The city of Novi Sad is candidate for prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2021 when it is going to be available for the first time to cities and countries outside EU.

The team of young and creative people gathered around the project „Novi Sad 2021“, a platform for the development of cultural and creative potentials of the city and the implementation of Novi Sad candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture, created the program concept, which consists of four areas under the collective name „4 new bridges.“ The first „bridge“ bears the name Freedom and includes creative industries and youth. „Bridge“ Hope is dedicated to cultural facilities and public spaces, and a program called New“ bridge“ emphasizes the cultural heritage and hospitality. The fourth „bridge“ Rainbow covers issues of conflicts and migration.

After the gala ceremony of the promotion of the new visual identity of „Novi Sad 2021“ during the EXIT festival, the team „Novi Sad 2021“ prepared four cultural programs in the open with a desire to introduce the concept of Novi Sad candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2021 through the slogan „4 new bridges “ to a wider audience in Novi Sad. Each of the four programs will symbolize one of the „bridges“, thus, through cultural and artistic content the whole concept of candidacy will be promoted.

The first program, scheduled for tonight (July 16^th), will be in the sign of a „bridge“ HOPE. Gallery ITD at the Petrovaradin Fortress will be the place where a jazz concert will take place, precisely jam session under the 6th Summer Jazz Academy Novi Sad – Dortmund. The project is being implemented as part of cooperation between twin cities – Novi Sad and Dortmund.

Presentation of the „bridge“ FREEDOM is scheduled for two days, on Monday, July 18^th. For the first time a concert of 100 Symphonic Orchestra Musicians will play in the open in Novi Sad! The Youth Orchestra VU from the Netherlands will perform in the courtyard of the Gymnasium „Jovan Jovanović Zmaj“. VU Orchestra is established by the Free University of Amsterdam (Universiteit Amsterdam – VU). From a small chamber ensemble, as it was in the beginning, in the next 50 years it has grown into a large symphony orchestra. It is now one of the largest but also the best and most successful university orchestras in the Netherlands, with a strong spirit of adventure, and it is all thanks to its members and the conductor Dan Admiral (Daan Admiraal). This year for the first time they are visiting Serbia where they will perform some of the most famous compositions from Romanticism and Impressionism.

A day later, on Tuesday, July 19^th, at the Ship theatre, anchored at the Belgrade quay, a theater play „Our place“ will be played. This is a story about two young people who come from different sides, from the south and the north, and here, in Novi Sad, trying to realize their ambitions. The play is based on the idea that the city is made up of people who live in it, and fundamental message is to present Novi Sad just as it really is, especially for people who come to it. This show will be an excellent opportunity for the promotion of the third „bridge“ that carries the name of RAINBOW.

Last in a series of these promotions will be presentation of the NEW „bridge”. Stefan Milenković and ensemble „Camerata Academica“ will hold a concert in Katolicka porta on July 21^st. As a true representative of the elite culture, Stefan Milenković accepted the invitation of „Novi Sad 2021“ team to perform in Novi Sad and also to bring classical music closer to the citizens of Novi Sad, and send a strong message to the world that Novi Sad deserves to be European Capital of Culture!

All programs are free and will start symbolically at 20 hours and 21 minutes (8:21 PM) referring to the year 2021 in which, we strongly believe, Novi Sad should become a European Capital of Culture, and in the most positive way promote its cultural heritage, its current offer and the potential for the future.

Projects are implemented by The Music Youth of Novi Sad, Cultural Centre of Novi Sad and the Association „Strada“ with the full support of the City of Novi Sad.