politics
March 25, 2026
Apocalypse in Block 39
There is much symbolism in the fact that the authorities want to occupy the space, planned for art and science in the sixties, with a police complex now. This is a reflection of the state in which education, culture, science, and art are invisible items in the budget, while the instruments of force that serve to maintain power have high priority.
TL;DR
- A new police complex is planned for Belgrade's Block 39, a space originally designated for art and science in the 1960s.
- The project is compared to a scene from 'Apocalypse Now,' highlighting the potential for a militarized atmosphere near the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU).
- Critics view the police complex as a symbol of the state prioritizing security forces over cultural and educational institutions.
- The FDU, originally part of a larger planned arts campus, has seen its development stalled for decades.
- Concerns are raised about the impact of the complex on FDU's academic environment, including noise, security risks, and the dominance of law enforcement presence.
- Public objections and student protests against the project have been largely dismissed in a fast-tracked electronic public hearing.
- The government has declared the project of 'special importance,' overriding local planning objections.
- The article criticizes the government's actions as a suppression of dissent and a symbol of an 'occupied state.'
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