Teatro Praga withdraws from the 59th BITEF citing pressure on culture
N1 and 021 report that the Portuguese collective Teatro Praga has withdrawn from the 59th BITEF and pulled its production Audição from the program. The artists cite censorship, pressure on cultural workers, and interference by the authorities and public institutions in culture; 021 adds that selector Spasoje Ž. Milovanović says festival preparations are continuing as planned.
What matters
Who withdrew
The Portuguese collective Teatro Praga withdrew from the 59th BITEF and pulled its production Audição.
Why
The statements cite censorship, pressure on artists and independent organizations, and interference by the authorities in the cultural sphere.
Festival response
021 reports that BITEF selector and board head Spasoje Ž. Milovanović confirmed the withdrawal, but said preparations continue as planned and the troupe was not asked to change its show.
Wider context
N1 ties the move to BITEF's ongoing institutional crisis; 021 recalls that Gob Squad had already canceled its participation earlier.
Breakdown by publication
How sources frame this story
Mobile shows the first 2; the full breakdown is available on desktop.
N1: Teatro Praga exits BITEF in solidarity with Serbian artists
N1 reports that the Portuguese collective Teatro Praga is withdrawing from the 59th BITEF and presents the move as a gesture of solidarity with Serbian artists, cultural workers, and independent organizations. The article speaks of censorship and growing political pressure in the cultural sector, and also outlines BITEF's broader institutional crisis after ne:Bitef 2025.
021: Portuguese artists pulled out of BITEF over 'state interference in culture'
021, citing Vreme, writes that Teatro Praga from Lisbon withdrew from the 59th BITEF because it sees the current political and cultural situation in Serbia as incompatible with the principles of artistic freedom. The outlet also carries selector Spasoje Ž. Milovanović's response that preparations are continuing as planned and the troupe was not asked to alter its performance.
Overall takeaway
This is no longer a one-off cancellation but a new symptom of the BITEF crisis: international troupes are linking their participation to a broader dispute over censorship and cultural autonomy in Serbia.
What this means for residents
For audiences
BITEF's autumn program loses one invited production, and any further changes now become especially important for audiences and festival guests.
For cultural policy
The story goes beyond one troupe and deepens the dispute over the independence of Belgrade's flagship theatre festival.