Yesterday, Novi Sad became the European Capital of Culture. In line with the priorities of A New European Agenda for Culture 2018, all EU initiatives in the area of culture are aimed at contributing to regional and local development and cultural diversity, through a wide spectrum of support to cultural and creative sectors. This also contributes to raising awareness of the importance of culture for social cohesion and well-being, as well as of the common history and values, strengthening the common European identity.
As an independent initiative in the area of culture in the EU, the aim of the European Capitals of Culture Programme (ECC) is to emphasise the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, to celebrate the cultural features Europeans share and to increase the European citizens’ sense of belonging to a common cultural area. The initiative was developed in 1985 and the title of the European Capital of Culture has, to date, been awarded to more than 60 cities. Novi Sad is the first city from Serbia which holds this title for 2022, along with three more cities from Luxembourg and Lithuania. The procedure of designating the title of the European Capital of Culture lasts four years, during which it is necessary to fulfil a series of requirements, including to embed the event in a longer-term cultural strategy of a country and the EU and to ensure the right infrastructure is in place.
Through a series of cultural and creative activities, with the support of the European Union, Novi Sad will celebrate art and culture throughout the whole year and be an important place on the cultural map of Europe. The annual cultural programme of Novi Sad – under the slogan ‘For New Bridges’ – strives to connect the cultural community and the citizens of Novi Sad and the region with the European Union and to strengthen their relations with the rest of the Western Balkans. The programme is divided into four “bridges” – freedom, rainbow, hope and love – which the city wants to share with the citizens of Europe, and it includes more than 1,500 cultural events that will gather around 4,000 local, national and international artists. More on this topic: https://novisad2022.rs/
