This year's Bitef, with 1664 Blanc as the general sponsor, will be taking place under the slogan "Beauty Will (Not) Save the World", with the main programme consisting of 10 performances, including the three receiving our special attention this time.
The guests were greeted by the Bitef theatre director Miloš Latinović, who thanked the Tourism Organization of Loznica for the opportunity to enjoy one of the most prominent cultural and historical centres of Serbia, as well as the wonderful natural ambience of this region, but also to the media, for the continuous support they have given the festival.
Co-curator and dramaturg of the festival, Tijana Grumić, pointed out the importance of presenting the pieces that deal in current problems, affecting as all, both globally and locally.
"Since beauty in this year's slogan encompasses both ethical and aesthetic categories, I believe it comes as no surprise that we decided to include these three performances, as they demonstrate a unique manner of blending both of these categories", Grumić stated. "All three performances maintain particular positions and perspectives as they deal with the relationship man has with nature, as well as the important ecological issues, which have become the main priority for people worldwide - seeing the state of the world that we live in and the problems we all deal with daily in our local communities, but globally as well."
The performance Future, a co-production between Belgrade Drama Theatre and City Theatre Ljubljana, by Žiga Divjak, who Bitef's audience is well familiar with since his piece Crises was the one to close 56Bitef, is one of the two local productions in this year's main programme.
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"The unique quality of this performance lies in its original perspective - the theme of the ecological catastrophe is not being observed through human experiences but rather makes us wonder what we, as humans, can do to prevent our own destructive influence over nature", Grumić added. Future is set for 30 September at 8pm, at the Belgrade Drama Theatre.
Another Slovenian performance to be shown at 58Bitef24 is Rupture, by the young and upcoming Slovenian director Jan Krmelj, who has recently received the Borštnik Award for the direction of this piece. This performance brings an exciting story of the fate of two young eco-activists to the stage, all the while obscuring the border between reality and fiction.
"Aside from the significance of presenting artistic works that are pertinent to the moment we are living in, one of the missions of Bitef is also promotion of the new authors in the international context", Grumić emphasised. The audience will have the opportunity to see this performance 1 October at 8pm, at the Belgrade Drama Theatre.
Antigone in the Amazon, envisioned and directed by the famous Swiss director Milo Rau, well known by the Bitef's audience, brings us a story of the fight of the South American farmers for the land they live on and cultivate.
"Even though it's a South American story, it is also a story familiar in various social contexts, ours included. Also, the way Rau incorporates Antigone, as a classical drama, into a contemporary context of a true story is very interesting", Grumić added. Antigone in the Amazon is set for 2 and 3 October at 8pm at the Atelje 212 Theatre
BEAUTY WILL (NOT) SAVE THE WORL
During the field trip the press caravan visited the centre of Loznica and other prominent localities of the town. Tršić, where Vukov sabor, the oldest cultural event in Serbia, has just opened, was of particular interest to all present. Promaja restaurant hosted the group for lunch, serving regional specialities, followed by a visit to Banja Koviljača.
Before returning to Belgrade, the group enjoyed some refreshments at the terrace of the famous Kur-Salon of Banja Koviljača, one of the symbols of the area, as well as a moment of rest at the spa centre of the Royal Spa Hotel.
Patrons of the festival are the Secretariat for Culture of the City of Belgrade and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia. General sponsor of the 58Bitef24 is 1664 Blanc, which has recognised the significance of the festival as a cultural event and contributes to its success. Traditionally, the festival has received support from the Goethe Institute, the French Institute and the EU Delegation. Partner and friend of the Bitef festival is the New Moment New Ideas Company, creative agency of the festival. Generali osiguranje Srbija, Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad and Coca-Cola HBC Serbia are once again partners of the festival.
