Regional Theatre Festival RUTA Celebrates Art and Community in Belgrade

The Regional Union of Theatre (RUTA) launched its seventh annual festival at the Belgrade Drama Theatre (BDP) on December 1, 2023, showcasing a vibrant array of performances that celebrate artistic expression beyond cultural or national identities. Opening with the comedy “Life of Provincial Playboys After World War II,” written by Dušan Jovanović and directed by Ivan Penović, the festival will run until December 6.

Throughout the festival, the large stage at BDP will feature performances from various member theatres across the region, including those from Sarajevo, Skopje, Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Tivat. According to SEEcult.org, the Tivat Cultural Centre will present “Contra Mundum,” directed by Veljko Mićunović. The opening night also saw a collaboration between Budva’s City Theatre and the production of “Life of Provincial Playboys After World War II.” Additionally, Montenegrin actress Marta Ćeranić will perform a monodrama titled “Virgin” as part of a new segment called MonoRUTA.

During the opening ceremony, Dušan Kovačević, a member of RUTA’s Board and a prominent actor from Montenegro, emphasized the festival’s role as a platform for community and creative exchange. He stated, “We do not consider religious or national backgrounds; we gather to celebrate theatrical art.”

The festival’s program is rich and diverse, with the Sarajevo War Theatre (SARTR) scheduled to perform “Underroom,” a piece by Armin Behram directed by Ajla Bešić, exploring themes of love, fear, and the fragility of modern relationships. On December 3, the Drama Theatre from Skopje will present “Shots on Broadway,” adapted by Nenad Vitanov from the script of Woody Allen and Douglas McGrath. This performance questions the morality of a young artist willing to abandon all compromises for their creative vision.

On December 4, the collective Igralke and Ulysses Theatre from Zagreb will bring “Mothers,” directed by Rajna Rac, focusing on the choices of motherhood from the perspective of a generation of women experiencing newfound freedom of choice. The following day, December 5, the City Theatre of Ljubljana will present “Three Million Minutes,” an adaptation of “70 Years,” which shifts the narrative focus from a predominantly male cast to six female characters.

The festival will conclude on December 6 with a performance of “Contra Mundum,” featuring Ozren Grabarić portraying Salvador Dalí in a dialogue that contemplates art, eccentricity, and personal mythology.

From December 2-5, BDP’s small stage will host four monodramas: “Milunka” from Serbia by Vesna Stanković, “Karmen” from North Macedonia by Biljana Dragićević-Projkovska, “Virgin” from Montenegro by Marta Ćeranić, and “Deathly Serious” from Slovenia by Boris Ostana.

The RUTA festival serves not only as a showcase of theatrical talent but also as a testament to the unifying power of art across borders.