nothing can be done, we must respect the fact that two years have passed and we have again met at the 7th International Children’s and Youth Radio Drama Festival. I am sorry about the fact that we are two years older, but it was my intention to start with the time flowing, in order to get without delay to the substantial issue. We are not only older but also enriched by two -years work on the programmes for children and youth.
Many times I have caught myself that I am again and again with pleasure returning to the productions for children and youth. I must admit that they bring me relief in numerous intellectually demanding and aesthetically inspiring artistic programmes produced and broadcasted on radio. They are like an asylum in which the edgings of the characters’ conflicts, the tension of situations and dialogues’ cadencies have been smoothed into an archetype, myth and poetry with a multiplied aesthetic effect. It is a reward to devote oneself to them, in the role of creator. To devote oneself to them in the role of listener is also an experience.
It is good that the world we live in, has reached the general agreement that the most effective way is learning through experiences. It is good that the programmes to be presented at this festival are of unarguable capacity to bring about an aesthetic experience. It is good, nice and right as well, as we use to say to children when they manage to do something. It is good, nice and right as well that we have met again, fully in the spirit of learning through experience. We have gathered in order to see and mainly - to hear where the children’s and youth radio drama production during the last two years has advanced.
We should neither praise the day before the evening, nor to count the chickens before they hatch. Nevertheless, I would like to raise a symbolic goblet to welcome you on the ground of Slovak Radio and to drink a toast with you to another successful and rich Prix Ex Aequo Festival.

Ľuboš Machaj
Programme Director
Slovak Radio