6. Bembo fest: Life Is Beautiful Only When We Overcome Fear

Balota’s words still have a rare sense of closeness. They speak of people, home, fear, love and life without grand gestures.

On Sunday, August 23, Krmed will host the poetic theatre project “Life Is Beautiful Only When We Overcome Fear”, inspired by the dialect poetry and thoughts of Mate Balota.

Mate Balota, whose real name was Mijo Mirković, captured the life of Istrian people through his writing, their language, everyday lives, concerns and dreams. This closeness to people and the place he came from remains one of the defining qualities of his work.

The project is created by Robert Raponja, Massimo Brajković and Robert Pauletta. The performers are Robert Raponja, Lara Živolić Agaj and Massimo Brajković. The performance draws on the Chakavian language and Balota’s thoughts on belonging, love for one’s homeland, life and human courage.

There is no traditional stage or distance between the performers and the audience. The performance takes place among the spectators, face to face, creating a space where Balota’s words come directly to those listening.

The title carries the central thought of the performance. To live more fully means having the courage to take a step despite fear. Balota’s words do not feel like a message from another time. They feel like a conversation that could still take place among people today.

The performance is a co-production of Teatar Fort Forno from Bale and Čakavski sabor Žminj.

The performance begins at 9 PM, next to the school in Krmed.

Admission is free.

Practical information

Date: August 23, 2026
Time: 9 PM
Location: Krmed, next to the school
Admission: Free