Founded at the end of 2002, the private company Oda continues to be among the most productive institutions in the realm of theatre in Kosovo. The lack of funds, insufficient premises for theatre activities, as well as other barriers hindering private cultural institutions in Kosovo, did not bring the founders Lirak Çelaj (actor) and Florent Mehmeti (director) to their knees. On the contrary, they continue to produce new plays attracting enthusiastic audiences.

The word “oda” in Albanian denotes traditionally the room in a family home where visitors are welcomed. In Kosovo's cultural life, Oda theatre has become the host of modern and attractive ways of communicating with the public. To date the group has produced more than 20 plays, which have promoted different theatrical genres.

The successes of Oda began with the play The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler. It was directed by Ilir Bokshi and performed by famous actresses Ikballe Qena, Arbnesha Grabovci- Nixha, Anisa Ismajli and Gresa Pallaska. This play was first performed in March 2003 and introduced a new form of communication with the public. It openly discussed the topic of sexuality, which at that time was almost a taboo for the society in Kosovo.

In November 2004, Oda brought on stage a play called Three Fat Germans, one of the most popular comedies ever in Kosovo. The play was also performed in various towns in Albania and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as well as in London. Furthermore, the performance caused a stir when it was turned into a television show and screened for four consecutive years on the local TV station KTV. The actors of this play became much cherished among Albanian families in Kosovo.

Oda theatre usually stages three to four plays per year. While most other local theatres close their doors during the summer, Oda organises additional activities such as concerts, exhibitions and guest plays during this time of year.

The theatre's premises have often functioned as scene for concerts and music festivals, for instance the International Jazz Festival. In 2008, the group Mills & Malice from Paris appeared in the OdaTheatre performing hip-hop mixed with jazz and French songs.

Oda’s 2008 performance Doruntina was produced in collaboration with the American Theater "Blessed Unrest". It had 15 replays in Manhattan and was reviewed in papers such as The New York Times and the NY Theater. Oda was also the first to stage street theatre in Kosovo, together with the artistic group  Malabar Theatre from France. Pristina's surprised citizens witnessed a street parade with fireworks.

Oda is not just a space for theatre and music. One of its main objectives is to promote, influence and add to the cultural policy of the region. In public deliberations which have taken place in the Oda theatre, different artists have contributed to adopting cultural policies, aiming to create a cultural strategy for Kosovo in areas which they have felt have not been taken into consideration. To advance its exposure and influence, Oda has also become a member of the largest network of European theatres (IETM) and the Balkan Express, a regional co-operation framework.

Oda faces the same main difficulty that most theatres face – limited funding and a fight for resources. Yet it has managed to establishitself as one of the leading cultural associations in Kosovo. Whilst giving returning audiences the assurance of producing plays of high quality, it is evident that the owners are well aware of the importance of attracting interest not just within Kosovo. Gaining recognition in the United States and the United Kingdom, putting on plays in English and associating itself with some of the main cultural players in Europe, demonstrate the eagerness of Oda to make its name known at an international level. Combined with an active interest in influencing Kosovo’s cultural policy, the company evidently wants to steer this sphere of society forward.

So if you one day happen to be walking on the streets of Pristina, drop by and experience a model theatre with great expectations!

* Under UNSCR 1244/99