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Protest in Zrenjanin over museum curator's contract non-renewal
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Culture & Society

Protest in Zrenjanin over museum curator's contract non-renewal

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A protest was organized in Zrenjanin after the local government decided not to renew the contract of a decorated museum curator.
  • Protesters argue the decision to dismiss Dejan Vorgiฤ‡, an art historian, is politically motivated.
  • They emphasize Vorgiฤ‡'s qualifications and regional recognition, calling for employment decisions to be based on merit, not party affiliation.

Citizens and cultural workers gathered in Zrenjanin to protest the local government's decision not to extend the contract of Dejan Vorgiฤ‡, a respected curator at the National Museum of Zrenjanin. Vorgiฤ‡, an art historian, had been employed on project-based contracts for over a decade.

Dejan Vorgiฤ‡ is an art historian and until recently a curator at the National Museum of Zrenjanin. He is no longer that. Dejan worked for more than 10 years on project-based contracts, and that contract has not been renewed, meaning cooperation on projects has not been renewed.

โ€” Tanja ฤ†iriฤ‡ฤ†iriฤ‡ explained the situation regarding the non-renewal of curator Dejan Vorgiฤ‡'s contract.

Tanja ฤ†iriฤ‡ of the Zrenjanin Assembly stated that the decision appears to be politically motivated. She pointed to the simultaneous hiring of individuals with lesser qualifications and shorter tenures, suggesting that party affiliation, rather than professional merit, influenced the decision. Vorgiฤ‡ has received numerous domestic and international awards for his work, which includes extensive research, exhibitions, and lectures, making him a significant figure not only for Zrenjanin but for the wider region.

We believe this is a political decision, because, as she states, other people were hired at the same time 'with much lower qualifications, who have worked for much shorter periods, and who are much less expert than Dejan'.

โ€” Tanja ฤ†iriฤ‡ฤ†iriฤ‡ elaborated on the perceived political motivation behind Vorgiฤ‡'s dismissal.

The protesters voiced their support for all individuals facing political repression within cultural institutions. They urged employers to prioritize qualifications, expertise, and quality of work over political connections when making hiring and dismissal decisions. The group asserted that the city budget belongs to the citizens, not a single political party. As of the report, the Zrenjanin City administration had not provided an official explanation for Vorgiฤ‡'s contract non-renewal.

He has received both domestic and international awards. This year, he received an international award. He is recognized and known in the region, extremely important not only for the city but for the region. He has written many professional and scientific papers, held dozens of exhibitions and lectures. His work is very important and speaks for itself, citizens love him very much.

โ€” Tanja ฤ†iriฤ‡ฤ†iriฤ‡ highlighted Vorgiฤ‡'s significant professional achievements and regional importance.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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