SERBIA - National review, No 75

Prologue

GALLERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS 

Prologue
OBSERVING THE 800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Living Forever

Vitrage
NUMBERS, EVENTS, INTERESTING THINGS

Album
MYTHICAL LAND IN THE LENS AND EYE OF ALEKSANDAR RADOŠ
Herzegovina

Bastions
GOLUBAC FORTRESS, THE NEW CENTER OF CULTURE AND REMINISCENCE
Camelot on the Danube
In here, everything is near. The water and the skies, the east and the west, Rome and Tumane, Romania and King Dragutin’s sword. Just don’t come on Mondays, because nothing is near then, not even the doorman. When it springs up before a traveler behind a large river curve, this fortress of pigeons and warriors looks fairytale-like, medieval. If you’re in a hurry, don’t stop by. If you stop by, you will hear some of the most beautiful violin concerts in Serbia. You will see the Holy Despot and Black Zaviša passing by, you will see the back of Sigismund of Luxembourg and Mehmet II. You will know that the renewal of important medieval edifices really works. And that it should be continued

Text and Photo: Ivana Stojanović Šešlak

In the Frame
PANČEVO, ONE OF THE MOST FILMIC SERBIAN CITIES
Marathon Runners of Film Memories
In this city and its vicinity, in its streets and squares, in kafanas, at the quay, at the old railway station, in the brewery, museum, gymnasium, some of the most famous Serbian and foreign movies were made, scenes we keep returning to. ”I Even Met Happy Gypsies”, ”Who’s That Singing Over There?”, ”The Marathon Family”, ”Balkan Express”, ”I’m Poor but Angry”, ”Professor Kosta Vujić’s Hat”, ”Mamma Lucia”… Does Pančevo keep the trances and memories of its unforgettable roles?

By: Miloš Lazić
Photo: Željko Sinobad

Lens
IN TARA, FOLLOWING TRACES OF THE BROWN BEAR
Visiting the Master of the Forest
The biggest population in Serbia is there, in that wonderful mountain. It also inhabits Golija, Jadovnik, Stara Planina. It is very shy and avoids encounters with people. It’s difficult to see it, even more difficult to take a photo of it. Often even dangerous. For example, when a bear surprises a man or a man surprises a bear. Or when they meet while a mother bear is taking a walk with her cubs. Our associates experienced all this during their devoted and adventurous quests in Tara. Unselfish, as nature is, they shared all this with us

By: Violeta Milutinović
Photo: Zoran Milutinović

Notebook
IN MOSCOW, AT THE BOOK FAIR, TAKING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PATHS
As If in a Dream
The sky over Moscow matches the word infinity. Everything in Moscow is in constant movement, and yet again, as if you are treading in silence, in long-lost times, in spiritual heights. It is impossible to measure or describe Moscow. It was shining wherever we peeked into, a true beauty. Architecture and spirit of the empire. This is where the greatest world writers, their characters and readers strolled and breathed, caught in the net of eternity, which you are passing through as well. That is where I have a feeling I’m at home, great joy overcomes me. Those who know say: they’re northerners, a bit reserved, but in case of Serbs, no. With Serbs, they somehow soften, as with family

By: Vesna Kapor

Memorial
SERBIAN MILITARY CEMETERIES IN AUSTRIA
Decent Remembrance
It is estimated that approximately 25.000 warriors and prisoners of war from then Serbia have ended their lives in the territory of present Austria, as well as several thousand Serbs from the area of Austro-Hungary. They were buried in individual and mass graves, marked or unmarked, in Mauthausen, Aschach, Boldogason, Neszider, Vienna, Bruckneudorf, Sopronyek… Today, the ”Black Cross” takes care of them, supported by the Serbian church, state and diaspora. However, many graves, especially in smaller cemeteries, were left to namelessness, weeds and oblivion

By: Nenad Leibenshperger

Threads
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL MEDIEVAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN PRIZREN
Under the Auspices of the Holy Salvation
In the atrium of the old church, above the city that was the heart of the Serbian Empire, the high spirit of the Middle Ages sounded music. Thanks to the Association of Friends of the Holy Archangels Monastery, Cultural Center from Gračanica and the ”Holy Archangels” Foundation, the performers and audiences arrived from all Serbian territories and from abroad. It turned out once again: waiting for other forms of return, culture is a good way for Serbs to be present in their holy land. To preserve fire in this deep night

By: Gordana Simeunović

Gatherings
WITH THE 43RD SCREENPLAY FILM FESTIVAL IN VRNJAČKA BANJA
The Quill Writing the Film
In forty-two years, 426 films were screened in the competition program, and a large number of others in supporting programs. Numerous professional symposia, schools and workshops were held. It is an important part of the history of Serbian and Yugoslav cinematography. This year’s awards went to the writers of films ”Ajvar”, ”South Wind” and ”Delirium Tremens”

Departure
DOBRICA ERIĆ (1936–2019), POET FROM THE PULSATING ARTERIES OF SERBIA
Dobrica – Shepherd’s Little Bag
Son of Gruža, of ”blue forests and meadows”, elevated his lyrical philosophy of the earth and skies. The metaphor of sunflowers. The world of farmers and warriors, spelling of a woman, the wonder of birth, ode to life, balms of goodness. The biggest assignment of man under the stars: to love. And through all that, he elevated his mother Serbia. He, a tall boy, an old man with an aura of butterflies and glowworms. It wasn’t his homeland that give birth to him, it was the other way round. In ”My Homeland” map, he didn’t draw the village cemetery in Donja Crnuća. Now his tombstone in that cemetery is an important place in the literary map of Serbia

By: Dragan Lakićević

Winner
NIKOLA JAKŠIĆ, THE FUTURE OF SERBIAN WATER POLO
On Spiritual Foundations
Victory is, before all, a state of spirit and question of character. A result of the value vertical. There is energy among us, both in the arena and in the stands, and the sportsmen feel it, especially when playing in their country. It is a matter of recognizing. People feel how deeply and sincerely we are willing to fight for a common cause, to bring joy. There are no illusions. It either exists or not. The highest level of success are not medals, it is when your people recognize you as their champion

By: Dejan Bulajić

Leaders
CHIEF PHYSICIAN DR. ALEKSANDAR JOKIĆ, THE FIRST MAN OF THE SPECIAL HOSPITAL ”BANЈA KOVILJAČA”
Wellness under Gučevo
Balneology and climatology experts in the world know that the natural resources and healing powers of Koviljača are exceptional. It is no accident that 22,000 people pass through the special institution here every year, with 150,000 overnight stays. They are looked after by a team of over 50 physicians from almost every field of medicine. It is the first officially accredited rehabilitation center in Serbia. For three years in a row, it has been recognized as the leader of Southeast European leaders in health and wellness tourism

Guide
BORKOVAC, EXCURSION GROUND ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY
A Pearl of Ruma
A poem was written about it in the early 19th century by the great Ruman Stojković, a Serbian writer and scientist, Rector of Kharkov University and a Russian academician, author of the first Serbian book in physics and the first novel. Today, Borkovac has a lake and an Olympic swimming pool, sports center, trim track, a spring and a forest, places for rest and barbecue... It seems to you that the Rumans are just exaggerating praising their excursion area until you go there once. And then you see it for yourself

By: Mile Vajagić

Event
THE FIFTEEN BELGRADE BOAT CARNIVAL
Festivity on the River
A procession of decorated vessels, lots of singing and dancing, creative workshops, theater presentations, carnival atmosphere, evening concert, unusual fireworks... The Belgradians have returned to their rivers, and one of the most attractive image of Belgrade was shared with the world

Examples
EXPERTS of ”MERKUR” VISITED EGYPT
According to Vrnjačka Banja Formula
If the cooperation between Vrnjci and Misr Italia Holding company is realized, ”Merkur’s” team would prepare a study for the opening of a medical and wellness center on the Red Sea, examine the healing properties of the mineral waters there, define medical treatments and packages, train the Egyptians to organize a medical service. Possibilities for bringing Egyptian tourists to Vrnjačka Banja were also discussed

Seeds
THE AUTUMN ”FIELD DAY” OF THE INSTITUTE OF FIELD AND VEGETABLE CROPS FROM NOVI SAD
For Secure Harvest
Well-arranged stands of departments and laboratories, adjacent to soybean, corn and sunflower experimental fields. Experts provide interested parties with information and advice on top varieties and hybrids of the institute, selection and cultivation. About two thousand local and foreign guests gathered in Rimski šančevi, among them high representatives of the state, science, profession, business partners, agricultural producers. The Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops showed, again this time, why it was proclaimed an institution of national importance

Connections
”LASTA” TRANSPORTATION COMPANY”, ONE OF THE LEADING SERBIAN BRANDS
In a Good Flock
Its heritage is based on a seventy-two year tradition. It has 820 buses that, on more than 500 lines, make 5,180 departures every day. Its buses travel about 90 million kilometers each year and carry more than 80 million passengers. It is a member of ”Eurolines” European Bus Transport Network and has points of sale in twelve European countries. It has reached the Caucasus, Syria, Georgia, Tenerife, Portugal, Petrograd, Valaam