The theatre performance “1978” directed by Slovenian theatre director Tomi Janežič at Timisoara Hungarian Theatre is about Romania in the 70s, a trans-generational documentary fiction based on the actors’ and director’s personal stories. It is a story about communist times, which starts in a Romanian apartment, a story related to many local and global events that connect the regions of Timisoara and Nova Gorica (Slovenia) - on the border with Italy - cities that were both part of the same country once upon a time: the Austro-Hungarian empire. More than a hundred years ago, dozens of thousands of Hungarian soldiers fought at Isonzo front.

“1978” is part of the theatre dodecalogy (twelve performances) Destin(y)ation, that involve(s) theatres from several countries, designed for the European Capital of Culture 2025, in Janežič's home city Nova Gorica/Gorizia (Slovenia/Italy).

Simona Semenič - a prominent Slovenian playwright with whom Janežič collaborated in the past - works on a dodecalogy of miniature plays, which are one of the connecting parts of the twelve performances. The dodecalogy grows from the space of childhood (and its relation to other cities) and addresses topics of the transgenerationality, border, socio-political-ideological changes, war etc.

“1978” is expected to tour to European Capital of Culture GO25! in 2025 

The theatre provides bus transport for spectators!

On the 19th of May spectators who purchased tickets which include transport are expected at 17,20 to come at the bus stop near the Military Hospital/Spitalul Militar (700 Market). The theatre will provide bus transfer to the location of the performance (the former Hydrotechnics Faculty, 32 Aleea Ghirodei). More information regarding the transport: pr@tm-t.ro

It is also possible to drive directly to the venue, but the number of parking spots next to the building is limited.

After the performance, everyone can return to the city center on the same bus.

Boarding the buss is only possible after presenting the ticket. Tickets can be bought online or at the theatre's ticket office, not at the venue.

English reviews

"For the creation of a show like this, outside a theatre building, under harsh conditions, and with the creative energy of many contributors, to be possible, it requires an exceptional constellation of stars." Tamás Jászay, Seestage.org, 20th of February 2024

Tamás Jászay, Seestage.org 

1978 - seen by the critics

"Above all, it’s a fascinating document. In a region not immune to historical revisionism, where Yugoslavia is often framed as either a socialist utopia or a brutal dictatorship, Janežič’s 12-part project is an act of collective remembering. As previous generations slip away taking their stories with them, this project acts as a kind of memory tapestry, a shimmering link with the past."

Natasha Tripney, A dance to the music of time: Tomi Janežič’s 1978

"1978 is a crazily creative, mind-blowingly playful and unconventional piece (or better to say, a piece that merges multiple theatrical conventions). Janežič’s Timișoara show is an example of how theatre can be a positively challenging experience if we only loosen up our usual expectations and constraints in theatre making."

Borisav Matic, Showcase in Timișoara: Multiculturalism in action

"Priče koje pratimo, skoro pet sati, u raznim ambijentima, uokvirene su tipičnim socijalističkim rumunskim stanom, u "total dizajnu" sedamdesetih, uz ironično izvođenje žive muzike na sceni. Raspad mnogih država, pad Berlinskog zida, zajednička sudbina nama bliskih naroda, koja nije mimoišla nikoga od nas, posledični ratni sukobi, razaranje porodica i prijateljstava, pogađaju tačno svakoga u gledalištu... Posebna nit, koja povezuje proživljene životne lomove je činjenica da su mnogi bili prisiljeni da se bore sa obe strane fronta. Pa tako i Mađari, u temišvarskoj predstavi, a sve u storitelingu autora, dok ne stignemo u pograničnu Novu Goricu..."

Dragana Boskovic (Serbia) - Vecernje novosti - Janežičeva dodekalogija