The End of Neglect for the Old Sokolana in Kragujevac!
Did you know that one of the most important cultural and historical buildings in Kragujevac, the Old Sokolana, has been decaying for decades? Time has not been kind to this architectural gem, a symbol of an era, which has never undergone serious reconstruction. But finally, things are changing – and not just a little!
Contract Signed for Reconstruction
The Ministry of Culture and the City of Kragujevac have signed a contract to finance the first phase of the Sokolana reconstruction, worth 25 million dinars. But that’s not all! The city immediately announced an additional investment of 40 million dinars. In total, 65 million dinars to save this cultural treasure.
Nikola Selaković, the Minister of Culture, emphasized that this is one of the priority projects in the field of protection of immovable cultural heritage. The Mayor of Kragujevac, Nikola Dašić, thanked the Ministry for strong support and stated that this is a big step towards revitalizing significant historical spaces in the city.
Why is Sokolana Important?
Sokolana is not just an old building. It is a symbol of an era, an architectural gem, and a place that can become a sustainable cultural space. But to become that, serious reconstruction is needed – not just cosmetic repairs, but fundamental strengthening of the foundations and complete reconstruction of the structure.
If large funds are invested but sustainability and quality program content are not ensured, the space will decay again. Therefore, the goal is for Sokolana to be not only restored but functional, with content that will attract audiences from Serbia, the region, and even the world.
What Awaits Us?
This project is part of a broader Ministry of Culture program “Cities in Focus,” which is implementing 33 projects across Serbia this year. So far, more than 2.3 billion dinars have been invested in the renovation and development of cultural infrastructure. Besides Sokolana, works are underway at the Glass Museum in Paraćin, the Cyrillic Museum in Bajina Bašta, and many others.
Selaković reminded that Serbia is soon expecting the World Specialized Expo exhibition, with about 3.5 million visitors. If only 5% of them want to visit Kragujevac, that’s about 175,000 people! That’s why it’s important for the city to offer attractions like Sokolana that will draw them in.
Forget the Excuses – It’s Time for Action!
For decades, Sokolana was neglected. There were no serious interventions, and problems accumulated. Now there is a chance to change that. But will it really be used? Will the city and state manage to create a sustainable cultural space, or will everything remain on paper?
If you have an opinion on what the future of Sokolana should look like or know a similar case where cultural heritage was lost due to neglect, drop a comment below. Let the voice of the people be heard – maybe you have the idea that will save another gem!
Conclusion
The reconstruction of the Old Sokolana in Kragujevac is not just a construction project. It is a fight to preserve culture, history, and identity. With investments of 65 million dinars and support from the Ministry of Culture, there is finally hope that this city symbol will shine in full glory. But only time will tell if this investment will be used properly.
Be part of this story, follow the developments, and remember – culture is what unites us, and Sokolana is its living proof in the heart of Kragujevac!
