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Welcome to the JoakimFest 2027 in Kragujevac
JoakimFest is an international theatre festival dedicated to contemporary, aesthetically and thematically ambitious work, often in small-stage and chamber formats. It is held each year at the Knjaževsko-srpski teatar (Princely Serbian Theatre) in Kragujevac, Serbia, and was founded in 2006. The 21st edition ran from 6 to 11 October 2026 under the slogan “Sve srećne porodice” (All Happy Families). Exact dates for 2027 have not been announced; the festival traditionally takes place in the first half of October. The host is Serbia’s oldest theatre, named after Joakim Vujić.
Highlights & Attractions at JoakimFest in Kragujevac
- An international competition programme with companies from Serbia and abroad — in 2026 from Germany, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia.
- Focus on contemporary, socially engaged theatre: productions that address current themes, often in intimate stage formats rather than large commercial spectacles.
- Awards include the Grand Prix “Joakim Vujić” for best overall performance, the Special Award of the City of Kragujevac, and an Audience Award.
- Accompanying programme with post-show discussions, lecture performances, participatory pieces and exhibitions in the “Joakim” Gallery.
- A mix of established and emerging artists; since founding, more than 160 productions from over 25 countries and more than 700 artists have taken part.
- Venue: the historic Princely Serbian Theatre at Daničićeva 3 — birthplace of Serbian professional theatre and a cultural landmark of Kragujevac.
- A compact festival of about six days, well suited to a short cultural trip in the Šumadija region.
Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2027
The 2027 programme has not been published. In 2026 the competitive section featured five selected guest productions plus a closing performance by the host theatre in honour of the award winners. The festival opened with the international production “Četiri zida i krov” (Four Walls and a Roof); other titles included “Kisela krv”, “Trilogija Leman” (Grand Prix 2026), “Đekna”, “1981” (Audience Award) and “Ljubavnice”. Selection was made for the first time by two curators jointly: Bojan Đorđev and Tanja Šljivar.
Main performances usually start at 20:00; some shows begin at 17:00. Post-show talks with artists are a regular feature. The small stage hosts accompanying lecture performances and participatory work. Day-by-day schedules and the festival catalogue typically appear a few weeks before opening on joakimfest.rs.
Tickets & Admission for JoakimFest Kragujevac
Tickets for 2027 are not yet on sale. For orientation, prices from the 20th edition in 2025 (converted at roughly 117 RSD per euro) were: single tickets in pre-sale from about 6–8 euro (balcony/stalls), slightly higher on the day of performance; a full-festival package cost around 38 euro. Season tickets of the Princely Serbian Theatre (around 68 euro for one person) have in some years covered selected festival performances — always check the rules for the current season. Sales are handled at the theatre box office (Biletarnica) at Daničićeva 3; reservations via the numbers listed on joakimvujic.com and joakimfest.rs. Some accompanying events have been free in past years. Confirm 2027 prices and sale dates only through the official festival and theatre websites.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Kragujevac
- Getting there: Kragujevac sits in central Serbia, about 140 km south of Belgrade. Bus or train from Belgrade takes roughly 2–2.5 hours; the nearest major airport is Belgrade (BEG). The theatre is central at Daničićeva 3 and walkable from the city centre.
- Timing: Shows usually finish late in the evening; longer productions (such as 2026’s “1981”, nearly six hours) need flexible planning. Arrive on time — late seating can be restricted.
- Where to stay: Hotels and guesthouses in the centre of Kragujevac; book early for the festival week. The compact downtown makes short walks between lodging and the theatre easy.
- Language and context: Many guest productions are performed in the original language with Serbian or English surtitles — check the programme booklet. Post-show talks and the festival bulletin help with artistic context.
- Stay updated: 2027 dates, lineup and ticket sales will be published on joakimfest.rs and joakimvujic.com. The 21st edition in 2026 has concluded; the next edition is expected again in October.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
