OMI presented the film screening of Hotel Jugoslavija as part of the exhibition Monuments of the Collective. During the screening in Leeszaal West we took a closer look at the handling of (material) heritage in the former Yugoslavia. After a word from curator Leyla Hepsaydir about the film and the exhibition by Rob ‘t Hart, the lights went out and the impressive film screening started.

The documentary film narrates the life of the famous building, and its controversial future, through the eyes of Yugoslavian-born Swiss film director Nicolas Wagnières.

Hotel Jugoslavija, built in 1969 in Belgrade, embodied the modern ideals of the new Yugoslavian nation. Built as the largest, most luxurious and elegant hotel in the country, it attracted international celebrities and high officials visiting Belgrade, as president Tito included the hotel in his official protocol. Its gradual collapse through the 80s and 90s, led to its closure in 2000, and only partially reopened afterwards.