ECoC Echo in Novi Sad: European Capitals of Culture Exchange Experiences on Legacy

These very results were also recognized in the European Commission’s report as examples of good practice, which is why they became the focus of discussions among representatives of former, current, and future European Capitals of Culture, who stayed in Novi Sad from May 19 to 21. The partners also visited five cultural hubs dating from the 17th to the 21st century, showcasing the most comprehensive restoration of cultural infrastructure in the city.

On the first day, the delegation visited Almaški Kraj, the oldest part of Novi Sad dating back to the 18th century, which has been included in the prestigious Faro Network and whose complex restoration is still ongoing. At the heart of Almaški Kraj is the Svilara Cultural Station, where the delegation had the opportunity to learn more about the entire network of cultural stations — 12 renovated and newly established spaces throughout the city and its surroundings, created with the goal of decentralizing culture.

The second day was dedicated to discussions held in a century-old industrial heritage site, now transformed into a center of contemporary creativity — the District. Topics included the successful outcomes of the project, recognized at the European level, presented by Nemanja Milenković, CEO of the “Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture” Foundation. Tijana Palkovljević, CEO of the national museum Gallery of Matica Srpska, spoke about the project’s impact on cultural institutions and the development of the cultural sector, while Sanja Božić from the Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad presented the specially developed model for evaluating cultural events and their further development based on those evaluations.

Multimedia artist Tijana Jevrić and Zvonimir Ditrich from the production company Zoom Media discussed opportunities for young artists and the independent scene, as well as the development of production capacities and creative industries. The presentations and discussions concluded with a conversation about the further sustainability of the project legacy and the transformation of the “Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture” Foundation, presented by Mirjana Živković from the City Administration for Culture.

Following the presentations, the delegation had the opportunity to tour facilities and organizations operating within the District, including the French Institute in Novi Sad, the Novi Sad Student Cultural Center “Fabrika,” the OPENS Youth Center, and the tapestry-making institution “Atelje 61.”

The third day of the project meeting included a tourist tour of the 17th-century Petrovaradin Fortress, as well as its restored Suburbium.

Doček and Kaleidoscope of Culture, as award-winning legacy programs of the European Capital of Culture project, attracted additional attention by combining renovated spaces with contemporary art forms. The delegation had the opportunity to experience this through visits to the exhibitions “Mileva – We Are the Rock” and “The Spirit of Place – The First Century of the District,” thanks to which Novi Sad was designated a UNESCO Creative City in the category of Media Arts in 2023.

In addition to Novi Sad, the ECoC Echo project also includes: Leeuwarden 2018 (Netherlands), Veszprém 2023 (Hungary), Tartu 2024 (Estonia), Chemnitz 2025 (Germany), Oulu 2026 (Finland), Liepāja 2027 (Latvia), Évora 2027 (Portugal), and Bourges 2028 (France).

The ECoC Echo project is focused on finding solutions that contribute to preserving and strengthening the results achieved during the title year, encouraging the growth of the cultural sector, regional development, and international cooperation. 

The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg Europe program, which supports interregional cooperation and helps public institutions across Europe develop better policies. Each participating city is required to organize a three-day seminar. The first two were held in Veszprém and Leeuwarden, while after Novi Sad, the next seminar will take place in Chemnitz.