Within the preparation for the final selection of the Panel of independent experts, the members of Novi Sad 2021 Team start extensive consultations with representatives of ECOC around Europe. The aim of these consultations is experience exchange, capacity building and connecting to international institutions, prominent artists and experts in the ECOC field. Special emphasis will be on establishing cooperation with the representatives of ECOC Projects to be realized between 2016 and 2021.
Intercultural exchange around Europe, emphasis on the mutual European cultural tradition and European dimension are just some of the main evaluation criteria for gaining the prestigious title of ECOC. Thus, the planning process of joint projects with partner cities, mainly with Timisoara and Larissa, from Romania and Greece, who are also the candidates for 2021 have already begun. This is a very important opportunity for connecting program concepts and cultural exchange, since starting from 2021, three ECOC will be elected for one calendar year.
At the same time, we launch a project called” Tracing European Capitals of Culture” in order to present individual projects and the importance of ECOC to the citizens of Novi Sad. In the following few months, on our web site we will publish short stories about European Capitals of Culture, as well as the results, benefits and planning projects from around Europe. Every Capital of Culture will have the opportunity to show the citizens of Novi Sad the main concept and importance of candidacy for the city, approaching the basic purpose of the project to the reader.
In addition, you will be able to read interviews with prominent experts in the field of ECOC, managers, artists and representatives of cultural institutions around Europe. We will try to make citizens familiar with the project and all the advantages our city has on the way of gaining the prestigious title. This will also be a unique opportunity to apply positive practical examples from the successfully accomplished projects and implement them in the final application and oral presentation in October in Brussels.
