The beginning of 2018 in Novi Sad brings truly inspirational stories in the domain of culture, i.e. dimension in which the exchange of cultural codes significantly contributes to its development. This is the baseline for exchange and residence programmes that are being implemented with the support of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation within different types of cooperation with international organisations.

Theo Prodromidis, visual artist form Greece, the first resident in 2018, has arrived to Novi Sad. He visit i organised within the international project ‘Risk Change (2016-2020)’. The project is implemented by the Museum of Contemporary Art of Vojvodina in cooperation with the ‘Plants AiR’ of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation.

This Greek artist – photographer, performer, film artist and painter will be in Novi Sad from 7 to 23 February, and in this period he will cooperate with young Novi Sad artists and students in order to create a performance and the recording of this performance as the final result of his residence. Theo expects this visit will offer a new approach to thinking about active participation of citizens, new linguistic and cultural elements that are common and present throughout Europe: ‘I would like to open up a process of embracing what is here and what is coming through reflecting on duets, groups and synagonism.’

In his reply to the question why he chose the residential programme in Novi Sad, he said: ‘This is my first time both in Novi Sad and in Serbia. I am really looking forward to it. As I was born in Thessaloniki, I feel there are so many affinities, similarities and beautiful differences to explore. The ‘RiskChange’ is a truly inspiring programme, but I’m here also to meet new friends and hopefully create another new passage between Serbia and Greece, two countries that share a lot and should share even more.’

At the same time when Theo arrives to Novi Sad, Margaréta goes to Japan.

Margaréta Táborosi, young director and choreographer working in Novi Sad, will visit Japan within the exchange programme for artists organised by the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation and ‘EU-Japan Fest’. Margaréta, as a representative of the scene, as well as a delegate of the ‘Synergy’ international theatre festival of national minorities, will stay in Tokyo where she will give a presentation on cultural capacities of Novi Sad. She will also visit the city of Yokohama, where she will be the guest of ‘Performing Arts Meeting – TPAM’.

She expects a lot from the visit to Japan, mostly for the art scene of Novi Sad. She sees herself as an ambassador of Novi Sad scene, and she believes that this exchange programme will create concrete projects and cooperation between artists, organisations and institutions of Novi Sad and Japan. On a personal level, she expects new experiences: ‘Japan is on the other side of the world, I still can’t believe that I’m going there. I feel as if a new age is coming, a turning point in my life. I expect new and fresh inspiration. I’m going there with an open soul, to meet people, the country, and my fellow artists.’

During 2017, the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation organised five different residential programmes, there will be more of them this year (and in the years to follow).