{"id":74624,"date":"2025-06-11T10:19:16","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T08:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/festival-grad-teatar-2025-istina-mora-na-sunce\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T16:50:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T14:50:25","slug":"festival-grad-teatar-2025-istina-mora-na-sunce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/festival-grad-teatar-2025-istina-mora-na-sunce\/","title":{"rendered":"Festival Theatre City 2025: THE TRUTH \u2013 MUST \u2013 SHINE THROUGH"},"content":{"rendered":"

From churches to fortresses, from Shakespeare to gusle<\/em>: 66 events over 54 days of the iconic Budva Festival, gathering over 700 artists from 13 countries<\/p>\n

The 39th<\/sup> edition of the Theatre City Budva Festival will be opened on July 1 with the play by Boris Lije\u0161evi\u0107 \u2013 My Theatre<\/em> on the stage Between the Churches.<\/p>\n

“During 54 days of the festival, this year\u2019s Theatre City will present a total of 66 events, including 20 theatre productions, 8 concerts, 15 literary evenings and 2 art exhibitions. The programs will be held in the squares and streets of Budva’s Old Town, as well as outside its walls, in the amphitheater of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Stanjevi\u0107i, in the Slovenska Pla\u017ea hotel complex, and at the fortress above Mogren beach. More than 700 participants from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, the Netherlands, and more will gather. As always, the program aims to showcase new artistic trends, attractive new productions and themes, and to equally highlight the most notable works that marked the regional and international scenes in the past year,” the organizers state.<\/p>\n

The motto of this year\u2019s festival is TRUTH \u2013 MUST \u2013 SHINE THROUGH, a quote from the play by Du\u0161an Jovanovi\u0107 Provincial Playboys After World War II, or Taking What\u2019s Theirs \u2013 Keeping What\u2019s Ours<\/em>, one of the festival’s upcoming premieres.<\/p>\n

“We also wanted to recognize artistic truth, a hallmark of authentic and unique artistic achievements. Yet, it remains an open question how important any of it is in a world that takes from both truth and art only what it needs to build a narrative suited to social currents that rarely benefit human well-being. Hence, an ironic insight is also possible, one that exposes the simulacrum, sharpens perception and understanding, and points to the recognition of dominant, imposed societal patterns of propaganda that limit the potential of human beings,” said Svetlana Ivanovi\u0107, Editor-in-Chief of the Theatre City program, to “Vijesti magazine.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Drama Program: Three Premieres<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Responding to several programming goals: presenting the latest, most engaging theatrical projects; preserving award-winning productions from previous years; and creating new theatre works, this year\u2019s drama program will include 20 different titles, three of which are festival premieres.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From our own previous festival productions, we will present several titles that have won awards and the hearts of audiences across Europe between the two editions of the festival: A World of Possibilities<\/em> (Haris Pa\u0161ovi\u0107), performed in five countries and seven cities and recipient of numerous authorial and overall performance awards; Favoritism<\/em>, written by Branislav Nu\u0161i\u0107 and directed by Milan Ne\u0161kovi\u0107, which toured and received accolades at regional festivals; Nadpop Kojovi\u0107 (Archpriest Kojovi\u0107)<\/em> by Vida Ognjenovi\u0107, which humorously and emotionally portrays the life and legacy of Budva-born Antun Kojovi\u0107, adding another gem to the string of productions inspired by local heritage; Radovan III<\/em>, written by Du\u0161an Kova\u010devi\u0107 and directed by Vito Taufer, awarded across the region; and The Unreal City<\/em> by Vuk R\u0161umovi\u0107, site-specific and highly interactive, with limited audience capacity and therefore scheduled for multiple performances to meet high demand,” said Milena Lubarda Marojevi\u0107, Director of the Public Institution Theatre City Budva .<\/p>\n

Among the guest programs, she announced the presentation of My Theatre<\/em>, the latest authorial project by Boris Lije\u0161evi\u0107, which will open the festival on July 1. The festival opening, just like this \u00a0play by Lije\u0161evi\u0107, will be dedicated to the city of Budva and the festival\u2019s nostalgic ties to the past times of Budva.<\/p>\n

“Then, in the amphitheater of the Stanjevi\u0107i Monastery, the play Fathers and Forefathers<\/em> directed by Veljko Mi\u0107unovi\u0107 will be performed \u2013 one of the most awarded productions in the region in recent years, with 11 Best Play awards and 33 individual artistic recognitions. We are especially pleased that this will be the first outdoor performance of this play. Another authorial project by a renowned director is the play by Haris Pa\u0161ovi\u0107 Marlene \u2013<\/em> Five Counts of Indictment<\/em>, starring Mirjana Karanovi\u0107 in the lead role. Cyrano de Bergerac<\/em>, a new production from Gavella Theatre in Zagreb, directed by Aleksandar Popovski with music by Marjan Ne\u0107ak, offers a fresh and captivating take on the classic story, with Ozren Grabari\u0107 in the lead role. Also from Zagreb comes Mediterranean Breviary<\/em>, On the Waves of Radio Mediterranean<\/em>, an authorial project by Pavlica Bajsi\u0107 Brazzoduro, based on Mediterranean Breviary<\/em> by Predrag Matvejevi\u0107\u00a0 and The Tales from the Neighboring Port (Portulan)<\/em> by Olja Savi\u010devi\u0107 Ivan\u010devi\u0107 \u2013 a new theatre piece that has quickly captured the attention of audiences and critics. The Royal Theatre Zetski dom will present The Virgin<\/em> Case by Stela Mi\u0161kovi\u0107, directed by Dora Ru\u017edjak Podolski. Another exciting reimagining of a familiar story is Private Celebration<\/em>, based on the text by Maja Todorovi\u0107 and directed by Vladimir Aleksi\u0107, to be staged at the Mogren Fortress,” added Lubarda Marojevi\u0107.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shakespeare\u2019s Feast: A Play with Cooking<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Shakespeare-dedicated festival in York, Parabbola Theatre, as Lubarda Marojevi\u0107 points out, brings us this year Feast: A Play in One Cooking<\/em> \u2013 both literally and metaphorically \u2013 where the audience will join familiar female characters from Shakespeare’s plays to enjoy theatre and food together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe festival will be closed, just as it was opened, with an original production by Budva-born Boris Lije\u0161evi\u0107 \u2013 the play The Flip Side<\/em> by the Montenegrin National Theatre \u2013 which has quickly won over both audiences and critics, as well as festival awards. It presents a story about the reverse side of our lives, and will bring down the curtain on this year\u2019s festival,\u201d she emphasized.<\/p>\n

The first theatre premiere, as Lubarda Marojevi\u0107 highlighted, will be the children\u2019s play Treasure Island<\/em>, based on the famous novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted and directed by Kokan Mladenovi\u0107.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be a co-production of the Theatre City Festival and the Du\u0161ko Radovi\u0107 Little Theatre in Belgrade. A special segment of this year\u2019s premiere drama program is dedicated to the project Sexual Theatre<\/em> \u2013 a feminist reading of literary classics, funded by the Creative Europe program, which the Public Institution Theatre City is realizing in cooperation with partners: the Bosnian National Theatre in Zenica, Paul Val\u00e9ry University in Montpellier, and the Cultural Center in Braga, Portugal.<\/p>\n

The project brings together drama artists from all four countries, so we will have the opportunity to see four theatre productions developed over the past two years: No Women\u2019s Land<\/em>, directed by Laurent Berger and dramatized by C\u00e1tia Fa\u00edsco, based on motifs from the story Sko\u010di\u0111evojka<\/em> (The Jumping Girl) <\/em>by Stefan M. Ljubi\u0161a<\/em>, written by A\u00efcha Euzet and directed by J\u00falio Serdeira; A Beautiful Voice<\/em>, by Ned\u017ema \u010cizmo, directed by Minja Novakovi\u0107; and Come Out and Fight<\/em>, written by Stela Mi\u0161kovi\u0107 and directed by Lajka Kaik\u010dija,\u201d said Lubarda Marojevi\u0107, adding:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe third major festival co-production marks five years since the death of the renowned Yugoslav director and writer Du\u0161an Jovanovi\u0107. In addition to the Theatre City, the production includes Ljubljana City Theatre, Belgrade Drama Theatre, and the National Drama Theatre in Skopje. The play is a comedy titled Provincial Playboys After World War II, or Taking What\u2019s Theirs \u2013 Keeping What\u2019s Ours<\/em>, directed by Ivan Penovi\u0107. Following its premiere in Budva, it will immediately be performed at the Ohrid Summer Festival and later at the Ulysses Festival in Brioni. This project, currently in preparation in Skopje, will be staged at a new venue within the Slovenska Pla\u017ea hotel complex,\u201d she announced.<\/p>\n

During the festival, the Theatre City<\/em> Awards for contribution to theatrical art will also be presented to directors Milan Ne\u0161kovi\u0107 and Haris Pa\u0161ovi\u0107.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two Art Exhibitions<\/strong><\/p>\n

This year as well, the Public Institution \u201cTheatre City\u201d, as stated by Lubarda Marojevi\u0107, continues its collaboration with Montenegrin institutions dedicated to visual arts, with the aim of promoting the country\u2019s artistic heritage.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor this festival, two exhibitions are planned: one in cooperation with the Public Institution Museums and Galleries of Podgorica<\/em>, and the other in collaboration with the Art Colony of Danilovgrad.<\/p>\n

The first exhibition, which will traditionally open on July 13, will showcase valuable sculptures from the collection of Museums and Galleries of Podgorica<\/em>, selected by art historian and exhibition curator Ljiljana Karad\u017ei\u0107. The exhibition will be titled Intersections \u2013 Sculptures from the Collection of Museums and Galleries of Podgorica<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The second exhibition is scheduled for August 3 and will spotlight the tradition of printmaking and graphic arts. This exhibition entitled The Festival of Printmaking<\/em>, is supported by the French organization Manifestampe and curated by Mirko Tolji\u0107, a graduate printmaker, graphic designer, and professor of printmaking.<\/p>\n

Both exhibitions will be held at the Santa Maria in Punta Church\u201d emphasized the director of the Public Institution \u201cTheatre City\u201d.<\/p>\n

Music Program: Mostly Local Talent<\/strong><\/p>\n

The music program of the festival, according to Lubarda Marojevi\u0107, will be opened with a performance by the world-renowned Macedonian pianist Simon Trp\u010deski. On the square in front of the Old Town, he will perform alongside the ensemble Makedonissimo<\/em>, delivering well-known melodies in a virtuoso style and manner.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is music that receives standing ovations from audiences across all continents, and this open-air musical celebration will be organized by the Theatre City<\/em> in cooperation with the Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Budva.<\/p>\n

A musical homage to the spiritual thought of the Baroque, titled The Sublime World of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi<\/em>, will be performed in line with the musical practices of the period in which Pergolesi\u2019s works were composed. The performance will feature soprano Sara Vujo\u0161evi\u0107 Jovanovi\u0107, baritone Dmitry Grinykh, and an ensemble composed of distinguished artists from Montenegro and Russia, with Ivan Velikanov as both harpsichordist and conductor.<\/p>\n

The presentation of works by contemporary Montenegrin composers (Senad Ga\u010devi\u0107, Branko Zenovi\u0107), across various genres and styles, will be interpreted through unique arrangements inspired by local folklore. It will also feature a completely new approach to the use of traditional gusle<\/em> in the context of art music. In short, this concert aims to breathe new life into more or less familiar compositions through a modern sound and style, mostly in a world music idiom with touches of ethno-jazz and post-romanticism.<\/p>\n

Performers in this concert will include: Du\u0161ica Kordi\u0107 (violin, gusle<\/em>, vocals), Milica Lalo\u0161evi\u0107 (soprano), and Nikola Vu\u010dkovi\u0107 (piano),\u201d Lubarda Marojevi\u0107 announced, adding:<\/p>\n

\u201cSongwriter, painter, and poet Nenad Mari\u0107, known as Kralj \u010ca\u010dka<\/em> (The King of \u010ca\u010dak)<\/em>, already familiar to our festival audience as a composer for theatre productions, will perform this summer with his band. They will present original songs that have brought him wide popularity while preserving the authenticity of his poetic and musical expression.<\/p>\n

An evening dedicated to contemporary jazz music will take place within the Mogren Fortress. Jazz guitarist and composer from Budva, Matija Mitrovi\u0107, together with a drummer and pianist \u2013 forming the trio Sept Noir<\/em> \u2013 will perform their original compositions, which have already found success on many European jazz stages.<\/p>\n

Arie per Due<\/em> is the title of a program to be performed by acclaimed artists Sandra Beli\u0107 (cello) and Ljubi\u0161a Jovanovi\u0107 (flute), featuring works by Beethoven, Handel, \u017darko Mirkovi\u0107, and Ivana Stefanovi\u0107.<\/p>\n

Shadows and Light<\/em> is the title of another concert by a duo participating in this year\u2019s festival \u2013 violinist Marko Simovi\u0107 and pianist Vladana Perovi\u0107 \u2013 who will perform works by Debussy, Grieg, Beethoven, and Corelli.<\/p>\n

The music program of the 39th<\/sup> edition of the festival will be closed with a concert by talented and successful young artists from Budva: Milica Radovi\u0107 (vocal), Matija Mol\u010danov (piano), Jelena Divanovi\u0107 (piano), and An\u0111ela Vlaovi\u0107 (flute),\u201d concluded Lubarda Marojevi\u0107.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Square of Poets: A Special Focus on French Authors, 180 Years Since the Publication of \u201cThe Light of the Microcosm\u201d<\/em>, and Half a Century Since the Death of Andri\u0107<\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe central idea of this year\u2019s festival once again draws attention to authors whose distinctive voices shape the poetic directions of the environments in which they work,\u201d said Svetlana Ivanovi\u0107. \u201cWhile we await a few more confirmations for this year\u2019s guests, we can already discern a strong common thread in our literary program. Primarily, we are focused on writers whose choice of themes questions established truths, challenges official histories and authorities, and brings to light what has been silenced or hidden \u2013 ultimately emerging in the form of significant literary or cultural works.<\/p>\n

The literary program will be opened with a guest appearance by French author \u00c9ric Vuillard<\/strong>, winner of the prestigious Prix Goncourt<\/strong>, whose novels are published by \u201cAkademska knjiga\u201d in Novi Sad. Vuillard\u2019s work explores history, shedding light on the constructed narratives of power systems that not only dictate what should be remembered, but also impose norms on contemporary society. His subversive insights, precise literary form, and outstanding language lay bare the contradictions of the modern world and point to possible paths toward liberation from imposed conventions.<\/p>\n

This year, the \u201cStefan M. Ljubi\u0161a\u201d Award<\/strong> for 2024\/2025 will be presented to Vladislav Bajac<\/strong>, a beloved guest of the Poets\u2019 Square \u2013 not only as a writer but also as a publisher and editor of the prominent publishing house Geopoetika<\/strong>. The jury, composed over the past two years of Prof. Vesna Goldsworthy, Prof. Tatjana \u0110uri\u0161i\u0107, and Prof. Zoran Paunovi\u0107, chose Bajac for his innovative thematic explorations throughout his decades-long career. His work spans from researching Far Eastern cultures and the histories that shaped the Balkans, to probing the complex and multilayered identities of individuals from this region, and finally, to examining contemporary history through its dynamic social changes and cultural intersections.<\/p>\n

The Poets\u2019 Square will also host Goce Smilevski<\/strong>, a Macedonian author and winner of the European Union Prize for Literature<\/strong>, known for novels such as \u0420\u0430\u0437\u0433\u043e\u0432\u043e\u0440 \u0441\u043e \u0421\u043f\u0438\u043d\u043e\u0437\u0430 (Conversations with Spinoza)<\/em> and \u0421\u0435\u0441\u0442\u0440\u0430\u0442\u0430 \u043d\u0430 \u0417\u0438\u0433\u043c\u0443\u043d\u0434 \u0424\u0440\u043e\u0458\u0434 (Freud\u2019s Sister)<\/em>. Delving deeply into historical facts, Smilevski seeks to understand the motivations of the historical figures he fictionalizes, thereby raising questions about the values that have shaped European civilization.<\/p>\n

This year marks 50 years since the death of Ivo Andri\u0107<\/strong>. To commemorate the occasion, Jasmina <\/strong>Ahmetagi\u0107<\/strong> will present her study Knjiga o Andri\u0107u<\/em> (A Book on Andri\u0107)<\/em>, in which she interprets some of Andri\u0107\u2019s most complex characters through Jungian archetypes<\/strong> and the concept of the collective unconscious<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another notable guest is Emmanuel Ruben<\/strong>, a French author whose novel Les\u00a0<\/em>M\u00e9diterran\u00e9ennes (Mediterraneans)<\/em>, published by Akademska knjiga<\/em>, reflects on the historical dissonance between the European and African continents. Ruben addresses the inseparable ties between individuals and the places they come from, exploring themes of belonging and the need for understanding.<\/p>\n

Zoran Feri\u0107<\/strong>, a Croatian storyteller renowned for weaving personal histories into his work, shaped by both socio-political events and the inescapable nature of biological time, will present his new short story collection Spiderman<\/em>. The discussion will also touch on his previous works, which have solidified his place in contemporary Croatian literature.<\/p>\n

Svetlana Kalezi\u0107 Radonji\u0107<\/strong>, professor, literary theorist, and poet, will appear at the Poets\u2019 Square with a collection of short stories that reflect on the challenges modern society poses to women\u2014questioning the reach of feminism and re-examining its core tenets in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\n

Another Montenegrin author, Slavica Perovi\u0107<\/strong>, in her third novel Nova Nora <\/em>(A New Nora<\/em>), explores the possibilities of female emancipation in a metaphorical “doll’s house” built by contemporary norms, addressing the enduring influence of patriarchy and the persistent human need for self-discovery.<\/p>\n

Already well-known on Montenegro\u2019s literary scene, Aleksandar \u0106ukovi\u0107<\/strong> will present his collection of essays Teror razonode<\/em> (The Terror of Leisure)<\/em>, in which he critiques the superficialities of modern life and highlights the enduring cultural values he believes are fundamental to a progressive society.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Poets\u2019 Square will also feature the book Gordi i ponizni \u2013 paradoksalisti Fjodora Dostojevskog (The Proud and the Humble \u2013 The Paradoxalists of Fyodor Dostoevsky) <\/em>by Prof. Jovan Popov<\/strong>, winner of the Nikola Milo\u0161evi\u0107 Award<\/strong> for 2024. In analyzing Dostoevsky\u2019s characters \u2013 categorized as servants, jesters, and eroticists \u2013 Popov reveals the internal conflicts that drive them and shape the narratives of the novels, thus contributing to a broader understanding of the complex and tragic nature of the human condition.<\/p>\n

To mark the 180th anniversary<\/strong> of the publication of The Light of the Microcosm <\/em>(Lu\u010da mikrokozma<\/em>), the metaphysical epic by Petar II Petrovi\u0107 Njego\u0161<\/strong>, <\/strong>Prof. Dr. Milo Lompar<\/strong> will deliver a lecture on the poem\u2019s significance, its place within the European historical and value systems of the time, and its literary and cultural relevance.<\/p>\n

Radomir D. Mitri\u0107<\/strong>, a young writer already recognized with numerous prestigious awards, will present his poetry collection Kino Medteran (Mediterranean Cinema)<\/em>, which explores the subtlety of poetic existence, the delicacy and power of lyrical expression, and the immeasurable capacity of language in its quest for truth and the essence of the human experience.<\/p>\n

The new novel Zavod<\/em> (The Institute)<\/em> by Goran Markovi\u0107<\/strong> will also be presented. It explores the blurred line between illusion and truth, recounting how the psychiatric and psychoanalytic knowledge of Hugo Klein<\/strong>, acquired in Vienna (including studies with Freud), helped him survive the Nazi occupation, interpret Shakespeare with deeper understanding, and ultimately shift from medicine to theatre directing.<\/p>\n

Katarina Mitrovi\u0107<\/strong>, a distinctive new voice on the literary scene, in her novel Sve dobre barbike (All the Good Barbies)<\/em>, investigates the inner pursuit of truth and the urge to express it through writing \u2013 be it in novels, plays, or screenplays.<\/p>\n

As always, the Square of Poets will feature esteemed writers, scholars, critics, editors, publishers, and translators, including Bora Babi\u0107, Melita Logo Milutinovi\u0107, Zoran Paunovi\u0107, Tanja Be\u010danovi\u0107, Vesna Goldsworthy, Bo\u017eena Jelu\u0161i\u0107, Milorad Durutovi\u0107, Maja Malba\u0161a, Drago Glamuzina, Radoje Femi\u0107, Nikola Marinkovi\u0107, Jana Aleksi\u0107, Danka Ivanovi\u0107<\/strong>, <\/strong>and Zvonko Karanovi\u0107<\/strong>,<\/strong> with more names to be announced soon\u201d, Ivanovi\u0107 concluded.<\/p>\n

10.06.-vijesti.me<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From churches to fortresses, from Shakespeare to gusle: 66 events over 54 days of the iconic Budva Festival, gathering over 700 artists from 13 countries The 39th edition of the Theatre City Budva Festival will be opened on July 1 with the play by Boris Lije\u0161evi\u0107 \u2013 My Theatre on the stage Between the Churches.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":73914,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[208],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-novosti-en","category-208","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74624"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74624\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74626,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74624\/revisions\/74626"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gradteatar.me\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}