Cultural institutions in Serbia have launched a campaign against a new public procurement law that requires them to employ or purchase through public tenders everything from orchestral directors to the buttons on their tuxedoes. As part of the campaign, the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra has published a satirical ad on its Facebook page. It calls for a conductor who has “a pleasing appearance, [and] owns a dark suit, white shirt, black bow tie, and a rod that can be used as a baton,” reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The ad states that interested parties should include two references confirming that the applicant has experience “tying the laces on dark shoes”.
Those wearing moccasins need not apply. The ad concludes by poking fun at the tender commission. It says Belgrade will initiate talks with the Institute for Mental Health to grant the commission permanent premises on Palmoticeva Street, where the mental health institute is headquartered.
Serbia, a new entrant to the EU, framed the law after the European Commission pointed out there were irregularities in one-third of the procurements in Serbia’s public procurement sector.