Sound Self-Portraits

Research into expressiveness in sound, audibility and hearing

Melani Pyvovar and Klara Senica

Friendship is a priceless inner mirror. In it, we can see ourselves and our friend alike. A close bond between Melani Pyvovar and Klara Senica, the authors of this self-portrait, is music, resulting in a composition for which they authored lyrics and gave it the power of voice.

Concept author: Ana Krauthaker

Sound design: Sonja Strenar

Original music: Rudi Pančur


Nail Perviz

Throughout time, Nail Perviz experienced a change of home, language, school, friends and also that he was all that: the before, the now, and what’s still to come. His self-portrait channels the memories, narrative and sound impressions into a curiously distinct documentary radio play.

Concept author: Ana Krauthaker

Sound design: Sonja Strenar

Drama actor: Gregor Zorc


Nika Lipuš

It could be that the very first mirror was the surface of water, as is told by distant myths, fables, legends ... Our reflections aren’t just human figures, but also the spaces where we are present and leave visible and invisible traces: in sand, grass, the motion of water and air. Moving air also creates sound. And moving from the water depths is the self-portrait of Nika Lipuš.

Concept author: Ana Krauthaker

Sound design: Sonja Strenar

Original music: Rudi Pančur


Gal Kodrič

The sound self-portrait is an idea of director Ana Krauthaker, long shelved in the past and now finally given a place and time to come true in the context of the current international project B-AIR, carried out by Radio Slovenia and aimed at exploring the role of sound in human development.

The directress, this time merging with the background to keep vacant the space of the inner mirror for the other, has always been interested in perception – is it possible to identify the point of equivalence between one’s own perception and the external reality; or how to recognise one’s own, albeit rather elusive identity? In cooperation with the Kamnik Centre for Education, Rehabilitation and Training, which educates and provides comprehensive training for handicapped children and adolescents, five pupils from the upper grades of primary school responded to the directress’ idea to explore sound, words and speech in relation to themselves and their creativity. During the six-month process, Gal, Melani, Klara, Nail, and Nika prepared original texts or scripts and found their most appropriate sound or textual expression. With the help of the radio team of creators, alongside the directress also the author of the original music Rudi Pančur, the music designer Darja Hlavka Godina, the sound designer Sonja Strenar and the drama actor Gregor Zorc, the children created their “selfies” in the medium of sound. The result of this inner journey are four stories, now part of an independent premiere cycle designed by Klemen Markovčič for the program, with a mind on the importance of inclusivity in contemporary society and the togetherness of different human worlds.

In his self-portrait, Gal Kodrič narrates through two fantasy stories how we can be anything, anytime, anyplace, if we only let our imagination soar. Being all that is, and knowing it is all YOU, is the never ending story of the vast wonders within us.

Concept author: Ana Krauthaker

Sound design: Sonja Strenar

Music: Darja Hlavka Godina


Students of the Center for Education, Rehabilitation and Training Kamnik

This radio show focuses on sound theatre and presents an excerpt from what happened at the Festival of Radio Play for Babies, Toddlers, and Vulnerable Groups Listen Together in March 2023. The radio show consists of four audio self-portraits of students from the Center for Education, Rehabilitation and Training Kamnik who wanted to express themselves and portray themselves with the help of research into expressiveness in sound, audibility and hearing. Students Nika Lipuš, Melani Pyvovar, Klara Senica, Nail Perviz and Gal Kordič participated in the project, as well as director Ana Krauthaker, composer Rudi Pančur, music designer Darja Hlavka Godina, sound designer Sonja Strenar, professional collaborator Maja Poljanšek and actor Gregor Zorc. Anamarija Štukelj Cusma led the conversation.