Nikšić submitted his candidacy for the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture

SOURCE: RTVNK / AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS
The municipality of Nikšić officially submitted the application book for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2030, under the name Nikšić 2030 – Open City. International and domestic experts and the cultural scene of Nikšić participated in the development of the application, and the very concept of the project was inspired by the radial urban plan of Nikšić, which was created on the ideas of openness and connection, modeled on important European centers of the time.
Immediately before the formal handover, the mayor Marko Kovačević and the candidacy coordinator Mato Uljarević met in Brussels with Fatima Zibulah, the coordinator of the candidacy of the city of Brussels (Molenbeek for Brussels 2030) for the same title, and exchanged plans for the development of partnerships between Nikšić and Brussels in the context of European cities. capital of culture in 2030.
The initiative for Nikšić to enter the candidacy process for this title was adopted by the Nikšić Municipal Assembly in December 2023 without any votes against, and a few days ago at the 51st session, the Government of Montenegro gave formal support to the project.
The concept of the application implies the inclusion of artists and organizations from all parts of Montenegro in this project, so Nikšić European Capital of Culture will be an important step for the entire country.
On the occasion of submitting the application, the mayor of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, pointed out that the benefits brought by the status of a candidate city can already be seen through the many opportunities for international cooperation that have opened up through the process. In this sense, Kovačević will already next Sunday together with the Nikšić 2030 team participate in one of the most important European conferences in the field of cultural policies and EPK - Culture Next, which is held in the Romanian city of Cluj, with which Nikšić acquires the right to become a member of this international network of cities of European capitals cultures and candidate cities.
Nikšić's candidacy coordinator Mato Uljarević pointed out that Nikšić Municipality is one of the first cities in Montenegro to adopt the Culture Development Program, and one of the few candidate cities that already have an adopted cultural strategy in the first stage of the candidacy, but also clear support from the state level. which significantly increases the chances of entering the finals.
"We are proud of the huge work that we completed with the support of the Municipality during the previous year. We motivated and united all citizens and the cultural scene around this vision, laid the foundations for the strategic development of the city in the field of culture, encouraged innovative concepts and projects, and launched partnerships with several European cities. We believe that regardless of the final result, this project will be a turning point in the cultural and social development of Nikšić" - said the Nikšić 2030 office.
Nikšić's application book has been delivered to Brussels, and by the end of November it will be known whether the city has entered the finals of the competition.