During the forum’s plenary session, representatives of leading museums and cultural institutions from both countries discussed future forms of cooperation and the exchange of experiences. Special attention during the program at the Novgorod Philharmonic Hall was dedicated to inter-museum collaboration, while plans for future joint projects were also presented. Among the participants were representatives of the Russian Ethnographic Museum and the National Museum of Serbia.
Serbian Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković addressed the international festival “Intermuseum” in Moscow, speaking about the importance of museums in contemporary society and their role in preserving identity and bringing cultural heritage closer to new generations. Referring to the work of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade and the preparation of its new permanent exhibition, Selaković emphasized that ethnography represents one of the key fields for understanding the identity of a nation, while also being content that equally attracts both domestic and international audiences. According to him, ethnographic collections allow visitors to gain direct insight into the traditions, way of life, and cultural heritage of Serbia.
Selaković also stressed the need for museums to develop modern ways of communicating with audiences, especially younger generations, while preserving the core values of museum practice. As he stated, the goal of new exhibitions and modern approaches is for museums to become spaces of knowledge, experience, and encounters with cultural heritage for future generations.
During their stay in Russia, members of the Serbian delegation also visited the landmarks of Veliky Novgorod, including the Center for Restoration of Monumental Painting, Yaroslav’s Court, and the Novgorod Kremlin, where they had the opportunity to learn about examples of cultural heritage preservation and presentation.
