Metamedij

14/04 2025

Marino Jurcan elected Secretary of the ORACLE network of cultural managers

News

Marino Jurcan, representative of the Metamedij Association, has been elected Secretary of the Board of the international ORACLE network, which brings together more than 700 cultural managers and professionals from around the world, primarily from European countries. The network consists of alumni of the European Diploma in Cultural Management, one of the most significant educational programs in the field of cultural policy and management in Europe. Jurcan successfully completed the European Diploma in Cultural Management (2010–2012), and since then has been actively involved as an alumnus and member of the ORACLE network, which he will now help shape as its Secretary.

ORACLE has been active for 30 years and is known for its transdisciplinary and transnational approach—promoting cultural cooperation, knowledge exchange, and participatory practices, with a strong emphasis on cultural democratization. The annual meeting and general assembly of the ORACLE network took place from April 3 to 6, 2025, in Kamnik, Ljubljana, and Nova Gorica, as part of the GO!2025 – European Capital of Culture program. The program included presentations and visits to key cultural venues such as Cukrarna, Stara elektrarna, Rog Creative Centre, and the Kreativna četrt Barutana, with the support of local cultural workers and network members.

The central theme of the gathering was “Culture and Cultural Cooperation: Tools for Peace?”, which served as a framework for discussions on the role of culture in today’s challenging times, as well as the need for deeper international cooperation, cultural democratization, and civic participation.

The introductory lectures and discussions featured contributions from: Jean Pierre Deru, founder of the ORACLE network, who emphasized the need for continuity and strategic restructuring of cultural networks; Simon Kardum, cultural strategist and former director of Kino Šiška, who addressed the challenges facing cultural policy in Europe; Blaž Peršin, director of the Museums and Galleries of the City of Ljubljana and host of the Ljubljana segment of the program, who presented the projects Cukrarna, Stara elektrarna, and Rog Creative Centre as examples of transforming industrial heritage into contemporary cultural spaces; Lara Mejač and Ajda Ana Kocutar, editors of the international art magazine ETC, who highlighted the importance of creating new, inclusive cultural narratives; and Sonja Ifko, professor at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana, who spoke about architecture as both a political and cultural space.

Participants were also introduced to a series of inspiring practices, such as the Student Protests in Serbia as an example of civic resistance through culture; NGO Esperanza from Skopje, which focuses on working with young influencers in the fight against disinformation and hate speech; and The Island We Share, a project by the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre that connects art, community, and cultural solidarity.

The program in Nova Gorica included a visit to the Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica and a presentation of the Theatre at the Borderline project, led by Mirjam Drnovšček, director of the theatre and member of the GO!2025 team.

At the general assembly, a new Board of Directors was elected, with members coming from various countries and sectors: President Jean Pierre Deru (Belgium), Secretary Marino Jurcan (Croatia), Treasurer Tessy Fritz (Luxembourg), Vice President Hristijan Tomanoski (North Macedonia), and Communications and Public Relations Officer Sade Kahra (Finland).

The participation of the Metamedij Association in this network further confirms the organization’s international relevance and its active involvement in contemporary cultural processes, with a particular focus on networking, innovation, and support for young cultural professionals. In his new role, Marino Jurcan contributes not only to representing the local scene but also to shaping the future direction of one of the longest-standing cultural networks in Europe.