Europa Nostra delegation visits Subotica synagogue

BELGRADE - Experts from leading European cultural heritage and financial organisations and officials of Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank have discussed with Serbia's leading conservation specialists the restoration of the Subotica synagogue, named one of Europe's seven most endangered monuments in 2014.

The experts from the European organisations will by the end of the year assist the making of the technical and financial plans for the conservation of the Subotica synagogue, built in 1902.

A unique masterpiece of the Hungarian Secession, the synagogue is in danger despite the restoration works conducted over the past decades.

The synagogue has a symbolic and educational value of European significance as a testimony to Subotica's multiculturalism, and is proof of the importance of the once-large Jewish community, Europa Nostra Serbia said in a statement.

The delegation of the European experts, Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank was in Subotica from October 4 through 16 for discussions with officials of the city, the Jewish community and the Hungarian national council, which are closely cooperating on the restoration of the synagogue.

Presented to the delegation were conservation-related problems and the way the cultural monument will be used once the restoration is complete.

One of the conclusions at the meeting was that a school specialising in restoration of Secession architecture needs to be established.

Europa Nostra is a European federation of cultural heritage organisations.

Established in Paris in 1963, it is based in The Hague and also has an office in Brussels.

Its president is the celebrated opera singer Placido Domingo.