When the National Theatre in Belgrade was founded 150 years ago, Serbia had the population of a little more than a million and two hundred thousand people. At the time, Belgrade’s population had just risen above 25,000 residents, living in 3,444 houses. In 1860s, Belgrade was just a large village, halfway between the Ottoman Empire and the European civilisation.
After several attempts to create a permanent professional theatre in Belgrade that dated back to 1842, short-lived but undoubtfully showing that the theatre was necessary in this country and its capital, the National Theatre was founded in 1868 in Belgrade.The first play – Đurađ Branković by Karolj Obernjak, was performed on 22 November 1868 in At the English Queen inn that became the temporary home of the National Theatre for the next year.
Then, upon foundation of the National Theatre, Prince Mihailo Obrenović and the State Council determined the new site for the theatre building – the former Turkish lot near the Stambol Gate. The Prince also started the donations by giving five thousand ducats. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the start of works, as he was assassinated on 3 June 1868. The keystone was laid by the Prince Milan instead. In the spring of 1868, the auction for construction works was organised, and the works awarded to E. Steinlechner. The construction was completed very quickly. The works started on 29 May, the keystone was laid on 18 August 1868, and the building was under roof as early as January 1869. In the city of 25,000 citizens, the theatre hall had some 800 seats. The first performance in the new building was given on 30 October (by Julian calendar) of the same year. That was the play Posthumous Glory of Prince Mihailo, a picture of life of ordinary people by Đorđe Miletić.
Today, the National Theatre in Belgrade, attracting the audience of 150,000 spectators per year, plays two simultaneous performances on two stages every day. It is unique and the most significant cultural institution in Serbia that hosts ensembles of drama, opera and ballet, choir and orchestra.
Artistic realization: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.
Expert collaboration: National Theatre in Belgrade.
