Reflections
Why theatres, cinemas and concerts will matter even more in the age of artificial intelligence
Every time a new technology appears, someone announces the end of culture as we know it.
First, television was supposed to shut down cinemas and theatres. Then we feared the internet. Then came social media. Today, many people think that artificial intelligence will change everything.
And it will.
But there is one thing that no technology can replace.
It is that feeling when the lights go down in the hall, or when the whole audience bursts out laughing at the very same moment. You cannot replace applause that lasts several minutes, nor the conversation you have with friends as you walk home after the show. Artificial intelligence can make many of life's tasks easier for us — but only so that it frees up more time and energy for the things we need people for.
That is why it is no coincidence that research shows people are once again going more and more to cinemas, theatres, and concerts. At a time when we can watch almost everything on our own at home, the shared experience becomes the thing we value most.
At the HELSE association we have believed from the very start that culture should be available to as many people as possible. That is why we do our best to keep our tickets affordable, even as everything around us keeps getting more expensive.
The regular price of our events is up to 50 CHF, while students and pensioners can attend performances for just 35 CHF.
We believe that going to the theatre should not be a luxury, but a habit that everyone can afford. We think a good play is not only a cultural event, but a chance to spend a quality evening with family, a partner, or friends. All of us who live here know that such occasions are rare and precious — but also that every one of us deserves them. That is why we have adapted our ticket prices to everyone's means. We believe that in this way we allow every member of the community not only to buy a ticket, but, for a symbolic amount, to give themselves the memory of shared company, laughter, and one more wonderful evening.
And experiences like these stay with us far longer than any post on social media or any chat with an artificial intelligence.
— Evica
Our stories
Why I come back to Theater Spektakel every summer
Evica Marković20 August 2026A few hours after the performance Multitud, I caught myself thinking only about the people I had met on my way to the theatre — about the families sitting on the grass by the lake, the children running between the food stalls, and the elderly couple who, holding hands, waited patiently for some other performance to begin. Maybe that is exactly why I come to Theater Spektakel every year…
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When our fellow citizens stand on stage
Evica Marković13 August 2026Every summer, when Theater Spektakel announces its new programme, I do not look for famous names. On the contrary — it is the performances I know very little about in advance that draw me in…
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A conversation I did not want to end
Evica Marković6 August 2026There are evenings you leave the house for with a clear plan, and come home from with thoughts you never expected. That happened to me a few days ago at Literaturfestival Zürich…
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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.