One of the indicators that Novi Sad has always been considered a city that lives culture (both before and after the European Capital of Culture title year), is the network of cultural stations that, as a permanent legacy of Novi Sad, continue to bring exciting cultural and alternative artistic events. The main advantage of the cultural stations is the decentralization of content, which means that these spaces are distributed throughout the city and surroundings of Novi Sad and as such represent a unique model in Europe. In this manner, the citizens also have the opportunity to actively participate in the creation of events and in their implementation, as well as to be kind of cultural bridge and revive Novi Sad’s neighbourhoods.
We bring you interesting facts about eight cultural stations, which we highly recommend you visit regularly, and follow the calendar on the official website in order to stay up to date with all the happenings around the city.
Eđšeg: Place for Cultural Stories
One of the most beautiful buildings in Grbavica, the Egység castle, was the former site of the first sports association in this area, and today it is a new centre for cultural events, from dance and literary evenings to classical music concerts, workshops and educational content.
The building of exceptional beauty, built in 1890, was a gathering place until the end of the 20th century, when it fell into oblivion.
In 2012, it was renovated with the help of fellow citizens and neighbours, and now it opens its doors to everyone who wants to participate in the creation of performances, exhibitions, chamber concerts and other creative content.
Did you know that the famous architect György Molnár designed the building in honour of the 100 years of existence of the Rifle Association?
The Shooting Club, which represented one of the first associations of citizens, was founded in Egység. It also hosted the first craft and industrial exhibition, the forerunner of today’s Novi Sad Fair.
After the Second World War, Egység was left to be forgotten, and was neglected so much that it was almost destroyed at the end of the 20th century. It shone again in 2012, when it was completely renovated and now represents the first Cultural Station of Novi Sad.
Svilara: Cultural Content Factory
Did you know that the former silk dyeing factory – Svilara – in the oldest neighbourhood in Novi Sad, was renovated after almost 200 years in order to meet the ECoC title year? Today, Svilara represents a factory of cultural contents, and it is also a symbol of the industrial heritage of Novi Sad, which was reconstructed into a cultural station during the preparations for the European Capital of Culture.
The Almaš neighbourhood itself, in which Svilara is located, was once the first industrial zone of Novi Sad, and sericulture was the first industry (steam-powered).
Sericulture was encouraged during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in Vojvodina, because there were many white mulberry trees here, where the silkworm lives, whose silk threads and cocoons are used to make silk.
Today, there is no more silk in the Almaš neighbourhood, but the old factory and the recognizable chimney have long preserved the memory of the time when Svilara was the generator of the economic and social development of the neighbourhood.
Across the street from CS Svilara, on the façade of the neighbouring building, there is an interesting mural, a sentence by Mika Antić dedicated to silk.
During the ECoC title year, Svilara gathered fellow citizens, artists and creatives in order to involve them in the cultural activities of the city, and after a historic year for Novi Sad, it remained as a permanent legacy for holding artistic events in Podbara.
Liman: The Centre of Youth Creativity
Liman Cultural Station is a centre of youth creativity and is the first renovated facility in the District. The once neglected industrial centre in the area of the former Great Liman, it is now a place for the ‘production of culture’ created on the legacy of the industrial development of Novi Sad in the area of old factories and the old industrial zone.
Perhaps you did not know, but at the end of the eighties, this area became a dilapidated part of the city. Craftsmen moved into factory buildings, and a little later artists found suitable places for studios there. In anticipation of the ECoC title year, the idea of creating new cultural spaces for the work and stay of artists in Novi Sad emerged. Opened in anticipation of the fourth Kaleidoscope of Culture in 2021, CS Liman now proudly adorns the District, a unique cultural quarter in this part of Europe.
Bukovac: Cultural Oasis Within City Reach
Only ten kilometres from Novi Sad, on the slopes of the beautiful Fruška Gora, is CS Bukovac, an ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Within CS is a cultural and artistic society with developed international cooperation, which bears the name of the famous poet Milica Stojadinović Srpkinja, whose birthplace is located in the centre of Bukovac.
Large green areas where artistic activities were held during the ECoC title year makes it authentic. In addition to this, CS Bukovac is recognizable by the screenings of films from the original filmstrips, which gives a new purpose in the interpretation of the cultural heritage of the region.
Mlin: Where Culture Grows
The cultural station is located in a former working-class neighbourhood, and today it is a centre of creative artistic and other cultural activities for children.
The Mlin Cultural Station is located in Radnička Street, on the site of the former pasta factory, which was restored thanks to the ECoC initiative and today is a kind of cultural centre for the youngest.
This area was once part of Great Liman, one of the centres of industrialization in Novi Sad. The workers who lived here with their families left a significant mark on the history of the city.
Rumenka: Tradition and Modern Creation
The Rumenka Cultural Station is located in an authentic Vojvodina settlement near Novi Sad, and was renovated in order to continue and improve the work of the cultural centre of the same name. As the population of Rumenka is ethnically very diverse (perhaps you did not know, Rumenka was mentioned for the first time even before Novi Sad, back in 1237), the cultural station is oriented towards all ages and all nationalities. Reason enough to visit it and enjoy one of the cultural events.
Barka: Culture on the Outskirts of the City
If you have not visited Barka yet, it is located on the outskirts of the city, at the end of the Slana Bara, Vidovdansko Naselje and Klisa. The Barka Cultural Station contributes to the fact that fellow citizens feel the space as a new centre of culture and an attractive location with numerous cultural events. As part of the cultural station, there is a branch of the City Library and the local community of Slana Bara. Furthermore, in addition to the hall suitable for contemporary theatre, performances, concerts and various other events, there is a large courtyard for outdoor events.
Kovilj: Heritage of the Bačka plain
The end of the European Capital of Culture title year was also marked by the opening of a new cultural station in Kovilj, opposite the birth-house of Laza Kostić, who, in addition to the rich history and tradition, is the greatest pride of the village in the vicinity of Novi Sad.
The new cultural station has become a venue for contemporary cultural events. Kovilj is now becoming an ideal location for an open-air cinema in its new amphitheatre. With a summer stage, literary events, concerts and numerous other programmes, it is an indispensable stop for all visitors on their journey through Vojvodina.
If you have not visited the network of cultural stations until now, spring is an ideal opportunity to meet new cultural spaces that will enrich Novi Sad and the surrounding areas.
Photo: Photo: Jelena Ivanović, Vladimir Veličković
