The Bitef festival, one of Serbia’s most prestigious international theater events, faces uncertainty as its program has been drastically reduced to a single performance, with less than a month remaining before its scheduled start on September 14. This year’s edition, the 59th, has been marred by a series of cancellations, leaving the festival’s future in question.
According to reports from the Serbian publication Vreme, the festival’s board and the Secretariat for Culture of Belgrade have not provided any official information regarding the festival’s fate. The cancellations have fueled speculation about the festival’s viability, with rumors circulating that Jug Radivojević, director of the Belgrade Drama Theater, might step in to manage the event. However, this possibility has been explicitly denied by Jelena Medaković, Belgrade’s secretary of culture. Medaković assured that the festival would proceed as planned, stating, “Bitef, like all other manifestations of the City, will be held to the delight of the audience and performers.”
The cancellations have been attributed to concerns over censorship in Serbia, with theater troupes withdrawing in solidarity with artists affected by such restrictions. Despite these challenges, Spasoje Ž. Milovanović, the program selector and chairman of the Bitef Board, remains optimistic. He acknowledged the right of the theater troupes to cancel but emphasized that the festival would continue, with new performances set to replace those that have been canceled. Milovanović also urged the public to distinguish between last year’s festival and the current one, highlighting changes in the festival’s leadership and program development free from political interference.
Currently, the only confirmed performance is “Crno zlato” (Black Gold), directed by Oliver Frljic and produced by the Belgrade Drama Theater. The festival’s reduced program and the absence of official confirmation about its future have led to widespread speculation and concern within Serbia’s cultural community.
The Bitef festival has long been a cornerstone of Serbia’s cultural scene, renowned for showcasing innovative and challenging theater productions from around the world. Its potential disruption raises questions about the broader impact of political and logistical challenges on cultural events in the region. As the festival’s start date approaches, stakeholders and audiences alike await further announcements regarding its program and leadership.
