At the press conference held today at the National Theatre in Belgrade the dates and the slogan of the 59 Bitef festival were presented to the media representatives. Jelena Medaković, the acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Culture of the City of Belgrade, as well as Spasoje Ž. Milovanović, the President of Bitef's Board and Curator of the festival.
Jelena Medaković, the acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Culture of the City of Belgrade opened the conference by pointing out that Bitef, as an event of significance for the City of Belgrade, represents a reference point of the cultural scene in Serbia, as well as an important international festival. This is precisely why, she added, the Secretariat for Culture continues to provide full support to the festival this year as well:
“I hope that, from 14 - 20 September, we will enjoy the international selection of the highest quality, one that will bring us something new, authentic and versatile, precisely what we have grown accustomed to expect from Bitef during its long history. This year the Secretariat for Culture has purposed additional means for the festival through the budget rebalancing, so the total budget of the festival amounts to 27 000 000 RSD, which means that, compared to the original sum, it received additional 7 000 000 RSD”, Medaković pointed out.
The concept and slogan of the 59 Bitef were presented by the President of of Bitef's Board and Curator of the festival, Spasoje Ž. Milovanović. He said that the title of this year’s festival “Dare to Learn” came to be as a result of the selection process of the program, not as its starting point. What connects them is not their theme, or their aesthetic, but a particular world view that emerges from them:
“It is an overt doubt that there is a final truth, that there is something we all know before we truly explore it, think it over. Every performance tries to speak not only of the event it concerns, but also the manner in which that event was later interpreted in the contemporary times.”
As an example,Milovanović cited “The Medea Case” of the Montenegrin National Theatre, directed by Diego de Brea, which will open the 59 Bitef at the National Theatre in Belgrade on 14 September. As he explained, both Medea and the text by Euripides become an object of analysis and bring the question of the manner in which we interpret certain events into focus.
“Hence the title ‘Dare to Learn’. It’s not - ‘dare to know’, which is a usual translation and a standard interpretation, but - ‘dare to learn’ - dare to step into the process of finding out, to move, and not accept the pregiven judgement and side with anyone or anything without giving it enough thought, without an effort to make up your own mind”, he added.
In conclusion of his address Milovanović pointed out that this year’s selection represents a cross section of one moment in the contemporary world theatre and one potential answer to the question - what is theatre like today?
“Is that answer final? Certainly not. Some other selection would probably offer a different view and different food for thought”, Milovanović said, welcoming the audience to the 59 Bitef.
The patron of the 59 BITEF is the Secretariat for Culture of the City of Belgrade. Coca-Cola HBC, a partner of the festival of many years, has also provided support to this year’s edition of the festival.
