Behind the scenes
What it takes to put on an event (the part the audience never sees)
Lights, stage, emotion — it all looks simple once the curtain rises. Behind it stand months of preparation, negotiation, and fighting for attention.
When the audience walks in for a play or a concert, it all looks simple.
Lights, stage, emotion. But there is much more behind it.
An event does not start the day before — it starts months earlier. There are negotiations with the artists, picking and booking the venue, technical setup, flights, work permits, marketing campaigns, visuals.
And one question always sitting in the back of the mind: will enough people come? Will the tickets sell?
These days, having a good programme is not enough — you have to fight for your attention.
Social media, ads, newsletters, word of mouth — everything has to work together.
And in the end, it all comes down to one thing: did we capture and move the audience?
There were nights when the hall was not full. And there were nights when the energy was unbelievable.
Each of those nights is part of a one-of-a-kind process. Once you step into it, there is no going back.
And maybe most importantly: this is not work you do lightly — it is done with the whole heart, with no reservations.
So every time you buy a ticket, believe me, it means far more than you think.
— 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
Why Balkan culture in the diaspora matters more today than ever
Evica MarkovićJanuary 2026What was once unusual is now a need — culture in our language not as nostalgia, but as identity.
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.