When we started organising events in Switzerland more than 20 years ago, the audience was different. People came primarily because they missed the language, the music, and the feeling of home. Today the audience is far more diverse — and honestly, it is wonderful for me to see.
At our events I now meet different generations: people who have only just arrived in Switzerland; those who have lived here for decades; young people who were born here but want to stay connected to their origins; families who bring their children to hear our language and get to know the culture through music, film, and theatre.
I notice that the audience today chooses much more carefully.
It is no longer enough for something to simply be "ours" — people want quality, a good atmosphere, an organisation they trust.
I think that is a good change. It pushes us to be better.
That is why today, when I choose the programme, I do not think only about what is popular at the moment, but also about what has value and what can stay in people's memory.
I am especially glad when I see a younger audience, children at concerts, young people at plays. These are generations who may be growing up between two languages and two cultures, but who still want to stay connected to their roots.
That is why I can say with pride that the HELSE audience today is diverse, nurtured, of high quality and, above all, it represents a community.
— Evica
Our stories
What twenty years of running cultural events taught me about people
Evica Marković21 July 2026After more than twenty years of working with people, I can honestly say that culture has never been only culture. People do not come to an event only for the play, the film or the concert…
Read moreIntegration without assimilation — can a person belong in two places?
Evica Marković16 July 2026Many people who live abroad feel the same inner conflict: how much do we have to adapt in order to belong? I think the idea of integration is often presented in the wrong way…
Read more
Humour does not translate — why different cultures laugh at different things
Evica Marković14 July 2026Humour says a great deal about people, even more than politics or history. Only when you live between two cultures do you realise how much humour differs from country to country…
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.