2nd International Danube Conference on Culture was successfully closed

Novi Sad better than Ulm!

More than 130 officials and culture activists from the Danube region participated at the 2 nd International Danube Conference on Culture.

“I have to admit that this conference in Novi Sad exceeded the first conference in Ulm” emphasized Joachim Uhlmann, state secretary from Baden-Württemberg.

The Conference was opened by the Mayor of Novi Sad Miloš Vučevid, and introductory speech was held by writer Aleksandar Gatalica. Participants had an opportunity to hear presentations of European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Provincial Secretary Slaviša Grujid, Mayor of Ulm Ivo Gönner, Andrej Fajgelj, Peter Langer, Elisabeth Pacher, Evgeni Spassov, Márton Méhes and others.

On behalf of the organiser, the director of the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad and president of the Organisational Board for the application of Novi Sad for the European Capital of Culture Andrej Fajgelj stated that: “We want the future in which the others will be our partners, where our diversi ty will be the common heritage” and emphasised that “unity in diversity" distinguishes Novi Sad and European Union.

Based on two workgroups, in the joint declaration, participants sent a message for initiation of projects for digitisation of cultural heritage and establishment of the network of European Capitals of Culture and festivals in the Danube Region.

It was declared that the future hosts of the Danube Conference were Timișoara in Romania and Ruse in Bulgaria.

A rich cultural programme was prepared for the guests. They had a chance to see exhibitions “With a Longboat in Our Hearts”, “Making of World Art along the Danube” as well as the digital exhibition of cultural heritage of German people in Novi Sad.

On the “Štrand” city beach, the participants attended the Danube Festival, and the biggest attraction was the reconstruction of the fight between Ottoman warriors and “Šajkaš” soldiers, members of the Austro-Serbian unit that guarded the Danube and Europe for more than 100 years.

The Conference was organised by the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad and European Danube Academy, with the support of the City of Novi Sad, State of Baden-Württemberg and Government of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

Culture is the third area of priority in the Danube Strategy of the European Commission, the goal of which is to develop Danube macroregion.

This Conference is part of the initiative of Novi Sad to become European Capital of Culture in 2021.