Novi Sad got great remarks for the preparation for 2021 when it will hold the prestigious title of the European Capital of Culture. The ‘Novi Sad 2021’ marked two years from winning the title and announced new spaces and programmes that will mark the following period of work by presenting the report of independent experts of the European Commission Panel and research of the evaluation team including independent expert professors from the University of Novi Sad.
The last report of the panel of independent experts of the European Commission from June, gives positive remarks on the progress of the European Capital of Culture project with very affirmative approach. Mr Vuk Radulović, Head of the Department for Developmental Projects of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation stressed: ‘The report sent to Novi Sad is the one that got the most positive remarks. I say it from experience since I had a chance to read a great number of reports and other documents that are focused on the evaluation of the European Capital of Culture project. In the report about our project, panellists stressed the significant progress in development of the programme of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project and clearly defined artistic vision. The improvement of the most important services, such as Novi Sad Voluntary Service, which develop within the project is praised, as well as works started within the infrastructural projects. The Panel also sent positive remarks on the independence of the Foundation team and team spirit present within team members.’
Mr Radulović stressed that this remark was confirmed with the visit of Mr Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport in Novi Sad, when he said that the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project is being implemented in the best possible way, thus stressed that results are visible even two years from winning this prestigious title.
On behalf of the evaluation team including independent experts from the University of Novi Sad, Docent Miroslav Vujičić and Docent Sanja Kovačić presented the way of research and work of the team pointing out the importance of approach and preliminary results of researched local community.
‘The good thing is that the process of evaluation started on time in order to clearly express results about where Novi Sad was at the beginning of the process, and where it will be after 2021, since this will assess the importance of winning the title for our city. Besides the long-term character, combination of quantitative and qualitative research and participation of interdisciplinary team of experts presents another value of monitoring the effects of the European Capital of Culture of all aspects of life of the city,’ said prof. Vujičić. Dr Sanja Kovačić stressed that citizens have positive attitude towards the title our city holds (more than 80% of citizens), while they perceive effects on the city in a positive way, especially when we talk about development of cultural offer in the city, decentralisation of culture, participation (involvement) of citizens as well as the development of tourism with 96% of citizens who emphasise positive effects.
In the new premises of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, Mr Nemanja Milenković, CEO of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, announced new, crucial phase in the restoration and development of Kineska – Creative Polis, symbolically from 13 October, two years from winning the European Capital of Culture title.
‘Kineska is the metaphor of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ project. Dealing with facts, impressions remain in the work of individual interpretations. Positive facts about our city received from independent experts leave the impression that we are on the right track and we will continue to work in this manner until 2021’, said Mr Milenković and announced, besides already opened cultural stations ‘Caravan’ and ‘Egység’, opening of the ‘Svilara’ cultural station on 23 October this year, as well as two new cultural stations ‘Opens’ and ‘Klisa’ that will begin with work during 2019.
