New Drama Fragments Created a Space for Public Dialogue and New Playwriting. DRÁMA 2025 Winners Announced

The New Drama Fragments programme culminated on Wednesday, 13 May, with Trojboj – staged readings of the finalist texts of the DRÁMA 2025 competition, followed by the award-giving ceremony for the best original dramatic texts written in Slovak and Czech.

The main prize of DRÁMA 2025 was awarded to Ján Mikuš for his text The Man Who Makes Promises. Second place went to Ráchel Rimarčíková for Penthesilea. The jury awarded two third prizes – to Katarína Želinská for Atopia and to Gabriela Gabašová for Alone Among One’s Own.

Partner theatres and institutions also presented their own awards:

• Scéna JORIK Award – Matej Truban: Someone Is Knocking at the Entrance

• Jozef Gregor Tajovský Theatre Award – Dušan Vicen: Spam Poetry

• Divadlo v Dlouhé Awards – Matej Truban: Someone Is Knocking at the Entrance and Michaela Rosová: Walking Around Graves

• Ján Palárik Theatre in Trnava Award – Zuzana Udičová: Rachmaninov

• Rádio Devín Award – Zuzana Udičová: Rachmaninov

• Slovak National Theatre Drama Company Award – Jana Juráňová: Why Didn’t You Come to My Funeral

• Štúdio 12 Award – Ráchel Rimarčíková: Penthesilea

The Drama Company of the National Theatre in Prague decided not to award a prize this year.

“All the titles awarded by our jury undoubtedly belong on stage, and I dare say that, in translation, they would stand comparison with the most renowned contemporary international playwrights,” added Darina Abrahámová, chair of the DRÁMA 2025 jury.

Triathlon was also among the best-attended events of New Drama Fragments, confirming the continuing interest in contemporary dramatic writing and professional reflection on theatre.

Over the three days, New Drama Fragments presented four professional events: a masterclass by Czech playwright and director Petr Zelenka, the international conference Theatre and Civic Dialogue, Triathlon, and the discussion New Drama in the Chaos of the Contemporary World with the festival’s dramaturgical board.

One of the most successful events was Petr Zelenka’s masterclass, which attracted exceptional interest from theatre professionals, students, and audiences alike. During the session, the Czech playwright and director addressed topics such as the differences between cinematic and theatrical storytelling, the importance of local narratives, and the position of European theatre in an era dominated by the global audiovisual industry.

In his message for New Drama Fragments, Petr Zelenka described theatre as “the last oasis where a person can identify, through stories, with their immediate surroundings, their community, their country, and themselves.” He also warned of the danger of losing local stories due to global cultural uniformity.

An important part of the programme was also the international conference Theatre and Civic Dialogue, which reflected on the significance of theatre as a space for public discussion, civic engagement, and social reflection. The conference brought together Slovak and international experts in theatre, performance, and cultural criticism. Topics ranged from ancient theatre and political engagement to performative interventions in public space, participatory theatre practices, censorship, social resistance, and generational shifts in cultural criticism.

New Drama Fragments concluded with the discussion New Drama in the Chaos of the Contemporary World, moderated by Zuzana Golianová. Participants included members of the festival’s dramaturgical board – Viera Bartková, Marek Godovič, and Tamara Vajdíková – as well as festival director Dária F. Fehérová. The guests discussed the forms of contemporary Slovak theatre, social tensions, artistic freedom, and the current situation in culture.

The organisers also expressed their gratitude to the event partners – the flower shop Kvetináreň, the bakeries Fantastico and Kruh, the wine shop Wine&More, and the venue Štúdio 12 – for their support and cooperation in the realization of the programme.

“Despite the unfavourable financial situation, we are pleased that we succeeded in creating a space for professional discussion, reflection, and encounters within the theatre community. We would like to thank the theatres that presented selected productions at their own expense despite the cancellation of the competitive programme, as well as all participants and visitors of the events. We believe that the Nová dráma/New Drama Festival will return next year in its full format,” said festival director Dária F. Fehérová.

photos: Tibor Géci

More information: www.novadrama.sk