Reconstruction of “Jusovača” into a creative hub for ICT development

12/10/2020

The Mayor of Podgorica, Ivan Vuković, PhD, and the Minister of Culture, Aleksandar Bogdanović, signed an Agreement on the realization of a capital project related to the execution of works within the Tamnica Jusovača (Jusovača Dungeon) complex in order to establish a Creative Hub for ICT development.

The project will be implemented in partnership between the Government of Montenegro and the Capital, and will include the rehabilitation, conversion and reconstruction of the mentioned cultural property, in the total value of EUR 1,950,000.

On that occasion, Mayor Vuković pointed out that Jusovača is one of the symbols of Podgorica, expressing his belief that in the coming period, many young entrepreneurs will find a place in that Creative Hub. He announced that the contract created legal and financial preconditions for the long-awaited and long-announced reconstruction and valorization of the Tamnica Jusovača (Jusovača Dungeon).

"It is one of the old promises both by the local self-governments and by the executive authorities, ie the state. In light of the fact that this space is one of the symbols of the Capital, a space of a very interesting history that has witnessed different phases of socio-political development of Podgorica and Montenegro, it certainly deserves our due attention", said the Mayor of Podgorica.

Vuković emphasized that the allocated funds will be enough for Jusovača to be completely reconstructed and opened for young and creative entrepreneurs in the next two years.

"It will be enough to reconstruct this space in the next two years and breathe new life into it, and open it for young and creative entrepreneurs, to have a creative hub in line with the commitment of the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture regarding the network creating creative hubs", Vuković concluded and thanked the Government of Montenegro headed by Prime Minister Marković, the Ministry of Culture and the Public Works Administration for their cooperation in the previous period.

"Having in mind the condition of the complex, we wanted to finally provide adequate treatment to Jusovača, in terms of its revitalization and protection from further deterioration. Therefore, I am immensely happy that today's signing of the contract with Mayor Vuković, and earlier with the director of the Public Works Administration, Resad Nuhodžić, will in the future result in the functioning of Jusovača on a sustainable basis, through an innovative concept that will combine art, ICT and entrepreneurship", said Minister Bogdanović.

He also emphasized that, through the concept of affirmation of creative industries and various forms of cultural and artistic content, Jusovača will contribute to the revitalization of, at this moment, a somewhat neglected part of the city.

"After the completion of the works, Jusovača will be able to animate a wide range of actors, not only from the cultural and artistic scene of the Capital. According to the planned residential purpose as well as the internationalization of activities, the complex will be able to attract regional actors of the cultural and artistic scene and thus encourage the development of cultural tourism in Podgorica", said Minister Bogdanović.

He also mentioned that placing cultural heritage in the context of a sustainable use is one of the important missions of the Ministry of Culture.

"In that context, I would like to remind you that we recently opened the first Creative Hub in Montenegro in the Palace in Stari Bar (old town of Bar), that the Residential Center for literates in the Pekić House in Šavnik has been completely finished and that works on Stari zatvor (Old Prison) in Kotor are entering the final phase, also for the needs of the new Creative Hub. The continuation of this extremely important series of capital projects is the upcoming reconstruction of Jusovača, the revival of which will open the door to new possibilities of the modern creative scene of the Capital and of Montenegro", said Minister Bogdanović.

He also reminded that the Government of Montenegro worked diligently and dedicatedly on the development and affirmation of the creative sector and the valorization of cultural heritage.

"We expect that the new government will carry on this continuity, in order to preserve the lasting values of our identity, for the benefit of Montenegrin culture and our society", said Minister Bogdanović.

Reconstruction of “Jusovača” into a creative hub for ICT development

GREEN FACE OF PODGORICA