Theatre building, Zrenjanin

Thatre building in Zrenjanin was built in 1839 from the old wheat warehouse. It is located at the city main square - Trg slobode (Liberty Square). It is located between buildings of the Old Vojvodina hotel and Finance palace.

Foundations

In 18th century, Spanish who were settled in Bečkerek at that time, tore down the last remains of the Bečkerek fortress and built a wheat warehouse. A whole century later, the building has been bought out by town authorities, who redesigned its interior as a theater. Serbian National Theatre from Novi Sad performed in this building as a travelling crew, few years after founding in 1861.

Theatre in Zrenjanin

First professional theatre in Zrenjanin was founded in 1946, and named "National theatre "Toša Jovanović", after the famous theatre actor from Zrenjanin, who lived in 19th century.Puppet theatre was founded in 1956. After its building burned in 1978, puppet theatre moved into drama theatre building at the Liberty Square. Both scenes are very successful.

The building was completely renovated in 1985, when the second floor was added.

Trivia

*There is a legend how Bečkerek got theatre. Local vice-count, Ignác Herteléndy, was in love with a famous actress from Budapest. Because she said that she would come to Veliki Bečkerek only if there was a theatre, he renovated old heat warehouse into theatre building.

*Theatre building in Zrenjanin is the oldest theatre building in Serbia, and used to be the second oldest in former Yugoslavia (after theatre in Hvar).

*Traditional "Vojvodina professional theatre festival" is held in Zrenjanin theatre.

External links

* [http://www.tosajovanovic.org.yu/ National theatre "Toša Jovanović" web site] (in Serbian only)