The two storks, Malena and Klepetan, from the eastern Croatian city of Slavonski Brod, are perhaps the most famous pair in Croatia. Inspired by their story, Mirjana Piculjan-Striga has written a play for children which premiered April 26 in the City Theatre Zar Ptica (Firebird), in Zagreb.

It has become a worldwide phenomenon, a fable of love, said the director of the play, Zelimir Mesaric.

Malena was found 17 years ago, with a broken wing, by a school custodian, Stjepan, in Slavonski Brod. He took her in, cared for her, and soon after she met her sweetheart, Klepetan. They have been together ever since. She can not fly, so Klepetan flies without her to Africa every August, while she waits for him.

The nation waits with her, rejoicing at his return every March. Over the summer, the two raise a family together, and in August, the cycle begins again.

Piculjan-Striga has written a contemporary fable, Mesaric said.

Amanda Prenkaj, who plays Malena, said she was touched by the story of love. She saw the two storks as the modern-day Romeo and Juliet, but with a happy ending, while the story of Malena and Stjepan was one of a deep rooted, devout friendship.

“Since she has showed up, he (Stjepan) is not alone anymore,” Amanda said, adding this was an important lesson to teach the young audiences.

Klepetan is portrayed by Zoran Pribicevic, who said there was also something of a Penelope in Malena, who patiently waits for her Odysseus-Klepetan, ignoring all other suitors. To Pribicevic, this is the main moral of the fable – the existence of true love.

“I love that I am the one who gets to play Klepetan,” Pribicevic said.

The children will see a real spectacle in the Zar Ptica Theatre, reported Vecernji List Daily.

The play, “Malena and Klepetan – love at first (wing) beat” was created in cooperation with the Zeleni Prsten (Green Ring) Zagreb County public institution for the management of protected areas, and aims to educate the young audiences about the protection of white storks in Croatia.

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