MITRIĆ: SCENE IN ISTOČNO SARAJEVO - NUCLEUS OF ARTISTIC CREATIVITY

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, JANUARY 2 /SRNA/ – The City of Istočno Sarajevo has the capacity to become one of the leading cultural centers in Republika Srpska, but stronger support from the relevant authorities is needed to achieve this, theater and film director Vitomir Mitrić told SRNA.

Mitrić said that the theater scene and the overall artistic life of Istočno Sarajevo have, over the past decade, become one of the most dynamic and diverse spaces of artistic creation in Republika Srpska.

"On the cultural map, this city has built a recognizable identity - a combination of tradition, contemporary expression, festival life, and a unique approach to children and youth audiences," Mitrić said.

He noted that Istočno Sarajevo's cultural infrastructure is based on several key institutions, among which Forum Theatre stands out as the oldest organization creating programs for children and young people, demonstrating what it means to work systematically and continuously, while also fostering critical dialogue through the theatre of the oppressed programs.

Mitrić pointed out that the newly established National Theatre of Istočno Sarajevo represents an important step forward in the city’s institutional development.

"The establishment of this theatre lays the foundation for the development of a serious dramatic life in the city," said Mitrić, who is the director of Forum Theatre in Istočno Sarajevo.

Puppet theatre, he added, as one of the city's trademarks, is represented by Lut Fest – the International Festival of Professional Puppet Theatres for Children, which is one of the most recognizable cultural events in Istočno Sarajevo.

"For more than two decades, this festival has built its reputation by bringing the most prominent puppet theatres from the region and around the world to the city. Lut Fest is particularly important because it systematically works on developing cultural habits among children and young people," Mitrić said.

He also emphasized that the First Shot International Film Festival has for years been a key platform for documentary and short films.

"This festival promotes authorial expression, supports young filmmakers, brings acclaimed authors to the city, and affirms Istočno Sarajevo as a city of film culture. At a time when film plays a major educational and social role, this festival significantly enriches the city's cultural landscape," Mitrić said.