SERBIA - National review, No 51

Prologue

GALLERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS 

Prologue
SORROW OF MASTERS IN THE AGE OF CHARLATANISM
Nothing Lasts Forever

Vitrage
NUMBERS, EVENTS, INTERESTING THINGS

Album
LYRIC CHRONICLE OF OLD ČAČAK
Voices of Deep Silence

Oases
APPROACHING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BELGRADE CORNER FOR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM
The Garden of Good Hope
Founded on St. Peter’s Day in 1936, the Belgrade Zoo has shared the destiny of its city. It, therefore, has had an exciting history, not for the weak. It had fewer directors than the number of countries it has changed and political orders. It has had its big and small heroes, unusual donors, events that have entered literature, film, popular culture. History of Belgrade has better memory of chimpanzee Sami, female dog Gabi, alligator Muja, elephants Tisa and Mita, little ninja bears, then of some immature prime ministers and ministers

By: Miloš Lazić

Street
TARAŠ, ON THE TISA RIVER, IN BANAT, AT THE END OF THE ROADS, TERRESTRIAL AND CELESTIAL
European Village of Storks
According to the official census, there are over 1,300 couples of white storks nesting in Serbia, of which around 1,000 in Vojvodina, and exactly 288 in the area of Zrenjanin. In Taraš, there are forty couples with active nests. They are particularly taken care of here, and even children at a very young age are taught how to do this. They build platforms on electric poles for storks’ nests. There is also a cultural-tourist event called ”The Days of Taraš Storks”. Because of all this, a special recognition came from the Foundation for the Preservation of Nature ”Euro Natur”

Text and photographs: Miodrag Grubački

South
IN THE SERBIAN VILLAGE OF KUĆEVIŠTE, ON THE SLOPES OF THE BLACK MOUNTAIN OF SKOPJE, THROUGH THE LAYERS OF MEMORY AND OBLIVION
Live Eyes Watching from the Wall
In a curious fire in 1984, the entire archive burned down, including birth registers. Someone thought that after this the origin would be subject to negotiations. But here, just like in the neighboring villages Pobožje, Banjan, Gornjan, Ljubanci, Čučer, autochthonous Serbs have been living for centuries. And their relics are medieval, endowments of the Nemanjić dynasty and their noblemen. Today, these people are surviving with difficulty, in poverty, exposed to silent assimilation and noisy shortsightedness of the Macedonian state. The circle of misunderstanding is getting increasingly narrow, like a noose. Even Serbia, it seems, cannot help

Text and photographs: Milutin Stančić

Hundredth Anniversary
RAŠKA, AT NEMANJA’S SOURCE, BRIEFLY CAPITAL OF SERBIA IN THE AUTUMN OF 1915
In the Nest of White Eagles
Founded by the decree of Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević in 1845, the small border town developed quickly. It got a school, a hospital, reading room, post office. European cultural patterns, business manners and ideas, architectural and fashion styles, started arriving later. But all this was cut by a series of horrible and glorious wars. In the autumn of 1915, Raška was the capital of the country for fourteen days. The government, Supreme Command, Crown Prince, diplomatic corps, chronicle writers and spies were all there. Some decisions crucial for the future of the Serbian state were brought in the home of Ljubomir Kursulić

Life, Novels
VLADIMIR MEDENICA, SERBIAN PHILOSOPHER AND PUBLISHER, EXPLORING THE COSMIC MYSTERY OF A SMALL HUMAN ISLAND
Behind the Silver Mirror
He discovered an unknown continent. Introduced us to a hidden century, only a few of us knew something of. If it weren’t for him, who knows whether or when we would understand who Fyodorov, Solovyev, Florensky, Leontiev, Ilyin, Khomyakov really were. Or Cengiz Aytmatov and Andrei Plantonov. He did more than university departments, institutes, academies had done. Much more. Much deeper and more far-reaching. Whenever we wish to give an example of a first-class cultural achievement, we may just state his name

By: Branislav Matić

Belvederes
RUSSIAN WRITER EVGENY VODOLAZKIN EXCLUSIVELY FOR ”NATIONAL REVIEW”
Personality against Mass Zombification
Modern propaganda is so shallow that seeking truth does not request great mental effort. A true European human cannot reduce Europe only to its western part. The Serbian people seem to Russians as their own reflection in the mirror and vice versa. Each culture is logocentric and we must pay attention to our words. A writer himself writes the laws he abides to. He is expected to see beneath the horizon, behind perspective. Those who considered reading entertainment and ”killing time” left, but it is not a big loss for true literature

By: Vesna Kapor

Eye
PAVLE VASIĆ (1907–1993), PAINTER, CRITIC, MOST OF ALL ART HISTORIAN
Established Witness of an Epoch
He knew his limits. His typically Belgradian pre-war bourgeoisie spirit made him cautious, reserved and noble, but art often requests a dose of madness, lucidity and irrationality. He wrote nonsense about Šejka, refused Vidak’s invitation to an intellectual duel, went to court with Glavurtić, received a serious blow from Lazar Trifunović. Apart from all this, he was and still is one of the best art historians we have ever had

By: Dejan Đorić

Different Angle
LOVE AND FASHION IN THE GREAT WAR, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO
Life Always Finds a Way
The war, of course, is not just the front. It touches all segments of life, pervades all relations, brings its own measures. It comes up on a poster, changes fashion, pokes love. Clearly, most stories have a tragic ending, only a few raise hope, some are small and intimate, some secret and forbidden, some grew to epic proportions, so people still talk about them

By: Dragana Barjaktarević

Fairy Tale
ABOUT LITTLE JELENA, PRINCESS OF COURSE, WHO TAUGHT DARKNESS TO SHINE
On the Wings of the Black Swan
Forces of darkness cannot harm those who dream pure and gentle dreams. A single rose can change the world order. The dog-headed chases are finally swallowed by their own barking. The boy who cleans volcanoes with a toothbrush awaits us all on a faraway planet. Curious children can learn all these things while nibbling fried fish ”At Tomcat Tom’s” riverboat

By: Nebojša Jevrić

Winner
VANJA UDOVIČIĆ, WATER POLO PLAYER AND ETERNAL CHAMPION, CURRENTLY MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS IN THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT
The Best Never Give Up
We live in difficult times, with a dilapidated value system. Banal and stupid nakedness is proclaimed an attraction and the fourth place in the world a failure. Criteria, education, morality, taste, are downgraded. We are a demographically old nation, children are left to themselves, they are growingly overweight, the percentage of deformities among them is more than disturbing. Recovery must begin from the foundation, from the family. The state has its own important tasks. One can learn a lot from sports. It doesn’t forgive repeating weaknesses, but indicates how to overcome them

By: Dejan Bulajić

Talents
NEMANJA MAKSIMOVIĆ FROM LOZNICA, THE RISING STAR OF EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
A Man for Big Decisions
He was never pushing to be in the front rows, on the contrary, but since his young age he has been deciding historical games. Since he introduced the ”Pioneers of Loznica” in to the strongest league of Serbia, until the decisive goal to Brazil in the finals of the World Championship for juniors in 2015 in New Zealand, or until the recent goal on Cyprus, which brought the champion of Kazakhstan into the European League of Champions for the first time in history. Already in his parents’ home in Banja Kovilјača, he learned: ”Success does not change good people”. Even when he was without a club, on the street, and now on the throne of the world, his behavior is the same. Beautiful and difficult road is ahead of him, just like the one behind

By: Nenad Marković

Footholds
DEPARTMENT OF SPORT AND SPORT MEDICINE IN BELGRADE, FOUNDATIONS OF SERBIAN SUPREME AND MASS PHYSICAL CULTURE
Achievements of the Profession by Depth
Scientific, research and development ventures improved the professional work and the system of control of the level of training. Big investments in the state of the art laboratory and diagnostic equipment, renovation of sports facilities, designed annual programs for recreational sports, gathering scientific elite in the field of sport – these are just some of the major steps marked by this institution of strategic importance

Around the Arena
APPROACHING THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FAIR IN BELGRADE
Strategy Grown from the Inside
As a crown to the highly eventful year, filled with responsible planning and profound work for the long term, the fourth Sports Fair will be the venue for all meetings. Of the government and local self-government, science and practice, experts and athletes, past and future champions, fans and sports stars. Last year, it had more visitors than the Car Show. This year, even more people and events are expected

Encounters
THE TWELFTH ”SREM FOLK FESTIVAL” IN SREMSKA MITROVICA
The City of Games
In its twelfth year, it gathered ensembles from twelve countries. From Greece to Russia, from Slovakia to Taiwan, from Poland to Turkey. Over six hundred participants appeared before more than 20,000 people. On the outdoor stage, in the atmosphere filled with colors and positive vibrations, beautiful peculiarities of different national folk traditions met and intertwined

Feat
VRNJCI PARK SHINES AGAIN IN ALL ITS BEAUTY
Restoration of the Center
Last summer, this beautiful park, one of the symbols of Vrnjačka Banja, was opened again. The most prominent people in Serbia were present at the ceremony. After many years of stagnation and interruption of the works, the Municipality managed to solve the legal disputes and secure funds. Fountains, paved staircases and the Roman well shone, hydro-mechanical works were completed, the lighting was done, internet connection provided. Bow it looks as it should

Projects
THE RESIDENTS OF RUMA GOT THEIR LONG EXPECTED OLYMPIC SWIMMING POOL
Borkovac again Buzzing in the Summer
With dimensions 25 times 50 meters, surrounded by a nice plateau, children’s swimming pool and a series of adjacent facilities, this is one of more beautiful sports complexes of this kind in Serbia. More than three million Euros has been invested, to the joy of the residents of Ruma and their guests, for the benefit of the Municipality and this entire region. In Ruma, they are expecting the first major sporting events in their swimming pool next year

Links
IN COOPERATION BETWEEN ”TELEKOM SRBIJA” AND TESLA GLOBAL FORUM
Virtual Museum of Nikola Tesla
This modern portal is a detailed guide through life and work of this giant of science, but also through activities around the world dedicated to Tesla. Systematization of such a voluminous and valuable material was a great responsibility. The museum can be visited at: www.tesla.org.rs

Hit
”MERKUR’S” SPA CENTER ”ROMAN SPRING”, THE BIGGEST IN THIS PART OF THE BALKANS
Health, Beauty, Enjoyment
Five former centers have been merged into one: medical aesthetics, wellness, peloid, massages, balneo. This one, the biggest, is available now to all guests of Vrnjačka Banja, regardless of where they are staying. World's most advanced equipment has been coupled with excellent medicine and centuries of tradition in treatments with mineral water. Good effects are undeniable in the long and the short term

Studies
BELGRADE BUSINESS SCHOOL AND DECADES OF ITS WORK IN HIGHER EDUCATION 
The Year of New Rise
Great interest of young people, as well as numerous awards, is proof that this institution is on the right track. In a year and a half under the management of professor Đura Đurović, PhD, and his team, a number of improvements have been made. The normative infrastructure was made, more strictly defined system of responsibility, irresponsible business policy was eliminated, the problem of liquidity avoided, quality assurance policy adopted and the process of implementation of the quality management system was initiated. This approach will contribute to continuous improvement of quality in the teaching process and supporting services

Examples
THERMAL POWER PLANTS ”NIKOLA TESLA” HAVE BEEN AWARDING THE BEST STUDENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY FOR YEARS
Stimulating Learning and Virtue
In the past fifteen years, around seven hundred champions of knowledge from Obrenovac, Svilajnac and Veliki Crljeni have been awarded, from the areas where production facilities of TENT are located. This positive example was followed by the other branches of ”Electric Power Industry of Serbia”, as well as many local self-governments. Maybe precisely this symbolic gesture contains inception of the formula of how to prevent ”brain drain” and scattering of the best children around the world

By: Ljilјana Jovičić

Energy
PRODUCTION IN MINING BASIN ”KOLUBARA” WAS RESTORED MUCH FASTER THAN THE PLAN
Toward Complete Stability
The miners showed once again that they are the strongest when times are hard. Thanks to the expertise and the enormous efforts, and the most productive mine, ”Tamnava – Western Field”, the production has returned to the level from before the floods. Today, they deliver to thermal power plants in Obrenovac almost 50,000 tons of coal per day, which is about 60 percent of the total production of the Basin. In the first seven months of 2015, this mine produced nearly five million tons of lignite, 54 percent more than planned, which is of key importance for the Serbian electric power system

By: Natalija Živković