Triptych of round tables ‘‘Status and Development Strategies of the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Serbia’

As part of the series ‘Status and Development Strategies of the Protection of Cultural Monuments of the Republic of Serbia’, a round table titled ‘Institutions of Protection’, organized by the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, opens at the SASA Hall 3, on Thursday, 15 December, at 10 a.m. The series itself, which includes three round tables, is organized as part of the celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia.

Eminent researchers, experts and officials in various fields of cultural monument protection, art history, archaeology, and heritology will be participants in the work of the round table.  As authorities in this field, they will try to consider thoroughly and painstakingly the current issues related to various aspects of the protection of cultural monuments, give a detailed overview of the status of the protection system and indicate problems in its functioning, followed by proposals for improvement of this system by definition of the most adequate concept frameworks and strategic directions of its future development. Rich, but at risk from multiple sides, the cultural heritage of the Republic of Serbia has invaluable historical and social significance, especially in terms of identity, at the same time it represents an important economic resource, therefore it necessitates special attention and protection care. The resource being squandered in the present is irreplaceable in the future. This is the reason why each generation has a tremendous responsibility to future generations when it comes to the care of their forefathers’ cultural legacy and the meticulous formation of an efficient system of its protection.

It is envisaged that the openings of all three round tables shall be open to the public, while in the working sessions, due to physical space restrictions and unique dialogue procedures, only invited researchers, experts and officials shall participate.

The first round table ‘Institutions of Protection’ consists of three thematic rounds: An overview of the status and issues of the functioning of the institutions of protection; The concept and structure of the system of institutional protection of immovable cultural heritage; Jurisdiction and mutual relations of institutions for the protection of monuments.

The second round table, planned for February 2023, will discuss the topic ‘Management of heritage,’ while the third will be titled ‘Heritage and Society.’