Paper short abstract:

Using "Školigrica" project of Cultural Center „Stari grad“ in Belgrade as an outline, paper aims to remind how important culture and education are and were in former Yugoslavia, why cultural centers were opened in a first place, and how does it all corresponds with contemporary European tendencies.

Paper long abstract:

Project "Školigrica" lasted for 25 years as activity of Cultural Center of Peoples' University "Stari grad" in Belgrade. It was dedicated to children of pre-school age and based upon understanding that imaginative and creative (young) people are (to become) the most productive members of society. Cultural Center "Stari grad" was one among many cultural and educational centers that Yugoslav Communist Party, after it seized power in 2nd World War, opened throughout the country because illiterate and unconscious people could not contribute achieving communist society. Yet, throughout decades such Marxists thought and raison d'être of cultural centers were forgotten. In times of transition it was easy to label cultural centers as dragons eager to drain public funds because majority of them seemed reluctant to change into organizations that facilitate consumers society. Thus, they were dismissed from both cultural and educational systems. Contemporary tendencies in Europe, however, display recognition of benefits provided by conscious and creative cultural citizens. In order to encourage creativity in relationships between people, activities of establishments that link culture and education are actually very appreciated.