The 33rd Belgrade Summer Festival (BELEF) officially opened on June 20, 2026, in the packed Grand Hall of the Sava Center. The opening of one of Serbia's most important cultural events was marked by a standing ovation for the legendary Terazije Theatre production of the musical Gypsies Are Flying into Heaven, performed for the 401st time. The opening ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished figures from the cultural life of Belgrade and Serbia.
The festival was officially declared open by the celebrated actor Aleksandar Dunić, a member of the Terazije Theatre ensemble, performer in Gypsies Are Flying into Heaven, and member of the BELEF Board.
Addressing the audience, Dunić said:
"If we believe that art is a temple that illuminates people and radiates faith and hope for a better world, then we are in the right place. By being here tonight, we affirm our essential need for what is noble, exceptional, unique, and above all, for goodness and humanity. Art is the great search for meaning, the key to understanding life, and a guide to what human beings can and should become at their highest potential. Grand and magnificent, just as the Creator envisioned, and as great spiritual leaders and artists have celebrated through the ages. May this year's BELEF inspire us to dream great dreams and strive for ideals of a more beautiful, better, and more just world."
The spectacular production of Gypsies Are Flying into Heaven has remained one of the most popular and sought-after performances on the Serbian theatre scene for the past 22 years.
The cast performing at the BELEF opening at the Sava Center included Ivan Bosiljčić, Olivera Bacić, Kristina Savić, Milan Tubić, Nikola Bulatović, Duško Radović, Miroljub Turajlija, Milan Milosavljević, Vladan Savić, Aleksandar Dunić, Petar Đurđević, Predrag Miletić, Jelena Arsić, Milica Burazer, Marija Krulj, Ana Korać, Nataša Balog, Mitra Mladenović, Ksenija Repić, Minja Petrović, Barbara Milovanov, and many others, together with the choir, ballet, and orchestra of the Terazije Theatre.
The stage adaptation of Gypsies Are Flying into Heaven was written by Ivana Dimić. The conductor was Milan Nedeljković, choreography by Krunoslav Simić, set design by Geroslav Zarić, and costume design by Snežana Šimić.
The 33rd Belgrade Summer Festival (BELEF) takes place from June 20 to September 22, 2026, featuring more than 40 diverse events, ranging from concerts and children's programmes to theatre performances. Festival events will be held at various venues throughout Belgrade.
The 33rd Belgrade Summer Festival (BELEF) is held under the auspices of the City of Belgrade and the Secretariat for Culture, and is organized by the Belgrade Festivals Centre (CEBEF).