The play about Jelena of Anjou (ca. 1236 – 1314), the Serbian queen from the Nemanjić dynasty and a fascinating personality of that era, is a co-production of the Budva National Library, the Princely-Serbian Theater from Kragujevac and the Association "Kultura sada".
Dramaturgy, direction and choice of music are by Tanja Mandić Rigonat, who is directing for the first time for the "Ćirilicam" Festival, and the writer of the play is Jelena Kajgo.
The title role is played by Marija Bergam, and the cast also includes: Nikola Milojević (King Uroš, husband), Branko Vidaković (Radan, trustee), Bogdan Milojević (King Dragutin, son), Avram Cvetković (King Milutin, son), Nadežda Jakovljević ( Brnča, daughter) and Ilija Ivanović (Stefan Dečanski, grandson).
In the authentic setting of the scene in the Old Town, a stormy period of history is shown in which, in constant friction with the Venetians, Tatars, Bulgarians, Latins and Romans, the power and influence of the Serbian state grows, but also within the country there are battles for supremacy among the members of the ruling family.
The role of Jelena Anžujska in all this is both conciliatory and enlightening. She equally admonishes Uroš, Dragutin and Milutin not to lead unreasonable dynastic battles and campaigns, where her diplomatic role comes to the fore.
First of all, Jelena, as a highly educated person who came to the then Serbian state from the west of Europe, and whose origin has been recorded in several versions in history, contributed to the development of construction, helping the construction of numerous churches and monasteries and opening schools for young women at her courts. Throughout the play, Jelena actually points to the existence of a deeper, spiritual law, which is a message that is current even in our time, which is often associated with a crisis of spirituality.
Jelena of Anžujska is especially important for our climate because there are assumptions that it was she, as a well-known donor to the Benedictine order from Bar, who sent the Budva Madonna, the patroness of the city, as a gift, and that episode is also revived in the play.
The performance "Jelena of Anjou" was rewarded by the audience with thunderous applause lasting several minutes.
After the premiere, the director Tanja Mandić Rigonat pointed out that she was very happy that this summer she had the opportunity to do two plays about exceptional women in Montenegro - "Mirandoline" in Tivat and "Jelena Anzujska" in Budva.
"When it comes to the play 'Jelena of Anžujska', as Jelena Kajgo called me and said that she had written a play, I was drawn to the subject of this fascinating historical figure and her life. I did not hesitate at all, I did it with great inspiration, with great inspiration and admiration for that woman. I wrote a poem about her and it is incorporated into this play. These are the lines with which the play begins and ends, and these are parts of that larger poem. My idea was to make the play through the character of Brnča In fact, combining the song and the material of the play itself, I decided that this play would be a stage biography of Jelena Anžujska, after her daughter Brnča Santa Marija in Punta. This is a magical evening," said the director.
The author of the play, Jelena Kajgo, said that the writing process was extremely interesting, as was the process of creating the play.
"As an author, it was very interesting for me to immerse myself in the dark Middle Ages and to really see a fascinating and interesting woman there. But also to remind ourselves a little of the Nemanjić lineage, who was the son of whom, who ruled when... It was it was really challenging to bring her character in quite realistic historical circumstances, and to some extent to imagine the character of her daughter, about whom we know nothing, and it was really a great pleasure because she is an extremely important person, an educator and someone who brought the spirit of learning to our court. in the 13th century. The work process itself was exceptional. Tanja played it masterfully, the actors were great, so we were lucky to have a great team make all this happen," said Kajgo.
Actress Marija Bergam, who plays Jelena Anžujska, pointed out that she was very satisfied with the premiere in Budva.
"We managed to overcome all these difficult circumstances, in terms of noise and music. That was our biggest problem, because we were playing outdoors. It was a very unusual process of preparing for the premiere. We worked in peace, without many words, somehow everything adopted quickly, went smoothly and as it should. So we worked beautifully, with enjoyment. This is the biography of a woman who was a queen, and later became a saint. I had a task to play something that spans a lifetime, from her fourteenth, fifteenth year to the very end of her life," said Bergam.
Actor Branko Vidaković portrays the character of Commissioner Radan in the play.
"I will say honestly that I am very happy to have played in this play. Firstly, there are few texts about women, and this woman was a miracle of her time. In that dark time, she built schools for women and taught literacy. I am glad that we reminded people of that somewhat forgotten princess. Also, this ensemble from Kragujevac is wonderful. I know Marija Bergam, we played together a lot, but these young actors are so great, talented and valuable that they are second to me. surprise and delight," Vidaković pointed out.
For the young actor from Kragujevac, Ilija Ivanović, who plays Stefan Dečanski, working on the play was an extraordinary experience.
"I just finished the academy and I got the chance to play in this co-production. It was phenomenal because this is the first process I've worked with professional actors. It was especially phenomenal that I was here in Budva where the outdoor festival is held. What as for the role, I got to play Stefan Dečanski. It was demanding and challenging and I learned a lot about history and the theater itself," Ivanović said.
A repeat performance of the play "Jelena Anzujska" will be held tonight from 21 pm at the same place, and the theater program of the eighth "Ćirilica" Festival will be rounded off by the children's play "Kanjoš Macedonović" on September 13 and 14.
The "Ćirilicom" festival is organized until September 14 by the Budva National Library and the Association of Publishers and Booksellers of Montenegro, with the support of the Municipality of Budva, the Tourism Organization of the Municipality of Budva and the Public Enterprise for the Management of Marine Assets.
Bonus video:
