Arti musices, Vol. 57 No. 1, 2026.
Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.21857/yvjrdcw7ky
The Rise, Activity, Protagonists, and Fall of Dječje carstvo [Children’s Kingdom]
Tina Cota
; Tituš Brezovački Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The paper presents the process of the establishment, modes of operation, and eventual dissolution of the artistic organization Dječje carstvo [Children’s Kingdom], as well as its contribution to the development of the cultural and pedagogical scene in Zagreb and Croatia during the 20th century. Dječje carstvo was founded and led by actor, director, and writer Tito Strozzi (1892 – 1970) and children’s writer, director, and screenwriter Mladen Širola (1894 – 1967), whose knowledge and dedication significantly contributed to the development of children’s creativity and fostered a love for theatre and the arts in general. The paper places particular emphasis on artistic programs intended for children, especially the dance course, which was among the most popular programs and was primarily focused on classical ballet training. It was led by distinguished dancers and choreographers Mercedes Goritz-Pavelić (1907 – 2003) and Margarita Froman (1890 – 1970). The primary sources used in this research include the diaries of Mladen Širola, documentation from the management of Dječje carstvo, theatre performance programs, and the recollections of Beata Devčić-Domić (1930 – 2026), a dancer whose early artistic career was connected to Dječje carstvo, collected through a semi-structured interview. Secondary sources consist of newspaper articles, theatre reviews, and relevant literature in the fields of dance and history.
Keywords
Dječje carstvo [Children’s Kingdom]; Tito Strozzi; Mladen Širola; dance course; Mercedes Goritz-Pavelić; Margarita Froman
Hrčak ID:
349923
URI
Publication date:
29.7.2026.
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