"LJUBICA" FESTIVAL OPENS WITH EXHIBITION HONORING IVO ANDRIĆ’S WIFE

The third edition of the Republika Srpska Theater Festival "Ljubica" officially opened in Gradiška with an exhibition dedicated to Milica Babić Andrić, Serbia's first formally trained costume designer and the wife of Nobel Prize-winning author Ivo Andrić.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

The exhibition celebrates her remarkable career and pioneering contributions to both theater and film costume design.

Bojan Vujinović, City Manager of Gradiška, emphasized the importance of the festival’s accompanying programs, which include workshops and masterclasses held in Banja Luka. These sessions are led by jury members Saša Torlaković, Zlatan Vidović, and Đeko Dimić, as well as director Nemanja Ćerenić at the Audiovisual Center of Republika Srpska. Additionally, a presentation of theater and film music by Petar Bilbija took place at the Milanović House.

“These masterclasses are the foundation—alongside professional performances—for connecting young actors, giving them a space to learn, network, and find new opportunities. We’re proud that, already in our third year, the 'Ljubica' Festival has helped launch the careers of dozens of young actors in film and theater,” Vujinović said.

One of the exhibition's authors, Milanka Blagojević, explained that the project to popularize the legacy of Milica Babić Andrić began in 2021 and involved research from museum archives in Belgrade.

She reminded attendees that four festivals titled “Milica” had already been organized in Babić's hometown of Šamac, with the goal of bringing attention to her legacy, which has often remained overshadowed by her husband’s fame.

“Our aim was to highlight her rich 30-year career. She was employed at the National Theatre in Belgrade but also worked for every major theater in the country at the time. Additionally, she designed costumes for some of the first domestic films. She was truly a pioneer in both theater and film costume design,” Blagojević said.

She added that Šamac is now home to a memorial house dedicated to Milica Babić Andrić, featuring museum exhibits and costume replicas.

“Our goal was to bring her sketches back to life, as very few of her original costumes have been preserved. We created a unique memorial museum not only for Milica Babić but also for the profession of costume design, which often remains in the background,” she concluded.

Tanja Đaković, Assistant Minister of Culture in the Government of Republika Srpska, officially opened the exhibition. She expressed her satisfaction that the festival begins by honoring the first professional Serbian costume designer—a woman “who knew how to breathe soul into the stage through fabrics, colors, and lines.”

“This festival has become a cherished part of Republika Srpska’s cultural landscape. From the very beginning, the Ministry of Education and Culture has supported it wholeheartedly, recognizing its high-quality and engaging program despite its youth,” Đaković said.

She noted that this year’s festival will extend beyond Gradiška, with events also taking place at multiple locations in Banja Luka, which will help expand its audience and visibility.

Last year, the Ministry evaluated “Ljubica” as the highest-quality theater festival and provided it with the largest financial support among cultural initiatives.

The festival officially began with the premiere of the play Terra Incognita, a co-production between the East Sarajevo Theater and the Gradiška City Theater.