For almost three decades, every autumn, the Youth Theatre Sarajevo (Pozorište mladih) opens its doors to a festival that reminds us of a simple but increasingly rare truth: laughter heals. From 26 to 30 October 2026, the 29th Comedy Festival “Smijeh je lijek” brings five plays, five different takes on humour and one common thread: theatre as a place where we see ourselves in our own absurdities and come out lighter.
Programme: five evenings, five stories
Monday 26 October, 20:00: “ĆIRO” An original project by Tarik Filipović
A one-man show about Miroslav Ćiro Blažević, one of the best-known figures in Balkan football, told through a long friendship, anecdotes, memories and the unique character of a man who left his mark far beyond the pitch. Funny and moving at once, it is a portrait of an era.
Tuesday 27 October, 20:00: “WHO’S CRAZY?” With Adem Smailhodžić and Zlatan Školjić
A man comes to get a certificate saying he is normal and ends up in a whirl of procedures, forms and bureaucratic absurdity that slowly wears away his faith in that normality. A comedy about a system in which the line between sane and mad keeps getting thinner, and funnier for audiences who recognise themselves in every scene.
Wednesday 28 October, 20:00: “MADHOUSE” Alternative Comedy Theatre “Rajvosa” With Armin Omerović, Aida Bukva, Edin Drljević, Senka Oruč, Mirsad Imamović and Midhat Slatina
Sharp Bosnian humour and a story about pensioners, demobilised soldiers and people on the margins who, despite everything, fight for dignity and their place in society. A play that makes you laugh, and asks questions.
Thursday 29 October, 20:00: “ART” Bosnian National Theatre Zenica With Siniša Vidović, Zlatan Školjić and Adem Smailhodžić
An almost completely white painting sparks a conflict between three friends. An argument about art quickly becomes a story about ego, vanity and the need to always be right: a classic that does not age because it is about people who do not change.
Friday 30 October, 20:00: “A FAIRY TALE ABOUT THEATRE” National Theatre Mostar With Saša Oručević, Emir Sejfić, Amela Kreso, Jasmin Krpo, Dragana Matrak Bukvić, Diana Ondelj Maksumić and Dino Kerić
A satirical comedy about the position of culture and theatre, the authorities’ attitude to art and the absurdities of a society in which art must prove its worth again and again. The perfect close for a festival that proves exactly that every year.
Practical information
📅 26–30 October 2026, every evening at 20:00 📍 Youth Theatre Sarajevo 🎟️ Tickets: 20 KM
Where to buy: JU CKM box office, Jelića 1, weekdays 12:00–17:00; Youth Theatre Sarajevo box office on performance days, two hours before the start.
General sponsor: Municipality of Centar Sarajevo
See you at the theatre!