from the 17th century: Petrovaradin Fortress with Suburbium / Baroque jewel of Novi Sad
One of the largest European fortifications was being built for almost a century, and during the following two, its miraculous history and legends were created, which go beyond any time.
The Clock Tower proudly testifies to that, showing with inverted hands what the centuries have brought: that a small town built next to the fortress becomes a city. The forts and barracks are now home to the Museum of the City of Novi Sad and the Academy of Arts, studios and galleries, and the ramparts and military trenches are the scenery for one of the best music festivals in Europe. In the 21st century, the Fortress hosts the world’s most significant names of pop culture, and in the middle of the 20th century, it hosted Hollywood legends: Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Burt Lancaster and Anthony Quinn.
With the title of European Capital of Culture, the Petrovaradin Fortress with its Suburbium will begin the reconstruction that it has been waiting for centuries, thus Gibraltar on the Danube and the baroque jewel of Novi Sad is slowly realising the vision of Montmartre on the Danube.
from the 18th century: Almaš neighbourhood / Romantic spirit of the city
The narrow, winding streets of the Almaš neighbourhood, being unique in Novi Sad, give the impression of the northernmost Mediterranean city. Proud of their spiritual, cultural and industrial heritage, the inhabitants of this neighbourhood, as the oldest inhabitants of Novi Sad, have always been one step ahead of their time.
The greatest names of our romanticism, Zmaj and Laza Kostić, lived in this area, and the poetic spirit was preserved in the names of the streets of the oldest Novi Sad neighbourhood.
Right here are the largest Orthodox church in Novi Sad, the Academy of Arts, workshops of the Serbian National Theatre and the Archives of the City of Novi Sad, but also Matica Srpska, one of the oldest non-governmental organisations in Europe.
Previously launched initiatives were implemented with the title of European Capital of Culture – Almaš neighbourhood officially becomes a city treasure and welcomes 2022 as a protected cultural and historical entity, and the two-century-old silk dyeing factory was renovated as the Svilara Cultural Station. With its authentic chimney, Svilara is today a landmark and pride of the people of Novi Sad.
from the 19th century: City centre / Serbian Athens
The city centre is still the cultural centre of Novi Sad, where you can find galleries, museums, libraries and theatres at every step. During the 19th century, the greatest Serbian intellectuals and artists gathered here, creating Serbian Athens. The same one, which will present the masters of the written word to the people of Novi Sad in the 20th and 21st century: Tagore, Llosa, Pamuk and Handke and the musical virtuosos Rubinstein, Oistrakh, Louis Armstrong and Chet Baker.
Doček – the only celebration of two New Years in Europe was created here while welcoming the title of European Capital of Culture. Celebrating interculturality, Novi Sad marks two time calculations, two calendars and two alphabets through performing and visual arts.
In just four years, Doček has positioned Serbian Athens as the future European Capital of Culture with its programme, production, but also artistic quality. That is why 13 January and 31 December, 2022, were chosen for the dates of the ceremonial opening, i.e., closing of the title year.
from the 20th century: Great Liman / New drive of creativity
Thanks to the title of European Capital of Culture, the citizens of Novi Sad are rediscovering the name and identity of Serbian Liverpool – the Great Liman.
By merging industrial heritage, culture and sports, the Great Liman will begin to talk about its One Hundred Years of Solitude, because this is where modern Novi Sad was created in the 20th century.
A young loving couple of scientists, Mileva Marić and Albert Einstein, used to meet on the beaches of the Great Liman, but during the Novi Sad raid, the whole families parted, disappearing under the frozen Danube.
Where the monarchy built, industry as a result of the enterprising spirit of civil society, the republic took it away on behalf of the people, leaving it to the management of the working class.
Where bridges and factories disappeared in two bombings during the 20th century, champions in knowledge and sports grew up.
During 2022, industrial heritage, art and culture will merge in the new centre of creativity in the Great Liman, in the renovated Fabrika, Radionica, Čeličana, Cinkara, Gvožđara and other forgotten spaces.
21st century Network of cultural stations / Culture everywhere and to everyone
And finally, one of the indicators that Novi Sad is a city that lives culture is the network of cultural stations. This unique model in Europe consists of both new and renovated spaces for culture in all parts of the city, and all fellow citizens are becoming involved in implementing the vision of the Beginning of New. Now!
The future European Capital of Culture, already in the preparation phase, has brought culture everywhere and to everyone: currently, eight cultural stations have contributed to the dissemination of content and the re-examination of the cultural identity of Novi Sad.
Svilara, Egység, Barka, Mlin, Bukovac, Rumenka, OPENS and the mobile cultural station Caravan, have become not only centres of events, but also favourite places for informal gatherings of fellow citizens, which preserve the authenticity of their neighbourhood. This permanently changes the cultural map of Novi Sad, since these new spaces form another micro-destination that must be visited, while culture in Novi Sad is becoming a way of life.
