Varja Đukić is the best actress at the MESS festival in Sarajevo

Montenegrin actress Varja Đukić won the award for best actress at this year's MESS festival in Sarajevo, for the role of Danica in the play "Under both suns", by the Royal Theater Zetski dom from Cetinje, it was announced on the MESS website.

"The play, staged by Boris Liješević, won the award for the best stage adaptation, as well as the third place as chosen by the audience," it was announced.

The international theater festival MESS was held from September 30 to October 8, and the main program featured 12 plays from all over the world - 11 of them were in the official selection and six plays at the Little MESS.

As announced on the website, this year the best were decided by a jury consisting of professor Marina Katnić-Bakaršić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, producer Jana Bäskau from Germany and writer Ana Stojanoski from Macedonia.

"By subtly shaping the role, almost quietly playing emotional nuances, Varja Đukić makes you listen to her every word as part of the audience, which hits you right in the heart. She creates her role of Danica in a multiple spectrum of emotions, from fragility and tenderness to self-awareness and strength thanks to her acting potential and the ability to create according to the director's indications. Her Danica transforms before our eyes. A subtle acting style, dominant emotional spectrum and rational characterization are key aspects of her acting potential," the jury explained.

In the special mention of the expert jury for the best stage adaptation, it was stated that the play goes beyond naturalistic interpretation.

"The stage adaptation of Ognjen Spahić's novel "Under Both Suns", created in collaboration between director Boris Liješević and playwright Stella Mišković with the author, intertwines different timelines of the war and post-war times with an unforgettable poetic approach that creates a universe that goes beyond naturalistic interpretation," the jury announced.

The Golden Laurel Wreath of the Audience of the 63rd MESS Festival went to the play "Chotto Desh", while "Under Both Suns" won third place.