As part of the special program “Regional Theater”, the play “Six Against Turkey” by Jeton Neziraj, directed by Blerta Neziraj, was performed on the stage of the Sarajevo National Theater tonight, and the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey also reacted to the play.
The Sarajevo National Theatre has reaffirmed its commitment to artistic freedom, stating that it does not accept any form of ideological censorship. Both local and visiting artists are encouraged to critically reflect on contemporary social and political realities.
The Theatre emphasized that in democratic societies-whose values it upholds-freedom of thought and expression must not be restricted.
“These are principles we’ve defended under all circumstances, and no political pressure can undermine them,” the Theatre declared.
Qendra Multimedia and Gerçek Tiyatrosu responded on Friday with press conference to the Turkish Embassy’s diplomatic note to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Ministry regarding the play Six Against Turkey, scheduled for April 14 at the Sarajevo National Theatre. They expressed surprise at the official protest but argued that the Embassy’s reaction only amplifies the performance’s significance. “It proves we’ve struck a political and societal nerve,” the statement read.
They added, “There was a time when theatre mirrored reality-now it feels like reality is mimicking theatre. The growing trend of censorship masked as diplomacy is deeply concerning.”
Qendra Multimedia, known for its politically engaged productions, highlighted that similar pressures have previously come from the Turkish Embassy in Kosovo. In that case, while the central government in Prishtina backed the play and its creators, the Municipality of Prizren blocked performances twice.
Six Against Turkey is a political allegory, the companies explained. Though it focuses on Turkish-Kosovar relations, the play also reflects a global rise in authoritarianism seen in countries like the U.S., Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia.
The Turkish Embassy’s note, marked “most urgent,” accuses the play of spreading FETO propaganda and attacking the Turkish state and President Erdoğan. The note points to promotional images that depict masks resembling Erdoğan and exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen-evidence the Embassy interprets as supporting the Gülen movement, which it classifies as a terrorist group. The Embassy expressed that such portrayals are offensive, particularly in light of traditionally strong Turkey-Bosnia ties, and urged Bosnia’s Foreign Ministry to convey its concerns.
Despite the protest, the Sarajevo National Theatre plans to proceed with the play as part of the “Regional Theatre” festival.
Six Against Turkey, a collaborative project between Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo), Gerçek Tiyatrosu (Turkey), and My Balkans (USA/Serbia), was written by acclaimed Kosovar playwright Jeton Neziraj and directed by Blerta Neziraj. The play deals with nationalism, shrinking democratic space, and authoritarianism in Europe. Inspired by the 2018 abduction and deportation of six Turkish teachers from Kosovo-linked to the Gülen movement-the production uses satire and absurdism to critique power structures and political complicity in the region.
