“The Sarajevo National Theatre does not recognize any form of ideological censorship; guest artists, as well as local artists, can critically examine the social circumstances and times we live in. Art in free and democratic societies, whose values we advocate, does not recognize thematic restrictions on freedom of thought and expression. We have fought for such values in all times and circumstances, and this cannot be abolished by any political pressure,” the NPS said.
”We are surprised to learn of the official diplomatic note issued by the Embassy of Turkiye in Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in response to the upcoming performance of our production Six Against Turkey at the National Theatre of Sarajevo on April 14. However, this reaction indeed only adds further relevance and resonance to our performance, giving it life beyond the stage. It confirms that we have touched a vital political and social nerve,” it was stated by the Qendra Multimedia & Gerçek Tyiatrosu on Friday.
”There was a time when theatre was seen as a mirror of reality-but today, it often feels like reality is starting to mirror theatre. The increasing imposition of control and censorship, disguised as diplomacy, is deeply troubling and unacceptable.
Qendra Multimedia is known for its politically charged theatre, with artistic freedom being a core principle of its creative mission. It’s important to note that similar forms of pressure-albeit more subtle-have also come from the Turkish Embassy in Kosovo. However, in Prishtina, the central government held its ground, with the Ministry of Culture even publicly backing the production and its creators. In contrast, the Municipality of Prizren has twice blocked efforts to stage the play, it was further explained by the Qendra Multimedia.
”Six Against Turkey” is a political allegory. While it explores the dynamic between Turkey and Kosovo, it also highlights a global trend of rising authoritarianism—something we’re seeing more frequently in countries like the United States, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, and others,” it was concluded.
The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey has issued a formal diplomatic note to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing deep concern over the scheduled performance of the play “Six Against Turkey” on April 14, 2025. The production is part of the “Regional Theatre” festival, set to take place at the Sarajevo National Theatre.
Labeling the note as “most urgent,” the Turkish Embassy voiced strong opposition to the staging of the play, claiming it promotes propaganda in support of the FETO organization, which Turkey designates as a terrorist group, and targets both the Turkish state and its president.
According to the Embassy, promotional images on the Sarajevo National Theatre’s official website feature masks bearing the likenesses of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Fethullah Gülen, which the Embassy interprets as a clear indicator of the play’s affiliation with FETO.
The note stresses that, given the traditionally positive relations between Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, such portrayals are deemed inappropriate and offensive. The Embassy has requested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relay its concerns to the relevant Bosnian institutions. The message concludes with an expression of high regard, Klix.ba writes.
“Six Against Turkey” is a collaborative production between Qendra Multimedia (Kosovo), Gerçek Tiyatrosu (Turkey), and My Balkans (USA/Serbia). The play addresses themes of democratic backsliding, the rise of nationalism, and authoritarian trends across Europe.
Performed in Albanian, English, and Turkish, it was developed by a diverse team of theater artists from Kosovo, Turkey, and other European countries. British playwright Mark Ravenhill described the piece as “a sweeping political satire with absurdist elements,” and praised it as a major contribution to contemporary theater.
The plot draws inspiration from the 2018 incident in which six Turkish teachers were arrested in Kosovo and deported to Turkey over alleged links to the Gülen movement, which Turkish authorities blame for the 2016 coup attempt. Kosovo officials at the time cited national security concerns for revoking their residence permits.
About the production:
In 2018, six Turkish school teachers were arrested in Kosovo and deported to Turkey. Their residence permits in Kosovo were revoked because they allegedly posed a threat to national security. The six men are wanted in Turkey for their alleged links to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement Turkey blames for the failed coup in 2016.
Tens of thousands of alleged Gulen supporters have been arrested or lost their jobs in Turkey since the failed coup. Many have declared their innocence. Gulen has denied that he and his followers were behind the attempt to overthrow Erdogan’s government.
When Kosovo’s television stations broadcast the arrest of the six Turkish citizens, people legitimately wondered: How is it possible for such a mafia-style kidnapping to take place in a country that claims to be democratic, such as Kosovo, and certainly with the authorization and supervision of Kosovo’s top leadership?
The kidnapping exposed the fragility of Kosovo’s state institutions, which remain hostage to the political and economic hegemony of powerful countries. However, the incident also served as a lesson for us all: authoritarianism is not an “isolated island” but tends to be copied and imported, as was the case with fascism in the past.
“Six Against Turkey” was written by Jeton Neziraj, one of Kosovo’s most internationally renowned playwrights. Previously the artistic director of the National Theatre of Kosovo, he has written over 20 plays and his work has been performed at theatre festivals across Europe and the USA. The German theatre magazine Theater der Zeit described him as “the Kafka of the Balkans”.
The play is directed by Blerta Neziraj, whose productions for Qendra Multimedia have toured internationally, including Lausanne, Milan, Vienna, Hamburg, Lyon, Bern and New York.
The play ‘Six Against Turkey’ will be held at the Sarajevo National Theater despite a protest note from the Turkish Embassy. The National Theater in Sarajevo does not intend to give in to this pressure.
