National Theatre Mostar

The National Theatre Mostar (Bosnian: Narodno Pozorište Mostar) is a public theatre in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the largest theatre in Mostar where some of the most important performances are held, as well as other art events^[1]. It was officially found on November 28, 1949 and the opening play was Matej Bora's Night at the Globoko(Odrpanci), directed by actor and director Safet Pasalic.

The first newly built theater building in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the World War II opened in Mostar on November 17, 1951 with a premiere of Aleksa Santic's Hasanaginica directed by the Sveto Milutinovic. Up until the February 27, 1992 The National Theatre Mostar produced 291 shows. The last show, prior to the start of 1991-1995 Bosnian war was Mesa Selimovic's Dervish and Death directed by Ahmed Obradović.

The National Theatre Mostar performed shows on a small stage during the war while the big stage was "reserved" for refugees. The building was eventually destroyed during the war. Set shop area was completely burnt and the costume shop was severely damaged as well.

The National Theatre Mostar is the organizer of the comedy festival called Mostarska Liska. The first festival was held in 1991 at the initiative of Ahmed Obradovic, Director and then theatre director. The festival was then reestablished in 2004 at the initiative Šerif Aljic, former actor and The National Theatre Mostar director. Mostarska Liska takes place between May and April every year. “Liska” is, in fact, a typical slapstick comedy character of the local tradition. At the end of the show, a jury awards two prizes: the “Great Liska” (localy called “Veliska liska”) for the best theatrical performance, and the “Little Liska” (locally called“Mala Liska”) for the best actor^[2].

The current theatre is still undergoing intensive and continuous efforts to rebuild its technical and human resources to strengthen the current theater.^[3]

References

1. ^ City of Mostar: Tourism Portal
2. ^ City of Mostar: Tourism Portal
3. ^ Official Theatre Website