In Serbia, a new initiative titled “Collection of (probably) unread plays” is set to take place on August 29 at Ada Ciganlija, aiming to spotlight contemporary playwrights whose works have been marginalized by traditional theater institutions. This initiative is part of a broader movement of self-organization within Serbian culture, which has emerged as a form of resistance against government censorship and control. The event will feature a reading of Mina Milošević’s play “Robinson Crusoe If He Was a Bisexual with Six Fridays,” a piece that delves into themes of patriarchal expectations and female agency.
The initiative is organized by UK Parobrod and seeks to provide a platform for playwrights whose works have been sidelined due to the prevailing strict controls over theatrical selections in Serbia. The campaign is part of a larger wave of cultural resistance, which began with the ne:bitef movement and continued with the independent organization of the Niš Film Festival and the persistence of the New Fortress Theatre despite being expelled from its previous venue. Additionally, the “Louder from Censorship” initiative and the upcoming Blacklist Festival, which will feature artists blacklisted by the government, further illustrate the growing pushback against cultural censorship.
Mina Milošević, whose play will be read at the event, has previously faced censorship when her earlier work “Lysistrata: Sex and Strike” was removed from the Bitef Theater repertoire. The acting director, Filip Gajić, controversially described the play as feminist, equating feminism with fascism. In her current work, Milošević addresses the concept of the “ideal victim,” challenging societal expectations of victims of violence. The play uses the motif of Penelope, traditionally seen as a symbol of female passivity, to explore themes of sexuality, female friendships, and capitalism through a humorous and self-ironic lens.
The reading will feature actress Daniela Steinfeld, who has a personal connection to the themes of the play. In 2021, Steinfeld accused her colleague Branislav Lečić of rape, an allegation that led to media backlash and a lack of support from parts of the cultural community. Through her role, Steinfeld aims to subvert the myth of the “ideal victim” by portraying a character who actively seeks to move forward with her life rather than conforming to traditional victim narratives.
The “Collection of (probably) unread plays” initiative underscores the challenges faced by artists in Serbia who seek to address controversial or politically sensitive topics. The event highlights the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom in a cultural landscape where government influence remains pervasive. As Serbian artists continue to organize independently, these initiatives represent a significant effort to preserve and promote diverse artistic expressions in the face of censorship.
