We are counting the days to the final presentation in Brussels, on October 13th, when it will be known whether Novi Sad is the first city outside the European Union to become the European Capital of Culture in 2021.
Another in a series of numerous promotions of the project “Novi Sad 2021”, with which the City of Novi Sad competes for the prestigious title, was held at the 49th International Fair of Tourism in Novi Sad. President of the Organizing Committee of „Novi Sad 2021“, Nemanja Milenkovic, said that of about 105,000 European cities only around 60 of them, in the last 30 years, was honored to carry the title of European Capital of Culture.

– If Novi Sad becomes the European Capital of Culture it would have, among other things, the honor to be found within these privileged 60 cities in Europe. All the cities who had a chance to bear this flattering title consider it a historical success- said Milenkovic stressing that all these cities during that year experienced, each in its own way, a small rebirth and transformation.
According to him, Novi Sad is already recognized worldwide on the cultural and tourist map thanks to EXIT, one of the best European music festivals, but the „strong wind in the back“ for even bigger recognition and attractiveness would be the title of European Capital of Culture.
– This title is not only of a cultural character, although it certainly is, it is a stimulus that transforms the city in social, political and in economic terms. When I say economic I mean primarily economic terms of tourism, because it becomes a destination that tourists likely visit during the project, or even in the years after. Speaking about longer terms, this is also the city in which investors are willing to invest- said Milenkovic giving the example of a group of Chinese investors who, when choosing a destination where to invest money, first visited the cities of South-Eastern Europe that have been or will be European capitals of culture.
He claims that Novi Sad, thanks to the human capacity and the project „4 new bridges“, in some way already is the European Capital of Culture, which it sincerely wants to become.
– I hope that we are on the right track for that to happen. If we become elected for the European Capital of Culture it will be a historic victory for Novi Sad – said Nemanja Milenkovic and sent a message to the citizens of Novi Sad „Hold your fingers crossed on October 13th in Brussels“.
Director of the Tourist Organization of Novi Sad, Branislav Knezevic, on the same occasion announced that it will be known in mid-November if Novi Sad will be the European Capital of Youth in 2019.