Press Releases
USAID Supports “Operation:City”
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2005
Zagreb, September 9, 2005 - A ten-day series of contemporary cultural programs called Operation:City is being organized by the Local Base for Culture Refreshment [BLOK] in cooperation with the City of Zagreb, local businesses and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the CroNGO program. Operation:City will demonstrate how under-utilized abandoned public and private space in Zagreb can be used for culture and can have an impact on city planning and development. After its conclusion BLOK will propose to the City of Zagreb a plan to utilize unused urban space and create a multifunctional cultural center.
Operation:City was officially opened by Mayor of Zagreb, Mr. Milan Bandic. It is taking place at the abandoned industrial complex consisting of the former factory “Badel” and the city slaughterhouse “Zagrepcanka” from September 8th until 17th. Operation:City will feature over 50 cultural activities, including theatre and dance performances, art installations, exhibitions, performance art, film screenings, musical events, workshops and lectures, organized by 25 cultural organizations, artists’ organizations and initiative.
More information: http://www.operacijagrad.org
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.