National Theatre of Republika Srpska
A landmark building and a theatrical tradition dating to 1930
The National Theatre of Republika Srpska is one of Banja Luka's most important cultural institutions, with a continuous theatrical tradition dating back to 1930.
The theatre was founded on 2 September 1930 as the „National Theatre of the Vrbas Banovina“, by decree of Svetislav Milosavljević, the first ban (governor) of the Vrbas Banovina. It was ceremonially opened on 18 October 1930, and its first programme featured Nušić's „Hadži Loja“, Odavić's „Hej, Sloveni“ and Švabić's „Povratak“.
Over the decades the institution changed its name several times — in 1935 to the Banovina National Theatre named after King Peter I the Great Liberator, after the Second World War to the National Theatre of the Bosnian Krajina, and since 1999 it has carried its present name.
The building
The theatre building was constructed between August 1933 and September 1934 to a design by the engineer Josif Goldner, originally named „Dom kralja Petra I Velikog Oslobodioca“ (Hall of King Peter I the Great Liberator). It is a representative public building whose architecture is defined by Bauhaus elements while retaining features of neoclassicism, with a main entrance marked by a portico on fluted columns. The reliefs on the building were created by the artist Dragutin Inkiostri. The building is listed among the national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The theatre today
The building has been renovated several times — in 1959, after the 1969 earthquake, and in 2004/05, when the smaller Petar Kočić Stage was added. The theatre remains an active institution with a permanent drama ensemble and a regular repertoire. It stands at Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića 78, in the heart of Banja Luka, within the city's central cultural district that also includes Banski Dvor and the pedestrian Gospodska Street.