Behind the scenes
What makes a good play — from the organiser's side
When the audience comes to a play, they see a full hall. I, on the other hand, see the whole long process of organising it that came before.
A good play is not just a good script or famous actors — it is a combination of a story that holds your attention, acting that is honest, a rhythm that never drops, and energy that carries over to the audience.
But there is one more crucial factor: does the audience leave with the feeling that they have lived through something?
Over the years I have turned down many projects that were good, but did not have that something.
Today the audience chooses, and they only come if they are motivated and sure of the value of what is being offered to them.
That is why selection is the most important part of my job.
— Evica
Our stories
Why we organise events in our language
Evica Marković4 June 2026When you live abroad for a long time, you start to notice how important language is — not only for communication, but for emotion, for the way we laugh, the way we understand humour. One ordinary sentence can instantly take you back to another time and place…
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What the HELSE audience looks like today
Evica Marković2 June 2026When 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…
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Mistakes I made organising events — and what I learned from them
Evica Marković28 May 2026When I look back today, I can honestly say that I learned the most from my mistakes — and there were many of them. In the beginning I believed it was enough to have a quality programme…
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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.