About me
An artistically engaged festival dedicated to exploring and addressing the issue of ageism – discrimination against older people.
ABOUT AGEISM
Ageism is the only form of discrimination in which a person discriminates against their future self.
The study of ageism and prejudice against older people has a relatively short history compared to other biases. However, the available data thus far shows that these prejudices exist, are multifaceted, and that people often hold contradictory attitudes toward older individuals. These prejudices include fear of aging, misconceptions that older people are a burden rather than a resource, and a host of stereotypes that permeate society.
The World Health Organization defines ageism through three levels: stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) against people based on their age. Ageism can be institutional (laws and policies), interpersonal (interactions between people), and self-directed (when a person internalizes these prejudices).
Ageism often intersects with other forms of stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, including sexism and racism. There likely isn’t just one type of ageism, but many different forms. These intersecting forms of age-based discrimination negatively affect the health and well-being of older people. It is important to recognize that age-based discrimination or ageism has a “universal nature” – everyone ages, and anyone can experience discrimination.
ABOUT THE BEZVREMENI / AGELESS FESTIVAL
The “Bezvremeni / Ageless” festival, held on December 13 and 14, 2024, at the Novi Sad Theatre/Újvidéki Színház, is Serbia’s first artistically engaged festival dedicated to exploring and addressing discrimination against older people. Organized by the Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture Foundation, in collaboration with the Artičoka Association and the Red Cross of Serbia, the festival aims to highlight often overlooked yet deeply ingrained prejudices against older people in society.
Through an interdisciplinary approach, “Bezvremeni / Ageless” tackles various forms of discrimination faced by older individuals, particularly in areas such as social and pension policies, gender equality, employment, and healthcare, with a specific focus on pervasive violence against older people. Through artistic formats, the festival programs invite open dialogue on ways society can support older people and ensure their equal rights and respect, primarily through promoting intergenerational solidarity.
The festival is supported by the European Commission (within the project Age Against the Machine: CERV – Network of Towns), the City of Novi Sad, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, and Novi Sad Theatre/Újvidéki Színház. Special thanks go to the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM DAY 1
13.12.2024.
18:00–18:10:
Festival Opening with the exhibition Stop Violence Against Older People (produced by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Austria).
13.12.2024.
18:10–19:00:
Premiere of the play Waiting for the Rain: Ageism in Six Scenes, Drž’ ne daj Troupe (Age Against the Machine project), Main Hall.
13.12.2024.
19:00–19:30:
Final Act: Conversation with the audience.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM DAY 2
14.12.2024.
18.00–19.30:
Awakened play, Artičoka Association, Main Hall.
The play Awakened brings together women over 65 who bravely address the challenges of aging, stereotypes, and discrimination faced as older individuals.
14.12.2024.
20.30–21.30:
Concert by Bisera Veletanlić and Vasil Hadžimanov, Main Hall.
A unique musical experience featuring legendary Bisera Veletanlić with piano accompaniment by one of the most renowned jazz musicians, Vasil Hadžimanov.
14.12.2024.
21.30:
Closing of the festival.
Waiting for the Rain
The play Waiting for the Rain in six scenes directly examines various forms of ageism—from structural and societal to institutional. Through everyday situations where older individuals experience discrimination, marginalization, and indifference, the play reveals how societal and systemic mechanisms impact their lives and dignity. This socially engaged performance, featuring citizens of Novi Sad aged 17 to 79, invites the audience to reconsider their attitudes toward older people and the challenges of aging, while actively participating in the fight against ageism, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and intergenerational solidarity.
The play was produced by the Drž’ ne daj troupe as part of the Age Against the Machine project, led by the Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture Foundation and supported by the European Union through the CERV program (Network of Towns), as well as by the City of Novi Sad, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, and the Cultural Center of Novi Sad. Other project partners include the Red Cross of Serbia, the University of Evora (Portugal), Compagnia Il Melarancio (Cuneo, Italy), Teatr Brama (Goleniow, Poland), and the Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium NTL (Holstebro, Denmark).
Photographer vladimir veličković
Direction:
Lazar Jovanov, Demir Mekić, Branka Bajić Jovanov;
Dramaturgy: Svetislav Jovanov and Lazar Jovanov;
Creation and management of the dramatic process: Branka Bajić Jovanov and Demir Mekić;
Composer: Lazar Novkov;
Lighting design: Stefan Milošević;
Costume designer: Nataša Vranešević;
Experts on ageism: Nataša Todorović and Milutin Vračević;
SPECIAL CONSULTANT: IVICA KLEMENC
Cast:
Natalija Marinković, Milka Dmitrašinović, Svetlana Selaković, Stanka Parać Damjanović, Jasna Kartalović, Dragica Letić, Mirjana Milankov, Milena Marinković, Zoran Ivković, Predrag Veselić, Borislav Sakač, Kristina Dorić, Dubravka Cimeša, Mina Vitasović, Jelena Lujić, Milena Lazarević, Anamarija Dimitrijević, Anđela Savić, Demir Mekić / Branka Bajić Jovanov, Lazar Jovanov.
Bisera & Vasil
The Ageless Festival also offers a special musical experience – a concert by the legendary Bisera Veletanlić, accompanied on piano by one of our most distinguished jazz musicians, Vasil Hadžimanov. This is an opportunity to recall the rich repertoire of one of the greatest divas of the domestic regional music scene, who has been delighting audiences for decades with her authentic interpretation and unique voice. Bisera Veletanlić, an icon of jazz, chanson, and popular music, leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of listeners with her emotional performances. Her songs, such as Milo Moje, Zlatni Dan, and Ne Plači, have become timeless classics. At the Ageless Festival, Bisera will perform accompanied by Vasil Hadžimanov, one of our most respected jazz pianists and composers, known for his virtuosic performances and fusion of jazz, Balkan traditions, and modern rhythms, and winner of the Annual Jazz Station Awards for Best Jazz Pianist in the World.
Together, Bisera and Vasil create magic on stage, in perfect harmony of emotions and sound, offering the audience unforgettable concerts.
About the play
Awakened
The play Awakened brings together women over the age of 65 who, after a six-month drama process, courageously speak about the challenges of aging, stereotypes, and the discrimination they face as older individuals. Through their personal stories, the play focuses on the transition from working life to retirement and on confronting the loss of a loved one. Using applied theater techniques, the play incorporates audience interaction, fostering a deeper connection with the themes of aging. The project is supported by the City Administration for Culture of Novi Sad, the Cultural Center of Novi Sad, and produced by the Artičoka Association.
Director: Branka Bajić Jovanov
Text and Directorial Collaboration: Lazar Jovanov
Cast: Mirjana Milankov, Svetlana Selaković, Stanka Parać Damjanović, Natalija Marinković, Slavica Stracenski, Jasna Kartalović, Milena Marinković, Ljubica Jankov, Milka Dmitrašinović, Dragica Letić.
Photographer: VLADIMIR VELIČKOVIĆ
