Support for students: The union of ballet dancers is also on strike

Sindikat ballet of players entered into a strike-suspension of work and, by the decision of the majority of its members in the Ballet National Theater in Belgrade, supported student protests.

"At a time when students remind us of our responsibility every day and encourage us to join their call for a joint struggle for a fairer and more responsible society, our decision to suspend work represents a clear position of us, ballet dancers, workers in culture, about the long-term collapse of all institutions, including cultural institutions," it was stated in a post on the Instagram profile of the union of ballet dancers.

They stated that from today the struggle of students becomes their struggle for preserving the profession, improving the status of employees in culture, but also for a fairer and healthier society.

"In the coming days, in the spirit of general rebellion, we will be on the streets with students, high school students and citizens, together with other artists and cultural workers." The National Theater Ballet is with the people," the union said.

Seven-day theater strike

Previously, the acting ensembles of all Belgrade theaters, as well as some theaters from Novi Sad, Sombor and Zrenjanin, decided to go on a seven-day strike starting February 10.

The list of theaters whose acting ensembles are going on a seven-day strike includes the National Theater in Belgrade, Atelje 212, Belgrade Drama Theater, Boško Buha, Duško Radović Malo Theater, Terazije Theater and Yugoslav Drama Theater.

The Serbian National Theater from Novi Sad, the Youth Theater in Novi Sad, the National Theater in Sombor, the "Toša Jovanović" Theater in Zrenjani, as well as most of the collectives of the Novi Sad Theater Újvidéki Színház will not be working either.

It should be noted that this decision was made in this way for the first time in the history of Serbian theaters.

"We express full solidarity with the students and unconditionally support all their demands." Their struggle for justice, security, the right to free expression and a dignified life is the struggle of all of us. We provide absolute support to all citizens who believe that our country can be a happier and fairer place. We know that our audience is among them," the statement said.

It is added that the actors provide absolute support to all citizens who believe that our country can be a happier and more just place.

"The theater is alive only when it is part of the community, that's why we leave the stage and join those who are looking for a change", the theater ensembles concluded.

Source: FoNet