We have ambitious plans and we are embarking on a serious journey to make Nikšić a candidate for the European Capital of Culture, announced the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević.
The Ministry of Culture and Media (MKM) announced that the head of that department, Tamara Vujović, met with representatives of the Municipality of Nikšić, the President of the Municipality, Marko Kovačević, and the President of the Municipal Assembly, Nemanja Vuković, in Cetinje.
The announcement states that the main topic of the meeting was the initiative of the Municipality of Nikšić to apply for the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture (ECC).
The MKI said that the representatives of the Municipality highlighted their ambitions and plans, stressing that Nikšić has the human resources and infrastructure potential for such a candidacy.
"We have ambitious plans and we are embarking on a serious journey to make Nikšić a candidate for the European Capital of Culture. We believe in the human, institutional and infrastructural potential of the city for the organization of significant cultural events. We also formed the office of the Nikšić EPK 20-30 initiative," said Kovačević.
Vujović stressed the importance of extending this initiative to the whole of Montenegro, not just to the municipality of Nikšić.
She pointed out that the support of the MKM, as well as the Government of Montenegro, is necessary and that as such it must be crucial for the success of this multi-million dollar project.
"I believe that such a large initiative and project requires the support of the entire Government. This very ambitious project is important for the entire country and it is necessary that the Ministry of Interior and the entire Government of Montenegro stand behind it and support it. Unique support is needed for this project , which is important not only for Nikšić, but also for the whole of Montenegro. This is not only about the presentation of Nikšić, but about the opportunity to shape the image of the whole of Montenegro beyond its borders through a cultural initiative, to increase the visibility of the cultural offer of the central and northern region and to encourage cultural tourism," said Vujović
The MKM said that the Municipality of Nikšić said that "we have a lot of experience from previous candidacies of Montenegrin municipalities, including two Montenegrin municipalities".
"We will use both positive and negative experiences in order to know how to bring the candidacy to the end in the right way. We think that this is a really positive story that can be good for the whole of Montenegro. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Media and other municipalities that want to be part of this story, we want to create a plan that will cover as wide an area as possible. We are sure that Nikšić has the potential to, precisely through the valorization of the industrial heritage, improve the cultural offer of the entire city through connection with creative industries and contemporary creativity," they state from the Municipality of Nikšić. writes in the statement of the MKM.
From that government department, they stated that the municipality of Nikšić also emphasized that the local parliament unanimously supported this initiative.
"We received full support and united, having only one dissenting voice," said Vuković, which, as he states, is an excellent example and a great success.
MKM said that Vujović praised the enthusiasm and work of the Municipality, especially emphasizing the success in uniting the local parliament in Nikšić around this topic, however, once again emphasizing the importance of wider support, including consensus at the level of the entire Government.
"This is a multi-million dollar project that must be supported by the state. Regardless of the excellent application, it implies many infrastructure projects, great engagement of all involved actors and commitment to the realization of all planned goals and activities," said Vujović.
The MKM said that the Municipality of Nikšić said that they wanted to present the authenticity of Nikšić's cultural offer.
"The independent scene, the non-institutional scene and the civil sector, they are all ready to help us in this, and the main focus will be on new contents in abandoned spaces with the aim of revitalizing them", they said from the Municipality of Nikšić, it is written in the press release of the Ministry of Culture.
Vujović said that all experiences are welcome.
"It is essential that we have a good team that knows what they are doing and the support of the state, which is inevitable. The whole of Nikšić should live and function in the spirit of the diversity of cultural content. The goal is to create such cultural events that will attract the attention not only of the citizens of Nikšić, but and the entire region. If you succeeded in that, it is very important and a great success that culture comes out of the local framework. We will try to support these events in every possible way," Vujović said.
The MKM said that at the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached that after the "launch" of the information about the candidacy, the initiators of the initiative will inform the Government of Montenegro in detail, in order to obtain the necessary support, to which the MKM will give its full contribution.
"During the meeting, other topics of importance for the cultural heritage of Nikšić were also discussed, such as the archaeological site of Red Rock and the reconstruction of the City Walls - the remains of Onogošt, with the aim of revitalizing the complex and bringing it to a new purpose," the announcement concludes.
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