The French Institute in Serbia has announced its new cultural season, France in Motion, which will feature a rich programme of performing arts and film throughout 2025. In the presence of partners, the programme was presented by H.E. Pierre Cochard, Ambassador of France, Stanislas Pierret, Director of the French Institute in Serbia, and Caroline Sauta, Cultural Attaché of the French Institute.
This season continues the tradition of previous years, highlighting the strong cultural ties between France and Serbia through contemporary dance, circus, theatre, and film programmes.
H.E. Pierre Cochard, the Ambassador of France, stated: “I am delighted to announce a new cultural season, following the tradition of previous editions – Confluences – France in Serbia (2023) and The Rhythm of French Culture (2024). This year, the focus is on the performing arts, where the ties between France and Serbia are particularly strong. Through long-term collaboration, we support contemporary dance, circus, and theatre for young audiences, both through the activities of the French Institute and the regional Teatroskop programme. I would like to thank our partners – the Belgrade Dance Festival, Ložionica, Bitef, Cirkusfera, and Station Service for Contemporary Dance, as well as our financial partners, Telekom Srbija, Mlekoprodukt – Ile-de-France, L’Oréal Balkan, and MPC Properties.”
Stanislas Pierret, Director of the French Institute in Serbia, added: “On my initiative, and with the support of the French Institute team, we have been organising events for several years that promote French programmes in publishing, literature, theatre, film, music, and debate. Ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we launched the Rhythm of French Culture season to highlight the strong ties between France and Serbia – two nations of both sport and art. The programme was enriched through collaborations with partners in visual arts, film, literature, and cultural heritage. Highlights included the French Film Festival, the Comédie-Française performance at Bitef, cooperation between the October Salon and the Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art, CirkoBalkana, and a series of events marking the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. I am happy that this year, we will continue to promote French creativity through new collaborations.”
Caroline Sauta, Cultural Attaché of the French Institute in Serbia, introduced part of the France in Motion programme: *”The season opened with the 22nd Belgrade Dance Festival, featuring a French performance. The audience can look forward to four more productions: Zéphyr by Compagnie Käfig from Lyon, directed by Mourad Merzouki; Maldonne by Leïla Ka; Celui qui tombe by Yoann Bourgeois; and L’Assoupissement by Boris Charmatz. This will be followed by a collaboration with Ložionica, a new centre for creativity and innovation in the performing arts. The French Film Festival will take place at the end of June in multiple Serbian cities, with a special screening in Zrenjanin, this year’s Capital of Culture. Among the festival’s distinguished guests will be Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival and Director of the Institut Lumière, as well as filmmaker Régis Wargnier.
In the autumn, the Bitef Festival will feature a French production, with details to be announced soon. This visit is the result of collaboration with the festival’s artistic team during our time in France. Alongside Bitef, the Contemporary Circus Festival CirkoBalkana, which we have supported since its inception, will present several troupes, including My!Laïka, Rollercoaster, and Wes Peden, as well as children’s workshops and masterclasses.
The season will conclude with the Kondenz Festival, organised by Station Service for Contemporary Dance, hosting several French troupes. The programme will feature round tables, debates, and discussions on contemporary dance. This year, Station has launched a partnership with the National Choreographic Centre in Roubaix, further strengthening cultural exchange between France and Serbia.”
Photo: Filip Olćan