The Regional Scientific Center of the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory aims to organize a one-day public event entitled „The Multicultural Novi Sad – the national communities of Vojvodina“ in order to contribute to the program of „Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture“ through its science- and research-based dimension.
The project will focus on the multiethnic, multilingual and multiconfessional character of the region, with special attention to the role of diversity in Novi Sad. Our plan is to realize a project that will consist of three parts:
- a daylong scientific conference about the national communities in Vojvodina;
- a round-table on the topic of the cultural autonomy of the national communities, that is, of the institution of national councils.
Duration of the whole project will be six months, and it will implemented through out three cycles of two months each. In accordance to its traditions, the Regional Scientific Center aims to make academic and institutional knowledge accessible to ordinary citizens by deepening historical-cultural self-consciousness and critical self-reflection through its engaged lectures and discussions. The systematic and comprehensive character of the project will make intercultural dialogue and the promotion of the strategies of solidarity possible, beyond prejudices and conflicts.
We are convinced that such a program is entirely in accordance with the European dimension of „Novi Sad 2021 – European Capital of Culture“ owing to our attachment and fidelity to fundamental European values such as pluralism, preservation of the diversity of culture heritage, and constructive dialogue.
Our aim is to keep in mind the differences and diversity with regard to the experience of ethnic identities in Vojvodina, and also to take into consideration the intersectionality of minoritarian identities and practices, and the institutional mechanism through which they are realized. We believe that the synthesis of these aspects can be achieved if the program will enable the symbiosis of the knowledge of experts and researchers, and of ordinary non-academic citizens with rich institutional and personal experience.