect with the students on the stage and give them additional support. I must say that this was the starting point of my inspiration; the interaction of our personal energies – hers which is full of joy and optimism, and mine which, although melancholy and sceptical at times, still allows me to embrace the true things in life. I think that I wrote the initial roles based on our everyday conversations. Subsequently, I upgraded the script with the memories of my grandma and my kindness-inspired transformation. I’m sure we will soften up and transform some of the students and parents with our New Year’s present.’’

Happy New Year! Enjoy our play!