TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE MILANOVIĆ HOUSE, THE NEW CULTURAL TEMPLE IN THE CITY ON THE VRBAS
The first cultural center in Banja Luka since the Ban's Palace, the Milanović House, has officially opened its doors.
- If something is awaited for a century, it must be something truly grand. After a century, Banja Luka is getting its first temple of culture. A house that was once destined to be demolished now shines brightly. Professor Pevulja was the first to give us the idea to restore the Milanović House, as Professor Branko Milanović believed in him, and I believe in him too. He will be the first director of the Milanović House, said Mayor Draško Stanivuković.
He noted that just two and a half years ago, there was neither the beautiful promenade nor the Book Park with the monument to Kulin Ban in this central part of Banja Luka, and today, alongside all that, the city now has its first cultural center.
- It is surreal to witness such a magnificent transformation, and the City of Banja Luka's endeavor is nothing short of a miracle, said Ranka Milanović, the great-granddaughter of Savo Milanović, who built the Milanović House.
During the opening ceremony of the fully renovated Milanović House, she expressed her honor at being present at the event alongside her mother Ljerka.
- I regret that my sister Rajna, a citizen of Banja Luka and the historian of our family, couldn’t be here. She is responsible for much of what we know about our family's history. When a ruin is restored, it’s usually said that its old glory has been returned, but in the case of this house, built by my great-grandfather at the end of the 19th century, this new splendor far surpasses the old. It’s simply surreal to witness such a grand transformation. Those of us who were born here and lived in this house for shorter or longer periods said our goodbyes to it almost fifty years ago, in 1975, when the house was slated for demolition due to alleged damage from the earthquake. However, it was never demolished, and we spent decades watching it slowly deteriorate, Ranka Milanović emphasized.
She added that this endeavor by the City of Banja Luka is truly a miracle for their family.
- This building will be a home for the cultural, intellectual, and artistic expression and creation of all those who thought they had no place in this city. The doors of this house will always be open to every artist, both known and unknown. This is a house for all of us, for every citizen of Banja Luka. Now, as we open these doors, they will remain open forever, the mayor concluded.
