Exchange of Researchers from Serbia and Kosovo as part of Research Visiting Program

News Reconnection

In June, Heartefact organized an exchange for 10 young researchers from Serbia and Kosovo as part of our Research Visiting Program. The group from Serbia visited Pristina and Gracanica, while the group from Kosovo visited Belgrade. During these visits, they met with representatives from over 20 organizations from Kosovo and Serbia, as well as university professors, activists, and artists.

Participants had the opportunity to speak with over 20 artists and activists, including Jelena Lončar, Idro Seferi, Jeta Xharra, Vladimir Arsenijević, Vesa Qena, Siniša Volarević, Mila Mihajlović, Enver Petrovci, Shpetim Selmani, Visar Krusha, and others.

The organizations researchers met with are: the Humanitarian Law Center, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER), National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS), Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), European Policy Centre (CEP), BIRN Kosovo, Kosovo 2.0, Musine Kokalari Institute, Qendra Multimedia, Artpolis, Integra, Oral History Initiative, Foundation 17, Civil Rights Defenders, and others.

Through this program, Heartefact aims to facilitate regional cooperation and create a platform for individuals motivated to conduct research on the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, covering a wide range of topics such as cultural heritage, dealing with the past, socially engaged art, nationalism in music and pop culture, and more.

This visiting program was carried out as part of the project “Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation and Civic Engagement in the Western Balkans,” which Heartefact implements with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

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Heartefact’s Play “They Are All Gone” Directed by Andrej Nosov Premieres in New York

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Premiere of the play “Art&Money” by Swedish director Freja Hallberg at Heartefact House

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OPEN CALL: GRANTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING (REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA)

Public presentation of the play Doughnuts held as part of the New Voices workshop

On Sunday, July 6, a public presentation of the play Doughnuts (Buhtle) was held at Heartefact House, marking the conclusion of the four-day Playground for New Voices workshop. The workshop took place within the European project Fabulamundi: New Voices, which Heartefact implements with partners from nine European countries. It was led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, in collaboration with emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac, the acting ensemble, and translator Olja Petronić.

Exploring and developing contemporary drama through process: Doughnuts by Jelena Krdžavac in the spotlight of the Playground workshop

As part of the Fabulamundi project, implemented by Heartefact in collaboration with partners from nine European countries, the Playground workshop is taking place in Belgrade from July 3 to 6. Led by director and playwright Patrik Lazić, the workshop brings together a cast of actors and emerging playwright Jelena Krdžavac to explore and further develop her play Doughnuts (Buhtle), which was shortlisted in last year’s Heartefact Competition for Best Contemporary Socially Engaged Drama.

Culture for Democracy: Supported Projects within the Call for Cultural and Artistic Project Implementation in Serbia

An exceptional response—totaling 273 applications—reflects the critical position of the cultural sector in Serbia in the context of the current political and social climate. Based on the Commission’s evaluation, 22 projects have been selected for support, with a total budget of 21,500,000.00 RSD. Although this amount exceeds the originally planned budget for this call, we believe that, amid the ongoing crisis and with public calls for cultural funding either canceled or indefinitely postponed, such support is more necessary than ever.

Artistic Residency and Public Presentation of Gaelle Axelbrun’s Play Held as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, an artistic residency of French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun took place at Heartefact House in Belgrade, as part of the European project Playground. During this intensive seven-day working period, Gaelle, together with director Tara Manić, translator Olja Petronić, and the acting ensemble—Nevena Kočović, Jana Bjelica, and Andrej Nježić—explored the dramaturgical and performative potential of her play Far from the Mud in Which We Sink into Sleep.

Residency of French Author Gaelle Axelbrun in Belgrade as Part of the Playground Project

From June 22 to 28, 2025, the Heartefact House in Belgrade will host a residency for French playwright Gaelle Axelbrun as part of the European project Playground. This intensive seven-day residency, organized by Heartefact, is part of an international collaboration focused on the development of contemporary dramatic texts by emerging European authors.

First Seminar for Youth from Serbia Held as Part of the Regional VIBE Program

From June 20 to 22, 2025, Heartefact organized a three-day seminar for young people from Serbia in Belgrade as part of the regional program VIBE – Connecting Young People. The program brings together youth from Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation and exchange. Designed as a space for learning, dialogue, and connection, it focuses on human rights, regional cooperation, the shared history of the region, and reflections on the future that young people wish to shape through activism and civic engagement.