Alternative Cultural Centre Group Advocates for Change

After local authorities decided to close down the town's only cultural institution, a group of citizens gathered to react to a decision they felt was the consequence of corruption.  By closing down of the Dom Kulture (House of Culture), the municipality was free to rent/sell its well-positioned building to local businessmen. Thus, an informal group called Alternative Cultural Centre was established in Tutin, a town in Sandzak - a multiethnic and underdeveloped region that lies on the border with Montenegro and Kosovo.  

As a consequence of the decision to close the Dom Kulture, not only would corruption be rewarded but  a number of people would lose their jobs, and the town would be left without its only cultural institution – home to both professional and amateur events and performances. Employees, joined by intellectuals, cultural professionals and also ordinary citizens who felt that this was unjust, gathered and organized an extensive campaign against the decision. They came to BCIF, and after consultations they received not only financial support, but also materials, mentoring, and support in planning their actions. They started with research and data collection on the legal basis for the decision, discovering that authorities had no right to make such a decision. Their next steps involved public announcements of these facts, as well as organizing numerous events where they captured the attention of the wider public: street cultural performances, public protests, round tables, a media campaign and petitions that collected more then 2,000 signatures. Negotiations with the local authorities continued and demanded constant attention and alertness as authorities tried to counter every move of the protesters. Meanwhile, protesters formed a support network including the Ministry of Culture, trade unions, and several embassies.

Finally, the local authorities gave up - they reopened the institution, under the new name Multimedia Center, brought back to work those who were fired and provided funds for the Center. The institution is reorganized and is now available for different cultural events for all cultural actors and groups in the community (the local amateur theatre, children's theatre, folklore, exhibitions, book promotions). The group keeps working on cultural affirmation in the community through a series of activities to actively involve young people in cultural life.

Most importantly, the successful call for local authorities to act responsibly brought an awareness that things should and could change with citizen involvement and inspired a new approach and thinking in the community. Citizens now view cultural policy as something to be created and enjoyed by the community, instead of by politicians. Citizens are more confident that their opinions and actions do matter.