Our Vision

Our concept is Open city. Nikšić has always been a city that brings people together—and we believe that this is its greatest strength. We start from the idea that a city is a space for connection, and only a city that fosters a spirit of togetherness can be truly open to all its residents, to diversity, and to other cities across Europe.

Our vision is to shape Nikšić as an Open City—a place that thrives through creativity, inclusivity, and collaboration. A city rooted in heritage, engaged with the present, and oriented toward a sustainable, imaginative future.

We want the idea of openness to radiate from Nikšić, mirroring the city’s radial urban plan. From the start, this layout has symbolized connection, unity, and transformation—values at the heart of our concept From Radial to Radical.

To be open means to make space for the other—for difference, dialogue, and shared growth.

The modern story of Nikšić began in the late 19th century, when Josip Slade, a philosopher and architect from Trogir, responded to the call of Prince Nikola I.  He was invited to help shape the European identity of a newly emerging state. His legacy was the design of a new city—Nikšić—envisioned as the western gateway of a country striving for modernity and connection. Imagined as an open European city, Nikšić followed Renaissance ideals: broad streets, public squares, and a star-shaped radial plan symbolizing accessibility, equality, and social evolution.

While no longer central to urban planning, the symbolic power of this layout continues to inspire our vision of inclusive, collaborative living. We build on this legacy and the ideas of thinkers like Richard Sennett to imagine Nikšić as a European city in constant evolution—open to citizens, partnerships, new technologies, and future-forward ideas. In this way, the structure of our program is embedded in the DNA of our city—its urban layout becomes a symbolic and functional foundation for our vision. 

This vision is also Montenegro’s invitation to Europe: a declaration of its readiness to join the EU, with Nikšić as a symbol of that commitment. 

Our response is to open up—to ideas, people, stories, and new ways of living together. 

Through our artistic program, we aim to activate connections, spark collaboration, and foster belonging. Nikšić, as an Open City, becomes a space where culture brings us closer—across borders, generations, and perspectives—and where the future is shaped not in isolation, but in shared creativity and solidarity.