The expert jury, chaired by Borštnik ring bearer Jožica Avbelj chose the winner among seven competing performances of the season, chosen out of 131 entries. The sheer number of entries testifies to the exceptional vitality of amateur theatre in Slovenia. The Matiček award for best performance was awarded to the Kulturno društvo Loški oder Škofja Loka for the performance “Igre je konec” or Close of play, by Simon Gray. The members of the jury said that it was the only performance at the festival that stunned them and had their complete attention from start to finish.

The Linhart gathering is a festival of the best amateur theatre productions in Slovenia and Slovenian minorities in neighboring countries, which opened on Thursday.

T. M., RSi