"Visual Code of the Festival" - four decades told through images

Last night, an exhibition of posters by the Public Institution "City of Theatre", entitled "Visual Code of the Festival", was officially opened at the "Jovo Ivanović" Modern Gallery and the "Stefan Mitrov Ljubiša" Memorial House in Budva's Old Town.

The author of the exhibition is Merin Smailagic, a long-time designer of the Public Institution "Grad Teatar". She first addressed the attendees Ivana Lazović, director of the Public Institution "Grad Teatar", who emphasized that she is extremely pleased that the exhibition "Visual Code of the Festival" begins the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the "Grad Teatar" festival.

"Our idea was to remind, through a kind of kaleidoscope of time, of the duration of the City of Theatre festival, from its founding to the present day, and of its significant role in the culture of Montenegro and beyond," she said, announcing her address. Nikola Jovanović, President of the Municipality of Budva, as well as Velibor Zolak, the first director of the City Theatre.

Jovanović emphasized that it was his great honor and pleasure to greet those gathered on behalf of the Municipality of Budva on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition organized to mark the anniversary, which confirms the key role of this institution in shaping the cultural life of Budva.

"During its existence, the Grad Teatar Festival has become an important part of the multicultural identity of Budva, and I would say of the Mediterranean as well. The continuity of its holding as well as the quality of the program that has been developing over the years have contributed to it taking a significant place among cultural events not only in our city but also beyond. The posters that are on display represent an important part of that process because they show how the visual identity of the festival has changed and developed over time. By marking this year's anniversary, the exceptional value of a work that has lasted 40 years and which, with full reason, deserves attention and a serious attitude in the times to come," concluded Jovanović and added that the Municipality of Budva will continue to be a reliable support for the work of the Public Institution "Grad Teatar" with a clear belief in the importance it has and in the value of what has been achieved throughout all these years.

The exhibition was officially opened by Velibor Zolak, emphasizing that it is a testimony that appropriate projects can become a recognizable symbol of a city. "40 years ago, I did not believe that this festival could survive this many years. In the meantime, a lot of government has changed in Budva, a lot of different economic and property processes have changed, but, most importantly, no one has disputed the 'City of Theater', meaning it has truly risen above all divisions and that is its greatest value. We need to protect and nurture it because a city is not made of buildings, it is not made of streets, it is not made of scenery, it is made of what happens in it, interactions between people, events. A city in which there are no events is a failed city."

He also stated that he was pleased to hear that the president has the desire and intention to support the construction of the theater building, which will be extremely important for Budva.

"What has managed to last for 40 years, but does not have its own building, does not have its own stage, I think that only with the help of that will it rise to a higher level," added Zolak, inviting the audience to support the festival that is the soul of this city, as well as to visit the posters and be reminded of how that history lasted. The exhibition "Visual Code of the Festival" remains open to visitors throughout April and May, and is also planned to be held as part of the 40th "City of Theatre" festival.