Minja Bogavac, a prominent dramaturge, has expressed her excitement over the ne:Bitef festival currently taking place in Belgrade, describing it as an unprecedented event for the city. The festival, which features the participation of the Reflektor theater with two programs, marks a significant moment for the local cultural scene as it unfolds across multiple locations in Belgrade.
Bogavac took to social media to share her enthusiasm, stating, “I literally can’t remember a day like this ever happening in Belgrade: where we’re all together, each with our own team, yet all working towards the same goal.” She highlighted the festival’s vibrant atmosphere, which she described as encouraging and called for community engagement.
The Reflektor theater, which has a longstanding relationship with the Bitef festival, is using this occasion to inaugurate its new stage. Despite ongoing construction work, the theater is hosting its first program in this new space, symbolizing a fresh start from the “ruins of transition.” The theater’s involvement in ne:Bitef includes two distinct programs: the Bitef Polyphony from 3 PM to 5 PM, and a program dedicated to Rene Polesch from 5 PM to 6 PM.
Bogavac emphasized the festival’s dynamic nature, noting the challenge of wanting to be present at all the various performances and installations happening simultaneously across the city. “I want to be everywhere, see everything, and hug everyone,” she said, expressing the logistical impossibility of attending all 60 events at once. She humorously suggested that the only thing missing from this festival is a teleportation device to move seamlessly from one micro-stage to another.
The ne:Bitef initiative aims to revive the spirit of the Bitef festival, which has faced challenges in recent years. Reflektor theater’s participation in this event is particularly meaningful, as the troupe was established in the Bitef theater in 2012 and has been a regular participant in the Bitef Polyphony program. The theater credits much of its knowledge and experience in theater-making to its involvement with Bitef, making this festival a fitting start for its new chapter.
In addition to the performances, Reflektor theater is offering guided tours of its theater-construction site, featuring specially curated installations and exhibitions dedicated to “our themes,” as Bogavac put it. She promised that attendees would find plenty of opportunities for memorable selfies.
Bogavac concluded her message by inviting those who couldn’t make it to the Reflektor theater to join the final gathering at the Center for Cultural Decontamination. She anticipated that this would be “the biggest theater party and the most beautiful meeting ever.”
The ne:Bitef festival represents a significant cultural event in Belgrade, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among artists and audiences alike. It underscores the potential for cultural revival and innovation, as local theaters like Reflektor continue to build and expand their presence in the city’s vibrant arts scene.
