Theater actors in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Sombor and Zrenjanin go on a seven-day strike

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

For the first time in the history of Serbian theaters, actors have decided to strike for a week, from February 10 to 17, in support of students and the fight "for the work of institutions and a responsible attitude towards their own work."

"The acting ensembles of Belgrade theaters - the National Theater in Belgrade, the Ateljea 212 Theater, the Belgrade Drama Theater, the 'Boško Buha' Theater, the Small Theater 'Duško Radović', the Theater on Terazije, the Yugoslav Drama Theater, as well as the Drama of the Serbian National Theater from Novi Sad, employees of the Youth Theater, Novi Sad, the majority of the collective of the Novosad Theater/Újvidéki Színház, the ensemble of the National Theater Sombor and the National Theater 'Toša Jovanović' in Zrenjanin are united in their position that it is necessary to suspend work and go on a seven-day strike," reads a statement posted on the Instagram profile of actor Ivan Mihailović.

"For the first time in the history of Serbian theaters, we are deciding to take this action, accepting the call of students to fight for the work of institutions and a responsible attitude towards our own activities, aware that for decades we have been witnessing the collapse of all, including cultural institutions of this society. The students reminded us of our responsibility and encouraged us to self-organize so that, within our professions and the institutions in which we work, we could begin to actively participate in creating a better society," it added.

The actors also state that they express full solidarity with the students and unconditionally support all their demands.

"Their fight for justice, security, the right to free expression and a dignified life is the fight of all of us. We also provide absolute support to all citizens who believe that this country of ours can be a happier and more just place. We know that our audience is among them. Theater is alive only when it is part of the community. That is why we are leaving the stage and joining those who are seeking change. Theater is a place of truth, freedom and empathy, and for months now, freedom and empathy have been standing on the blockades of faculties and protests across Serbia. The curtain Atelje212 will be lowered from February 10 to February 17, 2025," reads the statement released by Mihailović.