The main objectives of FORT, as an umbrella organization, are to make social influence on the national, regional and international competent authorities and relevant institutions in order to create an environment and atmosphere where people would acknowledge the necessity of preserving and restoring the Petrovaradin Fortress, the significance of nurturing historical heritage and promoting the areas of the Fortress not used by the EXIT Festival, as well as to further promote one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the region.

The FORT project is of vital importance to our city. We are aware of the Petrovaradin Fortress’ potential and we would like to use it to the fullest, without compromising its glow. Joint efforts of all social stakeholders can take us to the final goal – the positioning of the Fortress as one of the most attractive destinations in this part of Europe. The City will control the expenditure of the Fund’s resources and we insisted to define with the EXIT festival the method which will be used to allocate the portion of ticket sales to the revitalization and reconstruction of the Petrovaradin Fortress – said Mayor Miloš Vučević, adding that today they started the process which can no longer be stopped, for the benefit of the large number of people who will enjoy the Petrovaradin Fortress.

Manager of the EXIT Festival Dušan Kovačević said that the Petrovaradin Fortress is the treasure of Novi Sad and scenography that thousands of its visitors have admired. He also added that the FORT project’s activities are two-fold: collection of funds for the reconstruction and development of the Fortress and its tourism promotion.

In the presence of cultural attachés of Germany and Austria, Mayor of Altena (Germany) and representatives of Banjaluka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Golubac (Serbia) shared their experiences in positioning fortifications as European, regional and national brand destinations.

The presentation was preceded by the reception of Mayor of Altena Andreas Hollstein in the Novi Sad City Hall, during which the mayors, who met for the first time, talked about the functioning of vital city systems.

Novi Sad, June 30th, 2014