The Croatian National Theatre in Split during the Second World War
On 5th of December 1940, after a lenghty pause, the Croatian National Theatre in Split was opened under this name for the first time in its history: the name it still bears today. In April 1941, after this part of the country had been occupied by the Italians, the name of the theatre was naturally changed to the "State Theatre of Split", but it was closed down after only two months. During the Italian occupation /1941-1943/ the theatre was also taken over by the occupying forces. When the town of Split was for a short time taken by the People’s Liberation Army in October 1943, the theatre was briefly restored to its function with occasional programmes being performed. With the German troops marching into the town shortly afterwards, and upon the establishment of the Independent State of Croatia, a drama studio was initiated by individual citizens. During its very short life, which only covered a period of several months, it nevertheless succeeded in producing and performing as many as seven plays.

After the Partisan Army had taken the town again, which was this time to be final, the ßTheatre of the national Liberation of DalmatiaÇ was founded and several plays were performed on the stage in Split. The members of the "National Liberation Theatre of Croatia" appeared several times as guest performers.

In August 1945 the former name of the Croatian National Theatre was resumed and the theatrical life restored, but it was as early as the following month that the "Croatian" inexplicably disappeared from the name, not to reappear until 1971*.