Veselin Simonović Memorial Foundation

The Veselin Simonović Memorial Foundation was established to honor the life and work of Veselin Simonović, a journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth and justice continues to inspire. Our mission is to carry forward his legacy by supporting the values he cherished: human rights, freedom of speech, and cultural understanding.

Our Mission

1. Championing Human Rights and Freedom of Speech
At the heart of our foundation lies the belief that a free press and the protection of human rights are essential to a just and equitable society. In honor of Veselin Simonović, we are dedicated to empowering journalists who strive to expose the truth, give voice to the voiceless, and stand up against oppression. Through scholarships, mentorship, and advocacy, we aim to nurture the next generation of courageous storytellers.

2. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
We are also committed to fostering a deeper understanding of our environment and encouraging sustainable practices. Our projects will focus on educating the community and promoting actions that contribute to the global effort to protect our planet.

3. Fostering Cultural Understanding
The foundation is deeply connected to Dorćol Platz, a multidisciplinary art commune in Belgrade. Veselin Simonović believed in the power of culture to unite people and envisioned a legacy where everyone feels welcome and has a sense of belonging. At Dorćol Platz, we strive to bring together established and emerging artists, students, scientists, and individuals from all walks of life. Our goal is to create a center for sustainable development through culture, ecology, technology, sports, and science, while preserving and celebrating our cultural heritage.

4. Creating a Vibrant Cultural Space
In partnership with Dorćol Platz, we are committed to creating a communal space that encourages creative expression and cultural exchange. This urban space, open to new artistic forms and global trends, will serve as a hub for artists, thinkers, and community members, contributing to the cosmopolitan spirit of Belgrade.

Honoring Veselin’s Legacy

Through this foundation, we are committed to advancing Veselin Simonović’s vision of a more just and connected society. Veselin was not only a champion of truth and freedom but also a passionate advocate for culture as a means of bringing people together. He dreamed of creating a space where everyone—regardless of background—could feel welcomed, valued, and inspired. We are dedicated to turning this dream into reality, building a cultural commune at Dorćol Platz that serves as a beacon of unity and a testament to Veselin’s enduring influence. Here, we will celebrate the richness of global cultures while steadfastly preserving and honoring our own heritage.

Get Involved

Your support is essential to continue Veselin Simonović’s mission. Donations to the Veselin Simonović Memorial Foundation will directly fund our efforts to empower journalists, promote human rights, and enrich our community through culture and environmental stewardship.

Memorijalna fondacija Veselin Simonović

Memorijalna fondacija Veselin Simonović osnovana je u čast života i rada Veselina Simonovića, novinara čija nepokolebljiva posvećenost istini i pravdi nastavlja da inspiriše. Naša misija je da nastavimo njegovo nasleđe, podržavajući vrednosti koje je on negovao: ljudska prava, slobodu govora i kulturno razumevanje.

Naša misija

1. Zagovaranje ljudskih prava i slobode govora
U srcu naše fondacije leži verovanje da su sloboda medija i zaštita ljudskih prava ključni za pravedno i ravnopravno društvo. U čast Veselina Simonovića, posvećeni smo osnaživanju novinara koji se bore za istinu, daju glas onima koji ga nemaju i suprotstavljaju se ugnjetavanju. Kroz stipendije, mentorstvo i zagovaranje, želimo da negujemo novu generaciju hrabrih pripovedača.

2. Promovisanje održivosti životne sredine
Takođe smo posvećeni produbljivanju razumevanja našeg okruženja i podsticanju održivih praksi. Naši projekti će biti usmereni na edukaciju zajednice i promovisanje akcija koje doprinose globalnom naporu da se zaštiti naša planeta.

3. Podsticanje kulturnog razumevanja
Fondacija je duboko povezana sa Dorćol Platz-om, multidisciplinarnom umetničkom komunom u Beogradu. Veselin Simonović je verovao u moć kulture da ujedini ljude i zamišljao je nasleđe u kojem se svi osećaju dobrodošlo i gde svi imaju osećaj pripadnosti. U Dorćol Platz-u težimo da okupimo afirmisane i mlade umetnike, studente, naučnike i pojedince iz svih sfera života. Naš cilj je da stvorimo centar za održivi razvoj kroz kulturu, ekologiju, tehnologiju, sport i nauku, dok istovremeno čuvamo i slavimo naše kulturno nasleđe.

4. Stvaranje živopisnog kulturnog prostora
U partnerstvu sa Dorćol Platz-om, posvećeni smo stvaranju zajedničkog prostora, koji podstiče kreativno izražavanje i kulturnu razmenu. Ovaj urbani prostor, otvoren za nove umetničke forme i globalne trendove, služiće kao centar za umetnike, mislioce i članove zajednice, doprinoseći kosmopolitskom duhu Beograda.

Očuvanje Veselinovog nasleđa

Kroz ovu fondaciju, posvećeni smo unapređenju vizije Veselina Simonovića o pravednijem i povezanijem društvu. Veselin je bio ne samo borac za istinu i slobodu, već i strastveni zagovornik kulture kao sredstva za povezivanje ljudi. Sanjao je o stvaranju prostora u kojem bi se svi — bez obzira na poreklo — osećali dobrodošlo, cenjeno i inspirisano. Posvećeni smo tome da ovaj san pretvorimo u stvarnost, gradeći kulturnu komunu u Dorćol Platz-u, koja će služiti kao svetionik jedinstva i kao svedočanstvo o Veselinovom trajnom uticaju. Ovde ćemo slaviti bogatstvo svetskih kultura, dok ćemo nepokolebljivo čuvati i poštovati naše nasleđe.

Uključite Se

Vaša podrška je ključna za nastavak misije Veselina Simonovića. Donacije Memorijalnoj fondaciji Veselin Simonović direktno će finansirati naše napore da osnažimo novinare, promovišemo ljudska prava i obogatimo našu zajednicu kroz kulturu i očuvanje životne sredine.

Anita Simonović

Anita Simonović is a biologist and PhD candidate at the Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, where she also completed her master’s studies. She grew up in the Dorćol neighborhood of Belgrade and attended the renowned First Belgrade Gymnasium in her neighborhood.

As a child, through her father’s work – at the time, the editor-in-chief of Blic newspaper – she had the opportunity to become familiar with the values of freedom of expression, journalism, and civic engagement. She was particularly inspired by his dedication to new technologies and the support he provided to young journalists when, in collaboration with Ringier Axel Springer, he established the first digitally integrated newsroom in Europe.

But even more Anita was impressed by his engagement for the urban and cultural development of her hometown Belgrade. She travelled with him to Berlin where he came back from with idea to create a cultural district in Dorćol after Sava Mala was demolished. Dorćol Platz became her playground where she got connected to community building and new enlightening experience with theatre, music and art shaping her understanding of social responsibility as well as intersection of science and culture.

Isidora Simonović

Dr. Isidora Simonović is a dynamic and accomplished 33-year-old medical doctor currently pursuing her specialization in family medicine in Slovenia. Beyond her dedication to clinical practice and her advocacy for a healthy lifestyle through active sports participation, Dr. Simonović is deeply committed to upholding the values instilled by her father, Veselin Simonović. She is immensely proud of his accomplishments as a journalist and his unwavering fight for freedom of the press, a cause that has profoundly shaped her own sense of purpose.

Isidora’s dedication to continuing her father’s legacy is a driving force in her life. This dedication is reflected not only in her personal values but also in her active involvement in initiatives that promote cultural exchange and community development. Her participation in the Thessaloniki Berlin Connection 2023/2024, including her engagement in enriching workshops and her contributions to Dorcol Platz in Belgrade, is a testament to this commitment. These endeavors represent her desire to build bridges and foster understanding, mirroring the spirit of open dialogue that defined Veselin’s work.

Dr. Simonović is committed to advancing medical knowledge, as evidenced by her significant contributions to the field, including the publication of numerous insightful medical case studies and book chapters and her attendance at various medical congresses. Deeply connected to her roots and driven by a desire to honor her father’s memory, Dr. Simonović embodies a unique blend of professional excellence and a profound dedication to social responsibility.

Ljiljana Simonović

Born in Belgrade, Ljiljana Simonović graduated from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philology with a degree in Italian Language and Literature. She began her professional career as a translator, subsequently transitioning to the organization of business travel and congresses. She is the owner of a travel agency.

Ljiljana’s path intersected with Veselin Simonovic’s during her tenure at the BORBA news organization, marking the beginning of a shared journey that encompassed both professional collaboration and a deep personal partnership.

Together, they made the pivotal decision to establish Dorcol Platz, of which Ljiljana is the majority owner. In connection with Dorcol Platz, she actively participated in the BELGRADE-BERLIN Connection project and contributed to numerous events aimed at fostering strong cultural ties between Thessaloniki, Belgrade, and Berlin.

Throughout their thirty years of marriage, Ljiljana provided unwavering support for Veselin’s journalistic endeavors and his tireless advocacy for media freedom and independent reporting.

Driven by the desire to perpetuate his commitment, Ljiljana has taken an active role in the establishment of the Veselin Simonovic Foundation.

Mario Husten

Mario Husten began his career as a journalist before transitioning into media management. He spent over a decade with Gruner + Jahr (G+J), back then one of Europe’s leading print media group, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and managing independent newspaper and magazine publishing houses in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Serbia. In 1997 he met Veselin Simonovic as Editor in Chief of Blic newspaper und became 2000 director of Blic media group. Later, as Head of Internationalization at G+J’s headquarters in Hamburg, he was responsible for expanding magazine brands like GEO into new markets, eventually overseeing operations in Central and Eastern Europe and the merger of Adria Media Group in Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.

After leaving G+J in 2006, Mario advised international media companies and startups in the Adriatic region. In 2010, he returned to Berlin, where he co-founded a cooperative network fostering entrepreneurship. 2015 Veselin Simonovic and Mario Husten initiated the Berlin Belgrade Connection to create a new cultural district on Dorcol.

Until 2024 he was the Chairman of Holzmarkt 25, a cooperative dedicated to sustainable urban development. Since then, he is advising The Good Media Network with regards to journalism projects and projects against dis- and misinformation. As founding member of the non-profit association Berlin WorX, he supports subcultural exchange for urban development e.g., in Detroit, Thessaloniki and Belgrade, where he is a co-founder of Art Komuna Dorcol and the Veselin Simonovic Foundation.

Milan Nešković

Born in 1985, Milan Neskovic is one of the most successful Serbian theatre directors of all times. He graduated on The Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade in 2008, and has been active in Serbian theatrical mainstream ever since.

Neskovic has won all the major awards for theatre directing in Serbia, and some in region of Ex Yugoslavia.

He is a university professor of acting at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade. He is a founder, co-founder and an artistic director of several festivals of theatre, film, music and design, which makes him a prominent figure in Serbian culture.

In his work, Neskovic has reflected many times on political and social injustice and the consequences on lower class. Most of all, he is interested in humanity, human nature and psychological fragility of modern men and women. He is very supportive of current students protests in Serbia, and dedicated to improving the status of young artists.

None of this would be possible if he did not meet, at a very young age, Veselin Simonović. Veselin was like a ’’father figure“ to him. Constantly challenging him, but also giving him support and advice how to become a better, more altruistic and calmer person, in order to achieve his full potential, which he is still doing thanks to Vesa.

He made the first theatre play in Dorćol Platz as an ambiental, immersive theatre that officially presented all the possibilities of Dorćol Platz to the Belgrade audience, and is very proud that Veselin Simonović was one of the actors in the play that travelled the region.

Mirjana Zdravkovic

Mirjana Zdravkovic is a multilingual (fluent in Serbian, German and English) professional specialising in digital content creation, graphic design and project management. With extensive experience in the media, publishing and legal sectors, she has worked effectively with international partners to manage digital channels, implement corporate designs and produce both print and digital media.

In 2015, together with Veselin Simonovic and Mario Husten, Mirjana played a key role in the Berlin Belgrade Connection initiative, which aimed to establish a new cultural district in Dorcol, Belgrade.

Her career includes notable positions such as assistant to the international management as well as the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Blic. Mirjana was project manager to establish the Head office of Gruner + Jahr for South Eastern Europe based in Belgrade and coordinated subsequently the merger of Adria Media Group, serving later than as executive assistant to the CEO.