BITEF | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Belgrade International Theatre Festival, known as BITEF, is the largest and most significant theatre festival in Serbia and one of the most prestigious theatre festivals in the region, Europe, and even the world.

Established in 1967 at the initiative of prominent artists and theatre creators, Mira Trailović and Jovan Ćirilov, the festival has always nurtured the tradition of avant-garde and postmodern theatre, following and applying the latest trends in the theatre world while transcending political, social, and cultural barriers.

The consistency, perseverance in the primary idea, and the high artistic quality of the festival are evident in the fact that even during the greatest political crisis, economic blockade, and media demonization of Serbia in the 1990s, BITEF managed to promote the highest cultural values and bring some of the biggest names in the world theatre scene to Belgrade.

The experimental nature of stage performances, in contrast to conventional theatre plays, is one of the fundamental symbols of BITEF. Some of the performances that have been staged at BITEF in recent years (especially the play "Olimp") have pushed the boundaries of global theatre, firmly establishing Belgrade on the world theatre map.

Over more than 50 years of existence, BITEF has become a highly esteemed cultural event in the most elite artistic circles of the region and Europe.

This year's double edition (54th and 55th) of BITEF will take place from 13th to 25th September.

Several exclusive theatre performances will be held on the stages of BITEF Theatre, Atelje 212, Theatre on Terazije, National Theatre, Yugoslav Drama Theatre, Belgrade Drama Theatre, and at Sava Centre.

You can check the complete program and schedule of the festival on the official BITEF website.