Discussion on regulating street performing and the entertainment program has started in Novi Sad

Panel discussion held between Art Association “Inbox” and the City of Novi Sad Council for Culture about busking in Novi Sad

Panel discussion on regulating street performing of art and entertainment programs was held today as part of the initiative started by the Art Association “Inbox” and the City of Novi Sad Council for Culture. Taking part in this meeting, beside the citizens, street performers and the media, was also Vanja Vučenović, member of the City of Novi Sad Council for Culture, as well as representatives of the City of Belgrade, who have already dealt with this question.

Vanja Vučenović emphasized the importance of resolving this question in a quality manner, but that a long-term process stands ahead of us, because it is also important to incorporate all interested parties in finding the best possible solution. He pointed out that this process will include other City Councils, that the initiative has received great support form the City and thanked the present representatives of the Request Review Commission for Performers of Cultural and Artistic Programs of the City of Belgrade for their cooperation.

The president of this Commission and the director of Beokom City of Belgrade Darko Glavaš, said that the regulation of street performing in Belgrade has considerably helped the cultural and touristic offer of the city, and that Novi Sad must be prepared for a long journey from initiative to adopting a rule book which would regulate performances in the streets and squares.

“The Street Musicians Festival has for fifteen years already promoted the idea of street performing, while Novi Sad with its old city core is a very attractive framework for street performers not just from Serbia, but from Europe as well. Art Association “Inbox” as the organizer of the festival wants to represent the interests of the street musicians in this initiative and with its capacities take part in finding the best possible model for free street performing”, said the director of the Street Musicians Festival, Borislav Beljanski.

The member of the Request Review Commission for Performers of Cultural and Artistic Programs of the City of Belgrade, Jovan Radulović, emphasized the very encouraging fact that on the last audition for street programs in Belgrade twice as many artists applied than two years ago, when the regulation in Belgrade began. He presented to the panel the terms and criteria for performing street programs in public spaces in Belgrade and said that a professional commission made up of distinguished artists, media representatives and city institutions takes part in the decision process of the final street performers line-up.

Buskers and street artists from Novi Sad, Andrija Hadžić and Danijel Seethaler, expressed their positive thoughts on this initiative and emphasized the need for regulation is in great demand, as the competition between street artists in Novi Sad is becoming greater. “The positive atmosphere is especially important which is created in the street between artists and citizens, and for us, the performers, the most important moment is the interaction with the audience”, said, among other things Hadžić.

As an authentic artist, percussionist and busker, Danijel Seethaler turned to the good experiences from his street performances, concluding that in the streets and squares he found a path to further professional development, and added that the initiative for regulating street performing in a way acknowledges these artists and their work and talent.

Panel discussion on regulating street performing of art and entertaining programs in Novi Sad is first in line of events within the initiatives of the Art Association “Inbox” and the City of Novi Sad Council for Culture and other partners. This discussion represents the start of a project which as its goal has to offer a solution for regulating street performing of culture, art and entertainment programs in public spaces in Novi Sad. The project of regulating this question should be conducted by the City of Novi Sad Council for Culture and the Administration for Municipal Affairs, helped by the Art Association “Inbox” which in achieving this goal and solving this question offer its experience, logistics and channels of communication.

The next event on which the artists, citizens, media and governing representatives will discuss the best ways of regulating street performing different art programs in public spaces in Novi Sad will be held during the Street Musicians Festival from 3rd to 5th September in Novi Sad. For further information and contact continue to follow our website ulicnisviraci.com, or our Facebook page facebook.com/UlicniSviraci, and you can also check out our YouTube channel
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