In Hindsight:
Second Edition of Sarajevo Theater Showcase/ New Theater Market
Sarajevo once again became a meeting point for the regional and european theatre scene: The second edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase successfully concludes
From 11 to 13 September, Sarajevo became a meeting point for theatre artists, producers, selectors, institutional directors, dramaturges, curators and other professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region and Europe. The second edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase (STS) / New Theatre Market brought together more than 200 guests from the theatre sector and, through an intensive three-day programme, presented current productions and new artistic projects from Southeast Europe [1].
Strengthening the Theatre Sector and International Visibility
Maja Salkić, Director of SARTR and a member of the STS Steering Committee, emphasized that the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase confirmed their belief that, alongside developing theatre repertoires and programmes, it is equally important to strengthen all segments of theatrical activity – from production, playwriting and criticism to connecting directors, actors, authors and producers, with the aim of creating new collaborations and increasing international visibility [1].“Together with our partners, SARTR hosted more than 200 theatre professionals this year as well. During three intensive days, they had the opportunity to see selected performances, exchange knowledge and develop new collaborations, alongside residency and other programmes that take place throughout the year. We are particularly pleased that performances, authors, artists and other participants have already found concrete opportunities for new guest performances, collaborations and connections on the regional and international scene,” said Maja Salkić [1].It was emphasized that all four Sarajevo theatres, together with the Bosnian Cultural Center (BKC), participated in this year’s STS, representing important support for the ambition to develop STS into a joint project of cultural institutions. The organizers expressed hope that the institutions responsible for culture will also recognize the importance of its long-term development, while cooperation and knowledge exchange will help position Sarajevo as a relevant theatre hub, bringing new artistic content, ideas and perspectives on the future of theatre to audiences [1].
Showcase Programme: Seven Featured Productions
Seven performances were presented as part of the Showcase, offering insight into different aesthetics, artistic approaches and production models of the contemporary theatre scene [1]:They Are All Gone
Co-produced by Heartefact, SARTR and the My Balkans Foundation; directed by Andrej Nosov [1].The Art of Living: The Act of Killing
Slovene Youth Theatre [1].Softness
INK Pula and Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR [1].Sounds Like Pepper
Four-Handed (Independent artistic collective from Croatia) [1].I, David
Maska Ljubljana and AGRFT (Independent artistic collective from Slovenia) [1].Short Cuts
Anton Podbevšek Theatre (Independent artistic collective from Slovenia) [1].Fatal Outcome of Athletic Injuries
Moje pozorište (Independent artistic collective from Bosnia and Herzegovina) [1].Beyond Performances: Professional Networking and Industry Programs
The Showcase, however, was much more than a programme of performances. One of its key objectives is to create a space for professional networking, exchange of experiences and the opening of new opportunities for artists from the region. Through meetings with international professionals, participants had the opportunity to view their work within a broader European context and establish contacts that may develop into future collaborations [1].Atelier For Playwrights
A special segment of the programme-Atelier For Playwrights, was dedicated to new playwriting. As part of the multi-month Atelier, young authors developed their texts with the support of local and international mentors. The results of this process were presented through stage readings of new plays, opening the Showcase to authors whose work is still developing and seeking its path to the stage [1].According to Asja Krsmanović Imamović, Head of the Atelier for Playwrights, although this is only the second edition of the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase, it is already achieving what the STS organizers had hoped for [1]:“It connects professionals from the region with theatres across Europe and the world and creates opportunities for the work we do to cross national and regional borders and become visible within a broader European context. The same applies to the Atelier programme, a place where young playwrights feel safe to develop their ideas, knowing that their plays will be seen and that they will be given the space they deserve. Although none of us expected quick results, we are encouraged by the news that two texts from last year’s Atelier are already in negotiations for productions in Germany, while one of this year’s texts has already won the most prestigious national award in Croatia. This is exactly what we had hoped for: that the texts would gain recognition by achieving what they were created for – a stage production. STS is something we all feel we need, and I hope it will become a market with a long tradition and many successfully realized collaborations [1].”
Industry Pitch & Educational Workshops
The programme was further enriched by panel discussions, workshops and educational activities aimed at young directors, critics and producers, as well as the Industry Pitch programme. This segment enabled artists to present projects still in development to potential producers, partners and other professionals from the sector [1].Through its second edition, the Sarajevo Theatre Showcase 2026 has further established itself as a platform for presenting contemporary theatre production, developing new projects and connecting the artistic scene of Southeast Europe with the European theatre sector [1].The organizers of the Showcase: Sarajevo War Theatre SARTR, Heartefact, Ulysses Theatre, Binario Vivo, Para Film & Theatre and Realstage [1].Funding: The Sarajevo Theatre Showcase is co-funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe programme [1].
