The good spirit of the alternative is never more necessary today, stated the state secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Media Mirjana Maslovar at yesterday's press conference on the occasion of the new edition of the Festival of International Alternative Theater FIAT 2023. It is precisely this spirit of alternative, with its authentic content and energy that easily spreads throughout Podgorica, that FIAT brings and spreads year after year, and traditionally intoxicates the audience with it in mid-September.
This year, from September 8 to 17, FIAT will be the center of a high-quality main competition, as well as a rich supporting program, at several locations in the capital, all under the motto "Parabola", for which the motive was a poem by a Montenegrin poet. Ratko Vujošević "Feeling a parable".
Program selector, actress Ana Vujosevic she explained that "through diverse perspectives, the experience of creation and recognition, artists strongly question life in its essence, following a common line - a parable"... Guided by this, she chose 117 performances from the 12 applications received, namely from: France, Italy, Kosovo, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Montenegro.
"This year's edition is inspired by the life and creativity of our wonderful poet Ratko Vujošević, otherwise known as my father. His verses and metaphysics in his poetry were actually a guide in the selection process and in the way I conceived this year's edition and decided on certain titles, collaborations, messages that FIAT sends and what is the energy and offer of FIAT, so we are always a step ahead (of everyone) in interpreting current events and harsh reality, but also that we actually give hope," she said.

This year's jury includes: writer and director of the City Theater Podgorica Stevan Koprivica, actress Jelena Minic and producer and dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts Edin Jasarovic. It is impossible not to notice that the name of the ballerina and choreographer is also missing from that composition Sonja Vukićević which has been the face of this festival for years.
Also, it is noticeable that after a long time there are three Montenegrin productions in the main program, which Vujošević pointed out, namely: "Krik" by the "Ballo" troupe and "Disagreement" and "Uncle Vanja" in the production of the Montenegrin National Theater. That says a lot about the quality of Montenegrin production in the past year, which inevitably came from the umbrella theater company he managed during that period. Marko Bacovic.
From the roof of the KIC again to the yard of Kuslev's house
At yesterday's press conference, the program and catalog, as well as the rest of the accompanying material, were not available, due to unforeseen changes and the director of the festival Ana Vukotić she explained the reason for that.
"On Monday at 11 a.m., we received information that we could not use the roof of the Cultural and Information Center "Budo Tomović" for accompanying programs, so we were forced to stop printing all accompanying materials. Today (Wednesday) we received information that all accompanying programs of FIAT will take place in the yard of Kuslev's house, which I think is really the right place for FIAT. On this occasion, I invite all actors of the city's culture to think about whether that space gained importance after FIAT left it, or whether it is actually our place and a place where events in the city's culture will take place every day with daily attendance," said Vukotić. .
When asked by "Vijesti" what caused such a decision and who made it, Ana Vukotić said that the decision was made last Friday by the KIC Council, and the information was passed on to the festival organizers on Monday before the unloading and assembly of the scene.
"They cited insulation on the roof, leakage of the building and the like as reasons. I believe that this issue is important for all citizens, because we, the citizens, financed the renovation of the KIC's roof three times with our own money, precisely because of these leakage problems. We have lost one of the most beautiful spaces in the city center which is (was) suitable for any kind of cultural and artistic programs. The question is how we got to that situation, why the stage, ramp and equipment were thrown from the roof... You will allow me, as a theater person, to state that the equipment was old, as well as the stage, but I believe that with a minimal investment it could have been save. The question is where the citizens' money destined for the renovation of cultural facilities goes," said Vukotić, adding that the large and small stages of the KIC are available to FIAT.

However, the courtyard of Kuslev's house will once again host the program of the festival that brought the space to life. Vukotić announced that the festival will be closed right there, on September 16, with the performance of the well-known band "The Books of Books".
To become a festival of special importance
Although the decision to move out of Kuslev's house came from the Capital City address, Jelena Đurđić from the Secretariat for Culture and Sports said that it is an honor and a pleasure that the capital is the traditional patron of the festival that promotes alternative theatrical expression and artistic diversity, through the exchange of creative ideas between artists and the audience.
"At the beginning of 2023, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and Media that, among other things, the Festival of International Alternative Theater as well as the International Festival of Feature Documentary Film 'Underhill' be granted the status of festivals of special importance for the culture of Montenegro, as the most prestigious festivals, which with the longest during their time on the Podgorica and Montenegrin cultural scene, they contribute to its enrichment and form a significant part of the Montenegrin cultural identity," said Jelena Đurđić.
Vukotić admitted that she was surprised, but also delighted.
"I am glad that towards the end of the mandate of the current set in the Secretariat for Culture and Sports, we can still come up with an initiative that goes from the city to the ministry, for the sake of obtaining that status. We have enough arguments and I hope that the Ministry will appreciate the importance of FIAT and that we will finally get that status that will allow us to develop faster and better, to open some jobs in culture, which is also necessary," said the director of the festival. .
Mirjana Maslovar from the Ministry of Culture admitted that she was hearing about this information for the first time and pointed out that the initiative had not yet reached the Ministry, but she welcomed it.
"I think the initiative comes at the right time and in the right way, because FIAT is not only a brand, but also a cultural institution," she said.

Jelena Đurđić claims that the initiative was sent and said that there is evidence that can be given to the media for inspection, but she did not have it with her. Certainly, it is not the first time that this initiative has been mentioned, and the same was said during this year's edition of Underhill.
"This is not the first time that we have sent this initiative to the Ministry. We did that at the beginning of 2019, and at the beginning of this year we are coming with the same initiative", reminded Đurđić.
To the official request of "Vijesti" to the Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital City sent yesterday, regarding the insight into the initiative and the letter to the Ministry related to this topic, no response had been received by the time this issue was closed.
Fewer partners, more friends, the fight never ends
The support of the Ministry of Culture and Media for this year's edition of FIAT is 27 euros, while the Capital City allocated 24.
"FIAT has been promoting and encouraging cultural exchange, cooperation and mobility of artists for years, both at the regional and international level. This is precisely why the Ministry of Culture and Media continuously provides significant financial support to this Festival," said Maslovar and added:
"In the previous period, I said and wrote a lot about the importance of FIAT for the Montenegrin cultural scene, about the good spirit of the alternative that we need even more today, so I will not repeat myself, but only wish that this year's festival will take place in the spirit of that unique and unrepeatable experience by which years and seasons are remembered that smell of the spirit of alternative, of the spirit of FIAT and its audience, of the spirit of urban, provocative, inspiring and accessible to all cultural and artistic manifestations... Expecting that next year's Festival program will be even more substantial and organized in better conditions, thank you for your attention", she said.
Vukotić said that the organizers are enthusiastically trying to create a higher quality festival year after year.
"What we are all aware of is that the circumstances in the overall Montenegrin culture are getting harder and harder over the years, which we all feel. Bigger budgets are not commensurate with huge inflation and its trends, but all these years we have shown that the budget is not crucial for maintenance, but also the quality of FIAT, thanks to the fantastic festival team that does everything with heart", she said.
Vukotić emphasized that both Đurđić and Maslovar have been friends of the festival for many years, she expressed her gratitude to the media whose support has not been missing since the renewal of the festival, and she also thanked this year's partners of the festival, reminding that their number has decreased, which she considers a signal of how cultural institutions cooperate .
"Despite the nice words of those present at this press conference, I must point out that there is no shortage of obstruction and difficulty in the organization, which somehow has become traditional when it comes to FIAT," added Vujošević with the message:
"This year's edition will win you over with an exceptional accompanying program. Let the jump happen! Let's be better people for a better world! FIAT Parabola 2023! The fight does not stop - FIAT does not surrender".
Creative market and films by domestic authors who live and create abroad
The editor of the "Creative Market" program, Edin Jašarović, announced a successful edition where visitors can expect ceramics, fashion design, comic art, and various handicrafts. He also said that he is satisfied that the market at FIAT got a significant place.
The editor of the film program, Vladimir Vučinić, said that on September 11 and 12, there will be screenings of works by local authors who live, work and create outside of Montenegro, which was the goal of this year's selection.
"We decided on two works by two authors, Marijana Janković, originally from Beran, who lives in Denmark, and Nikola Đuračević, who left Podgorica as a child and now lives in New York. Marijana is a famous European and world actress, and we will show her film 'Maja', and the fantastic film 'Brooklyn Park' by Nikola Đuračević, who will also be a guest of FIAT. Those two films have certain similarities, which is why they were selected. Both stories are warm and emotional stories about people who left their country and how they find their way in the world... On the other hand, they are completely different, but there is certainly an emotional message, the empathy that we have all lost in this selfie world and which we everyone misses him, it is the motive of both films", revealed Vučinić.
A French play for the beginning and a musical journey with Ahmed Burić
In cooperation with the French Institute of Montenegro, the program will be opened on Friday at 20:60 by the play "The Enemy (Peace Conference)" at KIC "Budo Tomović". The play will be played for 40 minutes in the big hall, and XNUMX minutes outside. Directed by Melody Laselin and Simon Kapel.
After that, the program moves to the courtyard of Kuslev's house, where it continues with a musical segment at 22 p.m., chosen by editor Damir Murseljević.
The audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the poetics of Ahmed Burić, who is a vocalist and keyboard player, with Damir Imamović on guitar, Ivan Mihajlović on bass and with Benjamin Drijenčić on trumpet.
"They will prepare an unforgettable ethereal journey through the centuries-old Balkan reality. In the continuation of the festival, we are waiting for an interesting original project of contemporary electronic music played by DJ Martel, as well as standard support from FM Mirda and part of the team from the student radio station 'Krš'", announced Ana Vujošević instead of Murseljević, who was prevented from attending the press conference.
This year's festival spokeswoman Andrijana Muratović also spoke at the press conference.
Bonus video:
