A new play titled “Rad naš Namenski” is shedding light on a tragic incident at the Milan Blagojević – Namenska munitions factory in Serbia, where Milomir Milivojević lost his life in July 2017. The play, performed on October 15 in Ivanjica and scheduled for October 16 in Kosjerić, serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for accountability and justice in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Milomir Milivojević, a 25-year-old worker, died from severe burns sustained in an explosion at the factory, which produces gunpowder and other military products. His father, Milovan Milivojević, has been a vocal advocate for justice, expressing his gratitude for the play as it immortalizes his son’s memory. “It was heartening that someone remembered my late son and our family, leaving a record that this child once existed on this earth,” Milovan Milivojević told BBC News in Serbian. He emphasized that without such efforts, his battle against the state might have gone unnoticed.

The production, a collaboration between the Center for Cultural Decontamination (CZKD) and the informal theater workers’ community Korektiv, aims to reflect on systemic violence in Serbia and offer solace to the victims’ families. Borisav Matić, the dramaturge and one of the play’s authors, explained that the case of Namenska was chosen because it epitomizes the broader societal issues in Serbia. “Through the Namenska case, you see Serbia in miniature and the system of violence we live in,” Matić said.

The play’s creators, including actor Bojan Dimitrijević, sought to provide Milovan Milivojević with a semblance of comfort through their theatrical project. “We wanted to bring some justice, even if only through a theatrical project,” Dimitrijević stated. The play is described as a “theatrical dossier,” drawing from conversations with the Milivojević family, court documents, media reports, and archival materials. It documents the circumstances of the accident and the obstructions encountered in the pursuit of accountability from 2017 to 2025.

The tragedy at the Namenska factory has been a contentious issue in Serbia, highlighting concerns about workplace safety and accountability. The incident and its aftermath have sparked discussions on labor rights and safety regulations within Serbian industries. The play’s timing, ahead of the extraordinary parliamentary elections, underscores its political resonance.

Milovan Milivojević’s struggle for justice has been fraught with challenges. In October 2019, several hundred factory workers gathered outside the Basic Court in Ivanjica to support the factory’s director, rather than the bereaved father. This event, described by the play’s creators as a “cathartic evil,” reflects the societal divisions and pressures faced by individuals challenging systemic issues.

The play’s development began in December 2025, with the team exploring the intersection of theater and politics. They aimed to address the dissatisfaction with the current state of theater amidst national protests, opting to create a play that was missing from the cultural landscape. The choice to focus on the Namenska case was driven by the ongoing injustice perceived by the creators, as articulated by actress Jelena Stupljanin. “Injustice not only happened but continues, and we can all identify with that, especially when the system allows, supports, and creates it,” Stupljanin remarked.

The play’s cast includes Lena Baljak, Jana Baljak, Miona Đenisijević, Ana Dubljević, Srđan Kner, Isidora Kulenović, Jelena Mijović, and Olja Nikolić, alongside Matić, Dimitrijević, and Stupljanin. Their collective effort aims to document the tragedy and its broader implications, providing a platform for reflection and dialogue on systemic violence and accountability in Serbia.