Belgrade Cultural Institutions (1st part)

In addition to being the capital of this pretty little country, Belgrade is also the meeting place of prominent cultural institutions. They mirror its chequered history, the beauty of the passage of time, each can tell a tale or two, it has characters from fairy tales well hidden beneath its surface, it is home to the ‘colossal giants’ in the area of science, art etc.

Culture is part of us, something that we learned from an early age, we acquire from other people, and what we pass on to the generations to come. If there were no culture, Belgrade wouldn’t be what it is – the capital of a compelling cultural life.

Below, we present you only a small part of the cultural institutions of our city…

1. Museum of the National Theatre

National Theatre - the symbol of art and cultural expression. The theatre seems to be the only place where actors can completely recreate the character and life of a literary figure, a place where they tend to see both virtues and flaws, expectations and the raison d'être of a person. This theatre stands in silent testimony of its turbulent times, built in the centre of the city, with a public acclaim of a beautiful building of classical elegance from the 19th century. Serbian actors made their first steps onto the stage of this building and its museum hides all those unique moments in time. The museum is open to public every day, ticket price is 50 RSD for children, and 100 RSD for adults. Go and see the ‘stage boards ‘that mean life’, and you will not regret it!

2. The Garland of Ivo Andric

Ivo Andric is the only Serbian Nobel Prize winner in literature, a man who has put his words to paper managed to communicate the culture and the cultural heritage of a nation. In his honor, an entire complex in the centre called – The Garland of Andric was built. Tucked away in between the presidential chambers and the Institute of Economics, it houses various cultural institutions, from the bequest of Ivo Andric, all the way to Gallery Ozone, to the Memorial Museum dedicated to this great man. The museum is literally Ivo Andric’s personal apartment where he lived with his wife Milica. Also, there is an impressive library and a stunningly beautiful museum is dedicated to the organization of cultural events and gatherings, children's concerts, competitions and charity causes. Andric was a generous man who in his novels described the way the Serbs were plain and generous people indeed. In order to prove this to be true, his piece of work titled Cultural Complex has emerged after his death, as a legacy of this great writer.

Ivo Andric, photo source: www.beobuild.rs

3. Radio Belgrade

You may have heard of Radio Belgrade and you may well know that it is one of the landmarks of the capital. Located in the circle of the Belgrade tram number 2 ( the inner city of Belgrade), it proudly stands there with the buildings such as the Theatre Atelje 212, School of Commerce and a traditional café-restaurant Šumatovac in close proximity. From its rooftops, you can see the townscape of the metropolis, the inhabitants of which since have been busily moving around for quite a while now. This building is not only one media center, it is also the oldest Serbian radio where numerous acting legends were first on the stage boards. Its famous Mija Aleksic used to run drama classes there, today members of the children's choir Kolibri have their own rehearsals there, They held workshops and courses in creative writing, drawing and painting. It is a repository of all a superb wealth of cultural resources. Don’t pass by this building without dropping by, because you will miss a significant part of the life of Serbs in this very place.

Radio Belgrade - before and today, photo source: www.danubeogradu.rs

4. Ethnographic Museum

Ethnographic Museum is one of the oldest museums in Belgrade, founded in 1901, as an off shoot of the National Museum as a separate department. How important it seems to be is well communicated by the fact that the history of Serbian nation is so intricate, varied and vast, that the huge repositories of resources of the epochs bygone should be displayed here in one place. Today, it holds over 200,000 exhibits, a museum library has about 60,000 publications in its own right. Serbian tradition is certainly something to be proud of. Every day concerts, workshops, lectures and literary evenings are held here . Indeed, an impressive venue!

Ethnographic Museum, photo source: www.novosti.rs

5. National library of Serbia

It is a prominent cultural centre because it is primarily the oldest cultural institution in Serbia founded in 1832 which has survived two world wars and the bombing. It was demolished flat to the ground twice so far, and restocking its bookshelves took quite a while. Booklovers relish in the contents of the building, starting with the books, all the way through to the holding a range of literature forums, talks, seminars and exhibitions, to numerous charity causes, film screenings, press conferences, symposiums and workshops. The stunningly beautiful edifice stands still and proud in the municipality Vracar on the Vracar plateau, whereabout one of the largest Orthodox Churches in the world is located - the Temple of Saint Sava. Its beauty tends to be the inspiration for a plethora of tourists to take photos and create wonderful memories, stories and photos ‘to write home about’.

National Library of Serbia, photo source: www.danubeogradu.rs

6. Pavilion ''Cvijeta Zuzoric''

This art and cultural pavilion is one of the favorite destinations of visitors who flock to see the event ''Night of Museums’', which is held once a year. It represents the Association of Fine Artists of Serbia, in which the promising would-be painters and creative artists of other forms of creative prospects show off their talents and skills that create an authentic cultural wealth . In fact, this institution is unique because it exclusively exhibits works of art. As part of the Kalemegdan Fortress, in the park Little Kalemegdan sits this beautiful building offering its visitors an unforgettable repository , a living proof that imagination has no boundaries, because the visual arts are truly amazing and creative.

Pavilion Cvijeta Zuzoric, photo source: www.nocmuzeja.rs

7. Student Cultural Center

The building was built back in 1968. In the beginning, as the Officers' Club, and then as a centre of cultural events The spirit of the passage of times, and its eventful history are interwoven enriching the contents of SKC. The Ceremonial Hall with exceptional architectural appearances, Cinema Hall, Happy Center, Small Hall and Gallery to name but a few. Concerts, fashion shows, films and video screenings are held in the Garden, which seems to get instant recognition by each and every visitor. A place well worth visiting!

Student cultural center, photo source: www.beogard.com

8. Savamala

You may have already heard of Savamala. It is a new cultural centre in its own right. It has also kept the spirit of old forgotten Belgrade, Normally referred to as Invisible City, it represents three important focal points – Branko’s Bridge, Gavrilo Princip Street and Karadjordjeva Street. There's loads to see in Savamala, where every street and building is unusual in their own right. There is the oldest candy store – the Bosiljcic candy shop the aromas and flavours of which of their rahat lokum and candies can be felt in the air from afar. The institutions and cooperatives such as Geozavod Foundation and the House of Luka Celovic) tell their own tales and reveal their well kept secrets and almost forgotten anecdotes. The famous Bristol Hotel tells its tale of how the famous Rockefeller enjoyed the hospitality of Belgrade. Manak's House is one of the favorite tourist destinations, where you can see traditional attire, as well as the Serbian rites and customs. Way back, the rafts were a place where young people normally spend their time, today - the nightlife has moved in into Savamala neighborhood, where every day you can hear the sounds of jazz, rap and underground music. Exhibitions, funfairs and workshops are just a tiny fraction of what you can see if you visit Savamala. And no doubt you will!

The beauty of Savamala, photo source: www.belgradian.com

9. Historical Museum

The importance of history, doesn’t mean much if you don’t see or hear something that is really unusually insightful. Belgrade Historical Museum is in many ways unique! In addition to that, you can see a variety of complex and museum exhibitions, this institution has gained popularity after it hosted a phenomenal exhibition in honour of one of the greatest Serbian scientist Mihajlo Pupin. Admission being as little as 200 RSD, you can enjoy the impressive atmosphere and the story of the life of one of the most acclaimed prominent Serbs ever. We won’t reveal all the details yet, but we do guarantee you will have an unforgettable experience!

Historical Museum, photo source: www.telegraf.rs

10. The House of Princess Ljubica

Why is this an important cultural institution? In addition to having been declared a cultural monument of great national importance, it is amongst the few buildings preserved during the reign of Prince Milos Obrenovic. Located in the Kosancicev’s Garland, beautiful, old part of Belgrade, surrounded by an Orthodox Church the Patriarchate and the oldest café in the city ''?’’ (i.e. the Question Mark). You can’t miss this old time house because of its exterior, along with its appearances and fragrant garden in front of it, is breathtaking to many who happened to walk by. In spring, when one can smell the scent of linden trees or in autumn when the colors of the leaves make this season ever more beautiful, it just stands there in silent testimony of the years bygone, which beneath their chambers tell their tales of the life of distinguished Belgrade families, their way of life, rites and rituals, daily routines of the time.