Nikšić was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture for 2030, which began a multi-year process of preparing and implementing a cultural program worth 40 million euros.
Half of the funds will be directed to infrastructure projects, and the rest to operating costs.
Coordinators announce the involvement of local artists, institutions and organizations in creating content, while support is also coming from Novi Sad, the city that held this title in 2022.
In addition, Nikšić received the recognition of "City of Music" from UNESCO, which further confirms its growing cultural importance.
After the title of European Capital of Culture for 2030 was officially awarded to Nikšić, the focus of the cultural public has shifted to what comes next - the vision, preparations, and responsibility to turn the recognition into reality.
"Now the work on it is actually starting, of course with a team of artistic professionals who will lead the entire story. In a way, this is also an invitation for people to be kept informed from the beginning of '26. We will publish public calls for info days and invite everyone to join us," said initiative coordinator Mato Uljarević.
The total planned budget is 40 million euros - half for operational costs and half for infrastructure costs. The Government and the Municipality of Nikšić have already taken on the majority of financial obligations, while the rest is expected to come from EU funds and the private sector.
"I believe that we will justify the expectations that our partners have of us, but also that each cultural institution will individually make its contribution to Nikšić being a representative European Capital of Culture 2030," emphasized Goran Radojičić, Editor of the Public Institution "Zahumlje" and President of the Literary Club "Poenta Poetika".
"What we expect from the capital, from this title, is that it somehow inaugurates the European values that stand behind all of this. These are transparency, sustainability, the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, diversity, and nurturing the richness of diversity," said Ana Milović Jasikovac from the non-governmental organization (NGO) Optimisti.
The experience of Novi Sad, which held this title in 2022, has shown that the European Capital of Culture can be a strong impetus for urban, tourist and social development, but also a major test of organizational and human capacities.
"One is the expectations of artists and cultural institutions, the NGO sector of the scene itself. On the other hand, the expectations of citizens, tourists, or visitors, if you will, the European Commission panelists, and then foreign artists, and finally decision-makers are different. So, to harmonize all of that and create the right balance, I think it is a big deal, extremely demanding and difficult, but possible, and that is what I think is a good incentive for Nikšić from the experience of Novi Sad," said the director of the "Novi Sad - ECoC 2022" foundation, Nemanja Milenković.
Some of the key challenges that the initiative coordinators are already recognizing in order to implement this event are limited capacities and human resources, not only when it comes to planning cultural content, but also in the areas of marketing, monitoring, and evaluation.
"An entire program line within that cultural program is intended to build the capacity of the cultural sector in Montenegro. We hope that four years is more than enough time to prepare a sufficient number of people both on the independent scene and in cultural institutions to achieve this together," Uljarević emphasized.
In addition to investing in culture, the title also means a strong tourist impulse for Nikšić. The experience of Novi Sad shows that cultural projects can multiply the number of visitors - despite the pandemic, the city renewed the records from 2019 and became one of the top three world destinations according to Lonely Planet. More than 90 percent of visitors in the evaluations stated that they would return or recommend Novi Sad as a cultural destination. Therefore, the "Novi Sad - ECOC 2022" Foundation emphasizes that the team in Nikšić should be given all possible support.
"Just be careful not to view the European Cultural Representative as an end in itself, because it is very important to view it as a development opportunity not only for Nikšić, but also for Montenegro. If you understand it that way, then the departure of this brand after 2030 will not be, as Đorđe Balašević says, an outgoing circus from our small town, but an opportunity," Milenković pointed out.
Meanwhile, another boost for culture in the city of beer and steel - UNESCO awarded Nikšić the title of City of Music, making it part of a network of 58 new world centers recognized for creativity and sustainable urban development.
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