102.000 dollars invested in the Ulcinj Cultural Center

The Minister of Culture, Aleksandar Bogdanović, the permanent representative of UNDP in Montenegro, Danijela Gašparikova, and the President of the Municipality of Ulcinj, Ljoro Nrekić, visited the Center for Culture in Ulcinj today, where the digitization of the hall and its equipping with modern technology has been completed.

The total value of the works and installed equipment is 102.000 dollars, and the project was realized in cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and UNDP, through the "Creative Montenegro - Economic Valorization and Creative Industries" program, the Ministry of Culture announced.

Bogdanović said that the department is dedicated to improving the technical-technological and spatial conditions of cultural institutions at both the national and municipal levels.

"By modernizing the hall of the Ulcinj Cultural Center, the conditions have been significantly improved not only for the technical realization of cultural and artistic programs, but, accordingly, the regular performance activities in this city will also be revitalized," said Bogdanović.

He emphasized that the planned dynamics of the works were significantly influenced by the current epidemiological situation.

"Nevertheless, today we witnessed that the process was successfully completed and that the hall of the Cultural Center is now fully functional. We appreciate that a more conditioned environment and a modernized hall will significantly encourage new forms of creativity among young artists from Ulcinj, but also contribute to connecting the cultural and tourist offer, first of all, at the local level".

Bogdanović especially thanked Gašparik and the UNDP office for the strong and continuous support aimed at improving the Montenegrin cultural scene, i.e. its infrastructural capacities.

When it comes to investments in the cultural infrastructure of Ulcinj, Bogdanović recalled the recently signed contract on the reconstruction of the former cinema, which will function as both a cinema and a multimedia center upon completion of the works.

"All this shows that the Government of Montenegro, in coordination with the local self-government, worked actively and dedicatedly in the previous period to improve the overall climate in which Ulcinj's artists and cultural workers operate," noted Bogdanović.

Referring to the successful cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Ulcinj on the adaptation and modernization of the hall of the Ulcinj Center, the permanent representative of UNDP in Montenegro, Danijela Gašparikova, reminded that art and culture have the power to unite individuals and communities, the statement added.

"The past few months have been full of challenges, but I hope that when we overcome the Kovid-19 pandemic, this center will strengthen the spirit of community and cooperation. I am convinced that the Cultural Center in Ulcinj will contribute to the regeneration of the community, that it will bring together artists, tourists and citizens, and that the spirit of innovation will be felt in this space. That the center will be a place where new ideas will be created. That's why I encourage everyone that when the epidemiological situation allows it, we will continue to work together to preserve cultural heritage and connect people," Gašparikova said.

The President of the Municipality of Ulcinj, Ljoro Nrekić, expressed his gratitude to Gašparikova and UNDP for the successful implementation of the project, as well as to Minister Bogdanović for, as he emphasized, continuous support to this city in all areas of culture.

"This is a facility that was built a long time ago, it lacked sound system, lighting and all other related equipment. That's why I'm happy that today we got a fully equipped Cultural Center where all kinds of events can take place", said Nrekić.