Diplomatic International Journalist
editor at digital magazine
rEUconnection – REUC
Puls Theatre of Lazarevac secured a landmark victory at the 61st Joakim Vujić Festival, winning Best Production and award for the best direction of the play for „To Serbian Youth, Dimitrije Tucović“ – author and director Zlatko Paković. This recognition affirms theatre’s power to provoke thought and challenge perspectives.
At its helm, Ivana Nedeljković, actress, Puls Theatre director, and Serbian representative in the Euro-asian Association of Theatres, leads her team with a vision that embraces art as a catalyst for reflection and dialogue. She believes that theatre should not comfort—it should ignite discussion and leave lasting impressions.
In this interview, Nedeljković reflects on the significance of this production, the role of theatre in shaping discourse, and the future of Puls Theatre on both national and international stages.
Journalist: In what position is the theater in Serbia today and culture in general?
Ivana Nedeljković: „If I were to tell you that the state expenditure allocated to culture is merely 0.67 per cent of the entire state budget of Serbia, as it was for many, many years before, it is clear that this area, along with education, is being completely ignored and thus destroyed. Yet, culture and education are the basis of a society and the identity of a country.“
Journalist: How important is it to maintain theatre art as speaking the truth?
Ivana Nedeljković: „Theatre always deals with the truth. Since ancient Greece until today. Theatrical subjects are always the matters of justice, beauty, love, freedom, i.e. universal values. A theatre is a corrective. And if we are aware that there is less justice, beauty, love in this world, then the mission of the theatres around the world is far from accomplished. This is why the theatre is a constant struggle.“
Journalist: „Puls Theatre“ won two awards at the „Joakim Vujić“ festival, and the theatre performance itself depicts the current situation in Serbia. What is the winning play actually about and what is the message of this play?
Ivana Nedeljković: „The abovementioned categories, all further removed from people, are the subject of our play “To the Serbian Youth, Dimitrije Tucović” from the author and the director Zlatko Paković. The play resembles the theme of social justice and social equality, which were conducted by Dimitrije Tucović through his political ideas. I am not only speaking of Serbia, where the people are under immense pressure. I am thinking of the whole world. The problem is a global one.“
Journalist: You are the Serbian representative of the Euro-Asian Theatre Association, in Portugal the Puls Theatre also won an award. How important is theatre cooperation nowadays and what does the association stand for?
Ivana Nedeljković: „The task of ETA is to connect the theatrical communities from the whole of Europe, with the aim of promoting theatrical skills, knowledge, and artistic projects, as well as the exchange of projects. One of the results was the award for the best play of the Braga Festival last year. Ana Pinter, our director, was the recipient of this award, and the play, “As if we wouldn’t” has continued its way on the festival scene in Serbia and the rest of Europe.“
Journalist: How did the Serbian theatre fit into the world standards and goals of the association? You often collaborate with other theatres in theatrical productions that won over the audience. How important is cooperation in Serbia today and how open are other ensembles to such joint work?
Ivana Nedeljković: „Co-productions are the only way for us to survive. Everybody gives there all on the scene and invests everything they’ve got. Everybody has their own standards, We belong to various theatrical schools. But no matter the differences, either you have a good play, or you don’t.
Still, the love for theatre is important. The most important.“
Journalist: How do you see the future of the theatre? Will that satirical narrative and the artist’s voice reach the audience’s critical thinking?
Ivana Nedeljković: „The audience is an inseparable part of the theatre. We exist for them. If, following a play, at least one of the audience members leaves the theatre with a new-found knowledge, and at least two members leave with deep thoughts about what they have just seen, then we are on the right path.
Because a play lasts as long as it leaves an impression.“
Journalist: What are the projects that „Puls Theatre“ is currently working on?
Ivana Nedeljković: „We are currently working, with absolutely zero expenditure allocated, on an interactive project called “The Division of Power”, directed by Anđelka Nikolić and Bojana Lazić.
The subject – the relationships between people, especially men and women, and the causes and consequences of those relationships.“
