Art That Connects exhibition opens in Novi Sad

Novi Sad, 21 September 2026 - The Art That Connects exhibition, organised by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with the support of Switzerland, opened today at the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad. The exhibition brings together cartoons by Marko Somborac, artwork by Reza Sharifi and photographs by Fadil Sarki, creating space for a conversation about forced displacement, solidarity, belonging and the contributions refugees make to society.

The exhibition opened on the International Day of Peace, observed this year under the theme "Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day". The event also marked 50 years of UNHCR's presence in Serbia, the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 65th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Speaking about the importance of the international conventions, UNHCR Representative in Serbia Soufiane Adjali stressed that their value extends beyond history and is reflected in the concrete protection they provide to people.

"The Conventions remind us that refugees, asylum-seekers and people at risk of statelessness have the right to protection, dignity and the opportunity to build a new life. Their full implementation also requires creating conditions for successful integration. Refugees bring knowledge, skills and talents that benefit society as a whole," said Soufiane Adjali.

The Cultural Centre of Novi Sad is hosting the inaugural Art That Connects exhibition. Deputy Director Sunčica Marković spoke on behalf of the Centre.

"Novi Sad is a city built by people who came from elsewhere. Here, migration is part of the city's identity, not an exception. I would like to thank UNHCR for half a century of work in our country, and all those who have shaped its work, past and present, and who have always been there to help people in need," said Sunčica Marković.

Through different forms of artistic expression, the works on display bring audiences closer to the experiences of people who were forced to leave their homes, as well as to their talent, knowledge and creativity.

"If you ask me how to create cartoons and comic strips about such complex issues and present them through humour, you will notice that much of the work satirises hypocrisy, hatred, fake news and prejudice, all through real-life examples," said Marko Somborac.

Fadil Sarki's photographs focus attention on individuals and their personal stories, beyond the labels and statistics that often shape conversations about displacement.

"Through photography, I want to preserve moments that reveal the dignity, strength and individuality of each person. Behind terms such as 'refugee' or 'asylum-seeker' are people with memories, hopes, talents and plans of their own. When we look at them without prejudice, it becomes clear how much their stories can enrich the communities in which they live," said Fadil Sarki.

The musical programme featured students from the Isidor Bajić Music School: guitarists Tara Klea Kišgeci and Filip Hićil, accordionist Strahinja Gerić and marimba players Azra Ferizović and Hana Milutinović. The audience heard works by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Saša Kovačević and Nebojša Jovan Živković, as well as Azra Ferizović's original composition I Would Like to Live with You, written for marimba and recitation.

The exhibition will remain open at the Cultural Centre of Novi Sad, Katolička porta 5, until 25 September 2026.

This exhibition was developed as part of the project "Safe Procedures. Rights for All. Strengthening Migration Governance and Asylum Systems in Serbia", implemented by UNHCR Serbia in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration and IOM Serbia, with the support of Switzerland. The organiser is solely responsible for the content of the event, which does not necessarily reflect the official views of Switzerland.