Jelić finds the topic of women's disenfranchisement "worn out", thinks that "women discriminate"

The artistic director of the Nikšić Theater, Janko Jelić, announced that the topic of women's disenfranchisement is "worn out" for him, and that he thinks that "women discriminate."

He said this in an email sent to the Bunt Independent Theater Stage, which is performing the play "Exhibition of Women".

The "U pravo vrijeme" platform, which, in addition to the Bunt Independent Theater Scene, includes several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), delivered Jelic's email to the media and stated in a press release that Jelic did not allow them to perform the play.

Jelić told "Vijesta" that it is not true that they did not allow the play to be performed, but only that they were not interested in the aforementioned offer.

"Dear colleagues, with all due respect to your artistic inclinations, I do not find any justified reason to endlessly drag out the well-worn topic of women's disenfranchisement and how women are discriminated against, exploited and humiliated. Coincidentally, I am married, I have a living mother, she lives in my neighborhood a married sister and a married brother, and along the way I also remembered my grandmother, I know the neighbors, I hang out with godfathers and acquaintances... In none of the mentioned examples did I notice discrimination against women, on the contrary, I think that women discriminate," Jelić pointed out.

He added that "it became boring from the terror of the story about discrimination against women".

"I am certainly aware that there are people who mistreat women, but I am also aware that there are other forms of discrimination that are no less present, but are completely neglected in public life. That is why my smallness does not give consent to play your play because I think that it is the ice of engaged propaganda, and not any art. Knowing that you will not have the right, I give you the right to make this message of mine public and to call me personally responsible for it, because this is exclusively my personal position and decision without any of the second organ of the Nikšić Theater. With respect and hope that you will understand, Janko Jelić," Jelić said in an email.

Platform "U pravo vrijeme" said that Jelić, in a scandalous letter, did not allow the performance of a play that talks about gender inequality and violence against women.

"The platform of the organization 'U pravo vrijeme' informs the public that the artistic director of the Nikšić Theatre, Janko Jelić, did not allow the performance of the play 'Exhibition of Women', which bravely confronts the theme of gender equality and violence against women. Jelić is the reason for not allowing the performance of the play "IzloŽene" stated that the topic of discrimination against women is "worn out" and that women in Montenegro are the ones who discriminate, and that they will not allow the play to be performed in the Nikšić Theater because the story of discrimination and violence against women is a form of "engaged propaganda", he points out. in the announcement of the Platform "At the Right Time".

They added that not allowing the performance of "Exposure", a play that highlights various forms and forms of discrimination and violence against women, shows disrespect for all women who lost their lives due to partner or family violence, women who suffered or are suffering violence, and women who suffer discrimination , and finally towards artistic work and the need to openly discuss these problems.

"Five femicides were committed in Montenegro between 2020 and 2022. Instead of encouraging dialogue and awareness, Jelić, because he is in a position of power, limits freedom of expression and denies the reality that many women face every day, and activities of this type calls it propaganda. We call on the artistic community and the general public to oppose this approach and support art that bravely questions social norms and injustices," reads the announcement of the "Right Time" Platform.

Platform "At the Right Time" said that this is not only a limitation of freedom of expression, but also an undermining of efforts to combat gender-based violence and injustice.

"In response to the independent theater scene 'Bunt', Jelić stated that he is aware of the non-existence of discrimination against women because he is 'accidentally' a husband, and from the aforementioned attitude towards art and human rights, it seems that he is an artistic director of a theater, who apart from not understands art, does not understand the needs of the Montenegrin public, and in addition denies violence against women and discrimination. The play is performed through the project 'Exposed violence', which is supported as part of the grant scheme 'At the right time'. Playing the play is free, admission is not is charged, nor are financial resources requested from art institutions for the same. Through this project, the play was performed six times in municipalities in the north," concludes the announcement of the Platform "U pravo vrijeme".

The platform "In the right time" consists of:

-Independent theater scene "Rebellion"

- Juventus

- Law Center

- Center for monitoring and research

- Hepatitis Montenegro

- Social justice

- Northland

- Association for the support of Roma and Egyptians Berana

- Invictus

- SOS for women and children victims of violence in Bijelo Polje

- Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe Montenegro

- Kvir Montenegro

- Bona fide Open Center

- Network for European policies - Master