The Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists has honoured Milena Zupančič with the prestigious “Marija Vera” Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to theatre, film, radio, and television.
Milena Zupančič is one of the most prominent figures in Slovenian and European theatre, film, radio, and television. Her exceptional talent has left an indelible mark on the performing arts, enriching Slovenian culture for decades with her evocative interpretations and unparalleled expressive power. She has been recognized multiple times at the Maribor Theatre Festival, winning awards in 1970 for her powerful portrayal of Caetana in Hieng’s The Conqueror, in 1981 for her moving and vulnerable Lenka in Šeligo’s The Wedding, and in 1989 for her poignant performance as Lidija in Jovanović’s The Wall, the Lake. In 1999, she received the Borštnik Ring, the highest honour in Slovenian theatre. Her artistic achievements have also been recognized with the Prešeren Fund Award (1975) and the Prešeren Award (1993), underscoring her extraordinary contribution to Slovenian culture.
Zupančič’s work extends beyond Slovenia’s borders. In the former Yugoslavia, she won four Sterija Awards, three Golden Wreaths from the Sarajevo MES Festival, and two Gavella Awards in Zagreb, cementing her status as a revered actress throughout the region.
Milena Zupančič is a true acting star — not in the sense of a manufactured celebrity, but as a consummate artist whose charisma and performances have captivated both audiences and critics alike. To many, she will forever be remembered as Meta in Blossoms in Autumn, the embodiment of pure, overwhelming love, and as Karolina Žašler in The Widowhood of Karolina Žašler, one of the most heartrending portrayals of a woman’s tragic fate in cinema.
Her remarkable versatility is evident in the sheer scope of her stage roles. From the flaming La Môme Crevette in The Lady from Maxim’s to the fragile, delusional Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, and the deeply nuanced Sophie in Hieng’s The Prodigal Son, she has masterfully embodied an array of female characters. Her artistry shines in roles such as Ana and Lenka in Šeligo’s plays, as well as Agata in Crime on Goat Island, and in numerous plays by her artistic and life partner, the late Dušan Jovanović —including unforgettable performances as Maria Timofeeva, Lidija, Irena, Emilija, Jocasta, and Milena. She has also left a lasting impression with her forceful interpretations of complex characters in the works of Henrik Ibsen (Peer Gynt, Rosmersholm) and Shakespeare (King Lear, Macbeth), where she skilfully blends absurd comedy with profound existential drama.
The numerous accolades she has received confirm her status as an outstanding actress — one who seamlessly combines technical brilliance with deep emotional sensitivity. Her performances, especially in roles depicting intense inner struggles, have been described by critics as “having a remarkable ear for the discordant tones of life” and as reaching “the artistic heights of her career in roles where inner drama takes centre stage.”
But Milena Zupančič is more than just an actress — she is a true artist who has enriched the world of theatre through her dedication and relentless pursuit of new expressive possibilities. She understands that acting is not just a craft but a lifelong journey of refinement and self-discovery, requiring intellect, emotion, and skill in equal measures. It is in this synthesis of thought, feeling, and mastery that her artistic greatness is revealed.
In recent years, she has continued to showcase her unparalleled talent in productions such as Antigone, The Road Not Taken, Cement Belgrade, I Saw Her That Night, and All Birds, while remaining active in film, radio, and television. Milena Zupančič is the embodiment of knowledge, talent, sensitivity, intellect, and above all, profound humanity. She is — and always will be — an extraordinary stage artist whose influence has not only shaped the core of Slovenian theatre but has also left a lasting imprint on the European cultural landscape.
