The news that the theater in Zaječar is closed spread when it was announced that the "Little Joakim" festival will be held in Leskovac, not in Zaječar.
Namely, by the decision of the Department for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia, the Department for Fire and Explosion Protection in Zaječar, the use of the building of the National Theater of Timočka Krajina "Zoran Radmilović" was prohibited, so on October 31, the building was closed.
Let us recall that the building National Theater in Belgrade closed on October 3 because it does not meet all safety requirements, although, unlike the Zaječar Department for Fire and Explosion Protection, none of the authorities requested it.
We hope for a restoration.
"We hope that in the coming year 2026, when we celebrate the eight decades of existence of the Zaječar Theater, the only professional theater in the east of Serbia, we will meet in a safe and renovated building, which you, as well as the employees and all friends and associates of our theater, certainly deserve", stated in the announcement of this theater to its audience.
The director of the Zaječar Theater, Vladimir Đuričić, tells "Vreme" that they had a meeting with the Minister of Culture, Nikola Selaković, and that his impression is that "there is a chance to restore the entire building. The minister and his associates have shown great interest in our problem and, although nothing has been officially decided yet, I think they will meet us."
Đuričić reminds that they are the only professional theater from Belgrade to Pirot, that they have existed for 80 years, and that the state will understand the need for the National Theater in Zaječar.
He says that the building was built a hundred years ago, that the last major reconstruction was 60 years ago, that the chairs in the auditorium were changed 20 years ago, and that "something is constantly being repaired, but the building, apart from what is required for fire protection, needs an entire reconstruction - from the roof to the stage equipment".
"Little Joachim"
He states that the Ministry helped to "renovate theater buildings in Vranje, Leskovac, Subotica, in Belgrade, the Yugoslav drama is constantly being renovated, so it is time to restore the building of the only theater in this part of Serbia."
And until then, the plays will be played in the Cultural Center in Kotlujevac, which has a hall with only 200 seats and in which only less demanding plays can be played.
Due to the closing of the building, it seemed that "Little Joakim", the biggest festival of performances for children in Serbia, would not be able to take place this year. "Fortunately, Leskovac came to the rescue, so 'Mali Joakim' was moved to their National Theater at the same time," says Vladimir Đuričić.
It will be the 18th "Little Joachim".
