The Belgrade Fair initiated new programme within its practice called ‘Guest City’. The honour to establish the tradition of this kind of presentation was given to Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture.

In addition to numerous publishing houses, editions in minority languages, cultural institutions, and recognisable Novi Sad festivals, the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation also presented its project ‘For New Bridges’.

Nemanja Milenković, CEO of the ‘Novi Sad 2021 – ECoC’ Foundation, said that the most important goal of the Foundation is reintegration of Novi Sad and Serbia into the European cultural space by solving problems and conflicts through culture of dialogue. During the presentation of the European Capital of Culture project, Mr Milenković stressed that the ‘book is the best tool for education about the cultural dialogue, as well as tool for overcoming numerous disagreements and doubts, and with adequate descriptions to add new dimensions and views’. He also expressed openness for any type of cooperation, in order to create conditions for partnerships, mobility and networking.

The audience was also addressed by Miloš Vučević, Mayor of Novi Sad, who pointed out that Novi Sad today, with implementation of the Strategy of Cultural Development, enables all stakeholders to actively participate in the creation of actions in culture, with efficient city administration that creates conditions and animates cultural workers to actively participate in decision making processes. The Mayor said that one of the most interesting projects in Novi Sad and the biggest projects from the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ bid-book – ‘Youth Creative Polis’, can be seen as the paradigm of attitude that the City of Novi Sad has towards culture.

Siniša Mali, Mayor of Belgrade, addressed the audience and expressed his joy for hosting the Mayor of Novi Sad and representatives of the cultural scene of Novi Sad, European Capital of Culture.

The most important legacy of the ‘Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture’ Foundation is to put culture in the very centre of social development and redefine culture as a key for economic social development based on knowledge, innovation and creativity.