At these seminars, delegations from past, present and future ECOC come together to learn from each other: what worked well, what could have worked better and how can short-term successes be turned into long-term measures?
In Novi Sad, the main focus was on the legacy of the Capitals of Culture - especially its impact on the local cultural scene. These are topics that Chemnitz is also dealing with intensively during the Bridge Year.
For example, the participants visited Almaški Kraj, the oldest part of Novi Sad from the 18th century, the complex restoration of which is still ongoing. This is where the Svilara Cultural Station is located - one of twelve renovated, newly created spaces in the city, which were created with the aim of decentralising culture. The following day was dedicated to discussions, including the successes of Novi Sad's year as European Capital of Culture, which were presented by Nemanja Milenković, Managing Director of the Novi Sad - European Capital of Culture Foundation. Tijana Palkovljević, Managing Director of the National Museum "Gallery of Matica Srpska", spoke about the impact of the project on cultural institutions and the development of the cultural sector.
institutions and the development of the cultural sector. Sanja Božić from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Novi Sad explained the specially developed model for the evaluation of cultural events and their further development.
The programme also included the two legacy projects Doček and Kaleidoscope of Culture. The delegation had the opportunity to experience these during 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 named a UNESCO Creative City in the category of media art in 2023.
The "ECoC Echo" project focuses on preserving and consolidating the results achieved in the title year, as well as promoting the growth of the cultural sector, regional development and international cooperation. The next "ECoC Echo" knowledge transfer seminar will take place from 29 September to 1 October in Chemnitz.
"ECoC Echo" is a European co-operation project between nine countries, funded by the European Union through Interreg Europe.