Identity
Why Balkan culture in the diaspora matters more today than ever
What was once unusual is now a need — culture in our language not as nostalgia, but as identity.
Twenty years ago, when I was younger, there were plenty of entertainment events in Switzerland for our people. But what really pulled me in were the events for young audiences I kept hearing about from my friends in Belgrade — regulars at the theatre and at concerts. Back then, the idea of organising cultural events in our language in Switzerland was something out of the ordinary.
Today it is a need — our community has changed, and there are many more of us with the same wishes and the same hunger.
We live fast, we live between cultures. We often forget where we belong.
And that is exactly why Balkan culture has a new value today — not as nostalgia, but as identity.
Theatre, film, music — these are not just content, they reflect our lives.
They are themes we understand without translation.
I see it every time at the events: people come not just for the artists, they come for the feeling, for the language, for the mentality, for something that brings them back to themselves and to balance.
That is why I believe that what we do through HELSE carries even more weight today than before.
We are not just preserving culture. We live it — together.
And that is the reason we keep going.
— Evica
Our stories
Why I still bring plays in our language — after 20 years
Evica MarkovićMarch 2026There are easier jobs and safer models. But some work is done with the whole heart — bringing theatre in our language to Switzerland is one of them.
Read more
What it takes to put on an event (the part the audience never sees)
Evica MarkovićFebruary 2026Lights, stage, emotion — it all looks simple once the curtain rises. Behind it stand months of preparation, negotiation, and fighting for attention.
Read more
How to pick the right event in our language in Switzerland
Evica MarkovićDecember 2025Theatre, film, or concert? There is no wrong choice — but there is the right choice for you, at the right moment.
Read more
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
HELSE is a Swiss cultural association that fosters exchange between Switzerland and Serbia. Through theatre, film, music, stand-up and children's workshops we build cultural bridges — alive, inspiring and open to everyone.
Our programme is diverse: theatre performances, film screenings, stand-up comedy, concerts, readings, seminars and children's workshops.
Events run year-round — the current schedule lives in the Events section.
Tickets are sold online via each event's page and, for some programmes, at the door before the show. HELSE members receive discounts on selected events.
Membership is open to anyone who wants to support the association. The annual fee is CHF 70, with reduced rates for students and pensioners.
Sign up via the Membership page — for any additional questions, write to info@helse.ch.
Our address is Zurichstrasse 167, 8057 Zürich. The venue is well connected by public transport; specific event locations are always listed with the schedule.