ROUNDTABLE: CULTURAL HERITAGE OUT OF FOCUS
On Thursday, October 23, a roundtable titled “Cultural Heritage Out of Focus” was held at Klara i Rosa. The topic of the discussion stemmed from research we conducted during the summer with the citizens of Subotica, exploring what they recognize as the city’s cultural heritage.
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In addition to Art Nouveau, several less obvious but equally significant elements emerged: the forest, the bicycle as a means of transport, and interculturality.
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The discussion was moderated by Nela Tonković, art historian and curator of the Contemporary Gallery of Subotica. Participants from various fields — culture, civil society, ecology, and public institutions — shared their experiences and perspectives.
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Several concrete conclusions were highlighted during the discussion:
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To preserve interculturality, it is essential to ensure continuity of contact and encounters with “the other and the different,” as understanding and togetherness can only be built through direct experience.
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The Subotica forest could be more effectively protected if its current status as an “economic forest” were changed to a protected natural area, given its crucial role in maintaining the city’s climate stability — especially since Subotica lies on sand — and its value as part of the city’s collective heritage.
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To preserve the bicycle as a mode of transport, political will is necessary — not major investments, but the readiness to partially move car traffic out of the city center and prioritize cyclists, alongside pedestrians as equal participants in traffic. As one participant emphasized, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” — even simple measures, such as marking red lanes, could significantly improve the cycling infrastructure, including on the Korzo itself.
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The meeting showed how important it is to talk about “invisible” cultural heritage and to reflect on how we can preserve it together — not only through institutions but through everyday care, engagement, and solidarity.
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The roundtable was held as part of the “Europe from Serbia” project, funded by the European Union, and implemented by Pro.Tok21, Klara i Rosa, Sinhro, StartHub, and Takt.info.
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