On the eve of the Jewish New Year, the Israeli Foreign Ministry has entered into a unique partnership with the Montenegrin NGO
Dukley European Arts Community(DEAC). This comes on the heels of a June reception in Jerusalem celebrating the 10th anniversary of Montenegrin independence and a successful summer tourism season of direct flights between the two countries.
At the historic Jugooceanija Building in Kotor, over 100 dignitaries gathered tonight to welcome two award-winning Israeli artists – Shirley Siegel and Shuruq Egbariah. One Jewish and one Arab, these two “citizen ambassadors” are tasked with the same unique mission – demonstrating the power of art to bring people and cultures together.
Before Ministers, Ambassadors, civic, religious and business leaders, Neil Emilfarb, founder of the Dukley European Arts Community opened the reception, “Art is the universal language and it plays a unique role in bringing peoples and cultures together.”
In less than two years, the Dukley European Arts Community (DEAC) has begun to positively transform the cultural infrastructure of Montenegro. Utilizing artists from across Europe, DEAC has enhanced Montenegrin theaters, universities, galleries and municipalities. Additionally, DEAC has prolonged the tourism season – critical for the Montenegrin economy - with innovative cultural programming and arts festivals in the spring and autumn. Gallery and studio space for visiting international artists comprise the heart of DEAC and are located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor.
DEAC was launched by Stratex Group, the largest American investor in Montenegro, as a way to give back to the people of Montenegro and to push the limits of 21st Century cultural diplomacy. This dynamic NGO is spearheaded by world-renowned arts management innovator Marat Guelman.
Similar to Montenegro, Israel is blessed with incredible natural beauty and has always been situated at the crossroads of cultures and civilizations. It is from this diversity and this history that these artists will find their muse. Through innovative cultural diplomacy over an intense two week residency, these dynamic artists aim to bring the people of Montenegro and Israel closer together.