With the support of the European Union Gurgusovac Tower Ready for 58th Youth Culture Festival in Knjaževac

The Gurgusovac Tower will see this year's 58th Youth Culture Festival in Knjaževac restored thanks to the support of the European Union through the EU PRO development programme. The works on the renovation of the open stage included landscaping and lighting, as well as the purchase of mobile stage equipment.

"The reconstruction of the Gurgusovac Tower will considerably develop the tourism potential of Knjaževac. In particular, the facilities for hosting our traditional Youth Culture Festival, which brings in more than 15,000 visitors every year will be improved," said Milan Đokić, Mayor of the municipality, and invited everyone to visit Knjaževac during the Festival which was officially opened yesterday and will last until 31 July 2019.

As he added, the Gurgusovac Tower, a Turkish 18th century fortress, a prison during the Karađorđević dynasty rule, which earned it the title of the "Serbian Bastille", is now a meeting place for young people. The reconstruction of the stage that the European Union financed with 57,000 Euros and the municipal co-funding of 12,300 Euros, will contribute to the building’s improved functionality and improve the cultural and tourist offer of Knjaževac, not only during the festival.

Also, this year, the inhabitants of Knjaževac had the opportunity to take an active part in selection of the festival programme. Through activities aimed at applying the good governance principle and in a participatory process, the local self-government enabled the citizens to put forward proposals and then vote and decide on the programme. These activities are implemented in cooperation with the Swiss PRO programme supported by the Government of Switzerland.

The works in Knjaževac have been carried out by Artifeks Gradnja from Niš and Transkop R from Svrljig, companies selected through the public procurement procedure conducted by the Knjaževac Municipality.

The project of Reconstruction of the Gurgusovac Tower open stage in Knjaževac is funded by the European Union in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia through the EU PRO programme. Complementary project activities related to the implementation of the good governance principles are carried out in cooperation with the Swiss PRO programme supported by the Swiss Government.