A Creative hub was opened in the restored former building of the Old prison in Kotor, within the project “3C - Cross-border exchange for the development of Cultural and Creative industries ”.
At the hub opening, Mayor of Kotor, Vladimir Jokić, said that a lot of time, effort and money have been invested in order to transform the facility that was perceived by many as the place of cruelty, into place that will hopefully become associated with creativity.
"The building that was a symbol of cruelty, bars and torture is now becoming something else. It is becoming a place where freedom will be able to sing. It is my duty to thank everyone who put in the selfless effort, the restorers and workers who worked on the building and everyone who participated. The municipality of Kotor will give its full contribution to the work of the Creative Hub and I hope that we will have a new center of cultural life in Kotor" Jokić said.
“Investments in creative industries are very important for European Union, not just because of the enormous economic potential that it brings, but also for the key role that it plays in bringing communities together and creating the feeling of common European identity, culture and values. Today we can see the results of European Union’s investment – in the amount of 1, 3 million Euros – in cultural heritage protection and improvement of creative industries in Kotor”, said the head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Oana- Cristina Popa.
She said that Unions funds were used to restore and transform this beautiful historic site into dynamic new centre which will host numerous artists from Montenegro and the world in years to come.
She emphasized that, with its rich cultural heritage and many talented contemporary artists, Montenegro has a lot to contribute to the common European cultural identity and stressed that the EU will continue to support institutions, communities and artists at this important time in order to revive and further develop the Montenegrin cultural sector.
According to the Chief Negotiator, Zorka Kordić, Project 3C, which is implemented within the INTERREG IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Italy, Albania and Montenegro, aims to strengthen sustainable tourism management, with a focus on supporting the concept of protecting individual cultural properties.
"As many times before, we are witnessing that culture connects people and represents a significant stimulus in the development of the community. I am convinced that the 3C project will contribute to the valorization of creative potentials in the southern Adriatic region and contribute to the creation of an efficient and creative cross-border network, which will promote the creation of new initiatives and creative projects. This will certainly affect the deepening of cooperation and networking of relevant key actors in the field of culture in the program area, and through the renovation of the Old Prison building, it will significantly improve the cultural offer of the Municipality of Kotor and Montenegro, "said Kordić.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Milica Kadović Đorojević, pointed out that this governmental body is continuously implementing activities aimed at achieving established priorities and goals in the protection and valorization of cultural heritage, which responds to numerous influences and challenges of modern age.
"On the other hand, in recent years, special attention has been paid to the neglected sector of creative industries, which is the main factors for the development of the creative sector. Through strengthening the infrastructure, support is provided to the education and improvement of entrepreneurial skills, residential and specialized training programs, the establishment of innovation ecosystems, technological innovations and the so-called product based entrepreneurship in cultural and creative industries", said Kadović Đorojević.
She stated that the Ministry continues to fulfill the strategic goal aimed at promoting and developing the creative sector and creative industries in Montenegro as a generator of economic development and potential for positioning Montenegrin culture at the regional and international level.
"I am convinced that this area will become a regional center of creativity and art in the future, and that it will be a positive guideline for further improvement of the cultural sector in general," said Kadović Đorojević.