"Unreal City": A Walk Through Budva That Heals Memory

The play "Unreal City", conceived as a guided walk through Budva's Old Town, was performed last night as part of the drama program of the XXXIX Grad Teatar festival.

After a very successful premiere and a dozen performances at last year's festival, the audience's interest has not waned this year either. This unique combination of theater, history, and modern technology provides an unforgettable experience that strongly connects the audience with the space and past of Budva. A special contribution to this connection was made by the oral testimonies of Budva residents. Slobodan Bobo Mitrović, Zlatko Radović, Jerolim Dragičević, Ljerka Dragičević, Dragan Stefan i Marija Pjerotic, which further enriched the narrative and awakened the most beautiful emotions in the participants.

The audience, equipped with headphones and without mobile phones, moved through the most important sites of Budva's Old Town, from the Citadel, through the ramparts, Palm Square and the Square in front of the Čekrdeković House, all the way to Poets' Square and Brijeg od Budve beach, where the walk reached its emotional and nostalgic conclusion. During the walk, the narrator Marija Liješević encouraged participants to interact with the environment and tourists, search for symbols and props, but also to self-examine. One of the most notable moments was a break in the old town restaurant, where traditional Budva specialties were served and where participants had the opportunity to share impressions, exchange experiences and discover lesser-known details from Budva's past. Music also played a significant role in creating the atmosphere, and the most emotional moment of the evening was the sound of a trumpet while participants stood on Palm Square under the windows Nikola Mim Mitrović, the famous Budva jazz musician.

The author team led by Vuk Ršumović also includes an assistant director Ana Tomović, sound designer Jakov Munizaba and visual design author Andreja Hamovic.

The girls also contributed greatly to the authenticity and emotional charge. Ana Pavlovic i Suncica BabicThe audience that attended the performance last night was visibly delighted.

Some participants also shared their impressions, including: Darka Kostic. “I came to live in Budva five years ago and this moment tonight has absolutely changed my impression of the city itself. I will definitely return to this performance. I am leaving quite emotional. I am coming in August with my son and I think this really needs to be passed on to the younger generations. Thank you for this wonderful moment. And I will definitely return with him to enjoy the sardines. Greetings to the tavern.”

He shared his impressions and Mitar Djuraskovic. “'Unreal City' is not a play but a special memory of Budva that is no longer there. But we have that memory, so it is eternal and I think that really everyone who loves Budva should go through Budva in this way with an authentic memory and with something that will really be preserved for eternity.”

Aleksandra Maslovar, the program policy and planning manager at JU Grad Teatar, commented on the performance and logistics of the play: “We had a great group tonight. The next performances in the July cycle are on July 16, 17 and 18, and then we will have four more performances during August. There is a lot of interest in this play. Tonight, I think we somehow extended the limit of the maximum of twelve people because there were fourteen and to be honest, I think we should have stayed at the number of twelve, precisely because of the huge crowds in the city and because it is much more difficult to keep the group together and organize the play.”

Regardless of the circumstances, the audience did not experience any difficulties, but, as Maslovar adds, thoroughly enjoyed it.

"The play premiered last year at the XXXVIII festival, we had two cycles of performances during July and August, and we also organized several performances in September for all the people who were left out during the festival. So far, interest is great this year as well, and we sincerely hope that this project will be maintained and that we will continue to perform it successfully."