Bridging Theatre, Journalism, and Media Futures: A Story from Herceg Novi, to Bonn, Perugia and Athens

By Ivana Maletin Corilic, RTV

It was extremely valuable to hear the perspectives of distinguished participants from leading global media on the impact and use of artificial intelligence in the media landscape, the safety of journalists, freedom of speech, as well as the crisis and transformation of the media. One of the topics discussed was “How to save public service journalism,” which was particularly interesting to me as a representative of Radio Television of Vojvodina. Following contemporary trends in journalism, the organizers also offered a wide range of practical and educational workshops, from podcast creation to mobile journalism.

The festival venues were especially impressive for me as a cultural journalist, as the events take place at some of the most significant historical and cultural sites in the city. They are located in the central core of Perugia, a city filled with greenery, a relaxing atmosphere, and numerous viewpoints, providing space for meeting participants and continuing informal discussions on important topics. The story of the “city of chocolate” inspired me to create a report, as Perugia is home to the famous Perugina chocolate factory, the Perugina Chocolate House, and the Chocolate City Museum – the largest museum in the world dedicated to cocoa.

The festival provided me with an up-to-date picture of the media landscape, new topics for reflection, valuable contacts, and practical tools. I believe that every media organization should send its journalists to this festival each year in order to stay in step with the times and the global media scene.

An excellent introduction to the International Journalism Festival in Perugia was my internship at Deutsche Welle in Bonn. It gave me insight into the functioning and editorial policy of a major international public broadcaster. First, I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of the Deutsche Welle Akademie, to speak with its representatives about current projects and programs, and to meet members of the Western Balkans team. It was useful to learn about the many opportunities available for journalist mobility and professional development.

After that, I spent time in the newsroom covering Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia, where I observed how online articles are produced and edited, how AI is used in everyday work, and how their internal organization and communication function. I also visited the television department in Bonn and saw how part of the radio program for Africa is produced.

The DW headquarters, located in the impressive building of the former parliament, along with their working conditions and organization, were refreshing to me. I used my visit to Bonn to explore Beethoven’s House and many museums, including the world’s first Women’s Museum, about which I created a report. The grant also enabled me to travel to Montenegro and attend the Herceg Novi April Theatre Festival (HAPS) for the first time. Once a showcase of amateur theatres from the former Yugoslavia, the festival today offers an overview of regional theatre production and encompasses a variety of forms. It takes place at Park Hall and, in its relaxed seaside setting, attracts audiences of different generations, both local residents and visitors to Herceg Novi.

This year, HAPS was the longest-running edition yet, lasting a full month. This was reflected in the programme, which included 15 performances, ranging from full-length ensemble productions to chamber forms. Given the limitations of my budget, I was able to cover the final part of the festival and the awards ceremony, as well as conduct interviews with award winners and actors after the performances. I was particularly interested in how the city’s theatre scene continues to develop and remain active despite the fact that Herceg Novi has been without its own theatre building for many years, and in what the festival and the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with theatre companies from across the region mean to the local theatre community.

It is fascinating how many cultural festivals Herceg Novi hosts and how rich its cultural heritage is, from the house of Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić to the school where Njegoš was educated. A truly inspiring city, particularly for journalists.

The 24th International Conference on Communication and Mass Media of the Athens Institute attracted me primarily because of its symposium-inspired format, which, in an intimate atmosphere of academic exchange, presentations, and open dialogue, brings together academics and researchers in the fields of communication, mass media, and other related disciplines.

The academic exchange extends beyond the conference room through shared meals, informal conversations, and visits to Aristotle’s Lyceum, Delphi, the Acropolis, and other historical sites, creating additional space for discussion and reflection. I found this combination of academic work, informal dialogue, and engagement with Athens’ historical heritage especially worthwhile.

The conference addressed a wide range of contemporary issues in communication and mass media, with a particular focus on digital media and emerging technologies, media coverage of war and global crises, the relationship between sports, media and geopolitics, media ethics and polarization, as well as the future of local and community media. I used my participation in the conference as an opportunity to reflect, with the guidance and insights of the lecturers and researchers, on the broader social and historical context of these contemporary phenomena. In an informal atmosphere, I also had the opportunity to discuss new developments and trends in the media with some of the most influential professors and researchers in the field, as well as emerging habits and changing ways in which audiences consume media today. This experience was professionally invaluable to me.

The grant provided me with valuable insights, knowledge, contacts, and has broadened my professional horizons. I believe it is extremely important for the professional growth and development of journalists from the region, who are not often in a position to independently undertake internships or attend major international media events. Additionally, thanks to the grant, our audience has been enriched with engaging reports from across Europe.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.