Objects under renovation, artists as nomads

The lack of cultural spaces in the capital has become a broader problem for the theater scene, which is facing constant restrictions on performances and their entire process. The renovation project of the “Oda” theater has long been considered necessary, but on the other hand, the start of works without an alternative, like other facilities under renovation, has deepened the crisis. The “Oda” theater and the “Multimedia” center – have been forced to function as nomads and this is just one illustration. The consequences: loss of contact with the public and relocation of projects abroad

While the “Oda” theater is undergoing renovation, as is the building of the central theater institution, the National Theater of Kosovo, two organizations that have been operating in the “Oda” space for years – the “Oda” theater and the “Multimedia” center – have been forced to function as nomads. In the absence of a permanent space for rehearsals and performances, they have been moving activities from one space to another for more than a year, while for the “Multimedia” center’s productions, alternative spaces and international stages are becoming increasingly necessary to keep communication with the public alive.

Above all, the problem is not just related to the “Oda.” The lack of cultural spaces in the capital has become a broader problem for the theater scene, which is facing ongoing restrictions on performances and their entire process. 

For more than four years, the space used as the Amphitheater of the National Theater of Kosovo has served as one of the alternatives for performances that have nowhere else to present themselves. But even this space is not seen as a long-term solution by the leaders of the two organizations, who say the conditions there are difficult.

The renovation of the “Oda” theater, located in the Palace of Youth and Sports complex, began last summer, but its completion remains far from complete. The project, titled “Adaptation and revitalization of theater spaces in the Palace of Youth and Sports complex,” is expected to be completed by the end of next year. 

Last summer, the Ministry of Culture announced a tender worth 2.5 million euros, divided into two projects: 1.3 million euros for the renovation of the "Oda" theater building and 1.2 million euros for the "Adriana" theater in Ferizaj.

According to the tender dossier, the “Oda” space has changed functions several times, from a bowling center to a nightclub, before being transformed into a theater. The goal of the renovation project is to restore it as close to its original condition as possible and adapt the space to current theater standards, considering that the building is under protection as a cultural heritage monument.

The director of the "Multimedia" center, Jeton Neziraj, said that the lack of space is not only a problem for the organization he leads, but for the entire theater scene in Pristina.

"The lack of space has paralyzed our work and the development of activities, namely the lack of spaces in Pristina, because we are not just talking about the 'Oda', which is in the process of renovation, but we are talking about the entire cultural scene, or more specifically the theater scene in Pristina, which is blocked," said Neziraj. 

He has shown that alternatives in the capital are limited and that the spaces that exist are occupied by the activities of the relevant institutions.

"We know that there are two half-spaces left, one of which is somewhat usable. I am referring to the 'Dodona' theater, which has a stage that is constantly occupied with the theater's own activities, as well as hall 'A', which we are currently using for the next project. We are holding rehearsals like this, everywhere, because other activities are also taking place there. Then there is the National Theater, which is also almost unusable for us, because it has its own program and a busy program with activities that it plans and schedules itself," he said.

The consequences, according to him, have also been seen in direct communication with the public.

He mentioned the case of the play he authored, "Prishtina, the Foretold Murder of a Dream," which "Multimedia" had last performed in April, and the lack of space made it impossible to continue the performances.

"In the case of the play 'Prishtina, the Foretold Murder of a Dream', which we last performed in April, if I'm not mistaken, since then we have not had a physical space to perform it. In the end, about fifty people from the audience returned without seeing the play, because there was really great interest when it was performed at the National Theater in April. Since then, we have simply not been able to perform it in front of the public due to lack of space," said playwright Neziraj, considering that they are blocked. 

"So, we are blocked both in terms of communicating with the public, but also in terms of maintaining evidence. We have been moved into a kind of artistic, internal exile, and into a situation that has moved us completely outside of our usual work habitat," he added.

The lack of space in Pristina has also affected the productions that "Multimedia" carries out in collaboration with international institutions.

Neziraj has indicated that a major co-production that was planned to be realized in Kosovo has been moved to Skopje.

"A major co-production that was supposed to be realized here in Kosovo, we have now moved it to Skopje. I am talking about the play 'Unrecognized', which we are realizing with a theater in Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as with three other theaters in Sweden, including the Royal Swedish Theater. We have moved it to Skopje, to the Albanian Theater, where we are holding rehearsals and the premiere. We have also moved the next play to Prizren. That is, the entire team has now moved there and we are realizing cooperation with the Prizren Theater," he said.

According to Neziraj, this situation has created a strong contrast between the organization's international development and the conditions in which it is forced to work domestically.

"So, we have been thrown to the margins, so to speak, in terms of space. And the worst thing is that no one seems to care about this situation. We have also had some complacency with the fact that the 'Oda' is being renovated and we will finally have a dignified space, but in reality we are realizing that, as the months go by, we are unfulfilled in terms of the normal development of activities," he stated in an interview with KOHĪN. 

The lack of space has also affected programs that are traditionally held in Pristina. This year's "Theatre Showcase" will be held in Prizren and with a reduced program.

"It's an absurd situation, because, on the one hand, our work, international collaborations, and our international presentations have been growing. Even the level of those presentations has really risen," Neziraj said.

He has mentioned upcoming performances on some of the most important European stages. But, according to Neziraj, the reality inside Kosovo is completely different.

"Meanwhile, the situation within the country has been reduced to the beginning when we started, when we had to work in primitive conditions, that is, nomadic and in different spaces. A week of rehearsals there, then we move to another space, to a warehouse. I don't want to compare it, but it's almost like in the 90s, with basic working conditions, with enthusiasm, but what to do with enthusiasm when there are all these basic restrictions?" said Neziraj, who also emphasized the National Theater, which continues to function in temporary conditions.

"While institutions and these cultural spaces are being renovated, years pass. It has been five years since the National Theater was moved to that dungeon. This means five years almost lost, because what is produced in that theater is almost basic, rudimentary, let's say artistically, because the space is such that it limits it and the conditions are such that they are not dignified for work," he declared.

But, according to him, during the renovation process, an alternative space was not provided for the organizations that had the "Chamber" as their base of work.

"We did not hesitate to jump into this renovation process, due to the fact that we considered it necessary. But, on the other hand, we were so confused by the fact that the 'Oda' space is being renovated, that we asked, in fact, no one offered us any other alternative space, whether for rehearsals or for scenography in a warehouse," he said.

While "Multimedia" faces the relocation of productions, the "Oda" theater is also looking for ways to continue activities outside of its space.

The director of the "Oda" theater, Florent Mehmeti, said that the deadline for the works is scheduled for the end of next year, while the lack of space remains one of the main problems for the functioning of the theater.

"The issue of space is quite a problem. We have already had the 'Hapu' festival, which was held outside, but we needed space for rehearsals. We are finding it as best we can. There is also a lot of pressure on the National Theatre Amphitheater, where we had a premiere, but there is also a bit of a schedule problem there. We are waiting to be notified of when we can have performances. I have made a request since July for several dates, but I have not yet received a response," he said. 

To continue its activity, the "Chamber" has also used the spaces of other institutions.

"We have an agreement with the Faculty of Arts to empower young artists, within its framework we also use some spaces of the Faculty of Arts. We have thus found ourselves using such spaces, such as the former 'Hivzi Sulejmani' library. In a word, we are nomads at the moment," said Mehmeti.

Regarding the dynamics of the works at the "Oda" facility, Mehmeti said that currently the pace is good, but the timely completion remains to be seen.

"The dynamics of the work are good. There are also promises that it will be completed ahead of schedule, but it remains to be seen. I don't know exactly, but to be honest, I'm happy if it is completed on time and doesn't have the fate of others that know how to drag on," he declared.

Mehmeti indicated that during the process, several requests for additional interventions were submitted.

"There were several requests from our side for some improvements, which were extended by the Ministry of Culture. No intervention was made to make some improvements to a pillar in the foyer and some such details, which were not initially planned, but during the development of the project, only when we saw it being implemented. We asked for another solution to be found, but it has not yet been executed," said Mehmeti.

The renovation of the “Oda” is taking place at a time when the Pristina theater scene is facing a shortage of space. This period of renovation has highlighted the need for alternative spaces and a plan that would enable theater organizations to continue their work even during periods when the main stages are not functional.