The Seventh Doček, implemented by the Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture project, remained faithful to the unique concept of celebrating the New Year in Europe. Two dates and two calendars, two evenings, two programme concepts, at almost 40 locations and with more than 50 hours of programme, attracted the attention of the residents of Novi Sad and visitors to the city this year as well. What made the last celebration different from the previous ones was the decision that Novi Sad would enter the new year without fireworks, which were replaced by special effects. According to the opinion of visitors in a survey of independent evaluators, the special effects better aligned with the image of Novi Sad as European Capital of Culture.
Doček 2024 surprised those present with an unforgettable audio-visual programme, Tesla – Light Gallery in the Suburbium and on the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Inspired by Tesla’s private life, artists Monika Bilbija Ponjavić, Miloš Martinov, Tijana Jevrić, Ivana Janošev and Dutch artists Alex Prooper and Simone van Dam, along with student Milica Blešić from the Academy of Arts and Jovana Dugonjić from the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, created a completely new ambience of the baroque jewel of Novi Sad through the play of light and sound, and interactive audio-visual art installations.
The famous clock on the Petrovaradin Fortress was illuminated for the first time with artistic projections and augmented reality. In this manner, the landmark of the city, which is three centuries old, was associated with Nikola Tesla, the first honorary citizen of Novi Sad, thanks to whom Serbian Athens was one of the first illuminated cities in Europe, and today it is on the UNESCO Creative City List in the field of new media arts.
Buč Kesidi, Ljubičice, Kiril Džajkovski and TK Wonder, ABBA RING, Elemental, Partibrejkers, DJs Franck Roger and Dejan Milićević performed on three stages in Suburbium.
In the atmosphere of the genre diversity music programme and visual art, at almost 40 locations in the city, Novi Sad celebrated Doček 7532, gathering important artists from the local and international scene, as well as numerous visitors.
The world-renowned harpist, Catrin Fich, enchanted those present in the City Hall with her virtuoso performance, while the famous, award-winning accordionist Richard Galliano, introducing himself to the audience in the City Concert Hall, confirmed with his performance why he is considered a musician who changed the history of the accordion. The electro-pop quartet from Liverpool, Ladytron, rocked the Youth Theatre with their rhythms, while at the same time The Novi Sad Big Band created real musical magic in the Serbian National Theatre, bringing us musical classics from Yugoslav and international films.
This year as well, Doček was a small journey through the city, offering us an unforgettable combination of music styles and performers. The Portuguese fado diva Gisele João captured the Synagogue with her voice, while the Flamingods enchanted the audience of the Cultural Centre. The Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Srpska, together with the SOPOT band and special guest Marko Louis created an unforgettable atmosphere in the Serbian National Theatre. A touch of tradition was brought to Doček by Braća Teofilović, Collegium Musicum Academic Choir, Neda Nikolić Trio with guest Danijela Veselinović, in cultural stations around Novi Sad. Cultural stations also hosted the jazz diva Lena Kovačević, then the favourite pop singer of all generations, Željko Vasić, as well as the popular pop-rock band Neverne Bebe.
Islandman, a Turkish musical trio, performed in Radnički Dom, while Kanda, Kodža i Nebojša, delighted the audience in the NIS hall. The renovated District was the centre of electro sound with DJs Matthew Johnson and Marko Nastić, with whom Runy and 2Much, shared the stage, but also gathered young performers from the local scene who, in cooperation with the Serbia Creates platform, brought contemporary notes to the Proizvodnja facility. We enjoyed the performances of the artist Zhiva, the bands Keni Nije Mrtav and KOIKOI, as well as the joint performance of the rapper Rouzi and Jowam.