In Novi Sad,
30 June 2017

The City Administration for Culture of Novi Sad and ‘Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation defined the way to establish the culture of dialogue regarding the appeal of the Mayor of Novi Sad about the further development of the so-called Chinese Quarter.

With a wish, as the Mayor stated, to be a ‘bridge in this dialogue with expert and wide public’, the City Administration for Culture and ‘Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation propose the initiation of the dialogue regarding this topic, in accordance with their jurisdiction and previously adopted platforms for developing the culture of dialogue.

In this regard, recently adopted Action Plan for implementation of the Strategy of Cultural Development of Novi Sad from 2016 until 2026, resulted in creation of the Forum for Culture. It will comprise members of the City Administration for Culture and City Council for Culture, as well as relevant subjects of the city’s culture. As it was previously announced, newly founded Forum will, inter alia, be a mediator in communication between expert public and citizens about the topics related to the realisation of programmes and infrastructural projects of Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture.

On the other hand, we also initiate Let’s Talk – series of open discussions with the citizens of Novi Sad and expert public, in order to identify current issues in the sphere of cultural system of the city, and to improve projects within the European Capital of Culture.

During the last year, within the candidacy process of Novi Sad for the ECoC, this project was adopted by the Artistic Council, and as such it is in the Bid-book.

Let’s Talk will be organised by the members of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, and participation will be opened both for expert public and for intersected citizens.

Based on the timetables of the City Administration and Foundation, the following four phases of the dialogue are proposed:

Phase I: Introduction Processes for Dialogue Development

9 July: ‘Using Dialogue for Development of the Chinese Quarter’ conference and panel discussion

• Venue: Exit Festival
• Panellists: Nemanja Milenković – Novi Sad 2021 Foundation; Vukašin Grozdanović – OPENS; Zdravko Vulin – producer; Pera Mirković – representative of the artists working in the so-called Chinese Quarter; Slobodan Jović – Association of Architects of Novi Sad.

10 July: Forum for Culture

Phase II: Research Processes for Starting the Dialogue

15 July – 20 August:

• mapping space;
• survey with the citizens (2021 interviewee);
• examples of good practice regarding transformation of industrial heritage;
• online form for submission of citizens’ proposals at the website of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation;

Phase III: Dialogue

22 August: Let’s Talk no. 1;

23 August: Forum for Culture no 2;

29 August: Let’s Talk no. 2;

30 August: Forum for Culture no 3;

5 September: Let’s Talk no. 3;

6 September: Forum for Culture no 4;

Phase IV: Conclusion of the Dialogue

Through democratic and transparent process based on facts, the initiative of the City Administration for Culture and ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, as mediator in communication with expert public and citizens, will result in harmonised conclusions on further development of the former industrial complex ‘Petar Drapšin’. This will be the first time that an open and comprehensive dialogue is used to articulate clear guidelines for transformation of industrial heritage in Novi Sad, and even in the region, combating different interpretations made so far.

The results achieved through the open dialogue, as well as guidelines for continuation of the developmental phase of the project, will be communicated to the wider public on 12 September by the Mayor of Novi Sad.