The twelfth Shakespeare Festival will be held from July 3 to 6 in the authentic setting of Villa Stanković in Čortanovci. The festival will open with a performance by students of the Academy of Arts from Banja Luka titled “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” directed by Ilija Zaitsev from the Russian GITIS Academy. Four performances will be staged during the festival, including “The Merry Wives of Windsor” directed by Sonja Petrović and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. The closing night will feature the play “Forgotten Shakespeare” with the early music ensemble Visantiqua. The festival, which has so far presented over 60 contemporary world theatrical productions from 23 countries, is held this year with the support of friends despite the lack of financial support from the founders. The festival’s motto is Shakespeare’s Sonnet 66, emphasizing balance in the modern world, and the festival aims to bring cheerfulness, song, and laughter to today’s times. Autumn guest performances are also planned, including the famous British troupe Cheek by Jowl and the musical trio The Tiger Lillies.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning coverage emphasizes the international cooperation and cultural exchange aspects of the festival, highlighting the involvement of young artists from different countries and the festival’s role in promoting cultural diversity and artistic innovation. It also stresses the festival’s resilience despite financial challenges and its commitment to bringing art and joy to society.
Center: Center-leaning reports focus on the factual details of the festival, such as dates, program, participating groups, and the historical significance of the festival. They present the festival as a cultural event of importance for the region, highlighting the variety of performances and the festival’s tradition and continuity.
Right: Right-leaning narratives may emphasize national pride and the festival’s role in promoting Serbian culture and heritage. They might highlight the festival’s perseverance despite lack of government support and frame it as a symbol of cultural identity and resilience. The focus may also be on the festival’s contribution to local tourism and economy.