The cultural life of Novi Sad has got a new dimension – the Kaleidoscope! The Kaleidoscope of Culture will feature around 1000 artists and citizens of Novi Sad and its guests will enjoy 400 cultural programmes related to architecture, literature, performing art, applied and visual art on more than 80 locations.
Caravan – cultural station on-the-move, revives cultural life of numerous parts of Novi Sad and surroundings for weeks. One more cultural station, famous Egység Chateau, was opened on 8 September. Citizens of Novi Sad of all ages actively participated in creation of joint programmes and activities – the workshop of flower arranging, open classes of different types of dance, enjoying sounds of pop and jazz music. The Egység Chateau opened its door, entrance hall and gates of beautiful yards with different contents. Sometimes the place for gathering of young athletes, place for dance, as well as socialisation and pleasure, now brings back the spirit of those times with the idea of reviving that period and making new memories with Kaleidoscope. Ms Milica Rašković, representative of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, says that the goal is to give the Egység back the former glory, therefore to maintain continuity when it comes to events in it.
‘The chateau for everybody’ is the concept of this space which offers contents for all ages.
‘Egység would offer the programme that would, with useful contents for children, parents, the young and the old in form of a club, attract families, as well as creative artists that would have a chance to express themselves and work there. Pleasant and cosy atmosphere will make visitors stay, and programmes for adults will make them come back. Practice has shown that spaces in which citizens actively participate in management, either space or programme, give the best results – higher and frequent visit, psychological satisfaction due to the sense of mutual belonging and spending quality free time. That is why citizens of Novi Sad can come to Egység and suggest programmes, give ideas and together with us, actively participate in creating Egység for all of us’, said Ms Rašković.
Numerous artists from Spain, Ukraine, Italy, Belgium, Canada and France, who introduced themselves to citizens of Novi Sad for the last few weeks, assessed the Kaleidoscope of Culture positively.
After her extraordinary performance in the Synagogue, Momo Kodama, world famous pianist from Japan, captured audience attention, but Novi Sad has made a strong impression on her: ‘I have a feeling that this city is very rich in art. Whole concept of the Kaleidoscope of Culture is very important for your city, since you pay attention to artists and audience at the same time. It is great because the audience is not passive, but actively participates in programme.’
The audience actively participated in Kaleidoscope, as well as numerous other events which marked Novi Sad recently. Either through the ‘Moba’ action in management of own places through the ‘New Places – Mikrogranting’ project of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation, or through rich programme contents such as ambient installation by Goran Despotovski, PerformaNS by Zoran Pavelić within the Danube Dialogues Festival of Contemporary Art, presentation of prestigious European artists of contemporary dance and classical music during the events Tanz Platz and Piano City.
In the following period citizens of Novi Sad can expect numerous programmes such as comic book and illustration, children’s opera, public classes of different types of dance, painting on stones, numerous workshops and exhibitions, performances, as well as film screenings within the Kvart Film Fest. From 14 until 22 September, they can expect the ‘Cirkobalkana’ Festival of Contemporary Circus, while the Corso from Novi Sad will revive the Kaleidoscope of Culture with extraordinary concert of classical music on Saturday, 15 September.
