The Sixth International Festival of Student Theatres, “Kestenburg,” will be held from March 6 to 8 in six cities across Republika Srpska, showcasing 63 students from 10 countries across three continents—Asia, Europe, and North America.
The festival is organized by the Banja Luka Student Theatre in cooperation with the Representative Office of Republika Srpska in Serbia.
This year’s festival will feature a special performance of “The Book of Milutin” starring Serbian actor Nenad Jezdić, who also serves as the president of the festival’s jury.
For the first time, the festival includes a prologue and epilogue. The prologue performance of “The Book of Milutin” will take place in Prijedor on March 5, while the epilogue will be held in Trebinje on March 9.
At a press conference at Zvezdara Theatre, Jezdić shared that this is his first time serving as a jury member, having previously avoided such roles.
- “This is both a responsibility and a joy because it is a festival of young people, performed by young talents. We need to bring them a sense of responsibility, maturity, and experience in theatre. It’s about passing on the secrets of the craft to those who wish to learn and engage with us more experienced actors,” said Jezdić.
He added that having performed in numerous plays and premieres, it will be a pleasure to share his experience with the next generation.
- “Young people can often inspire older generations, and I’m genuinely excited about this festival. Theatre holds its own mysteries, offering a noble and playful pursuit of truth and the unveiling of secrets,” Jezdić noted.
Festival program and structure
The festival’s director, Aleksandar Pejaković, announced that “Kestenburg” will have three program sections—gold, silver, and bronze.
Performances will include entries from countries such as Mexico and Iran. Students will perform in Banja Luka, while the gold selection will take place in East Sarajevo, featuring regional performances from student theatres, including participants from the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo and the Faculty of Dramatic Arts.
For the first time, the festival will also welcome the Academy of Arts from Belgrade.
Neda Simić Žerajić, editor of the festival program, highlighted that this year’s event will span six cities, with Banja Luka hosting the opening and closing ceremonies.
The program will also include activities in Prijedor, where the festival begins with Jezdić’s performance of “The Book of Milutin,” and concludes in Trebinje.
- “This festival opens new horizons and provides young creators with an opportunity to express their creativity and exchange ideas with peers from around the world,” said Žerajić.
Source: See Srpska
