SERBIA - National review, No 99

Prologue

GALLERY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS 

 

Introduction
Too Late for Pessimism

Vitrage
NUMBERS, EVENTS, INTERESTING THINGS

Album
AN EXHIBITION AT THE RTS GALLERY
Sanctity in Art

Shrines
AN ILLUMINATED COPY OF THE ICON OF THE MLEKOPITATELJNICA FROM KAREJA, DONATED TO THE METROPOLITANATE OF CETINJE
Whenever It Comes, It Brings the Whole Sky
The icon is a gift from Father Nikodim from Kareja Hermitage of Saint Sava to the Metropolitanate of Montenegro of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is meant to bring peace, prayer, blessings, and protection to Montenegro from the Holy Mountain during these difficult times. On the journey from Kareja, through Albania, to Cetinje, the holy relic was accompanied by Hegumen Sergije of Ostrog, the writer of these lines, as well as Krsto Paunović, Aleksandar Milojević, Dragan Mikić, and Miloš Tomić. It was received in Cetinje with ringing bells, singing, a guard of honor, and a supplication

By: Mišo Vujović

Departure
ĐORĐE MIHAILOVIĆ (1928–2023), KEEPER OF THE HOLY MOUNDS OF THESSALONIKI, WAS BURIED
Peace Under Serbian Soil
Since 1960, he has guarded the best of all Serbia, the heroic and patriotic one, the loyal and freedom-loving one, whose sons rest at Zejtinlik. He asked for nothing more than to rest there himself, at the Serbian warrior cemetery, next to his father and grandfather, the previous guardians. The official representative of Serbia, Minister Nikola Selaković, brought three jars of soil to the funeral. From Serbia, Montenegro, and Republika Srpska. He added them to the one in the grave of Đorđe Mihailović in Thessaloniki. Another wish of the old guardian, rarely spoken, has been fulfilled

By: Miodrag Radomirović

Roads
IN THE VILLAGES OF TOPLICA, WAITING FOR THE SERBS TO COME TO THEIR SENSES
Pity for the Innocent Forests
God has been generous here, as can still be seen at every step today. And a glorious history stretches from the ancient site of Pločnik, through rich Roman heritage, Stefan Nemanja, Jug Bogdan, Toplica Milan, all the way to the Iron Regiment and beyond. Here, there are healing waters, herbs, air, and stories. But people, short-sighted, have left. Villages have almost completely become deserted, and illegal loggers roam. It was precisely there that we ventured this summer, among the rare guardians of thresholds and hearths

Text and Photo: Dragan Bosnić

Around the Town
HOW A CITY SPRUNG UP IN THE WASTELAND OF THE ŽARKOVAC REGION
History of Čukarica
It started with a summer house on Golo Brdo and a tavern under the hill. Later came merchants and artisans, a railroad and a sugar factory, a hippodrome and a mint, Pionirski Grad and Filmski Grad... Life flourished according to its own laws. After the first ”population influx” in the 19th century, there were 150 people there. Today there are 176,000 of them, making it the fourth largest Belgrade municipality. It has everything, even the world champions, even the Orthodox Celts. And the decisive spices were added by poets and chroniclers, in spite of transience, in spite of oblivion

By: Miloš Lazić
Photo: Jovan Đorđević, Rade Krstinić, Archives of the
Municipality of Čukarica and Primary School ”Josif Pančić”

Eye
STOJAN ĆELIĆ (1925–1992) AND HIS WORLDS OF PURE VISUAL ARTS
No One is Innocent in Art
He ascended to such heights, intellectual and painting, that certain studies about his art seem a bit naive. He initiated and edited the ”Art” magazine, he was a remarkable pedagogue and important essayist, member of the ”December Group”, ”Independent” and ”Group 69”. He made a sharp withdrawal from realism, metaphysics or fantastic art, avoided traps of informal art and all kinds of denial of painting. Due to internal qualities, exclusively artistic, his works will be appreciated in future times as well

By: Dejan Đorić

Old Masters
MOMO KAPOR (1937–2010), A TALKING PAINTER, A PAINTING WRITER
Living Is Not a Necessity, Talking Is
He loved this title and he would be happy to see it return before readers. He was a remarkable figure – a hero of his time, valuable and versatile witness of an epoch. The span of his wings spread from Sarajevo, where he was born, to Belgrade, where he finally rested. And his shadow is still flickering in Dubrovnik Stradun, in Budva, on the squares of Manhattan and Paris, on Ada and all over Skadarlija, on Belgrade pavements and quarters – each could be named after him. When the disintegration of Yugoslavia started, he made a clear and unwavering decision: he stood with his people

By: Dragan Lakićević

Life, Novels
BRATISLAV R. MILANOVIĆ, POET IN THE TIMES OF THE ”SINGING MASS”
All Our Hope
Let us hope that the world will not disappear, that it’s just us worn out, that our rationality is dispersing and our cycle coming to an end. It happened in the past as well. Some unfettered people appeared in Belgrade, insulting with their monstrous presentations about the city, devouring with their greed for money. What scum is Morava rolling, what plastic rags are ivies on the banks of the Timok and the Mlava dressed in? There are still Serbs who care about genuine cultural values, ready to pay the price for it with their quality of life. Not everything will sink into Croesus’ gold

By: Branislav Matić

Arena
UROŠ STEVANOVIĆ, HEAD COACH OF THE SERBIAN NATIONAL WATER POLO TEAM
Worries and Hopes
After generations who set the highest standards and entered chronicles of international sports, it is not easy to continue in the same manner. It takes time, which no one seems to have nowadays. In spite of stumbling, especially this summer, there is still the boldness to believe in the Olympic medal and other victory wreaths. The players need just a little to regain confidence and self-assurance, to revive the champions’ gene, they just need a little trust and patience. If there is persistence, results will come again

By: Dejan Bulajić

Examples
OFFICE FOR ASSISTANCE TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN BELGRADE MUNICIPALITY OF ZVEZDARA
Easily Accessible Support
They inform, advocate, promote, protect, and provide psychological and psychosocial support. They send a message to people with disabilities and their families: you are not alone. There is always someone in this system who can and will help. Seeking help is not shameful. It can be difficult to achieve goals, but it is easier when you have someone to rely on. And here, you have that every day

By: Aleksa Komet

Cleanliness
REMOVING THE CITY LANDFILL, A BIG ENVIRONMENTAL UNDERTAKING
Green Ruma
The decades-long problem of municipal waste disposal was solved by connecting to the regional landfill ”Srem-Mačva”. And then came the closure, rehabilitation and reclamation of the previous landfill. The final phase will be next year: the greening of the area where there used to be a garbage dump. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Municipality have invested almost 300 million dinars in this

Guide
THE 155TH SUMMER OF ORGANIZED TOURISM IN VRNJAČKA BANJA
It’s Time for You
A colorful carnival, numerous concerts and parties, the Culture Square packed every evening. It will be the same for the rest of the summer. If you haven’t yet, maybe it’s the right time to check out what makes Vrnjačka Banja so unique and attractive. A And on July 14, the Day of the Municipality was solemnly celebrated and numerous recognitions were awarded

Frame
NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES IN ”MERKUR” THIS SUMMER
Stability and Improvements
Mediterraneans are again in ”Merkur”, in the middle of summer, which is a special confirmation of quality. In June, a flood also hit Banja, but all the consequences were quickly remedied in ”Merkur”. Continuation of trial programs with partners from Europe