By adopting the Strategy of Cultural Development of the Republic of Serbia for the Period from 2020 to 2029 (hereinafter referred to as: the Strategy) the goals and priorities of development in the field of cultural policy of Serbia were established. This document systematically regulates public interest in the field of culture and determines strategic priority of cultural development in the following ten years.

The priorities and goals of the Strategy are based on the detailed analysis of the current situation in culture of Serbia, taking into account differences and development potentials. As the key fields of cultural development the Strategy singles out cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.

The Strategy defines the overall goal contained in improvement of the role of culture in the lives of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, as well as five special goals, as follows:

1. improvement of regulatory framework, institutional capacities and financial system in culture;
2. development of the system of investing in cultural institutions and protection of cultural heritage;
3. development of production, cultural needs and participation of citizens in cultural life on equal terms;
4. improvement of international cooperation and the process of European integrations in the field of culture;
5. digitalization in culture.

An integral part of the Strategy is the Action Plan for Implementation of the Strategy for the Period from 2020 to 2029. The Action Plan represents a detailed document in which the measures from the Strategy are elaborated with the aim of managing the dynamics of implementation thereof.

As a priority measure within the special goal, in item 2, implementation of the initiated and planned capital projects, which include the new building of the Nikola Tesla Museum, is specified.

In addition, by the plan of the Republic of Serbia “Leap into the Future – Serbia EXPO 2027” implementation of more than 300 different projects across Serbia is planned in the light of implementation of the International Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027. Building and reconstruction of the existing museums aimed at improving the cultural scene of Belgrade and Serbia are specified as one of the projects.

The planned new museum quarter in Belgrade will be located at the stretch from Savski Square to Resavska Street and Mostar Interchange. Four new museums are planned, as follows: Historical Museum, Children’s Museum, Nikola Tesla Museum and Belgrade City Museum.

The building of the Old Railway Station from 1884 will change its use and it will be the Historical Museum of the Republic of Serbia. The Old Post Office building, to which its original appearance before devastation in the bombing will be returned, will become the Children’s Museum with two new theatre stages. The former Paper Mill built by the industrialist Milan Vapa in 1924 will change its use for the needs of the Nikola Tesla Museum. Renovation of the building at the corner of Resavska and Nemanjina Streets is planned for the needs of the Belgrade City Museum.

The first three above mentioned museums are located within the Belgrade Waterfront Project, which is implemented according to the Spatial Plan for the Special Purpose Area and Development of Part of Belgrade Coastal Area – the Riverside Area of the River Sava for the Project “Belgrade Waterfront” (Official Gazette of RS, Nos. 7/15 and 48/22).

In view of the above the company Belgrade Waterfront, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and the Nikola Tesla Museum, initiated activities on forming the new Nikola Tesla Museum.

The motive for calling the contest is the Conclusion of the Republic of Serbia 05 number 464-2417/2024 of March 20, 2024 which defines that it is determined that the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia will be the user of the Milan Vapa’s Paper Mill. The aim of this decision is to provide adequate space for moving of the existing Nikola Tesla Museum from the building at the address 51, Krunska Street, considering that the existing exhibition space with the surface area of 250 m² is inadequate, taking into account the size and significance of the heritage of Nikola Tesla.

The archive of Nikola Tesla in Belgrade is one of the most important centers for studying the life and work of this great scientist. This achieve is stored in the Nikola Tesla Museum and it contains a rich collection of documents and patents that are testifying about his contribution to science and technology.

In the year 2003, the archive of Nikola Tesla was inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, which was created to preserve and provide access to the documentation heritage of universal significance. This Register brings together collections from all over the world that have particular cultural value and are significant for history and civilization. Inscription of this archive in the UNESCO Register represents a recognition for extraordinary Tesla’s contribution to the mankind.

The documents in the archive of Nikola Tesla include his rich correspondence with his colleagues-scientists, friends, family and the documentation about his inventions and experiments. The archive includes also Tesla’s personal library, scientific papers, manuscripts and other items enabling a deeper understanding of his ideas and innovations.

This archive is of enormous value not only for researchers and historians, but also for a wider public because it provides an insight into life and work of one of the most important scientists in the history of mankind.

 

In view of the above it was decided that the building of the former Milan Vapa’s Paper Mill at the address 10, Vojvoda Mišić Boulevard, which is a cultural monument, by its structure, spatial characteristics and surface area represents an adequate space for forming the new Nikola Tesla Museum in line with modern needs and standards. In this way all activities related to preservation, studying and exhibiting Tesla’s heritage will be at one place and conditions for presentation of his work and achievements to a wider public will be provided.

Reconstruction and repurposing of the former Milan Vapa’s Paper Mill to the Nikola Tesla Museum should enable significant improvement in presentation and protection of cultural heritage, which comprises not only scientific and technical innovations of Nikola Tesla, but also his rich personal heritage. In addition, in the new museum archival material will be more accessible to researchers in order to encourage the scientific research activities, and visitors will be given a chance to learn about influence of Tesla’s work with interactive experience which should stimulate critical thinking about the role of technology in shaping the future.

The objective of this contest is to select the best architectural urban solution for the new Nikola Tesla Museum in accordance with the contest conditions, specific program requirements, site potentials and particular significance of double inherited structure, the building as a cultural monument and archival material – Personal Collection of Nikola Tesla, as cultural heritage of exceptional importance.

The new Nikola Tesla Museum should be a Serbian and global center of innovation and inspiration, where the past, present and the future of science and technology will be presented through a perspective of Tesla’s thinking, history of his life and work.                                                              

The aim of the Museum is to be more than a place where historical artefacts are stored. It should represent a dynamic and innovative space which will motivate its visitors to think and inspire new generations to comprehend true human values and build a sustainable future society.

 The solution should integrate all specificities of the found cultural heritage into one modern, original and recognizable multifunctional building, improve values of the ambience and contribute to the abundance of urban, cultural and social life in Belgrade.

A special objective of the contest is protection and reconstruction of the former Milan Vapa’s Paper Mill in order to preserve collective consciousness about its original function and historical significance of the space.

In this sense, the building should bear with dignity the characteristics of the inherited architecture in a new ambience and contribute to special effect of the surrounding. With its existence and the future use the building should provide a unique synthesis of the old and the new, creating harmony between the traditional and modern urban context.

The contest presents an important step towards achievement of this vision, providing opportunity to experts and creative persons to contribute with their solutions to the development of unique and inspirational space dedicated to one of the greatest minds of our time. The selected solution will be the basis for further elaboration and implementation for the purpose of forming the new Nikola Tesla Museum.