On this day in 2003, the private theater “ODA” held its inaugural show, The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, in Prishtina. At the beginning the theater held its activities in borrowed spaces, until finally settling in a permanent space in 2004. The founding of ODA signified the growth and development of the cultural scene in Kosova following the war and political turmoil of the late 1990s, and provided both a source of entertainment and an escape from the daily struggles that many Kosovars were facing at the time.

The theater served as a platform for young talents and a way to promote their work, bringing new voices, perspectives and stories to the wider audience. One of the biggest scenic successes that the theater produced was the play-turned-TV-show Tre Gjermanët e Trashë (The Three Fat Germans). The comedic play was viewed as a reflection of Kosovar society, as it had elements of satire, a subtext of political criticism, and captured the zeitgeist of the post-war country in a very specific sense. 

At the time of its founding, Kosova was in a cultural and social transition and had limited opportunities for young artists to showcase their work. The establishment of this theater had a positive impact on the cultural scene in Kosova and on the emergence of new talents in the field of theater. Today, the theater plays a significant role in promoting Kosova’s cultural heritage and identity, and its role has expanded to hosting other cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, festivals, etc.

ODA continues to provide a platform for Kosovar playwrights, actors, and directors to share stories and traditions that are unique to Kosova, and it helps to preserve the country’s cultural heritage for future generations.