“Manuscripts Don’t Burn…”

Our high school students had the opportunity to watch the play The Master and Margarita on the main stage of the National Theatre. This adaptation of the iconic Russian novel by Mikhail Bulgakov managed to stir up the Belgrade cultural scene and, right from the first rehearsals, generated great interest from both critics and audiences. The play is directed by Andraš Urban, one of the leading directors of contemporary Serbian theatre. Urban says that, like Bulgakov, he constantly seeks answers to current problems through his work, using satire, grotesque, mysticism, and philosophical prose. The dramatisation of this complex classic reveals a contemporary reading of the novel for Belgrade audiences, filled with allusions to today’s issues, the struggles of modern people, and contemporary authors. However, it also stays true to the spirit of the era in which the work was created. The play boldly addresses always-relevant philosophical, ideological, and political questions, especially focusing on the relationship between the artist and the authorities.

Nada Milićević