International Press Quotes
International journalists about BDW
It is amazing to see how a small city which was not some years ago a travel destination for design lovers, has put itself in the map. I knew of the quality of the events through my colleagues who came before me, and I only confirmed with my attendance that it is really worth it! I heard extremely interesting lectures by designers whose work I already knew, but I also unexpectedly discovered the work of other professionals who have mind-blowing work!!! I can only congratulate the organizers for the persistence in helping the world be a better place.
ANA DOMINGUEZ SIEMENS, ABC NEWSPAPER / ES
An inspiring and provoking event. BDW brings ideas and design and debate to Belgrade, and let's the world see that innovation and enterprise are alive and bubbling up in Serbia too. A great destination on the design week circuit. Long may it continue.
LARRY RYAN, THE INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE / UK
Besides all entertaining aspects of this great event, the conference is highly professional and the line-up of speakers from the Architecture, Design, Fashion and Branding fields is unique. And after the event, you understand that the socializing is in fact part of the professional programme. The connections and friendships established between "The Greatest Creative Minds" continue beyond the borders of the Serbian capital, making BDW much more than just an event... it is a strong global professional community...
NILS BECKER, ARCHITONIC / CH
Belgrade Design Week was a lot of fun. There was a great range of speakers from architectural, graphic and product design practices who all delivered insightful presentations about their work and their particular approach to design. Also, the organizers’ choice of post conference restaurants was also superb – it was great to get a real flavour of Belgrade at the end of each day’s conference activities and meet, talk with, and hang out with the festival’s illustrious speakers. In short, BDW is a brilliant event. Please, can I come back again next year?
GAVIN LUCAS, CREATIVE REVIEW / UK
In spite of pan-European economic turmoil and scanty local investment, Belgrade Design Week 2012 was an ambitious affair with a dazzlingly eclectic programme and a range of illustrious keynote speakers. Highlights included a poetic audio-visual presentation by Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, and French designer Matthieu Lehanneur's contemplative talk, built around the question 'How to...?' ('How to be born', 'How to sleep', 'How to die') with reference to his own visionary projects. Continued from last year was the Dizajnights programme, which kept the conversation going well into the early hours; though in a less formal and more festive form. The enthusiasm and energy of Belgrade Design Week is superb, and hardly to be found elsewhere.
KRISTINA RAPACKI, DISEGNO / UK
11 destinations not to miss in 2011: "From luxury lodgings in Montenegro to fashionable parties in Doha, spectacular landscapes of Kamchatka to translucent waters of Beirut. From Belgrade to Marseille, from Nicaragua to Sri Lanka, passing for Beijing, Melbourne and Copenaghen, Viaggi24 presents the trendiest destinations of the year 2011: 1) Destination City Number 1 in the world: Belgrade.
Belgrade is among the top 10 global cities for entertainment. The most fashionable hotels are the Town House 27 and Le Petit Piaf, centrally located and contemporary. But the most important agenda for design lovers is a date not to be missed: Belgrade Design Week, from May 26th to 28th, with dozens of events which involve the whole city...
LUISA TALIENTO, IL SOLE 24 ORE / IT
While post-communist cities generally veer toward the nouveau riche glitz, Square Nine – and a slew of chic new shops (Dragana Ognjenovic), restaurants (Comunale and Public), and bars (Mladost) – underscores Belgrade’s yen for sleek modernity over gilded glamour. A catalyst for the current design boom, Belgrade Design Week launched in 2005 and now attracts speakers from Droog to Daniel Libeskind, who is currently revamping the Danube waterfront. ‘It was phenomenal. Design in Belgrade took off and become a public subject’,recalls Karim Rashid, who as ambassador for the first Design Week invited many of his industrial friends to speak. “It’s booming now. They’re having a design renaissance.” Rashid was so taken with the city he soon bought a loft, married a local, and opened a design shop as well as restaurant.
VIIA BEAUMANIS, WALLPAPER / UK
The conference was a big success and featured some of the top creatives from advertising, design and architecture. The multidisciplinary nature of the conference was a welcome approach which helped create creative bridges between the speakers and attendees.
BIRGIT LOHMANN, DESIGNBOOM / IT
Belgrade Design Week is fantastic! It is a conference with a great international reputation. I have heard so many friends, professionals and peers who said it was one of the best conferences in the world, and something you must do! So, I had no doubts in saying yes when Jovan asked me to do it 6 months ago. Belgrade Design Week is different. it’s a bit crazy, and the special passion and the energy is what makes it really good!
TONY CHAMBERS, WALLPAPER / UK
...The Serbian capital Belgrade was briefly the centre of the European design scene last week as it hosted the fifth annual Belgrade design week (BDW). Three days of talks and presentations from leading architects and designers drew an enthusiastic crowd of locals and international observers, including icon magazine... But often the best part of this kind of conference is the treats that come as a surprise. Dutch intellectual property lawyer Aernoud Bourdrez, for instance, proved electric on the subject of conflict resolution in the creative industries. Simon de Pury of auction house Phillips de Pury gave an interesting overview of the market for limited- edition design on Thursday and then astonished nearly everyone by DJing in the Magacin nightclub the following night... The real selling point of Belgrade's design week is its amazing spirit... The fifth Belgrade Design Week was hugely interesting, and its informal atmosphere can't be beat. I look forward to returning.
WILLIAM WILES, ICON MAGAZINE / UK
...Belgrade is growing, invigorating, and beautiful. A city with creative and enthusiastic people. In early June architecture and design enthusiasts got together for Belgrade Design Week. During an intensive three days, creative minds from different industries showcased their work, gave talks and presentations, sparked dialogue and debates... What a great combination: a city which is really impressive and first of all very inspirationally with all the visible architectural contrasts and young movements + a group with a relative similar background get together in that city and discuss about their passion. Thank you very much for such great days. NANCY JEHMLICH, STYLEPARK / DE
I was hugely impressed by the ambition, internationalism and joie de vivre of Belgrade Design Week. The concept of a non-profit festival which puts ideas before commerce and which emphasizes a subtle shift eastwards in an expanding Europe symbolizes a significant moment. The beautiful, vibrant and hospitable city of Belgrade is the perfect host to concretize that moment.
EDWIN HEATHCOTE, FINANCIAL TIMES / UK
...Jaime Hayon was judged the best performer among those who followed on the stage of the Belgrade Design Week, during three intense, really amusing days of conferences. He was awarded the prize, a pair of shoes, among the shouts and the wild dancing of the Magazine club, in one of the nights when the designers festival moved, en masse, in the inflamed atmosphere of the Serbian capital...
VALENTINA CUFFI, ABITARE / IT
My memories of conferences are often the moments between presentations ; the inspiring folk you meet, beautiful scenery, the language, food, getting lost, the local hospitality... and, whilst that is all true –and more– of Belgrade Design Week, it will be the enthusiasm, variation, spirit and sincerity of BDW that I will cherish. Belgrade should be very proud of what Jovan and his magnificent minions were inspired to produce. Multi, super Belgrade.
BARRY AINSLIE, THE TELEGRAPH, UK
Belgrade Design Week attracts top-flight speakers from around the world and showcases local-regional products and designs that stand up to the best European standards. Founder and curator Jovan Jelovac proved to be an excellent MC for the packed schedule. A natural showman, he introduced each speaker as if hosting a super-hip Gala Performance, then asked them questions with an informed cosmopolitanism worthy of a top London, New York or Milan event.
HERBERT WRIGHT, BLUEPRINT / UK
Belgrade Design Week is a thoughtful and idealistic design event, with a strong interdisciplinary focus. It feels much more necessary than many of the current design festivals and has a more optimistic purpose. The line-up of speakers is imaginatively chosen. Most importantly of all, the atmosphere was welcoming and curious. It was a stimulating three days and I thoroughly recommend it.
FATEMA AHMED, ICON MAGAZINE / UK
...Belgrade is growing, invigorating, and beautiful. A city with creative and enthusiastic people. In early June architecture and design enthusiasts got together for Belgrade design week. During an intensive three days, creative minds from different industries showcased their work, gave talks and presentations, sparked dialogue and debates... What a great combination: a city which is really impressive and first of all very inspirationally with all the visible architectural contrasts and young movements + a group with a relative similar background get together in that city and discuss about their passion. Thank you very much for such great days.
NANCY JEHMLICH, STYLEPARK / DE
Belgrade Design Week inspired our editorial team, gave us a new kind of energy and direction to create and relate to our work. The iconic National Library of Serbia was the right place to host such an event. Open, airy, light and inspiring, it provided the perfect frame for the “Freedom2” theme. The whole atmosphere was fantastic, the space and the air saturated with creativity, positive energy and youth. The lecturers were positive and willing to discuss any subject and try different approaches in workshops, so that the thunderous applause didn’t come much as a surprise. Belgrade’s lively energy added to the amazing energy that left us all eagerly await the next Belgrade Design Week.
ALEKSANDRA ZECEVIC AND IVANA VUCINOVIC, PROSTOR / MNE
