The Heart Stays in Our Gradić

The big wooden heart with the word “Volem” (Luving) remains at the Suburbium of Petrovaradin Fortress as a gift to all residents after the Street Musicians Festival, which was held there from 1st to 3rd September. The gift to Gradić, but also to the entire city, is a work by the Festival, which this year changed its address to this romantic neighborhood beneath the fortress walls, and the Citizens’ Association Fruškać, which actively works to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Fruška Gore Mountain, awaken and raise environmental awareness, recycling and promotes renewable sources of energy.

The two-meter tall red hart was setup as a symbol of the new cultural life force in this part of the city, and the first step towards future revitalization, initiated by this event, which has completely dedicated itself to revive the Suburbium and turn it into an attractive quarter for life, work and tourism. The back of the heart is designed with citizens, passersby and visitors of Gradić in mind, so everyone can write or carve in their names, notes, or messages, thus leaving a small part of their own heart to remain in this beautiful part of the city.

Together, Fruškać and the Street Musicians Festival were also able to welcome the English conceptual artist Spencer Byles, who creates different spatial art sculptures out of materials he finds in forests. His installations, the most impressing of which is the decorative gate adorning the beginning of Ramp Road beneath the Drunken Clock, were completely in sync with this year’s efforts of the Street Musicians Festival.

During the Festival, a plastic waste container made from wire was also placed in Gradić, where visitors of the program were able to receive attractive badges by the Association in exchange for three plastic cups. The container was placed by Fruškać in partnership with the Citizens’ Association Komšija from Petrovaradin.