Živa Award 2025 Jury Announced: A Prestigious Group of Experts

The Živa Award, a distinguished recognition of exceptional museum practices in the Slavic world, has unveiled its 2025 Jury. Known for their professional evaluations and deep engagement with museums, the Živa Jury takes an unprecedented approach by visiting all participating and nominated museums in person. This rare in-situ practice allows the judges to gain invaluable insights, ensuring their assessments are enriched by real, hands-on experiences.

The esteemed Jury is composed of 13 to 14 members from various backgrounds, ranging from museum directors, curators, and cultural advisors to marketing specialists and public relations experts. Members are appointed by the Forum of Slavic Cultures and the European Museum Academy, with representation from several countries, ensuring a diverse and comprehensive perspective.

The 2025 Živa Award Jury includes:

  • Ekaterina Djoumalieva (Bulgaria) – Director of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Museums, and Visual Arts, Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria
  • Dr Pavel Douša (Czech Republic) – Deputy Director General of the National Agriculture Museum in Prague
  • Olha Honchar (Ukraine) – Director of Memorial Museum of Totalitarian Regimes “Territory of Terror”
  • Dirk Houtgraaf (Netherlands) – Strategic Marketing Consultant at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science
  • Neda Knežević (Serbia) – Director of the Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade
  • Dr Lidija Nikočević (Croatia) – Senior Curator
  • Gordan Nikolov (North Macedonia) – Curator Advisor at the Museum of the Republic of North Macedonia
  • Dr Andreja Rihter (Slovenia) – Director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures
  • Dobrila Vlahović (Montenegro) – Director-General of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro
  • Elia Vlachou (Greece) – Deputy Director, Head of Projects, Development & Networking at the Cultural Foundation of the National Bank
  • Branislav Panis (Slovak Republic) – Museum Curator at the Slovak National Museum, Museum of History at Bratislava Castle
  • Karolina Nina Zdravič (Slovenia) – Museum Counselor
  • Dr Sarita Vujković (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Republic of Srpska
  • Robert Zydel (Poland) – Director of the Chocolate Factory E. Wedel

This impressive group will evaluate the innovative and creative use of museum collections, focusing on interpretative approaches that elevate cultural understanding and engagement.

The winners of the Živa Award will be revealed at a grand ceremony and conference scheduled for 8–12 October 2025 in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where cultural leaders, heritage experts, and museum professionals will gather to celebrate excellence in cultural preservation.

Applications for the Živa Awards 2025 are now open, and the FSK encourages institutions, organizations, and individuals dedicated to preserving Slavic heritage to apply and contribute to the celebration of this vital cultural legacy.

Application Deadline: 15 March 2025

For application forms and requirements, click here. For assistance, contact info@fsk.si.

Join us in celebrating the richness of Slavic culture and heritage!

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