brief background information (from Дoček's official website)
(all pictures downloaded from Instagram @docek_novisad and @novisad_2022)
Novi Sad was one of the first cities outside the European Union to be designated as the European Capital of Culture, becoming one of 60 cities to do so, fostering the richness of diversity and interculturalism.
The primary goal of the '4 New Bridges' program narrative is to leave Novi Sad with tangible legacies that improve the city's cultural life: new programs, new processes, involved people (citizens, cultural institutions, associations, organizations, artists), and new cultural spaces. That is why the project's vision is: 'The Beginning of New. Now!'
The title year's opening ceremony will take place on 13 January 2022 within Дoček, one of the most important legacy projects. Дoček celebrates two New Years, two calendars, and two time calculations through visual and performing arts, highlighting the city's interculturality at a time when different ethnic communities celebrate their holidays in the city. Novi Sad will symbolically close the title year on December 31, 2022, exactly 352 days later, also within Дoček.
Diary snippets from a volunteer at Доček
31.12. celebration
According to the Gregorian calendar, the first official welcoming of the new cultural capital of Europe was held on New Year’s Eve, a few days ago.
Changing the established concept of celebrating the New Year, Novi Sad, in honour of the great Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla, an honorary citizen of Novi Sad, followed the path he passed through our city and illuminates the suburbs of the Petrovaradin Fortress.
20.22 - interactive play directed by Nebojsa Bradic "Tesla, Inventor", brings us closer to the character of Nikola Tesla in an unusual way. The play was inspired by Vladimir Pištal's novel "Tesla, a portrait among masks", for which the author received the famous NIN award. The play is not a biographical reconstruction of the scientist's life, but a metaphor for the modern world.
After the show, we set off in a procession over the Duga bridge, exactly where Tesla passed by train, through the suburbs. The large procession was accompanied by music and lighting effects from both the performers and the volunteers and spectators.
As we pass through the suburbs, we were shown 3 more scenes and choreographies by a young woman from Novi Sad and a multi-award winning dance artist, Staša Kukić.
Artists we had a chance to listen to on multiple stages:
22.00 DJ Dark Angel
22.00 Elektro Guzzi
22.00 Kanda, Kodža i Nebojša
23.15 Noise Destruction
23.30 Đorđe Miljenović
23.45 Nipplepeople
01.01. celebration - the replay
On the day of the replay, the citizens of Novi Sad had the opportunity to observe the "Tesla Light Gallery" from the quay, which was projected on the Petrovaradin Fortress across the Danube. The work of talented experts from the production companies "Zoom media", "Chameleon", "AVL Projekt", as well as the studio "Modelart Arhitekt" was presented.
The content was repeated at 17.00, 18.00, 19.00 and 20.00, after which the musicians "Minilini" and "Kruder & Dorfmeister" could be found again in the suburbs.
We are looking forward to the official takeover of the capital, which is approaching on January 13! Can’t wait to see what more have young artists come up with in order to celebrate the Capital of Culture for 2022. Stay tuned for more updates <3
Iva Ivanišević
05.01.2022
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