The season opened on Sunday in modernized premises on Tyršovo nábreží in Bratislava’s Petržalka. It started with the premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s play Enemy of the People.
“The Arena Theater is not just a building. It is a living organism that breathes history, art and culture. It is a place where different opinions meet, where dialogues take place, and where public opinion is formed. And that’s why we decided to invest in its restoration. The theater has a rich history, dating back to the end of the 19th century,” stated the chairman of the Bratislava self-governing region (BSK) Juraj Droba.
The theater building underwent a complex renovation with an emphasis on preserving the historical architecture, which incorporated modern technical solutions. “The renovation included demolition work, new foundations, steel construction for the theater tower, restoration work, concrete work on the outbuildings, replacement of the roof and windows. Today, the entire space is equipped with barrier-free access, elevators and modernized seating, which offers greater comfort,” added Droba.
According to him, the theater has state-of-the-art technology. “It is equipped with new interactive elements that will allow guest ensembles to include modern projections or virtual elements in their performances. This will give directors and artists even more freedom and opportunities to experiment with the space,” he said.
The director of the Arena also praised the reconstruction Juraj Kukura. “The theater becomes an ideal space for artistic experiments and cultural events, which will resonate not only with the citizens of Bratislava, but also with visitors from other cities,” concluded.
