In the 1970s and 1980s, the ballet
ensemble had more than 60
members and was considered one
of the best ballet ensembles in the
then state of SFRY. Unfortunately,
during the civil war from 1992 to
1996, the number of dancers was
reduced to only six. Those were
difficult times for the country and
for the ensemble, which has been
slowly recovering over the past 25
years. In recent years, Belma Čečo
Bakrač, working as the company’s
artistic director, has worked to
strengthen the ensemble and provide
a strong repertoire, which today
includes classical works such
as “Sleeping Beauty” and “The
Nutcracker,” as well as contemporary
ballets such as “Stabat Mater”
and “Chained Prometheus.”
Five dancers from the company
were an integral part of this effort:
Zulejha Kečo, Lejla Bajramović,
Selma Efendić, Admir Kalkan, and
Til Čmančanin.
Now the ballet’s choreographer
Belma Čečo Bakrač explained,
“Dance is an art form that knows
no borders, states, continents,
gender, social status, racial distinction,
or religion. It is the art that
unites us and which has led to this
partnership between the ballet of
the Sarajevo National Theater and
the company of Carolyn Dorfman.
Working with our overseas friends
helps us transcend the personal
and professional disruption of the
coronavirus.”
“Alone/Together” uses the music
of contemporary Sarajevo composer
Svjetlana Bukvich, who has
composed two of Dorfman works.
An award-winning composer Svjetlana
has been called “one of
the most interesting electronic
writers around” and “a true musical
Epicurean…whose music
arouses in us a feeling of hope
that is quite palpable.”
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NJ STAGE - ISSUE 73
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