Molekula Association Alliance

Savez udruga Molekula (Molekula Association Alliance) is a network of cultural and art organizations based in Rijeka, Croatia. Founded in 2007, it emerged from the need to secure space for the city's independent cultural scene. The alliance currently comprises five member organizations: Delta 5, Drugo more, Filmaktiv, Prostor Plus, and RiRock. It manages four venues in Rijeka owned by the City of Rijeka: OKC Palach, Filodrammatica, Delta 5, and two spaces within the RiUse Center. These spaces are used for public programs, workshops, production development, presentations, meetings, and residencies, with a focus on contemporary art, socially engaged content, and critical practices for youth. The alliance is a co-founder of the Network of Social-Cultural Centers (DKC-HR) and has undertaken projects such as Žiroskop, Molekularni proces, and Društveno poduzetnički generator. It also publishes independent publications, including Memento II.

The idea for Savez udruga Molekula emerged in 2005 as a response to the need to secure space for independent cultural activities in Rijeka. At that time, organizations operated from the offices of Drugo more, joined by Filmaktiv and Infoshop Škatula. Over the years, eight organizations were active in those offices: Drugo more, Prostor plus, Amandla, Infoshop Škatula, Malik, Filmaktiv, Katapult, and Trafik (Tranzicijsko Fikcijsko Kazalište). Growing programs and events created a need for larger working and presentation space, leading to the official founding of Savez udruga Molekula in 2007 and its move to the former Ivex building at Delta 5. At its founding, the alliance had six active members after two organizations (Amandla and Malik) withdrew. The first president was Marin Lukanović from Filmaktiv. Until 2014, the alliance operated from Delta 5, and the network expanded to nine members. Although it functioned in its premises, the sector-wide crisis in 2010 affected its members and their ability to remain. In 2013, the City of Rijeka issued a call for the use of spaces at OKC Palach, Filodrammatica, and Marganovo, which revitalized interest and activity. In September 2013, Savez udruga Molekula was selected through the call and was granted use of the spaces as representatives of the independent cultural scene, free of charge except for utility costs. In early March 2014, the alliance officially moved to the new premises but continued to use Delta 5 as one of its project spaces. The spatial resources managed by the alliance are allocated free of charge to associations, art organizations, individuals, and groups engaged in contemporary art and culture, socially engaged content, and critical social practices for youth. The alliance distinguishes between types of programs: public programs (music, performance, panels, conferences, lectures, film and literary evenings), workshops, production development, presentations, meetings, and residencies. It participated in the founding of the Network of Social-Cultural Centers (DKC-HR), officially established on 28 May 2020. The network's members are Delta 5, Drugo more, Filmaktiv, Prostor Plus, and RiRock. The spaces used include OKC Palach, Filodrammatica, Delta 5, and two spaces within the RiUse Center (Radionica RiUse and Salon RiUse) allocated through the Forget Heritage project. Selected projects include Žiroskop, Molekularni proces, and Društveno poduzetnički generator. The alliance has published two independent publications, including Memento II.

• 2020

  Co-founded the Network of Social-Cultural Centers (DKC-HR) on 28 May.

• 2014

  Officially moved to new premises in early March.

• 2013

  Selected through City of Rijeka call for use of OKC Palach, Filodrammatica, and Marganovo spaces.

• 2007

  Official founding of Savez udruga Molekula and move to Delta 5.

• 2005

  Idea emerged to secure space for independent cultural activities in Rijeka.

A collaborative platform supporting independent cultural production and community development in Rijeka.

• Žiroskop

  Project addressing instability of spatial resources for extra-institutional cultural users.

• Molekularni proces

  Series of activities enabling paid work for members.

• Društveno poduzetnički generator

  Partnership project with Savez udruga Rojca from Pula to develop social entrepreneurship.

• Memento II

  Independent publication edited by Damir Batarelo.

1. 1Savez udruga Molekula official websitemolekula.org
2. 2Wikidata entry for Molekulawikidata.org
3. 3Croatian Wikipedia article on Savez udruga Molekulahr.wikipedia.org