Croatia
About Local Development Programme
Announcements
2013 calendar
EU to fund the reconstruction of Radnički dom in Vukovar
Reconciliation through architecture receives €1.34 million in support
Agreements covering the project were signed today in Vukovar by the Head of the EU Delegation in Croatia, Paul Vandoren, UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton, Minister for Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management Božidar Pankretić, and the Head of the Vukovar Reconstruction and Development Fund Ljiljana Blažević. The signing ceremony took place inside the empty shell of Radnički dom and was hosted by Vukovar County Prefect Božo Galić and Vukovar Mayor Željko Sabo.
"The European Union looks upon the restoration of the Vukovar Radnički dom as the passing from a rich history into an even richer future in the spirit of reconciliation, multiculturalism and prosperity for the city and people of Vukovar," said Vandoren.
Photo(right): Head of the EU Delegation to Croatia Paul Vandoren (photo by Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
"I am grateful to the European Union for the co-financing of the reconstruction of the Radnički dom building in the amount of €1 million, and I hope all the objectives of the project will be successfully realised, for the benefit of all Vukovar citizens," said Pankretić.
In addition to construction work aimed at restoring the facades of Radnički dom to their original appearance, the project will conduct broad consultations with all groups in the Vukovar community to try to forge a consensus on the future uses of the building's interior.
"Like the Vukovar Water Tower, Radnički dom now stands as a lifeless symbol of the destruction of war," said Vinton. "Our aim is to bring it back to life, not just as an architectural treasure, but also as the city's cultural heart and a thriving center of community life."
Photo (left): UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton (photo by Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
Old postcard/photo (above top left and right): Building of the old Grand Hotel was completed in 1897. From the very begining, the building had a public purpose. Besides providing hotel and theatre rooms, ground floor of the building offered various shops, as well as office space for the Sremska bank. Up until WWI, theatre hall hosted different social gatherings, parties, yearly assemblies and film screenings. Most frequent guests of the hotel were: traveling salesmen from Vienna, Segedin, Budapest, high-ranking government officials and lawyers, as well as priests. In 1919, the hotel owners, out of fear from revolutonary changes, sell the hotel. The buyer is Radnički dom cooperative from Vukovar, Vukovar-based organization of workers and citizens. The building with its inventory was bought, at the time, for 700.000 crowns. The building receives the new sign: Radnički dom, its recognizable name till the present day.
The Radnički dom complex is a registered high-A category architectural monument. During the war the complex suffered severe damage. Repair works until now have restored the building's structural integrity and replaced the roof. Complete reconstruction will take years owing to complex conservationist demands and the building's large size. The project –Heritage as a means of development: Reconstruction of architectural heritage in Vukovar town centre - sustainable revival and development of a war-torn community – will focus on a historically accurate restoration of the facades, exterior carpentry and necessary structural repairs. The reconstruction is expected to contribute to Vukovar's attractiveness as a tourist destination as well as to continued reconciliation among the city's diverse population.
Documents for download:
Speech by UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton
Photo (left): Radnički dom Vukovar, former City Coffee House after its reconstruction in 1980 Photo (right): signing of project agreements (photo by Miroslav Šlafhauzer) Photo (below): the Head of the EU Delegation in Croatia, Paul Vandoren, UNDP Resident Representative Louisa Vinton, Minister for Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management Božidar Pankretić, the Head of the Vukovar Reconstruction and Development Fund Ljiljana Blažević, Vukovar County Prefect Božo Galić and Vukovar Mayor Željko Sabo (photo by Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
Photo (below): presentation of the history of Radnički dom by Dragana Drašković (photo by Miroslav Šlafhauzer) |
back »