The presentation of the initiative " The Return of Joakim"

Public presentation of the initiative: "The Return of Joakim" and the discussion of the local professional public on the topic " The Importance of the Decentralization for Cultural Institutions in Kragujevac", was held on Thursday, 15 October at 12:00 on the Small Stage in Knjaževac-Serbian Theatre. The representatives of local government, media, NGOs and local cultural institutions were invited to the debate.

The initiative “The Return of Joakim (after 175 years)”,which was founded on the fact that Knjaževac-Serbian Theatre is officially the first cultural insitution of that kind in Serbia, as well as on the legal opportunities (Articles 52 to 54 of the new Law on Culture), is a part of a bigger project called "Promoting decentralization in favour of increased citizens' participation in decision making" , implemented by NGO Millenium in partnership with Center for Civil Society Development PROTECTA from Niš and Balkan Community Initiatives Fund from Belgrade and other NGOs from Kragujevac, Kikinda, Leskovac, Sjenica, Valjevo and Pirot, with the support of EIDHR (European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights). The goal of the project is to initiate local problems which could be resolved by decentralization, as well as broader scope of advocacy for decentralization in Serbia.

This public action in which Kragujevac Theatre received the national status has been supported by the representatives of the City of Kragujevac, partner organizations on the project and National Coalition for Decentralization. The support of other relevant local, national and international organizations, institutions, networks and individuals is expected.

The initiative officialy started on 28 September, 2009, by public action of handing in the letter of intentions to the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia Nebojša Bradić, by the representative of NGO Millenium, and was continued by the media promotion within "Joakiminterfest", from 7 to 14 October, 2009.

We also plan to organize second debate in November this year. Beside representatives of local public of Kragujevac, the representatives on the national level (The Ministry of Culture, national media, cultural public...) will also participate in this debate.