When Art Becomes a Political Bombshell: The Montenegrin National Theatre ensemble (CNP) performed “The Glembays” at the National Theatre in Belgrade and proved that true art knows no borders or political barriers. But hold on, it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Director Danilo Marunović was nearly deported from Serbia after being questioned by the security agency and couldn’t attend this spectacular performance. Yes, you read that right — art almost lost its captain to political games!
“The Glembays” tells the story of the fall of an aristocratic family steeped in decades of crimes and societal crisis. The performance in Belgrade sparked standing ovations and rave reviews. The actors gave their all, and the Belgrade audience didn’t hold back their applause. “Truly spectacular,” said one viewer, while another lamented, “I loved everything, but I’m so sorry the director wasn’t there.”
The director’s father, actor Slobodan Marunović, revealed how stressful the day was for everyone involved. “When we realize that art connects people rather than divides them, everything makes sense,” he said. Belgrade actors also came to support their colleagues from Podgorica, showing that art can be a bridge between peoples even when politics builds walls.
CNP’s visit to Belgrade was no accident — it’s part of regular regional cooperation and program exchange. Early August will see CNP performing at the Ohrid Cultural Summer in North Macedonia, with plans to participate in other major regional theatre festivals.
This play is not just an artistic event but a symbol of freedom of thought, speech, and performance. In times when political tensions threaten to suffocate creativity, CNP showed that true art can overcome all obstacles. If you think art is just entertainment, think again — it’s a fight, resistance, and hope. So, what do you think? Can art really rise above politics, or is that just a naive dream? Drop a comment and let the audience’s voice be heard!
