The European Theatre Convention expresses its deep concern over the reported developments surrounding the 59th edition of the Belgrade International Theatre Festival (BITEF) in Serbia.
According to reliable public sources, the Board of BITEF rejected the artistic programme proposed by the festival’s artistic direction team, reportedly due to the inclusion of Swiss director Milo Rau, considered “undesirable.” This marks a troubling precedent in the festival’s nearly six decades of existence, during which the artistic leadership has traditionally held full responsibility for curatorial decisions.
Following the BITEF Board’s intervention, members of BITEF’s artistic leadership — Artistic Director Miloš Lolić and Programme Selector Borisav Matić — resigned in protest, calling the decision an attack on artistic integrity and freedom of expression. The situation raises serious concerns about political interference in cultural institutions and the erosion of artistic autonomy within Serbia’s performing arts sector.
As Europe’s largest network of public theatres, the European Theatre Convention (ETC) upholds three fundamental principles:
- Artistic Freedom — Artists and festivals must be able to present and debate work without interference or reprisals based on political or personal views.
- Institutional Autonomy — Cultural institutions must make curatorial decisions freely, transparently, and without pressure from political or ideological bodies.
- Cultural Solidarity — Theatre in Europe thrives on open collaboration, mutual respect, and the defence of artistic rights across borders.
In light of the current situation, we call on the festival’s Board, cultural authorities, and other responsible stakeholders to:
- Guarantee that artistic works are assessed on their artistic value, not on the political opinions or perceived acceptability of their creators.
- Ensure that BITEF — and all publicly supported festivals in Serbia — can operate without political pressure, censorship, or personal reprisals.
- Protect artists’ right to express critical views, including those related to social, environmental, or political issues, without being excluded from cultural platforms.
The ETC stands in solidarity with the artists and cultural workers in Serbia who defend artistic freedom and institutional integrity. We will continue to follow developments closely and invite our member theatres to actively support these values in their own practices and partners.
The ETC Board of Directors,
Cláudia Belchior, President
Tom Leick-Burns, Vice-President
Norbert Rakowski, Vice-President
Serge Rangoni, Treasurer
Iris Laufenberg, Secretary
Barbara Ferrato, Board of Directors
Marina Maleni, Board of Directors
Irene Moundraki, Board of Directors
Lotta Lekvall, Board of Directors
Additional Resources
RESISTANCE NOW TOGETHER
→ Read ETC Executive Director Heidi Wiley's statement on the developments at BITEF 2025
→ "May BITEF not become synonymous with the destruction of artistic freedom, and democracy" - Read Milo Rau's statement
RESISTANCE NOW TOGETHER is the global campaign for artistic freedom. A collaboration between Vienna Festival (Wiener Festwochen) | Free Republic of Vienna and the European Theatre Convention (ETC), the campaign links events and performances about art and politics; civil society and the media; and the struggle for democracy in different countries.
Cover photo: ETC Conference in Riga, 2025 © Gints Ivuskans
