Novi Sad to be European Capital of Culture in 2021

Novi Sad was selected to be the European Capital of Culture in 2021 on Thursday, October 13, in Brussels. Following the final presentations of the Novi Sad 2021 project, the panel of independent experts made the historical decision to make Novi Sad the first city outside the EU to hold the title.

The decision was made following several hours of the oral presentation of the application by the delegation made up of Novi Sad artists, professors, urban planners and curators, headed by the chairman of the Organizational Board for Novi Sad’s ECC 2021 Candidacy and the chairman of the Managing Board of the Exit Foundation, Nemanja Milenkovic, and the mayor of Novi Sad, Milos Vucevic.

– The title of the European Capital of Culture is very significant for the promotion and branding of the city and it fully transforms the city, not just culturally, but socially and economically as well. Past winner cities had multiple returns on each euro invested, which amounted to as much as eight times the amount invested – Milenkovic said.

– The concept of the Novi Sad 2021 project comprises four wholes called “4 New Bridges”. By winning the prestigious title of the European Capital of Culture, we will be able to build new bridges, both literally and in the sense of standards, methods, principles, but above all values which we will share with all European citizens – Milenkovic added.

The European Capital of Culture was established in order to highlight the richness and variety of European Cultures, strengthen cultural bonds between citizens of Europe, connect people from different European countries, meet other cultures, promote mutual understanding and strengthen the feeling of belonging to Europe.

The City of Novi Sad will develop it local concept and the strategy of sustainable development of the cultural sector through the Novi Sad 2021 project, focusing on strengthening the cultural institutions, recovering the cultural heritage, strengthening the cultural participation, developing cultural and creative industries, decentralization and cooperation between sectors.

Novi Sad’s candidacy has been supported by numerous prominent names such as Rade Serbedzija, Anica Dobra, Stefan Milenkovic, Thomas Wlaschiha, Aleksandra Vrebalov and many others.

Grad Novi Sad

European Capital of Culture

Novi Sad 2021 project

Exit Foundation

Nemanja Milenkovic

Milos Vucevic

Rade Serbedzija

Anica Dobra

Stefan Milenkovic

Thomas Wlaschiha

Aleksandra Vrebalov