On Tuesday, June 4th, starting at 8 pm, the theater from Kragujevac will be performing on stage of the National Theater in Nis with the play “NEGRI or Love as a Man of Your Own”, written by Joakim Vujić, directed by Andjelka Nikolic.

The play stars Nikola Milojevic, Ivan Vidosavljevic, Petar Lukic, Nenad Vulovic, Zdravko Maletic, Cedomir Stein, Isidora Rajkovic and Dusan Stanikic.

This piece, written in 1821, is performed for the first time. Perhaps the themes of colonialism, imperialism, and slavery were far and abstract for Joakim’s contemporaries: the term itself, negri, is explained by the author to readers, as if he were actually introducing it into the Serbian language.

“Today, however, it is clear that the complex relations of East and West (a euphemism for a long history of oppression, hypocrisy and fear) have a profound effect on the lives of every inhabitant of the planet. Although slavery is said to be an eradicated phenomenon, we still see, or even actively participate in, relationships based on exploitation and repression: in our own country, in workplaces (in theaters and factories), and finally in families, the basic cells of a patriarchal society. ” … А. Nikolic

Joakim Vujic’s “Negri or Love as a Man of Your Own “, in addition to being of cultural value, easily communicates with the audience, because it speaks of exploitation as a phenomenon that concerns us equally today.

It would be interesting to know, how did Serb Joakim Vujic position himself in that polarization between colonializing Europe and the oppressed Third World two centuries ago? And how do we today?


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