06. 10. 2009.

The MESS Festival Strongly Protests the Closing Down of the Mostar National Theatre

A political haughtiness and an utter lack of understanding of local political figures for the significance of preserving and developing culture and art, are the key reasons why the employees of the Mostar National Theatre have been forced to lock up this prominent cultural institution, after 60 successful years.

As this region’s oldest festival, and an institution whose mission is to preserve and develop theatre and art in general, the MESS Festival wishes to stand by the Mostar National and its audiences, and strongly protests this primitive and senseless approach that the city and cantonal authorities have had towards this theatre.

The Festival MESS thus calls both the city and cantonal authorities of Mostar, on behalf of the citizens who voted them in, to put an end to the agony of the Mostar National Theatre, and to begin giving the cultural heritage and outstanding artistic potential that Mostar and the Herzegovina region can offer to Bosnia, Europe and the world, the respect and treatment that a civilised community would give. Without that, Mostar could soon find itself in a position that is best described by the words of Avigdor Pawsner: “If you are looking for hell, ask an artist where it is. If you can’t find an artist, then you are already in hell.”

MESS Festival Head Office