Diplomacy&Commerce Magazine #90 November 2023

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

EXHIBITION

BOJAN STANIĆ

NADEŽDA PETROVIĆ

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF SERBIA

NOVEMBER 2023

ISSUE 90

ONE PAINTER, 15 PHOTOGRAPHERS, 30 WORKS OF ART

PRICE 350 RSD

9772466380002

EVENTS 25 OCTOBER 2023

UN DAY SERBIA PAINTS THE SPECIAL MURAL

BEING AN EU CITIZEN MEANS MORE, NOT LESS PLAMENA HALACHEVA

Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia

FREEDOM IS NOT GUARANTEED TO ANYONE SLOBODAN GEORGIEV NOVA TV News Director

THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE OF ITS COLOURFULNESS, NOT BECAUSE OF THE UNIFORMITY EDIN DJERLEK

Minister of Balanced Regional Development

TRAVELOGUE

BENEATH THE GREAT WALL OF ICE

THE APPEAL OF TRADITION

by Viktor Lazić

Author of Etnology Fest

H.E. HAMİ AKSOY

IN FOCUS

Ambassador of Türkiye to Serbia

TÜRKİYE

FATİH KARACA

President of TSBA

GOGA GRUBJEŠIĆ

H.E. JÓZSEF MAGYAR

Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia

FOCUS ON

RÓBERT KASZAB

HUNGARY

Collegium Hungaricum

2

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

3

CONTENT

6

FOCUS ON

FEATURED INTERVIEW FOLLOW US TO STAY UPDATED

HUNGARY

THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE OF ITS COLOURFULNESS, NOT BECAUSE OF THE UNIFORMITY

EDIN DJERLEK Minister of Balanced Regional Development

Journalists Žikica Milošević, Nikola Gudelj, Duška Jovanić, Mijat Kontić

Photos Goran Zlatković, Nebojša Babić, Goran Srdanov, Marko Krunić, Andreja Leko, Shutterstock

10

DIPLOMATIC INTERVIEW

BEING AN EU CITIZEN MEANS MORE, NOT LESS

PLAMENA HALACHEVA Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia

Prepress Studio Lončar

STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE SERBIAN ECONOMY

Published by: Color Media Communications Ltd. 21123 Petrovaradin, Serbia Štrosmajerova 3 VAT: 107871532 Reg. No: 20887303 Office: Braće Jugovića 23/2 11000 Belgrade Phone: + 381 11 4044 966

CREATING BRIDGES BETWEEN NATIONS WITH CULTURE RÓBERT KASZAB Collegium Hungaricum Director

56

CULTURAL INTERVIEW

THE APPEAL OF TRADITION GOGA GRUBJEŠIĆ Author of Etnology Fest

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

BOJAN STANIĆ Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

34

MEDIA INTERVIEW

FREEDOM IS NOT GUARANTEED TO ANYONE SLOBODAN GEORGIEV NOVA TV News Director

62

TRAVELOGUE

GREENLAND BENEATH THE GREAT WALL OF ICE VIKTOR LAZIĆ

CIP – Katalogizacija u publikaciji Biblioteka Matice Srpske, Novi Sad 33 Diplomacy & Commerce / glavni i odgovorni urednik: Dragan Nikolić, 2016, (mart)-.Novi Sad: Color Media Communications, 2016 - , -33cm Mesečno ISSN 2466-3808 = Diplomacy & Commerce COBISS.SR-ID 303269895 Copyright 2016-2023 © Color Media Communications

4

IVAN LJUBINKOVIĆ The Hungarian Tourism Agency

CULTURAL INTERVIEW

32

Print Zlatna knjiga Jagodina

VISIT HUNGARY

46

Translation Snežana Bjelotomić, Brana Vladisavljević

Contributors: Dragan Nikolić, Robert Čoban, Nikola Gudelj, Mijat Kontić, Duška Jovanić, Viktor Lazić, Thomas Hackl

LIVING SIDE

BY SIDE

A LARGE EXCHANGE OF TOURISTS

H.E. JÓZSEF MAGYAR Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia

DRAGAN NIKOLIĆ Editor in Chief dragan.nikolic@color.rs

JELENA JAHURA jelena.jahura@color.rs

44

AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW

ROBERT ČOBAN Director robert.coban@color.rs

Advertising DRAGAN VUČEVIĆ dragan.vucevic@color.rs

40

Call us or send us request on: e-mail: pretplata-dc@color.rs Phone: +381 11 4044 960 Payment Instructions: www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs/subscription

ONLY

34 €

PER YEAR

SUBSCRIBE NOW! IN PRINT AND ONLINE

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

FOREWORD

The Serbian Joke About Romanians

W

hen I last visited Transylvania in July 2000, I witnessed how Romania was still slowly and painfully recovering from the wounds of Ceaușescu’s rule. Serbia, at the time still under Milošević, after a decade of sanctions and immediately after the bombing, appeared as a kind of advanced western neighbour.

Near Srpska Crnja, only ten or so metres from the border on the Serbian side, we pass by the neglected Neuhausen Castle. We go through the almost empty border crossing and immediately notice that Transylvania looks completely different today.

The places we pass through on the way to Sibiu, starting from Jimbolia just beyond the border, are tidy, almost all the houses are freshly painted, the roads are new and well maintained.

Incidentally, in the period from 1919 to 1924, Jimbolia (then majority German) was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, but in 1924 it was exchanged for a couple of border villages with a Serbian majority. Miloš Crnjanski strongly criticized the decision of the authorities in Belgrade to exchange progressive Jimbolia for several villages as unreasonable and entirely ethnically motivated.

Sibiu, but also all of Transylvania and Romania, has several important differences from Vojvodina and Serbia, for example.

Firstly, unlike Tito, the Romanian communists did not expel the local Germans. A small number of them retreated in 1944 along with the German troops leaving the Eastern Front, and all the others remained even after 1945. This is evidenced by the results of the census - so in the 1941 census, there were 23,574 Germans living in Sibiu, while in the 1956 census they numbered 24,656.

The Germans departed only after the fall of Ceaușescu, when they were allowed to leave the country, so in the 1992 census there were only 5,605 of them. Their numbers continue to drop and it is estimated that there are now about 1,000 Germans in the city but they are still very influential. They even have two of their own newspapers: „Siebenbürgische Zeitung” and „Hermannstädter Zeitung”.

Another difference between Transylvania and Vojvodina is the fact that here almost all Jews survived WWII, while in our country less than 10% of their pre-war number remained after the Holocaust.

Thus, in Timișoara there were 7,264 Jews in the 1930 census, while 26 years later, in the 1956 census, their number was only slightly lower 6,700. During the 1960s and 1970s, Ceaușescu allowed them to emigrate to Israel, so that already in 1977 there were only 1,629 of them, while today only 111 Jews remain (2021 census).

The fact that Romanians almost completely preserved very progressive communities such as the German and Jewish ones speaks volumes about the civilizational differences between our rulers and theirs during the past eight decades.

If we add to that the fact that the current president of Romania, in his second term (he won the elections in 2014 and 2019), is ethnic German Klaus Werner Iohannis, the differences between us become insurmountable.

Previously, Iohannis was the mayor of Sibiu for 12 years. It’s worth noting that Iohannis, as a German, was the mayor of Sibiu where Orthodox Romanians make up 95% of the population, and later he was twice elected president of Romania, where Orthodox Romanians likewise make up 89% of the population.

Try to imagine that in the 21st century, for 12 years, a German, Croat or Hungarian is elected mayor of Novi Sad, Sombor or Zrenjanin, and that later the same person wins the elections for the president of Serbia twice.

As we travel to Timișoara, I think about how the Romanians, the people we have so often unfairly underestimated in jokes and anecdotes, have proven that they are a great nation which after four decades of „abyss” under the communists very quickly returned to the community of European societies, while we still can’t understand where we went wrong in 1989.

Robert Čoban

5

READ THIS ON WEB

FEATURED INTERVIEW

by Dragan Nikolić

EDIN DJERLEK

Minister of Balanced Regional Development

The World is Beautiful Because of Its Colourfulness, Not Because of The Uniformity Equality is not uniformity, but learning, understanding and accepting diversity.

S

erbia is undergoing a great transformation, while there is a noticeable reduction in regional differences. The Minister of Balanced Regional Development, Edin Djerlek, talked to us about how the differences between Belgrade and the rest of the country are decreasing and how many villages and small communities are once again becoming desirable places to live.

How much has Serbia done in terms of balanced regional development since you became the line minister?

The Cabinet’s key activities, which I have been at the helm of for less

6

than a year, go in three directions – systemic and institutional improvement of regional development policy, boosting the medium institutional level of regional development through the affirmation of regional strategic planning, increasing the capacity and role of accredited regional development agencies, greater degree of vertical coordination and networking at all three levels (central, regional and local) and encouraging regional

growth through co-financing of important regional and local projects in various areas.

Strong coordination of regional development subjects was established at the vertical and horizontal level, for the first time in Serbia.

We have increased the capacities of regional development agencies and local governments through more than 90 development projects.

SMALL AND LARGE PLACES SOMETIMES SEEM LIKE DIFFERENT WORLDS, IN ONE, TIME FLOWS MORE SLOWLY, WHILE, IN THE OTHER, QUICKLY

Within the framework of the systemic and institutional improvement of regional development policy, I am particularly proud of a study we drafted called “New Measurement Model for the Level of Development in Municipalities and Cities in the Republic of Serbia”. As a result study, we now have a new methodology for measuring the level of development and, based on it, a new uniform list showing the level of development of cities and municipalities, given that the previous one was outdated and did not reflect the real situation. Now you can get a very precise regional picture of the situation in the municipalities and identify priority areas for investments. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

We can see that residents of big cities, especially Belgrade, are increasingly becoming aware of the advantages of living in smaller areas. Why does that happen?

From the perspective of someone who is originally from Novi Pazar, how do you see the relationship between the Serbian province and its capital? Have the village/town, capital/province differences been reduced and how?

I’ve been working hard on that for the past year. The methodology, study and uniform list of the development level of cities and municipalities is not something that we will secretly keep to ourselves, but we are willing to leave our knowledge to the government so that it can continue on the same path. It doesn’t matter to me whether I or someone else will do that job, it’s important to me that the people in Serbia feel the difference and I’m happy that I contributed to that.

To reduce the differences, we need to closely monitor the situation on the ground and have an institution like the Ministry for Balanced Regional Development, which then makes targeted investments and gaps in the differences between and within the regions. As I said before, we have already made a significant step forward compared to the previous situation. We did a lot and yet there is still much work to be done. It is very important to approach this with dedication and responsibility/, and I believe that my and the Ministry’s team’s approach was very good and a source of pride for both us and the people in Serbia.

I was born in Belgrade, but I grew up both in Belgrade and in Novi Pazar. Considering that my father is from Novi Pazar, I spent a large part of my childhood in Novi Pazar.

It may be strange to some people that, as a child born in Belgrade, I couldn’t wait to spend as much time as possible in a smaller city.

I am inextricably linked to Novi Pazar, so I feel like I always have two homes and my own two cities.

Small and large places sometimes seem like different worlds, in one, time flows more slowly, while, in the other, quickly. The capital offers variety and it is a beehive of activity, but Novi Pazar, as well as places similar to it, gives a feeling of tranquillity, intimacy and belonging. We must not ignore them, as they have their enormous potential. People from smaller towns who prosper in Belgrade and other larger cities demonstrate this.

SMALLER PLACES MUST AND CAN KEEP UP WITH THE WORLD In terms of living in rural areas, it is obvious that living there is never going to be the same as living in a city, but that is not the goal. The goal is to live dignified, beautiful, decent lives in the villages as well because they feed the country.

To what extent has globalization contributed to the erasure of civilizational differences between the countryside and the city, capital cities and provinces, powerful superpowers and third-world countries?

Globalization has brought many good things, but also many challenges. It has helped us to turn the world into a global village, communicate from one end of the world to the other, and have an insight into other cultures - news travels fast and globalization is a kind of new wave of people’s enlightenment. We must be grateful for that, but at the same time, aware of the problems it brings.

It is important to use insight into different cultures to become more tolerant and more reasonable, but we must not allow ourselves to completely merge and completely lose cultural authenticity. The world is beautiful because of its colourfulness, not because of uniformity. Equality is not uniformity, but learning, understanding and accepting diversity.

country in the world affects all others and therefore us too. Consequently, we must always know how to position ourselves and how to minimize possible damage.

Technological progress has brought us the availability of information, with knowledge being available at the click of a button and this is something that must be used for even regional development. With this in mind, we influenced the digitalization and modernization of our municipalities in order to improve the quality of services we provide to our citizens. Smaller places must and can keep up with the world. These seem like small steps, but they are steps that still take us forward and make a noticeable difference.

I believe a number of things led to this. During the coronavirus pandemic, many residents of big cities, especially metropolises like Belgrade, saw how it doesn’t take much to feel trapped in your big town. It suddenly became unimportant that you lived in a city with millions of inhabitants and you could see how privileged people from smaller towns are. The community spirit in small communities is sometimes stronger and more sensitive than in busy, spacious environments. During the pandemic, moving from the city to a village (or a smaller place) became a global trend.

On the other hand, we have to come to a full circle at some point and I am looking forward to that to a great extent. People moved en masse to big cities in search of a more comfortable life and now many, especially young people, are turning to small towns in search of a more peaceful life.

This is wonderful news for Serbia because few things are as sad as empty schools and kindergartens.

I believe that the entire government’s work also contributed to this. I believe that the Ministry for Balanced Regional Development has also done its share. We focused all of our work on smaller communities - we co-financed projects and supported everyone who wanted, together with us, to contribute to the betterment of their communities. To further

It is important to take advantage of the global market, but also to keep in mind that now, more than ever, every earthquake in any

7

improve the quality of life of our citizens, we invested in sewage and water supply grids wherever necessary, as well as in a number of roads that connect our villages with cities. Furthermore, we allocated resources to business and industrial zones to fully equip them and thus create the prerequisites for attracting investors and creating new jobs. We had significant allocations for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of a large number of cultural centres, children’s playgrounds, schools and sports infrastructure. All of this is of key importance for the growth and development of our regions and this is precisely what attracts people to immigrate or return to these areas.

2012 to 72% in 2021), the Vojvodina region (from 40 .6% to 42.7%), the region of Šumadija and Western Serbia (from 27.1% to 30.3%) and the region of Southern and Eastern Serbia (from 25.2% to 31.9%).

Thirdly, regional convergence is also increasing at lower levels, i.e. disparities at the level of regional areas (NSTJ-3), measured by GVA per capita (gross value added per capita) in the period from 2015 to

ties in 2015 to 33 in 2022) and the dynamic growth of some areas that have managed to attract foreign investors. Today, compact undeveloped areas are located in the South of Serbia, in the Pčinja and Jablanica regions, and the area of Sandžak. These two regions have municipalities that failed to attract investors due to undeveloped infrastructure capacities. The areas in Banat are

The first thing that is important to point out is that we managed to stop the growing trend of regional disparities and that the trend of regional convergence has started.

As a reminder, at the macro-region level (NSTJ-2), regional disparities, observed through GDP per capita, are decreasing (from 2.72:1 in 2012 to 2.26:1 in 2021). Secondly, in the same period, a comparative analysis of regional purchasing power, in relation to the EU average, shows a trend of convergence of all regions - the Belgrade region (from 68.5% of the EU average in

8

On the other hand, and in parallel, we need to continue working on improving the institutional framework of the balanced regional development policies in Serbia. In this context, several key tasks in the coming period must be done to achieve more even regional growth and development.

Firstly, we need to proceed with the adoption of the new Law on Regional Development, as the previous one was passed in 2009 and is outdated and dysfunctional in certain parts and hinders the improvement of regional development policy.

What are the underdeveloped areas of Serbia today and how did we end up in a situation where the once most developed and advanced regions became neglected and lost their population (Banat County, for example)?

There are several chronological determinants of regional disparities in Serbia. Regional inequalities are a systemic multi-decade problem, which became more pronounced during the transition process and further escalated from 2009 to 2014, after the 2008 global financial crisis. The causes of regional disparities are multiple - inherited inequalities, effects of privatization and transition, incomplete institutional infrastructure, lack of coordination of sectoral and development policy, etc.

Furthermore, Serbia’s regional development policy is continuously influenced by the implementation of the reform agenda.

will continue to co-finance projects, listen to the needs of citizens and help in every way to facilitate balanced regional development.

Secondly, we need to draft special regional development programmes for areas with special development problems.

WE MANAGED TO STOP THE GROWING TREND OF REGIONAL DISPARITIES 2021 and it was reduced from 4:1 to 3.65:1. The effects of the applied growth model, which was based on the attracting FDI and export growth, contributed the most to this. ​ he current regional development T map of Serbia is a consequence of two factors: the dynamic growth rate of the economy (average annual growth rate of 3.2% from 2015 to2021) and the effects of the demographic transition, which is in its final phase and is reflected in the processes such as depopulation (population decline of 7.5%) and demographic ageing of the population (the average age was 42.2 years in 2012 and 43.8 years 10 years later). Demographic transition is a characteristic of all countries in the region - Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Croatia and Romania.

Dynamic growth at the national level caused the repositioning of those areas that had a higher growth rate than the national average. Concrete results of this are a smaller number of underdeveloped areas (from 44 municipali-

not lagging in development and the regional picture of Banat is heterogeneous - the fastest growing are small municipalities in the area of the South Banat region (GDP per capita was EUR 3,500 in 2015 and EUR 6,500 in 2021), while slower growth was seen in municipalities in the North Banat region (from EUR 3,500 to EUR 4,700) and the Middle Banat region (from EUR 3,800 to EUR 4,900). ​ hat are the Ministry’s plans and W ongoing projects that facilitate balanced regional development?

A few days ago, we awarded 84 grants to young, and female entrepreneurs in the value of 250,000 dinars each under the auspices of the Development of Youth and Female Entrepreneurship in Pčinja and Jablanica Districts project.

My goal is to work on support programmes that will focus on people with disabilities and marginalized groups. I am glad that we contributed to Serbia winning the organization of EXPO 2027 and the magnitude of that success will be felt by all Serbian citizens. We

And thirdly, we need to continue facilitating regional strategic development planning by boosting the capacities of accredited regional development agencies. ​ hich areas in Serbia show great W progress? Can you single out some regions that you foresee a bright future for?

As I said earlier, the dynamic growth rate based on the model of attracting foreign, export-oriented investors and the construction of important regional infrastructure contributed to significantly more dynamic growth in some areas. The Bor region (cumulative growth of GVA per capita from 2015 to 2021 was 157%), Danube region (67%), Srem region (50%), South Banat region (49%) and Rasina region (47%) all achieved great results.

The construction of large-scale infrastructure, which is ongoing, especially the Moravian Corridor, creates the prerequisites for the propulsive growth of a large number of regional areas in the central part of the Republic. In terms of compact underdeveloped and border areas, the state needs to draft special programmes with significant incentive instruments. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

9

READ THIS ON WEB

by Mijat Kontić

DIPLOMATIC INTERVIEW

© Stefan Momirov

Being an EU Citizen Means More, Not Less

We need to talk about the EU beyond the misleading titles that we read in tabloid press PLAMENA HALACHEVA Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia

T

he EU-Serbia relations have always been a polarizing topic between Serbia and its citizens. This extends to Serbia’s political scene as well, a nation-wide consensus on the right direction of Serbia’s foreign policies is yet to be fully achieved.

What has the EU delegation in plan for the upcoming periods, are Serbia’s elections up to European standards and are the concerns of joining the EU legitimate or not?

10

On this and many other pressing topics we talked with Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

How was 2023 for the EU delegation and its cooperation with Serbia? Have you managed to achieve all the objectives that

were set for this year? Which ones were the most important for you and the delegation?

2023 was a challenging year for the EU Delegation and EU-Serbia relations, marked by continuous work on the accession negotiations and reforms, the EU-led Belgrade Pristina Dialogue and even

THE EU EXPECTS SERBIA TO IMPROVE, AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY, ITS ALIGNMENT WITH EU CFSP, AND AVOID ACTIONS AND STATEMENTS THAT GO AGAINST EU FOREIGN POLICY POSITIONS

stronger focus on alignment with EU foreign policy, against the background of a difficult geopolitical context. The two tragic mass shootings in early May left us all heartbroken and led to a shift in the reform priorities.

The EU Delegation continued to support Serbia’s reform efforts, notably when it comes to the fundamentals. Some important steps were taken towards strengthening the independence and accountability of the judiciary to ensure the practical effect of the 2022 constitutional amendments, www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

reforming the media legislation and improving the legislative framework for public procurement. However progress in the rule of law was uneven and a lot more remains to be done. The Delegation also continued to advocate for Serbia to accelerate the gas market unbundling, improve competition conditions and take further steps towards the decarbonisation of the economy, in line with Serbia’s commitments, including under the Paris agreement.

The Delegation also accelerated the roll-out of the Economic and Investment Plan through bilateral pre-accession assistance and the WBIF (Western Balkans Investment Framework). The delivery of EUR 165 million budget support aimed at supporting vulnerable families and SMEs, along with the EU-funded works of the gas interconnector with Bulgaria were among the key measures aimed at supporting Serbia during the energy crisis and mitigating some of the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The Delegation further focused on strengthening cooperation with Serbia on the management of illegal migration, building on the progress made by Belgrade in aligning with EU visa policy.

Communication and public diplomacy activities remained a key priority for the Delegation, and me personally, to explain the benefits of the accession process and counter disinformation. We took part in over 250 events throughout Serbia this year, ran several campaigns such as We Care (Stalo nam je), European Green Diplomacy, mobility and sports weeks, and for the first time organised EU opportunities week, aimed at raising public awareness about all the opportunities of the EU integration process. You can have a look at our dedicated website https://eumogucnosti.rs/

to seize the current momentum on EU enlargement. Serbia can continue to count on our support to advance the reform process and its effective implementation to the benefit of its citizens and Serbia’s strategic objective to join the EU. This is to accelerate next year, thanks to the EU Growth Plan that should provide for increasing integration with the EU’s Single Market in a number of areas such as the free movement of workers or of services where Serbia, as well as other Western Balkan partners, will be able to benefit from the EU Single Market before

Elections in Serbia are around the corner. How do you rate the current situation in Serbia regarding the conditions and the atmosphere in which the elections will be held? Would you say that they are up to European standards?

The EU relies on the expertise of OSCE/ODIHR to assess the electoral framework and the conduct of elections. The Serbian authorities have engaged in a dialogue with OSCE/ODIHR, which we encourage them to continue also

MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNANCE TO COUNTER THE ANTI-EU NARRATIVES AND DISINFORMATION, AS UNDERLINED ONCE AGAIN IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT accession, providing that the necessary reforms are being carried out. We are talking about EUR 6 Billion package for the region proposed by the European Commission that would bring Serbia to a

after the December elections. Indeed, Serbia still needs to address a number of long-standing recommendations concerning key aspects of the electoral process, such as access to media, cam-

paign finance and measures to tackle pressure on voters. The EU would like to see these reforms carried out through a transparent and inclusive process. It is positive that the Law on electronic media adopted last month extended the ban on media coverage of officials who are also candidates taking part in official gatherings organised for the opening of infrastructure or other facilities to 30 days, which is an improvement.

It is for OSCE/ODIHR to assess to what extent this will be effectively implemented in practice, as part of its hopefully fully-fledged electoral observation mission. All political and civil society actors are unanimous about the need for such a large-scale OSCE/ODIHR observation mission in view of the current deep political and social polarisation, and the need to enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

Serbia has yet to align its foreign policies with the EU fully. How has this affected the partnership between Serbia and the EU? What expectations does the EU have from Serbia in this regard?

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further underlined the need for unity and solidarity among the EU and its closest partners, and thus the importance of common foreign and security policy (CFSP) alignment in the enlargement process. It is a more significant signal than ever of shared values and strategic orientation. Neighbouring countries like Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia have maintained a 100% alignment with CFSP, leaving no doubt about their strategic choice of EU accession. When it comes to Serbia, no progress was made in this regard as its alignment patterns remained unchanged, and some of its actions and statements went against EU positions on foreign policy. As reiterated on numerous occasions, the EU expects Serbia to improve, as a matter of priority, its alignment with EU CFSP, and avoid actions and statements that go against EU foreign policy positions.

What does the EU delegation have planned for Serbia in 2024?

EU Ambassador Giaufret handed over to the Serbian government two key documents: our 2023 Report on Serbia and the Communication on a new Growth plan for the Western Balkans. They contain valuable guidance about the way forward, especially regarding the reforms that need to be accelerated if the country wants

similar level of support intensity per capita as EU Member States that receive EU cohesion funds.

Opening of the European Film Festival in Cacak, October 2023

On a more positive note, Serbia continued to participate in and contribute substantially to EU crisis management missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy, and

11

to cooperate with EU services to prevent circumvention of EU restrictive measures on its territory.

According to the Ministry of European Integration research in December 2022, support for Serbia’s accession to the EU is 43%, while the percentage of those who oppose it is 32%. Could this be improved? What can Serbia do to strengthen the support of its citizens towards the EU-Serbia partnership?

Within the same research, respondents expressed the highest percentage of concern regarding the impact of EU membership on

quality foods, the construction of access roads in rural communities, the promotion of rural tourism, etc. Serbia already benefits from a substantial amount of EU assistance to farmers through our IPARD programme. Since 2000, the European Union has donated EUR 230 million for agriculture and food safety in Serbia, with encouraging results. Serbia’s agri-

Second, we need to have an informed debate about the opportunities and responsibilities which come with EU membership. The EU Delegation is fully committed to continue informing Serbian citizens about the benefits of the EU accession process, its challenges and the reform efforts it requires.

To this aim, we address over 250 events per year, engage with citizens, run web portals, fund films and give regular interviews. We also count on the valuable help of our Member States Ambassadors,

ment, nature and civil protection.

The EU provides significant financial assistance to these sectors, as these have a direct impact on citizens’ lives and health. Speaking of which, according to the latest data from the Republic Statistical Office, citizens of Serbia live, on average, seven years less than EU citizens.

And let us not forget that our history of enlargement has been an unprecedented economic success story, bringing enormous benefits both for those countries which access the EU and the Union itself.

You can see that for the new members, their citizens and businesses, there is access to our four freedoms, access to our Single Market, citizens can travel, businesses have new markets. And all of this is a powerful lever to increase prosperity and therefore stability.

© Aleksandar Crnogorac

Absolutely! First, we need to talk about the EU more, beyond the misleading and sensationalist titles that we read in tabloid press. Some of the media headlines are pure disinformation like those claiming the EU is about to fall apart or that EU citizens allegedly spent the last winter in the cold and dark. What worries me even more is that we do not talk enough about it – this is in sharp contrast with other countries in the region that I had the pleasure to serve in and where the EU is a daily topic. Here, especially at local level, the EU is - more often than not - a side, back-burner subject, often reduced to the two most divisive angles of sanctions against Russia and Kosovo issue.

We need to change this and for this we need the help of all those who want an European future for their children. The Serbian authorities have already in place a wide range of means to engage and explain the EU integration process. While we welcome efforts undertaken, more needs to be done at all levels of governance to counter the anti-EU narratives and disinformation, as underlined once again in our annual report.

who for example recently took part in a wide campaign showcasing EU support to key sectors.

We need to all work together to face generation-defining tasks and communicate them well.

our farmers (37%), followed by the fact that membership will mean the loss of our national identity and culture (33%), and that it will cost our country too much money (30%). Are these concerns legitimate or not?

Allow me to dispel these concerns.

First, farmers in Serbia stand to benefit extensively from Serbia’s EU accession and this is clear from the experiences of all 13 countries that joined the EU since 2004. Agriculture and Rural Development are significantly supported at EU level, representing the second largest share of the EU budget. In practice, this

cultural exports to the EU quadrupled over the past decade, from EUR 640 million in 2009 to EUR 2.4 billion in 2022.

When it comes to the national identity, are people nowadays any less French than before 19511? I would not say so. I am Bulgarian and, to this day, I write in Cyrillic and speak Bulgarian with family and friends – what has changed is that they are now recognised as one of the official EU languages and alphabets. Being an EU citizen means more, not less. More rights, more freedoms and more opportunities.

And when it comes to the cost of EU membership, it is accurate to

SERBIA’S AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO THE EU QUADRUPLED OVER THE PAST DECADE, FROM EUR 640 MILLION IN 2009 TO EUR 2.4 BILLION IN 2022 means significantly higher, stable and predictable support for the farming community. Beyond the subsidies, there are many other benefits such as direct access to a very receptive EU market for high

say that the reform process is not free of charge. Meeting relevant environmental standards for instance comes with a price tag to ensure, among other things, water and air quality, waste manage-

You’ve mentioned that what you love most about Serbia and Belgrade is its rich and diverse cultural scene. The EU has proven itself to be an important partner of Serbia in this aspect. What makes this collaboration of European and Serbian cultures special?

Well, Serbian culture is very much European for me. I firmly believe culture is at the core of our Europeanness; it is our common ground and, at the same time, what differentiates us and tells us who we are.

Serbia’s cultural scene has so much to offer and contribute with to our common rich and diverse European cultural space. So indeed, among the things I love the most about Belgrade, and Serbia in general, is the richness of its cultural and artistic scene.

It is no wonder Serbia is one of the most successful users of our Creative Europe programme - our main engine of support for arts, culture and creative industries.

Serbia has been participating in this programme since 2014, under the same conditions as EU member states. More than 150 organisations from Serbia have benefited from this programme, with projects worth over EUR 12 million.

1 When France became a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community

12

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

13

© Shutterstock

INTERESTING FACTS

Top 20 Countries in Terms of Economic Equality

M

any times we hear about the “wealth” and “job creating” and “average salaries” but in reality, in means so little. It is all about the “statistical sarma”, some people eat meat, some eat rice, and on average everybody eats sarma. What is really important is equally distributed wealth, which is a prerequisite for the lack of crime and the increased security. Therefore, the Gini coefficient was invented. It is a measure of statistical dispersion intended to represent the income inequality, the wealth inequality, or the consumption inequality within a nation or a social group.

It was developed by Italian statistician and sociologist Corrado Gini. A Gini coefficient of 0 reflects perfect equality, where all

14

income or wealth values are the same, while a Gini coefficient of 1 (or 100%) reflects maximal inequality among values, a situation where a single individual has all the income while all others have none. And who are the most equal nations by Global Wealth Databook (2021) by Credit Suisse Research Institute?

It is Slovakia with 0.503 (or 50.3%), followed by Iceland (50.9%) and Qatar (58.1%), which obviously made its way up to the top-tier welfare state countries. Belgium, Malta, TimorLeste (East Timor) and Japan follow, with 60.3%, 61.7%, 62.6% and 64.4%, respectively. Australia fare quite good, and that explains their egalitarian spirit, with 65.6%, and the Top 10 is

conclude by Greece (65.7%) and Hungary and Italy (66.5%) sharing the 10th place. Well, Lukashenko’s Belarus is certainly one of the countries of equals, on the 12th place with 66.7% and the super-rich Luxemburg is pretty much rich for all, with 67%, together with Burma (Myanmar).

And what about us? Here we come! Slovenia is 15th with 67.1%, South Korea is 16th with 67.6%, Albania is 17th with 68.2%, and the Top 20 list is concluded with Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina with minor differences: 68.4%, 68.5% and 68.6%.

Oops, and what about Serbia? We are 29th with 70.6%. The most unequal are Brunei (91.6%), Bahamas (91.4%), Brazil (89%),

Bahrain (88.9%) and the UAE (88.8%).

NATIONAL DAYS

DECEMBER 2023 UAE

2

FINLAND

6

IRAQ

6

UNICEF

11

National Day

Independence Day

National Day

UNICEF Day

15

THE NETHERLANDS Kingdom Day

KAZAKHSTAN

16

Independence Day

QATAR

18

LIBYA

24

SLOVENIA

26

National Day

National Day

Independence and Unity Day

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

ARRIVALS

H.E. MS SHUBHDARSHINI TRIPATHI New Ambassador of India to Serbia H.E. Ms Shubhdarshini Tripathi has been appointed the new Indian Ambassador to Serbia. Ms. Shubhdarshini Tripathi joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1994. She is a Post Graduate in Science and also holds M. Phil degree from Delhi University. In 2006, she joined Embassy of India, Paris as Counsellor and headed Political Wing till 2009. She returned to New Delhi in 2009 and joined as Director, Europe West. She was a Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of India, Thimphu from 2011 to 2014 and then Deputy Chief of Mission in Embassy of India, Berlin from 2014 to 2016. She served as Ambassador of India to Jordan from 2016 to 2019, as Deputy Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi from 2019 to May 2021, as well as Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan from May 2021 to August 2023.

H.E. MRS IMEN LAAJILI AMMARI New Ambassador of Tunisia to Serbia In recent diplomatic developments, H.E. Mrs Imen Laajili Ammari has been appointed the new Tunisia Ambassador to Serbia. As stated in the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), during the appointment, it was noted that the overall relations between the two countries are close and friendly, as well as that there is a common interest in further improving cooperation in many areas, primarily on the economic level. H.E. Ambassador Mrs Imen Laajili Ammari thanked for the warm welcome and emphasized her readiness to contribute to the further improvement of the cooperation between Tunisia and Serbia with her active action, the MFA statement added.

PHOTO STORY LONDON, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 / OIL ON PANEL A RESTING BASHI-BAZOUK, A MASTERPIECE

BY PAJA JOVANOVIĆ, HAS BEEN BOUGHT AT THE SOTHEBY’S AUCTION BY BELGRADE CITY MUSEUM. © Photo: Sotheby

15

READ THIS ON WEB

FASHION NEWS

High Fashion as a Lifestyle The opening of a new Global Fashion sales point in TC Galerija

G

lobal Fashion is a family company established in January 2013 in Belgrade.

The founders’ initial passion for high fashion created the basis of the Global Fashion brand, through which we have proudly represented renowned global fashion brands over the past decade.

In Belgrade, you can find us primarily at the following locations: Ustanička 12c, Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 115, and Galerija on Bulevar Vudroa Vilsona 14 - you

will discover about thirty of the world’s top luxury fashion brands, including Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Zegna, Bottega Veneta, Keaton, Tom Ford, OffWhite, Dolce & Gabbana.

After this successful presence, our clients indicated the need for a greater capacity, and we decided to meet their expectations.

We also decided to open a new sales point within the Galerija shopping centre. This step is an expression of our success and a response to the demands of brands and the market that we join this prestigious space.

Our presence in TC Galerija BW,

16

from autumn 2023, marks further steps towards new heights.

On this occasion, we invite all lovers of elite fashion to visit us and become part of an exclusive community that knows how to appreciate true quality.

We also offer custom-made tailoring for true hedonists who choose clothes made exclusively and only for them. It is an extremely rare master skill that combines art with functionality. Global Fashion has placed its trust in the leading and most recognized „made-to-

measure” company teams, such as Brunello Cucinelli, ZEGNA, and Santoni, who will be present in Serbia for the first time.

Therefore, Belgrade is now on the list of select destinations such as New York, London, Paris, and Dubai, another privilege of Global Fashion VIP clients, rarely provided by many other brands.

If you also appreciate high fashion, have refined taste, and are looking for only the best quality, call 069/1066 103 or visit the website globalfashion.rs

YOU CAN DISCOVER AROUND THIRTY OF THE WORLD’S TOP LUXURY FASHION BRANDS, INCLUDING LORO PIANA, BRUNELLO CUCINELLI, ZEGNA, BOTTEGA VENETA, KEATON, TOM FORD, OFF-WHITE, DOLCE & GABBANA www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

17

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

23 OCTOBER 2023

From Linguini to Linguistics: Serbia Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Italian Language Extravaganza!

The Italian Embassy in Serbia, in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade, successfully concluded the XXIII Week of the Italian Language in the World (SLIM) on October 22, following a series of events designed to celebrate and promote the Italian language and culture. The week-long celebration, which commenced on October 16, was underlined by a glamorous Gala evening held on Friday, October 20, at the official Residence of the Italian Ambassador to Serbia. The event, which began at 6:30 p.m., saw a lot of Serbian celebrities from diverse fields, such as sports, cinema, culinary arts, and entertainment, grace the red carpet. Notably, all these personalities share a common thread—a love for the Italian language, which they speak fluently. Ambassador H. E. Luca Gori hosted the evening, dedicated to the Italian language’s sheer beauty and

cultural richness. This tongue enjoys immense popularity and affection among the Serbian populace. The highlight of the evening was the presence of the guest of honour, Dubravka Djedović Handanović, the Minister of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia.

24 OCTOBER 2023

Celebration of Unity and History – Cyprus’ National Day Reception in Serbia Last night, the city’s diplomatic circles were lively as the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Serbia held a National Day Re-

ception to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of its independence.

The event, hosted by H.E. Andreas Photiou, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Serbia, was a celebration of history and a testament to the growing ties between the two nations. The reception was graced by dignitaries from various sectors, including government officials, business leaders, cultural ambassadors, and representatives from the Serbian community. The guest list was a true who’s who of the diplomatic scene, highlighting the importance of this event in fostering international relations.

The National Day of Cyprus marks

18

the anniversary of the country’s independence from British rule in 1960. Events like these not only celebrate past milestones but also forge relationships that shape the future geopolitics for the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Serbia. The evening signified a pledge of continued partnership, an alliance that speaks of diplomatic finesse, cultural richness, and the collective strength of nations united in their diversity. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

25 OCTOBER 2023

UN-believable Artistry – Serbia Paints the Special Mural for UN Day On the 78th commemoration of the United Nations, the UN’s Serbian chapter marked the occasion with a grand unveiling at the UN House in Belgrade: a mural celebrating Serbia’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems. Crafted by the artistic duo Marija and Stefan Šoln, the mural is a visual ode to Serbia’s diverse wildlife, showcasing species like the Balkan lynx, brown bear, apollo butterfly, and eastern imperial eagle. The artwork also intricately weaves in various plant species, underscoring the vastness of Serbia’s ecological diversity. Addressing the gathering, UN Resident Coordinator Françoise Jacob underscored the pivotal role of biodiversity in the context of Serbia’s environmental objectives and the broader call for transformative measures. Mari Yamashita, the UN’s chief representative in Belgrade, delved into the mural’s symbolic importance and the essence of UN Day. She further expressed gratitude to Serbia for its unwavering support of multilateralism in active participation and contributions to UN peace missions. Ivica Dačić, Serbia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, outlined Serbia’s consistent priorities within the UN framework, emphasizing territorial integrity, international peace, and the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dačić further affirmed Serbia’s commitment to the UN’s collective objectives, emphasizing the importance of stability

25 OCTOBER 2023

Austrian Fiesta in Belgrade – Ambassador Ebner’s National Day Party

In celebration of Austria’s National Day, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Serbia, H.E. Christian Ebner, along with Mrs. Viktoria Ebner, hosted an eminent reception yesterday, 24th October 2023. The event,

and multilateral collaboration for global peace and prosperity. The UN Day in Serbia is more than a ceremonial observance; it’s a confluence of dialogues and partnerships centred on sustainability and environmental stewardship. In a world grappling with uncertainties, the emphasis is on peace and unity. As global leaders gear up for the forthcoming Summit of the Future, the unveiled mural is a poignant reminder of our shared uty to the environment and the pursuit of global harmony.

held in the heart of Belgrade, saw a gathering of dignitaries, government officials, and prominent figures from Austria and Serbia. It served as a testament to the strong diplomatic ties and companionship shared between the two nations.

The reception is expected to strengthen the bond between Austria and Serbia further, fostering mutual respect and cooperation in various sectors.

19

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

29 OCTOBER 2023

100 Years and Counting – The Turkish Embassy in Belgrade Throws a Republic Day Party to Remember!

The Turkish Embassy in Belgrade has commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic with a grand celebration, extending its deepest gratitude and paying homage to its founding father, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In observance of this monumental Centennial of the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Ambassador Hami Aksoy orchestrated a gathering that united individuals from a myriad of cultural and social backgrounds.

The Turkish Republic Day, a national holiday observed annually on October 29th since 1925, marks the pivotal moment when Ataturk proclaimed the establishment of the new regime of Türkiye following the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the triumphant conclusion of the War of Independence, a campaign significantly led by Atatürk himself. In the wake of these historic events, Atatürk ascended to the position of Türkiye’s inaugural president.

30 OCTOBER 2023

01 NOVEMBER 2023

In celebration of Czechoslovak Independence Day, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Belgrade hosted a grand reception to mark the historic occasion. The event, held on the 27th of October, commemorated the establishment of the independent Czechoslovak state. Ambassador H. E. Mr. Ing. Tomáš Kuchta, who presided over the festivities, welcomed guests and highlighted the day’s significance in the history of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The reception was attended by a diverse array of dignitaries, including government officials, business leaders, and members of the diplomatic community. Czechoslovak Independence Day is observed on the 28th of October each year, serving as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and historical journey of the Czech and Slovak peoples. The day is marked by various events and celebrations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and worldwide as communities come together to honor their shared past and look forward to a bright future.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Serbia celebrated the Republic Day of Kazakhstan with a grand event that showed the rich cultural heritage of the Central Asian nation. The event took place on Monday, October 30, 2023, and the host was the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Mr. Madi Atamkulov, and his wife, Mrs. Laura Atamkulova. The attendees were members of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests. The celebration’s highlight was an ethno-folk concert titled “Bridge of Times,” held at the Kolarac Concert Hall in Belgrade. The concert featured traditional Kazakh music and dance, giving the audience a glimpse into the country’s vibrant folk culture. Following the concert, a reception was held at the Square Nine Hotel in Belgrade, where guests could mingle and enjoy delicious Kazakh cuisine.

Czech-ing In on Independence – A Toast to Czechoslovak Statehood with Grand Reception

20

The Republic Day of Kazakhstan – Ambassador Atamkulov’s Guide to Partying in Style

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

21

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

08 NOVEMBER 2023

Italian Embassy in Belgrade Honors National Unity and Armed Forces Day The Italian Embassy in Belgrade commemorated National Unity and Armed Forces Day with a distinguished reception on November 7th, 2023. Ambassador H. E. Luca Gori, with Mrs. Eugenia Gresta, and Defense Attaché Col. Stefano Giribono, with Mrs. Luigia Mascarucci, hosted the event, celebrating Italy’s historical unification and the bravery of its military. The ceremony underscored the deep-rooted ties between Italy and Serbia. Guests enjoyed an array of Italian culinary delights, a testament to the country’s rich gastronomic heritage. The reception paid homage to Italy’s past and present armed forces and reinforced the friendship and cooperation between Italy and Serbia.

09 NOVEMBER 2023

Announcing the IWC Charity Bazaar – A Celebration of Cultures for a Cause in Belgrade The regular monthly Coffee Morning of the IWC – International Women’s Club Belgrade (IWC.rs) took place on November 8 in the cozy atmosphere of a Senjak hotel. The topic of the meeting was the largest IWC yearly fundraising event, the upcoming IWC Charity Bazaar, to be held December 3, 2023, in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Belgrade, from 10:30 – 17:30. The preparations for the IWC Charity Bazaar are in full swing, having the confirmed participation of 28 embassies at the moment. The embassies will be selling the typical products of their respective countries, such as food, beverages, clothing, crafts, art, and souvenirs. All the sale proceeds will be donated to the IWC Charity Fund. This year’s charity assistance focuses on the empowerment of women in Serbia. IWC encourages donations to the Fund and sponsors to support and promote this charitable cause and beautiful fundraising event. Please contact bazaar@iwc.rs for donations and cooperation. IWC is also encouraging people to visit this international, colorful, and unique event happening in Belgrade once a year and representing the journey through amazing cultures and countries that one rarely has an opportunity to experience. The entrance ticket price is 300 dinars, and the price of the raffle ticket is only 250 dinars, where amazing and numerous prizes are awarded to winners, such as hotels, spa, restaurant lunch/dinner vouchers, concerts, and theatre tickets, typical produce baskets offered by embassies, premium wine and spirits, and many, many more. IWC looks forward to celebrating its most important fundraising event with Belgrade and Serbia.

22

09 NOVEMBER 2023

Baku to Belgrade – Azerbaijan’s Flag Flies High in a Festive Diplomatic Party The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Belgrade marked the Day of the State Flag of Azerbaijan with a distinguished gathering, celebrating the nation’s enduring symbol of independence and unity. This annual holiday, observed with great enthusiasm on November 9, sees Azerbaijanis at home and abroad honor the tricolor that represents their national identity. His Excellency Kamil Khasiyev, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Serbia, hosted the event, which was attended by a notable diplomatic corps and key figures in the Serbian-Azerbaijani community.

The event in Belgrade is part of Azerbaijan’s global outreach, engaging with the international community to foster cultural ties and cooperation. As Azerbaijanis display the flag with pride worldwide, the Day of the State Flag stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and hope for a prosperous future.

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

09 NOVEMBER 2023

Tommy Emmanuel Captivates at Novi Sad with Australian Embassy Initiative The Australian Embassy in Belgrade staged a spectacular musical evening at Srpsko Narodno Pozorište in Novi Sad on November 9, 2023, featuring the world-renowned acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. The city of Novi Sad was treated to the Australian virtuoso’s captivating performance, highlighting his exceptional talent and reaffirming music’s power to transcend borders. Emmanuel, known for his complex fingerstyle technique and energetic performances, delivered a diverse range of pieces to an excited audience. The concert not only showcased his musical talent but also served to foster cultural connections between Australia and Serbia. The night concluded with applause, cementing the event as one of the highlights in Novi Sad’s cultural calendar.

14 NOVEMBER 2023

Commemoration – Commonwealth Armistice Day 2023 Every year on November 11, Canadians, Australians, British and other members of Commonwealth countries celebrate Armistice Day and thus honour those who fought and gave their lives for their country in the First World War (1914-1918), The Second World War (1939-1945) and the Korean War (1950-1953). The first Armistice Day was celebrated in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth. Armistice Day marked the signing of the armistice and the end of hostilities on November 11, 1918. This day symbolized the end of the war and an opportunity to remind everyone of those who died. On Armistice Day, a poppy flower is worn to remind of the blood-red flower that still exists. It always grows on the battlefields of France and Belgium, as described by the Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, doctor and teacher, in his poem “In Flanders Fields”. This poem symbolizes the sacrifice of all those who fought in the First World War. On Armistice Day, we remember brave men and women and remind ourselves that we must work for peace every day of the year. This year, the Armistice Day celebration was organized by the Embassy of Canada in Belgrade. The ceremony (commemoration) was held at the Cemetery of Fallen Soldiers Commonwealth on Saturday, November 11. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Issues, the Ministry of Defence, the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, countries of the Commonwealth, and the diplomatic corps.

23

DIPLOMATIC EVENTS

15 NOVEMBER 2023

Polish Pride and Party – A Festive Night in Belgrade Celebrating Independence and Bravery The Embassy of Poland in Belgrade commemorated the Independence Day of the Republic of Poland and Polish Armed Forces Day with a notable reception. The event, hosted by Ambassador H. E. Rafał Perl, Mrs. Anna Perl, and Defence Attaché Col. Dominik Konieczny, symbolized Polish pride and history. The reception marked an important day in Polish history, celebrating the nation’s independence achieved in 1918 and honouring the contributions of its armed forces. The event was attended by distinguished guests from various fields, reflecting the strong relationships between Poland and Serbia. Cultural highlights of the evening included traditional Polish music and cuisine, offering attendees a taste of Poland’s rich heritage. The event commemorated Poland’s past achievements and emphasized the ongoing friendship and cooperation between Poland and Serbia. This celebration stood as a tribute to Poland’s enduring spirit and its journey through history.

17 NOVEMBER 2023

Belgian National Day Celebrated in Belgrade In a grand commemoration of Belgian National Day, the Belgium Embassy in Belgrade hosted a grand reception, marking the historical moment when, in 1831, King Leopold I pledged allegiance to the constitution, becoming the first King of the Belgians. The event, hosted by H.E. Cathy Buggenhout, Belgian Ambassador to Serbia, was a vibrant confluence of cultural and political figures from Serbia. This gathering not only underscored the strong bilateral ties between Belgium and Serbia but also highlighted the cultural richness and historical significance of the day.

Belgian National Day serves as a reminder of the nation’s journey towards constitutional monarchy and democratic governance. The reception in Belgrade echoed this spirit, celebrating the shared values and enduring friendship between the two nations.

24

17 NOVEMBER 2023

Veneto Vibes in Belgrade – A Gala of Italian Flavours The vibrant city of Belgrade became the culinary central point this week as it hosted a grand Gala dinner dedicated to the Veneto region of Italy. This prestigious event, part of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World 2023, was graced by the presence of Mr. Luca Zaia, the President of the Veneto Region, showcasing the rich gastronomic heritage of his region. The Italian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Luca Gori, played the perfect host at this elegant affair, bringing together the flavours of Veneto and the spirit of Italian cuisine. This event coincided with the “Wine Vision by Open Balkan” Fair, further highlighting the significance of wine in the cultural exchange between Italy and the Balkans.

The Gala dinner offered a unique opportunity for attendees to savour authentic Veneto dishes, paired exquisitely with a selection of the region’s finest wines. This event not only celebrated the culinary arts but also strengthened the cultural bonds between Italy and Serbia. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

25

AMBASSADOR’S POSTCARD

Palestine and Serbia are my Two Homelands I really miss Belgrade, its people and Serbian friends with whom I shared a wonderful time H.E. MOHAMMED NABHAN Former Ambassador of Palestine to Serbia

I

spent 17 years in Belgrade as the Ambassador of my country Palestine. I remember that December evening in 2005, when I arrived at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport on a Srbija Airways flight coming from Rome. After the evening reception of the head of protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, I went out with the staff from the Embassy on the way to my new home where I would spend the next 10 years. Back then, Belgrade appeared gloomy and sad, shrouded in fog. The next day, it became clearer to me why Belgrade seemed so sad when I went to the first meeting with an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hand him a copy of my credentials: I saw the ruins of the buildings of the Ministry of Defense and the building of the former Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and Yugoslavia in Kneza Miloša street. It was clear to me why beautiful Belgrade seemed so sad compared to the cheerful Belgrade I remember from the period of my studies at the Faculty of Political Science between 1982 and 1987, when I graduated and went to Tunisia to continue working in the cabinet of the late President Arafat.

But today is a new day, and a new world is being born, and a new Yugoslavia and a new Serbia are being born, and I have to adapt to that. The same applies to the day

26

Belgrade’s new airport no longer looks like the old, outdated airport.

It is now modern and functional, with new spaces and halls and passages that facilitate the flow of passengers through it. The Belgrade Waterfront is a new neighbourhood in which I followed all phases of its construction from the start and cheered for it, while respecting the opinions and attitudes of certain people who were

agreed with on various issues and those I disagreed with. They are all dear to me because I always have the best memories of them. I miss Serbian music, especially authentic folk music, and today I often listen to it thanks to the Internet and social networks. I miss Serbian food, especially gourmet food, pljeskavica, ćevapi, bean soup with ribs. I miss the drinks, lozovača, šljivovica and wine from the Serbian

I also had to organise family life and establish family ties that were interrupted or online during the period of my service in Belgrade.

against its construction, and I can say that it represents a masterpiece and one of Belgrade’s landmarks.

Unlike the image of Belgrade when I arrived on duty, Belgrade looked bright and cheerful when I left after completing my mission.

I have to say that I really miss Belgrade and its people and Serbian friends with whom I shared a wonderful time. I miss those I

vineyards I visited together with the Ambassadors. I miss restaurants and kafane and that nice ambience created in them after a drink or two, when everyone becomes friends and sings together.

You can’t find ambience like that anywhere except in Serbian cities.

of my departure from Belgrade after the end of my mission on 31 January 2023, when only I was sad because I left a part of myself in Belgrade and many friends with whom I spent the best part of my life. But this is an integral part of our diplomatic life.

I returned to Palestine, and began to face the problems that arose due to my absence and the delay in solving some of those problems.

First of all, I had to settle my pensioner status. You have to struggle with the bureaucracy of your country and discover that you are unknown and that you don’t know the world that was created while you were away and that you no longer have friends because those who were your friends have either departed to the other world or are retired and no longer have that power and influence. In such a situation, you start talking to yourself. And I decided to write a book in this situation. I started writing it even before I left Belgrade.

I WAS SAD BECAUSE I LEFT A PART OF MYSELF IN BELGRADE AND MANY FRIENDS WITH WHOM I SPENT THE BEST PART OF MY LIFE

Because of all that, I have decided to divide my life between my native land of Palestine and my acquired second homeland of Serbia.

I believe I will find satisfaction and emotional stability in that. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

27

GLOBAL NEWS

by Thomas Hackl / Scoop

Peace, Environmental Protection, Integration – Costa Rica a Model State for Latin America?

But how did the small Central American country manage to develop so much? And what can

28

other countries learn from Costa Rica? Here are three of the most important points.

Schoolbooks instead of Firearms Costa Rica won its independence without violence in 1821. However, the country was not spared conflicts thereafter. Repeated wars and civil wars broke out. For example, the American William Walker tried to conquer all of Central America and establish a slave state there under the influence of

the USA. Under the leadership of Costa Rica, however, the states of Central America could defeat William Walker.

The turnaround came with Costa Rica’s last civil war in 1948. At the end of the war, the army was abolished, and since then, Costa Rica has lived in unarmed neutrality.

This makes Costa Rica one of the few countries without an army.

Instead of spending money on weapons, Costa Rica invested in education and the health system. The result is impressive:

VALUES HIGHLY RATED IN COSTA RICAN SOCIETY ARE PACIFISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, ESPECIALLY COSINESS AND CONVIVIALITY

Today, the Ticos have the highest life expectancy in Latin America and even do better than the USA. In education, Costa Rica has one of the highest literacy rates and one of the highest percentages of university graduates in Latin America. This has led to a strong civil society and a successful economy.

Costa Rica has not only promoted peace in its own country but has also worked to peacefully resolve conflicts throughout the region. The country successfully acted as a mediator in the civil wars in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The then Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for this commitment. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

© Shutterstock

C

osta Rica is one of Latin America’s most prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable countries. Although the Central American country is located in one of the world’s most insecure and unstable regions, the small country has managed to protect its peace and democracy. At the same time, the Ticos (the common name for people from Costa Rica) have made it prosperous. The country has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. All this, even though before independence, Costa Rica was one of the most insignificant and underdeveloped parts of the Spanish colonial empire.

Costa Rica is a Role Model in Environmental Protection Costa Rica is one of the most sustainable countries in the world and a model of nature conservation. The country obtains almost 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and is a global pioneer with countries such as Iceland and Norway. In 2017, the country went 300 days without fossil energy in its electricity generation. Costa Rica is so successful with its sustainable energy that it can even export electricity to neighbouring countries.

The country also has one of the largest biodiversities in the world. More than 5 percent of all known animal and plant species are native to Costa Rica, and even though tiny, Costa Rica makes up only 0.03 percent of our planet’s land area. By comparison, Austria is home to only about 0.53 percent of the world’s biodiversity, even though the country is almost twice the size of the Central American nation.

This is not by chance. Costa Rica has made great efforts to protect its nature. Until the 1980s, the country was affected by heavy deforestation, and only about 30 percent of the land was covered by forest. Costa Rica then launched a massive campaign to reforest the country. Today, almost 60 percent of the country’s territory is covered with forest again.

To protect nature long-term, Costa Rica has created numerous protected areas, including 26 national parks. The national parks alone account for over 12 percent of the country’s surface area. To put that in perspective, Austria has six national parks comprising less than 3 percent of the national territory.

This is not only good for animals and plants but also peo-

ple. Besides being green lungs, the national parks are also tourist magnets. Around 2.5 million tourists from abroad visit Costa Rica’s national parks annually.

This makes the country a pioneer in sustainable tourism.

workers from Nicaragua to Costa Rica to fill labour shortages in tourism and agriculture. Equally, many people from North America and Europe come to live in Costa Rica because of the natural beauty and pleasant climate.

Openness and Integration

Costa Rica is comparatively successful in integrating these different groups into society. Besides the openness of the population, this is mainly due to two reasons: the legal regulations in

Costa Rica is very open and welcoming to people from other

Austria. In Costa Rica, you only have to live in the country for five years; in Austria, for ten.

Costa Rica’s national identity also makes it much easier for people from abroad to integrate.

Being Ticos has to do with language and values. Anyone who speaks Spanish and uses typical Costa Rican expressions (such as trains for “cool,” made for “Oida,” or pura vida for everything from “thank you,” and “please” to “all is well”) is quickly seen as a Tico. Values highly rated in Costa Rican society are pacifism and environmental protection, especially cosiness and conviviality. The focus of the national understanding on language and values rather than skin colour or origin of the parents makes it simple to integrate into Costa Rican society.

Role model but not without flaws countries. That is why the number of people living in Costa Rica but born in other countries has greatly increased in recent decades. People come from different countries and for different reasons. Costa Rica has a long tradition of welcoming refugees.

Especially when many countries in Central America were affected by civil wars, Costa Rica took in refugees. In recent decades, however, there has also been an increased migration of

this area and the national understanding of the Ticos.

The biggest legal difference between Costa Rica and many European countries is that all people born in Costa Rica are automatically entitled to Costa Rican citizenship. Children of Ticos born abroad are, of course, also entitled to citizenship. In addition, it is easier for people with foreign passports to obtain Costa Rican citizenship than in

This is not to say that Costa Rica is a flawless paradise. The country has many problems to overcome. Although corruption in Costa Rica is low compared to other Latin American countries, it still leads to large infrastructure projects often not being realized, being delayed, or costs exploding. However, precisely these projects would be necessary for the continued fight against climate change. For example, the expansion of public transport in Costa Rica is lagging. Therefore, most people still depend on the car, even in urban areas. In addition, social inequality and crime have grown in recent years.

The public health and education systems are also under increasing financial pressure.

Nevertheless, the example of Costa Rica shows that a country with peaceful, social, and sustainable development can be successful. Countries like Austria can also learn a lot from this example.

29

BUSINESS NEWS

18 OCTOBER 2023

iO Partners Expands Operations into Serbia and the SEE Region One of CEE’s leading Real Estate Firms sets even more ambitious goals. iO Partners, JLL’s preferred partner, has opened a new office in Belgrade, Serbia. The new business, which will cover Serbia and neighboring countries including Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro, is iO Partners’ first new office opening since their new CEE structure was implemented in the summer of 2023.

The business will be overseen by Jelena Radulovic, who is joining as the firm’s new Managing Director.

Jelena has over 20 years of real estate experience in Serbia and the region and was previously in charge of the setup and business development of several leading real estate companies in the SEE region.

20 OCTOBER 2023

MK Group and AIK Bank Donated EUR 350,000 to Kindergarten in Serbia Donations within the socially responsible program “Family Support” continued investment in children, young people, and families.

MK Group and AIK Banka donated 350,000 euros to kindergartens throughout Serbia this year. Preschool institutions in Vrbas, Bečej, Pećinci, Kovačica, Novi Sad, Niš, Raška, and Golubac received funds for renovation and equipment. Thanks to donations to improve conditions in these institutions, children now live in a more beautiful and creative environment.

The Minister of Education in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, prof. dr.

Slavica Djukić Dejanović. The Ministry of Education provided support during the selection process of pre-school institutions that received funds, focusing on the municipalities where MK Group operates.

Minister of Education Prof. Dr. Slavica Djukić Dejanović pointed out that the preschool institution “Boško Buha” in Vrbas is one of the eight preschool institutions that received the support of socially responsible companies – MK Group and AIK Bank. “In recent years, the Ministry of Education has been building and upgrading the facilities of preschool institutions throughout Serbia. The goal of the Ministry is to provide additional capacities in kindergartens so that children’s coverage of preschool education and education is as high as possible,” she said and added that improving the availability, quality, and fairness of preschool education and education is one of the strategic priorities of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Education.

20 OCTOBER 2023

Air Serbia Temporarily Suspends Scheduled Flights Between Belgrade and Tel Aviv Due to the Complex Security Situation Starting October 20, due to the increasingly complex security situation in Israel, Air Serbia was forced to suspend operations between Belgrade and Tel Aviv temporarily. The first flight not to be operated was planned for Sunday, 22 October 2023, as will all other flights until the end of November, and the sale of Air Serbia tickets on that route has been temporarily suspended. All passengers who have purchased flight tickets until the end of November should contact Air Serbia and will be entitled to a full refund. Air Serbia continues to carefully monitor the information regarding Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and is in contact with all competent services and authorities. The Serbian national airline will immediately inform the public about the re-establishment of flights when the conditions are met. The safety of passengers and crew members is the most important priority for Air Serbia.

30

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

31

READ THIS ON WEB

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

by Dragan Nikolić

Strong Support for the Serbian Economy The CCIS conducts numerous activities aimed at improving the internationalisation of business and export support

D

espite the crisis and numerous changes in the global market, Serbian economy shows resilience, and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce helps it the most. We spoke with Bojan Stanić, Assistant Director, Strategic Analysis & Data of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS), about numerous topics, the survival of the economy in times of crisis, international cooperation and the development of the IT industry.

Family companies are the oldest and most common form of economic entities in the world. In many countries, they represent more than 70% of the total number of companies and play a key role in the growth of the economy and the employment of the workforce. They are the main driver of growth in many economies, but due to their nature, they face numerous problems, some of which can be solved by adopting an appropriate corporate governance structure, which should define the roles, responsibilities, rights and interaction between the main management bodies of the company. They can be entrepreneurial businesses, small and mediumsized companies that can survive thanks to a long period of operation and become large conglomer-

32

Assistant Director, Strategic Analysis & Data Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia ates. The exact number of family companies in our country is not known, because there is no accepted definition of family companies. The fact is that the majority of family companies have a very short lifespan after the founding phase and almost 95% of family companies don’t survive the third generation of ownership.

The Assembly of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce adopted the Corporate Governance Code before 2000, which has undergone changes since then. As part of the services and various training concepts that the CCIS organises for its members, numerous topics and areas are covered that support the finding of solutions for the numerous challenges these companies face, from strategic business development, introduction of CRM, development of business models,

through staff development to digitisation and numerous other areas of business that are a challenge in modern conditions and the foundation of long-term operations.

Connecting the domestic economy with foreign partners usually happens directly, but the role of the CCIS should not be overlooked. In what ways can the CCIS help our businesspeople reach foreign customers, suppliers and associates?

The CCIS conducts numerous activities aimed at improving the internationalisation of business and export support, increasing the number of exporters, opening new export markets, solving non-tariff barriers, initiating new bilateral agreements and improving the business climate. In this regard, we cooperate with numerous par-

SERBIA’S TOTAL FOREIGN TRADE COMMODITY EXCHANGE IN THE PERIOD JANUARY – SEPTEMBER 2023 AMOUNTED TO 48.7 BILLION EUROS

tner institutions abroad, diplomatic and consular missions, both in our country and abroad, various business associations, but also with representative offices of the CCIS abroad, of which there are 8 (Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Russian Federation, Israel, United Arab Emirates, China).

Participation in fairs abroad. During this year, 2023, we took our businesspeople to 20 fairs (Germany, Spain, the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, the Russian Federation...), with the tendency for this number to increase in the coming year. By participating in events, in our organisation, businesspeople get the opportunity to make direct contact with customers, suppliers and retail chains at significantly lower costs.

Participation in business meetings during the visits of foreign delegations: this is a format that also enables businesspeople to have direct contact with the most important business entities from

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

© Privatna arhiva, Shutterstock

In times of crisis, like this one, it becomes apparent that small, family businesses are the healthiest segment of the economy. Do you agree with this and how does the Serbian Chamber of Commerce help small family businesses and entrepreneurs?

BOJAN STANIĆ

abroad who, often, come as part of state delegations. During this year, meetings were held with businesspeople from Turkey, China, Italy, Romania, Norway, Hungary, Ohio, Uganda....

Organising business delegations from Serbia to foreign markets: in order to improve further cooperation, but also to open new markets, this year, we took businesspeople to: India, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Kenya, China, Tirana. These visits have resulted in successful business ventures that will lead to our stronger presence in Kenya, for example, bearing in mind that Africa is gaining more and more importance in our business community as well.

In the coming period, we will place special emphasis on intensifying activities with China and the United Arab Emirates, bearing in mind the Free Trade Agreements (signed with China, expected with the Emirates soon).

The development of the IT industry in Serbia is impressive. Do the activities of the CCIS change in accordance with the market changes and how does the chamber respond to the demands of modern industries?

In response to the challenges of the global digitisation trend, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the German Organisation for International Cooperation (GIZ), established the Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) as an instrument to support micro, small and mediumsized businesses in the process of digital transformation. The CDT makes it possible to respond to all the challenges of digitisation of the economy in an efficient and

transparent way, through education, consulting, as well as creating strategic partnerships with technology carriers, on the one hand, and companies that would apply these solutions in their operations, on the other. The project to establish and develop the Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) is supported by both the German Organisation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO). In five years of operation, the CDT has interested nearly three thousand companies to join CDT programmes, and a significant number have implemented technological solutions developed through consulting with CDT certified consultants (68 consultants have been trained

sions have become priorities in responding to the key challenges that arise in the coming years.

On the Serbian market, increased competitiveness of companies is noticeable, and it is reflected in the efforts of companies to no longer do business in the so-called “comfort zone”, but that they must be more innovative and efficient each day than they were before. This is supported by a large number of challenges facing consumers, such as the pronounced price competition caused by high inflationary pressures, which force companies to adapt their offer as much as possible to consumers and end customers.

Are there any interesting changes when it comes to foreign tra-

THE EUROPEAN UNION IS TRADITIONALLY SERBIA’S LARGEST FOREIGN TRADE PARTNER and certified according to the ISO 17024 standard). The specialised online Digital Academy is an interactive platform intended primarily for the education of owners and managers in micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Serbia, who want to improve their knowledge and skills in the domain of digital transformation.

How was the Serbian market transformed after the pandemic?

Are there visible and significant changes and how do you explain them?

The pandemic of 2020 brought a large number of new challenges to the business community in the Republic of Serbia. Consolidation of the market, greater flexibility and elasticity of companies, efficiency in making strategic deci-

de cooperation? Who are our biggest foreign trade partners, who are the biggest importers of our goods and services, and what is most sough after from Serbia?

Serbia’s total foreign trade commodity exchange in the period January – September 2023 amounted to 48.7 billion euros, which represents a decrease of 1.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

The value of exports of the Republic of Serbia in the period January – September 2023 was 21.5 billion euros, which represents a growth of 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year. In the period January – September, Serbia imported goods worth 27.2 billion euros, which represents a drop of 6.1

percent compared to the same period last year.

The European Union is traditionally the largest foreign trade partner of Serbia, and the value of foreign trade commodity exchange with the member countries of the European Union amounts to 59.5% of the total foreign trade commodity exchange.

The top 10 countries by value of commodity exchange in the period January – September 2023 are: Germany, China, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, the Russian Federation, Romania, Turkey, Poland and the Czech Republic.

The top 10 export partners in the same period are: Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, the Russian Federation, China, Croatia and the Czech Republic.

Serbia mostly exports ignition wire sets, copper ores and concentrates, electricity, external pneumatic tires, preparations, active preparations and solutions for retail sale, refined copper cathodes, machine parts, raspberries and other berries.

The value of foreign trade exchange of services in the period January –August 2023 was 14.9 billion euros, which is 20 percent more than in the same period last year. The export of services amounted to 8.4 billion euros, which is 23.5 percent more than in the same period last year.

In the period January – August 2023, same as last year, the most important partners in the exchange of services and in the export of services are the USA and Germany.

33

READ THIS ON WEB

by Dragan Nikolić

MEDIA INTERVIEW

Freedom is Not Guaranteed to Anyone

We should have the Law in power, not one man and his will SLOBODAN GEORGIEV NOVA TV News Director

T

he reason for this conversation with Slobodan Georgiev, News Director at Nova TV, was the new media law, which caused rather harsh reactions from individuals in the media world. What is the problem with this law and what is the government’s attitude towards the media, especially those who are vocal critics of the regime, find out in the following interview.

You were among the first people to react to the draft of the new media law and delivered very harsh criticism. What exactly is wrong with the draft? Should journalists and the media be afraid?

The bad thing about media laws

34

is that the state is again becoming an owner. Ten years ago, the state withdrew from media ownership because it was correctly assessed that the state should not be a part of the media, but with the help of regulation, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), the Press Council and the Commission for the Protection of Competition, ensure equal conditions for all participants in the media market. The bad thing about these laws is, consequently, that they are not aligned with the media strategy, so we ask ourselves, why don’t you change the strategy or abandon that form altogether in-

stead of breaking the rules that you have created yourself? All this leads to legal uncertainty and creates an abnormal media market that is easy to manipulate and instrumentalize.

You said recently that it was a good thing that the journalists and media rebelled against the draft law immediately. Did that rebellion have any effect and can this fight produce results?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any effects because a hundred journalists, which is how many Serbia currently has, are insufficient to

PUBLIC INTEREST SHOULD CONTROL THE POWER

make a difference. Moreover, those hundred journalists are already causing too many problems, so I would not be surprised if a mechanism was created by which they will be completely delegitimized and expelled from public life because it seems that no one else is bothered by this kind of media scene, which will be even worse in the future with such laws and with this kind of government.

After meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić tried to distance himself and shift the blame to Ana Brnabić. Do you think that he really had nothing to do with the draft law and that this apparent intervention by the EU could bear fruit and lead to the withwww.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

drawal of the law from the parliamentary procedure?

If he had nothing to do with it, he would not have signed such a draft law, just like he did a year ago with the Law on Expropriation or the new Law on Internal Affairs.

By doing so, he certainly approved the legalization of what had been illegal, that is, for the state to formally dominate the media space through telecoms, all under the guise of protecting the national telecommunications company, which is a ridiculous claim. The EU didn’t do much either – they were eager just to nod their heads and say “Here, we have a result”. I fear that this will have far-reaching and bad consequences.

What does the history of the president’s current relationship with the media tell us?

He does not understand the media, that is, he behaves as if the media are the handmaiden of people in power. As he sees himself as the most powerful person in Serbia, the media should serve him and be a kind of channel that connects him to his voters - he speaks, the media conveys his message, and people listen. That’s how he sees this conduit. However, the media are something else – they are an actor on the social scene (social fabric) and they dictate debates.

They are not here to serve anyone other than the public interest and the public interest should control the power – political and all other.

The public interest is not the government’s PR, the promotion of the activities of government ministers and presidents, courts and the Parliament. The point is to control these, not promote them.

The election campaign has started and it seems that the government is using all available means from the get-go. How will the chaos on the media scene affect the upcoming election? What can we conclude from the announcements about a dirty political campaign and what can we expect to see?

The election campaign is irregular and so are the upcoming elections but we have no other option. We can wait for citizens to raise their heads, free themselves from fear and blackmail, and go to the polls as free people.

The government has shown that it can secure an election victory in advance in many ways, but if the citizens don’t allow it, then it won’t happen. The media will operate as before - tabloids and TV stations with national coverage plus local TV stations will favour the current government, while several cable media outlets and

tells us - it is a continuous ode to freedom and independence, but it is always turned outwards, that is freedom from enemies and conquerors, enslavers, not freedom for every person in Serbia. In this context, the fight for every type of freedom is important, difficult and unceasing, until THAT becomes the golden standard in Serbia as

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN THAT IT CAN SECURE AN ELECTION VICTORY IN ADVANCE IN MANY WAYS, BUT IF THE CITIZENS DON’T ALLOW IT, THEN IT WON’T HAPPEN. newspapers will uphold the public interest.

The fight for media freedom and public speech seems to be the fate of the Serbian people. In recent history, there has never been a moment without a need to win over freedom. Is that a global consequence of neoliberal democracy or is it something that is still our sad everyday peculiarity?

History teaches us that freedom is not guaranteed to anyone. What is specific about Serbia and other totalitarian regimes is the narrative that freedom is something that belongs to the community and not to the individual. If we listen to what the government

well. This standard will be met once that „debate” ends and when all those freedoms are accepted not only because they are constitutionally guaranteed but because they have also become a regular practice in our everyday lives.

In this ongoing social „war” in Serbia, everything is polarized and divided into two sides, black and white. This applies to the media as well which have assumed firm positions. What happens to the truth in this situation?

The truth is always singular, there are no two truths. It is true that the Earth is round and that someone believes it is a flat plate is not up for debate. Serbia is polarized pre-

cisely on this principle: the government tells us that the planet is a flat plate and since the government apparatus is big, powerful and strong, they demand that we all declare our stand about it and there is no way that that can be done. Of course, they created this illusion to keep people in the dark and to introduce instability into the human understanding of reality. This is a dangerous project from which it is very difficult to recover. The media have their place in society - they were „invented” not for entertainment but for information - and now the majority is trying to convince us otherwise. The journalists have to fight against that, i.e. to secure the place and type of media as it should be and not as the people in power would like it to be, regardless of how they became powerful – through politics or business.

If the citizens had access, in the same way, to what you call the „two sides” of the media coin, they would easily understand who is saying what and why. I have no doubts about that, despite the detrimental exposure to fake news from TV stations with national coverage, public broadcasters, tabloids and social networks.

How to achieve for state institutions to guarantee media freedom when the current situation is contrary to that? Take the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) for example.

Good laws would produce good institutions and the institutions would enjoy their work if all stakeholders recognized their role. For example, if the media operated in line with the code of ethics, the Press Council and the REM would rarely need to intervene, that is if the media that use the public good worked in the public and not political interests. But, then again, those who call themselves media, journalists, media workers or media entrepreneurs must know and be ready to admit that. If they don’t understand that if they are ‘flirting’ with crime or politics, then they are not the media, but servants that we spoke about at the beginning of our conversation.

To rectify that, the Law has to be in power, not one man and his will. It would be better for him and the whole society.

35

36

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

37

BUSINESS NEWS

20 OCTOBER 2023

Successful Women for a Successful Region – the Women on Boards Adria Initiative Was Presented at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce visory Board of the WOBA Association, at the opening of the “Successful Women for a Successful Region” conference.

“Only if we understand ourselves as one can we establish balance, harmony, and peace to create the best we can, “said Čadež. He recalls that eight months ago, he supported the Women on Boards Adria initiative from the very beginning by signing a declaration that he would not participate in panels where only male speakers were present.

Marko Cadez

The regional initiative Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) was officially launched in Belgrade on October 20 as part of the conference “Successful Women for a Successful Region,” organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (PKS) and the consulting company Sustineri Partners. The conference gathered more than 100 people in the PKS, representatives of governments, companies, international organizations, and institutions, as well as leaders of business communities in the region and Europe, to further encourage gender equality and greater representation of women in management boards and executive positions in companies in the Adria region.

The most productive spirit of creation and work is when women and men work together and when there is no difference between us. Our differences are in nothing else but in a natural biology of how to maintain humanity, said Marko Čadež, president of PKS and member of the Ad-

38

“In today’s interconnected world, leadership should be diverse and reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. According to this reality, Women makeup half of the global population and should be in positions of power and decision-making. It’s not just a matter of representation, but of harnessing the full range of talents and perspectives, our society offers. The EU was built, among other things, on the principles of gender equality. It is one of our values and

Emanuele Giaufret

an asset necessary for the development and progress of any modern society, based on the principle of enabling equal opportunities for all citizens. It also led the EU to finally adopt the Women on Boards Directive, which aims to introduce transparent recruitment procedures in companies so that at least 40% of non-executive management positions, or 33% of all management positions, are occupied by an underrepresented gender. We are pleased to see that it is an inspiration and a guideline

Biljana Braithwaite

for Serbia as well on its path to EU accession,” said H. E. Emanuele Giaufret, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

“Through the activities of the non-profit association Women on Boards Adria, cooperation with governments, organizations, companies, and international organizations, we strive to bring European Union standards and best practices closer to the countries of the region,” said Biljana Braithwaite, president of the association Women on Boards Adria and executive director of Sustineri Partners. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

FOCUS ON

HUNGARY Magyarország H.E. JÓZSEF MAGYAR Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia

LIVING SIDE BY SIDE

RÓBERT KASZAB Collegium Hungaricum Director

CREATING BRIDGES BETWEEN NATIONS WITH CULTURE

IVAN LJUBINKOVIĆ The Hungarian Tourism Agency

© Shutterstock

A LARGE EXCHANGE OF TOURISTS

READ THIS ON WEB

AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW

by Dragan Nikolić

Living

Side

by Side

H.E. JÓZSEF MAGYAR Ambassador of Hungary to Serbia

O

ur two countries are connected not only by geographical proximity but also by a much greater connection between our peoples throughout history and now.

How do you see our mutual relations today?

They are excellent today. We live in a period of Hungarian-Serbian relations when we use them to give meaning to the present and our future. The Hungarian and Serbian people have been living side by side for thousands of years, and the different aims of the great powers have mixed us up quite a bit between the two current capitals. Many Serbs escaped from the Turks and settled along the Danube in Hungary, and many Hungarians have lived for centuries in Vojvodina. All of this was covered by the ideological atrocities of the 20th century with a dark veil, which, ten years ago, the political leadership of the two countries, the Hungarians in Vojvodina and the Serbs in Hungary, pulled from our past.

In 2013, we let the light into our

40

For Hungary, the key country in the Balkans is Serbia, which maintains good relations relationships again. Since then, we have become the closest neighbours in the region. As a result of the government meetings and the objectives of several joint committees, this June, we established the Strategic Council. The relationship between state leaders is exceptional. We think very closely about many issues affecting our future, whether it is about demography, sovereignty, a Europe based on strong nations, energy security, elimination of obstacles at the border crossing, or even the recognition of national minorities as our values. In short, it is about maintaining prosperous conditions for a better life in our homeland and strengthening our friendship.

The existence of a significant Hungarian national minority in Serbia proved to be a strong bond between our countries. How do you assess the position of Hungarians in Serbia?

One of the best examples of the enforcement of minority rights in Europe today is in Serbia, similar to Hungary. While today, in Europe, the goal is to blur the interpretation between indigenous minorities and other minorities, the Hungarians living in Serbia mustn’t feel like second-class citizens. It existed until 2013 when the Serbian parliament condemned the 1945 declaration of collective guilt pronounced on 3 Hungarian villages in Šajkaška. Through the electoral system, Hungarians play an important role in the parliament of the republic and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, as well as in the Serbian government. István Pásztor, the president of the Association of Hungarians in Vojvodina, played a huge role in the historic reconciliation 10 years ago and personally became the strongest link in the friendship between the two countries.

With his recent death, Serbia’s political life and one of Hungary’s

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STATE LEADERS IS EXCEPTIONAL

most important Hungarian leaders living abroad suffered a great loss. The farewell words of the Serbian President, who initiated the statue’s installation as his tribute, are the best for evaluating his work. The National Council of the Hungarian Community works well, and the situation of Hungarian-language education meets the needs. Hungarian media are both satisfactory and versatile, which is a special value. The practice of religious life is also a good example; we can report on the inauguration of the Hungarian bishop of the Serbian Reformed Christian Church in October and the new Hungarian bishop in Subotica in November. However, expanding religious education in schools or renovating churches remains a task that is constantly with us.​ The Hungarian state invests a lot in Vojvodina, where most Hungarians live in Serbia. How would you describe that support, and who can count on it?

In the last ten years, Hungary has mobilized substantial efforts in strengthening the Hungarian communities across the border in www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

economic and business development and, ultimately, existential terms. Seven years ago, the Economic Development Program for Vojvodina was launched; since then, 526 million euros of development have taken place thanks to the fact that the Hungarian government approved a non-refundable subsidy of 248 million euros. We are talking about approximately 14,000 successful applications, of which impact is estimated to have affected the lives of 50,000 people. In the framework of the program, Hungarians, mixed family members, SMEs, Hungarian-Serbian Joint Ventures, and farmers in Vojvodina, through this investment and financial support, received a new economic perspective, which significantly contributed to their prosperity in their homeland, strengthened local businesses, maintained jobs and ensured a decent living. The common benefits of these investments are visible now. On the one hand, their necessary supplement can come from additional borrowing from Serbian banks; the other hand, the purchase of machinery and equipment available in the Serbian market; and finally, tax on generated profits also benefits the Serbian state budget. According to our calculations, this business produces from 1 dinar to at least 3 dinars, and the economic power of Vojvodina increases as a result in parallel. The first phase of this program was closed this spring, and we can prepare the same new ideas jointly for the future.

EU will be the loser of the inclusivity and cohesion it promotes and the benefits provided by the single market. The later the external border of the EU and the Schengen area between Hungary and Serbia, or between Serbia, Bulgaria, and around Greece, is abolished, the longer the problem will remain for us to fight against illegal migration on the Balkan route. For Hungary, the key country in the Balkans is Serbia, which maintains good relations. If some spectacular progress were not achieved in the accession negotiations with Serbia, which began in 2013, it would not be good for anyone. The ongoing war on Europe’s eastern and Mediterranean borders incites further uncertainty and hurts the EU economy, especially in the area of energy security. Hungary, therefore, calls for the speeding up of negotiations, which it wants to make

effective during the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second semester of 2024 so that Serbia’s planned accession to the EU by the end of this decade becomes an optimistic goal.

The traffic connection between the two countries is getting better. The construction of a highspeed railway between Belgrade and Budapest is underway, but it seems it has reached a standstill.

Is there a continuation of construction on the Hungarian side?

Infrastructural developments are paramount in our bilateral relations, and the modernization of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line is an absolute priority. This railway line has been part of a historic trade route in Europe for hundreds of years, stretching from southern Germany to Istan-

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS ARE PARAMOUNT IN OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS

bul. Once completed, this railway line will offer the fastest transport route between Greek ports and Central Europe. It will give an impetus to the competitiveness of Serbia and Hungary, as transit countries, and will benefit significantly from the freight traffic. It will also greatly impact passenger traffic, creating the opportunity for a “high-speed railway” link between Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna. In addition to reducing travel time, it could also help reduce waiting times at borders, as more people are expected to choose the train. If the full connection is established, we hope the number of tourists visiting the two capitals will also increase, as Budapest and Belgrade can get significantly closer. Considering the importance of the project and the magnitude of the investment, the Hungarian and Serbian governments put great efforts into making this railway line operational as soon as possible. The construction works on the Soroksár-Kelebia section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway development project are being carried out

Hungary strongly supports Serbia’s path to the EU. Why is it important for your country, and how do you see this accession process? Can we be optimistic?

In the EU, it is indisputable that the future of the Western Balkans lies in the Union. Everyone also recognizes that the best engine for the development of the EU is enlargement and a good neighbourhood policy. We still understand that everyone turned a little inward during the COVID period.

Still, after the financial and business shock caused by the pandemic has healed, we Hungarians find it difficult to understand why the EU institutions do not follow the maintained dynamics of the enlargement policy. We believe that the longer the Balkan peninsula remains a white hole on the European continent, the more the

41

on a scheduled and continuous basis; therefore, I don’t see any reason to doubt that the Budapest-Belgrade railway line will be completed soon.

The number of tourists from Serbia in Hungary has always been significant, and your tourist offer is not losing its appeal. How to encourage tourism in the opposite direction - from Hungary to Serbia? Why are Hungarians not interested in visiting Serbia?

Over the past 10 years, numerous tourist investments, wellness centers, museums, theatres and, sports halls, and stadiums have been built and renovated in Hungary. We have hosted several world competitions, races, and sports tournaments, and by 2023, we hope to have more tourist visits than the last „good year” of 2019. We are also proud of our good cuisine and wines and are happy if Serbian travellers discover this. Interest in the entry of Hungarians to Serbia is also growing. Serbia’s highways were built and are being built at a rapid pace; you can get anywhere quickly, and starting this spring, Air Serbia operates several daily flights between the two capitals.

When Hungarians come to Vojvodina, they will go to a restaurant where they can choose from Balkan cuisine. In Hungary, holidays are combined into a long weekend if they fall close to the weekend.

At such times, I often experience Hungarians dropping by in Belgrade and Novi Sad for a few days in Serbia. According to the data of the Belgrade tourist organization, the arrival of Hungarians has also increased. We Hungarians love historical monuments, buildings, or battle sites, and I have met Hungarians from Hungary many times on Kalemegdán or Zemun. Yet, we should do more to make them aware of a targeted rest or recreation program south of Belgrade, as we could offer good hiking and skiing opportunities through the winter months. All this would require a stronger media campaign from the Serbian side, which the Hungarian tourism partners are ready for.

What are the dimensions of economic cooperation between the

42

FOCUS ON

two countries? How compatible and attractive are our markets to each other?

Forging a strong partnership between our governments paved the way for strong business relations.

Economic relations between Hungary and Serbia have developed on a historical scale over

the past years. Back in 2013, the value of bilateral trade turnover was less than 1.7 billion euros; in 2022, this figure approached 6 billion euros, increasing more than three times. Last year, Hungary’s 3 main export products were electricity, natural and artificial gas, news broadcasting, audio recording, and playback equipment. In comparison, the 3 main imported products were electricity, electrical machines, devices and instruments, and iron and steel. Based on the account balance, the Hungarian surplus is still prominent; the share of the Hungarian exports from the total trade is 58%.

However, the Serbian contribution is gradually increasing, meaning we are on a trajectory leading to an even more balanced bilateral foreign trade. Several factors

make Serbia an ideal export destination for Hungarian companies: the proximity, its central location in the Balkan Peninsula, and the growing stability and competitiveness of the economy create an excellent business climate where Hungarian companies can thrive.

The increasing Hungarian investment in Serbia also reaffirms this

the Serbian-Croatian language to some extent. On the other hand, I saw an additional purpose in learning your language.

If I learned the meaning of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic in the Serbian language reform, in literature Branko Radicevic, Danilo Kis or the epic of the Death of the mother of the Jugovic’s brothers,

statement. The economic stability and a talented and hard-working labor force make Serbia an extremely attractive investment destination. Big investors, such as the internationally renowned petrochemical company MOL and the Hungarian OTP Bank Group, have a long-standing presence in the country. Still, new Hungarian investments are constantly arriving in Serbia.

or to dance kolo to Miroslav Ilic songs, or to feel the Serbian royal dynasties and Tito’s meaning for your nation, and the influence of them on the Hungarian and Serbian current relations, then I can say that I am lucky to be able to represent my country here as the ambassador of Hungary. I also feel lucky in that I can talk to Serbian people, politicians, public figures, policemen, or waiters immediately, without language or intellectual barriers, concentrating on the essence of our mindsets. Today’s Serbian society consists of very accepting people who understand Hungarians well. I like that they are both open and extremely proud of their traditions. They will not give up their principles and goals anytime soon. We Hungarians are like that, too. We have a saying that even though the Hungarian and Serbian languages are very different, we understand each other well, or even from half of the words.

You have recently held the position of ambassador in Serbia.

How well do you know our country, and have you had the opportunity to get to know it before?

What do you like most about it?

I grew up in the border region with the former Yugoslavia, where everyone understood

ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HUNGARY AND SERBIA HAVE DEVELOPED ON A HISTORICAL SCALE OVER THE PAST YEARS

HUNGARY

EVENTS

B

eli Dvor, Belgrade’s historic king’s palace, was buzzing with celebration on 23 October evening as the Embassy of Hungary hosted a special reception to mark Hungarian National Day. Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mr. József Magyar, and Mrs. Laura Magyar welcomed a diverse crowd of dignitaries, local officials, and cultural representatives to celebrate not only Hungary’s past but also its present-day connections with Serbia.

“I would like to thank all our guests today for celebrating the Hungarian National Day with us here in Belgrade. I am particularly pleased that, as the ambassador of Hungary in Belgrade, I can meet you for the first time at our reception on the occasion of the national holiday. During my half-year service in Serbia,

READ THIS ON WEB

We Must

Never Forget National Day of Hungary is celebrated on October 23 in memory of the Hungarian Revolution from 1956 I managed to acquire many partners. But one of my main goals is to further strengthen the excellent Hungarian-Serbian relations with you and our future friends”, said Ambassador Magyar at the event’s opening.

The event kicked off at 6 PM against a backdrop of traditional music and culinary delights that showcased Hungary’s vibrant culture. Ambassador Magyar’s speech

sis proved more important”, said Mr. Magyar.

He noted that Budapest lay in ruins again in 1956, after the Nazi occupation and apparent Soviet liberation.

“We must never forget that,” His Excellency said, and added: “Today, we must do even more to remember the struggle for our independence and to create the foundations of our sovereignty and democracy on which

highlighted the enduring friendship between Hungary and Serbia, emphasizing shared goals and mutual respect.

Ambassador Magyar said that October 23rd is the national holiday of Hungary and Hungarians living in the free world. “It is the most significant day of remembrance for the Hungarians who died in 1956. fought for a free, independent, and democratic homeland. A celebration of the revolution and the fight for freedom. It is the strongest expression of opposition to the oppression of European power systems and the communist ideology that followed the Second World War. Although the West, representing the free world, sympathized with the struggle, it did not help against the Red Army.

The resolution of the Suez cri-

our Europeanness, our democratic values, our Judeo-Christian civilizational heritage, and our peace are based today.”

The reception, while brief, was a meaningful tribute to the ties between the two nations, underscoring a shared commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future.

The night concluded with a reinforced sense of community, reminding attendees of the values and heritage that unite both countries.

43

READ THIS ON WEB

A Large Exchange

VISIT HUNGARY

of Tourists

Tourism is one of the key factors in the economic development of Hungary

IVAN LJUBINKOVIĆ

H

ungary has always been attractive for Serbian travellers. Let’s see what Ivan Ljubinković, representative of the Hungarian National Tourism Board (Visit Hungary), says about the latest tourist developments and see some interesting tips to visit less-known Hungarian destination which is still very attractive to tourists.

Serbia and Hungary have good diplomatic and economic relations and strong cultural and historical ties. What is the relationship between Serbia and Hungary in the field of tourism?

As neighboring countries, Serbia and Hungary have a large exchange of tourists. Still, as friendly countries, we have joint projects related to the region and distant markets. The tourism organizations of Serbia and Hungary have signed an agreement on cooperation in developing tourist products and their promotion, especially in distant markets. The plan includes joint appearances at tourism fairs and promotion of our joint tourism programs through organizing joint study trips of journalists and tour operators from third markets, media appe-

44

FOCUS ON

arances and articles, and online campaigns.

Since the Covid epidemic, we are pleased to see the gradual recovery of this important market. To give you some concrete figures on inbound tourism, in 2022, the number of visitors from Serbia increased by almost two and a half times compared to the previous year. Last year, nearly 130,000 Serbian guests spent nearly 293,000 nights in Hungary. By the end of October this year, we had already welcomed 228 thousand guests from your country.

So we are very much looking forward to the upcoming festive period, which is traditionally very popular with visitors from Serbia How important is tourism as an economic branch of Hungary, and what are the investments in this sector?

Tourism is one of the key factors in the economic development of Hungary. The Kisflaudy tourism development program was launched in 2017 as one of the key pillars of Hungary’s tourism development strategy, and according to its plan, Hungarian tourism will receive the support of over EUR 700 million by 2030.

Investment in the infrastructural development of tourism did not stop even during the pandemic;

so much has been renovated or built. For example, in Budapest, the squares were reconstructed, the Opera House was restored, the shalt on the banks of the Danube, and new facilities were built in the Palace complex. Particularly interesting is the Liget project, within which the House of Hungarian Music was built in Budapest, which won the title of the leading new tourist attraction in Europe for 2022 at the World Travel Awards.

How important is the new Belgrade-Budapest airline for Hungarian tourism?

Hungary is located in the heart of Europe and is well connected to the rest of Europe. It has an extensive intercontinental flight network. Improving air availability is necessary for realizing greater tourist traffic between our two countries and beyond. Name-

ly, promoting regional tourism products aims to increase tourist demand for both Serbia and Hungary, so a direct airline between Belgrade and Budapest is also important for tourists from distant countries. In fact, because of the borders, it is much faster and can be a particularly good option for business travel groups.

Which destinations in Hungary are visited by Serbs the most, and what would you recommend?

Budapest is the most popular city among Serbian guests, followed

by Szeged, and then spa towns such as Mórahalom, Makó, Gyula, and Pécs, which have an extremely rich cultural heritage.

Serbs are slowly discovering the beauty of Győr and Kecskemét. I would single out some new tourist attractions and undiscovered treasures of Hungary.

HUNGARY

All photos: © Visit Hungary

Regional Head of Business Development The Hungarian Tourism Agency

Hévíz and Lake Balaton region

eral festivals and other events, but there’s also a thermal bath, a zoo, an amusement park, and a lovely botanical garden to explore.

Hévíz

I highly recommend Hévíz, the world’s largest biologically active natural thermal lake. Thanks to the constant movement, the temperature of the water is pleasant throughout the year, allowing you to bathe and enjoy the healing power of the natural water in any season.

And only 6 kilometers from this wonder is Lake Balaton, which also offers wonderful year-round activities for those looking for sporting recreation or relaxation. Only 6 kilometers from this wonder is Lake Balaton, which also offers wonderful year-round activities for those

The Tokaj Wine Region The Tokaj region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002, is located in northeastern Hungary and is known for producing some of the best sweet wines in the world, including the famous Tokaj Aszú.

Moreover, just a few weeks ago, Tokaj won the Best Tourism Villages of 2023 award by the UN World Tourism Organization.

Eger

Székesfehérvár

Székesfehérvár

looking for sporting recreation, relaxation, or gastronomy, as the region has recently made it onto the Michelin Guide map, with numerous local restaurants and bistros earning recommendations.

The Balaton Highlands wine region also offers unforgettable experiences.

Debrecen

Székesfehérvár, or as the Serbians call it Stoni Beograd, is located not far from Lake Balaton and maintains a strong connection with Serbia.

It is a royal city where as many as 43 Hungarian kings were crowned, and the word „stoni” in its name means „throne”. Serbs still live in Stoni Beograd. There is an active Serbian

Tokaj

Eger People say Eger is „a small jewelry box.”

The castle of Eger is a national memorial site and a half-day program itself, but other museums, churches, and Turkish memorial constructions are waiting for you. One of the best red wines in the country is produced here. The city has its thermal bath with a 5-hectare area. Still, only 5 kilometers from Eger, the world-famous Thermal Valley of

Egerszalók awaits visitors with its unique salt hills and bubbling medical water.

Debrecen Debrecen offers many great events and attractions – you can taste these even if you can only

“pop in” for a very short city break to spend here. But it’s worth spending a few days here and discovering the region’s diverse attractions. Debrecen’s Nagyerdő (Big Forest) offers a wealth of experiences: it hosts sev-

quarter, St. John’s Church, and the Serbian cemetery. Here lived, worked, and died the famous Serbian painter Katarina Ivanović, the first honorary member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

45

READ THIS ON WEB

Creating Bridges

CULTURAL INTERVIEW

by Mijat Kontić

Between Nations with Culture There’s more that we share than things that divide us RÓBERT KASZAB

Collegium Hungaricum Director

H

ungary has 26 cultural institutes around the world, and amongst them is the Collegium Hungaricum in Serbia.

Since it opened on the 1st of July in 2014, there has been a positive and successful partnership between Serbia and Hungary, especially in culture. Not too long ago, the Collegium Hungaricum established a new team with a new Director, Róbert Kaszab. In this interview, Róbert Kaszab talked about his experience of coming to Belgrade, his plans for the future, and the international cultural collaboration between Serbia and Hungary.

The Collegium Hungaricum has recently been appointed with a new team, including yourself as the new director. What was the experience for you and your team after undertaking this position?

It is a great pleasure to work in Collegium Hungaricum, and I feel honored that I can fulfill this role. Hungary and Serbia are now enjoying an amazing era in their relations, and I think culture should play a vital role here.

As you mentioned, having a good team is the first thing. I am happy to work with my colleagues, and we started this autumn season with a lot of excitement. Our first impressions were that Hungarian acts are more than welcome in Belgrade and that there is much to

46

FOCUS ON

show and learn here. Most nations have their cultural representation here, and we see an interesting atmosphere where different influences meet. We are happy to join the choir! The Serbian artistic scene is dynamic and ever-changing, so we must be fresh and keep up with the cultural life here.

Many interesting experiments are happening in culture, and we are eager to know more and connect to these ideas!

Recently, the Collegium Hungaricum held a concert of the popular

Hungarian group “Szilárd Piano Projekt.” Are you satisfied with how the event turned out? Can the public expect more similar events in the future?

We were very happy with the event and got a lot of positive feedback. It was a nice evening with Szilárd at the piano and Flóra Kiss and Dorina Galambos as vocals.

His music is really for everyone, and filling the halls of Collegium Hungaricum with their songs was remarkable. Such concerts have a nice and cozy atmosphere, and

WE WILL BRING THE EXHIBITION “GLASSIFICATION” TO THE MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS OF BELGRADE FROM 15 DECEMBER 2023 TO 10TH JANUARY 2024

our main hall was full of visitors!

Most songs were in Hungarian, but English language pieces were also played so more people could connect with the lyrics. We plan to have more acts that focus on pop music or modern styles, so in this regard, we do plan to continue on this track!

Previously, you mentioned that you would like Hungarians and Serbs to get to know each other better. Has this been a challenge?

Would you say that the Collegium Hungaricum was successful in doing so?

I think this is an area that is very hard to measure precisely. Of course, the language barrier hinders this process, but cultural simHUNGARY

ilarities can give us the support we all need. Hungarians and Serbs are not distant or far from each other. We just need the right moment and atmosphere. I sincerely believe that culture can create a bridge between the two nations!

To achieve this, we can first rely on visual arts and sculptures since they are universal. For example, we will bring the exhibition “Glassification” to the Museum of Applied Arts of Belgrade from the 15th of December, 2023, to the 10th of January, 2024. These works are

the masterpieces of Hungarian contemporary glass art and convey universal artistic value. We hope to present what’s new and interesting in Hungarian culture and to impress the local audience.

Furthermore, our community-building programs have been successful because we introduced our customs and everyday life to Serbian people, and I think we managed to connect from person to person.

I believe that Collegium Hungaricum has succeeded during its first decade, and I hope to continue on this path.

In one of your recent interviews, you mentioned that you have a lot planned for next year, including a “special program package that shows how much we have achieved in the field of cultural relations in recent years.”

Could you maybe share some details about this idea?

rary dance performances next fall coming from Budapest.

The Collegium Hungaricum was officially opened on July 1st, 2014.

It has been 9 years since then.

What would you consider the Collegium Hungaricum’s biggest achievement in this period?

Well, I don’t want to spill too many secrets at this point, but next year will be interesting for us. First, Collegium Hungaricum will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, and we want to bring the best we offer.

At the same time, Hungary will be the rotating president of the European Council in the second semester. We want to give this period a fortified cultural presence in Serbia. To give you a hint, we will present Hungarian gastronomy and showcase Hungarian poetry in the spring to the people of Belgrade, and a 3-day-long film festi-

If you ask me, as the latest successor to the rich heritage of the institution, I would say the best achievement is not a project or an event, but rather that Collegium Hungaricum has managed to become a center of Hungarian culture in Belgrade and became

THE BEST ACHIEVEMENT IS NOT A PROJECT OR AN EVENT, BUT RATHER THAT COLLEGIUM HUNGARICUM HAS MANAGED TO BECOME A CENTER OF HUNGARIAN CULTURE IN BELGRADE val is also in the making. Add to this list pop and classic concerts, and we plan to have contempo-

a center of activity. You might as well say that it has completed its original mission. I could say that the institute has become a valued member of an international network of Liszt Institutes in the world. As for now, Hungary has 26 cultural institutes around the world, and Collegium Hungaricum is one of them. This also shows that Serbia is an important partner for us, and we dedicate special attention to our southern neighbor. The more we share our culture, the better our relations get!

What would you consider to be the meeting points between Hungarian and Serbian cultures?

Well, I think our shared history has more in common than against each other. We laugh at the same jokes, understand hints and references, and our stories have similar characters. If you think about it, there’s more that we share

than things that divide us! Hungarians and Serbians have lived next to each other for quite some time, and during these hundreds of years, we learned a lot. For example, despite major differences, our languages share dozens of words. Our gastronomy has the same and very similar recipes; in a way, we have variations on the same theme.

We had events that connected us, like the siege of Belgrade in 1456, when Hungarians and Serbs fought against the Ottoman army.

Both of us love history and have many stories to share. At the same

time, I think we do like to read our novels and authors because there are a lot of instances when we talk about each other. Not to mention the countless films that reference each other and show honest and interesting aspects of how we see each other. I believe these cultural gems exist; we care about each other, and we just need to shed some light on it!

How would you describe the partnership between Hungary and Serbia in recent years?

The past few years have been dynamic and provided an opportunity to build things together. In the field of culture, the concerts and the exhibits displayed here proved a growing interest from both sides to learn more. Most artists who come and partake in an event here leave with very good impressions and enjoy Belgrade a lot. These personal impressions are probably the strongest messages that can be sent as they convey that there is much to see and learn here! We are also very happy when we have people from Serbia coming to our events and showing interest in Hungary and what we do. We see openness and genuine interest from their side and only hope to show them that Hungarian culture is exciting and has much more to tell!

47

READ THIS ON WEB

Saved Energy CORPORATE

is the Best and Cheapest Source of Energy Our projects are based on energy saving because we believe that it is better and more responsible to reduce energy consumption than to produce new energy

T

hrough public lighting reconstruction projects based on the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the company Smart Energy Investment achieves savings in electricity consumption by about 80%, contributes to environmental protection and gains financial savings in local self-government budgets through 25 projects in Serbia.

what to expect and there are no new adjustments to the projects.

One of the main advantages of our projects is the transition to LED technology, which not only provides efficient lighting, but also reduces electricity consumption by more than 80%, compared to traditional bulbs.

The implemented LED lamps also have a longer lifespan than ordinary bulbs, and the achieved brightness meets the international standard EN13201.

The Municipality can invest part of the saved financial resources in other projects of public interest, primarily in other energy efficiency projects.

The use of LED technology creates a modern system of public lighting that improves the safety of pedestrians and other traffic participants.

The PPP model has proven to be one of the most adequate ways to improve public lighting in local self-government. Through this model, the states, municipalities and public enterprises don’t need to take loans, and all installed equipment and applied energy saving measures are handed over to the Municipality free of charge immediately after installation.

Serbia has a good legal framework regarding PPP, investment and payment by the public sector, primarily the Law on PPP and Concessions, the Law on Communal Services, the Law on Payment Deadlines in Commercial Transactions and the Law on Investments. This legal framework provides security for investments in communal infrastructure, both for ourselves and for our many partners within our country and largely from abroad, which speaks in favour of a positive environment for investments.

Our projects are based on energy saving because we believe that it is better and more responsible to reduce energy consumption than to produce new energy. Also, investing in energy efficiency requires smaller investments and results in faster implementation. Saved energy is the best and cheapest source of energy.

This year we also received a special commendation from UNECE, as a con-

48

FOCUS ON

Apart from the reduction of electricity costs and direct economic savings, #letsSEIvtogether projects contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions by around 44,000 tons per year.

These projects lead to the reduction of light pollution and they are actually „Dark Sky” projects, thanks to targeted LED technology that provides light only where it is necessary, while its dissipation is brought to a negligible level. This technology preserves not only the nightscape but also biodiversity. firmation of the quality of the implemented projects. Our public lighting reconstruction project in Zaječar was selected by an international jury as one of the 10 best PPP projects in the world. That project also received special commendation for compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the circular economy. In addition, this project is replicable and similar to our other projects.

REPLICABILITY is one of the significant outcomes defined in the document „PPP and Infrastructure Evaluation and Rating System (PIERS)” prepared by UNECE. This is an element that makes Serbia stand out from the countries in our region because it has created a replicable model for investments in PPP. On replicable projects, all investors know

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC LIGHTING IN ZAJEČAR WAS SELECTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL JURY AS ONE OF THE 10 BEST PPP PROJECTS IN THE WORLD

All our projects use light from the most adequate spectrum of around 3000K, meaning that the light produced is less attractive to insects, which reduces the risk of their appearance in urban areas.

Our public lighting reconstruction projects are not only an investment in infrastructure modernisation, but also a decisive step towards preserving the environment for future generations. The compliance of our projects with the Sustainable Development Goals makes us a reliable partner in achieving a high-quality and modern system of public lighting in Serbia and beyond.

HUNGARY

49

READ THIS ON WEB

by Dragan Nikolić

HISTORY

Szab á c s Viadala The oldest Hungarian narrative poem tells a story about the famous Siege of Šabac

T

ued for weeks, and it seemed that King Mathias was trying to delay a strike, although he had a superior army to the Ottomans.

It was a part of Mathias’s brilliant tactics. He ordered a false retreat to deceive the enemy, but soon, his troops stormed the walls when the Ottomans took a break.

he unknown Hungarian medieval poet told a story about the heroic battle of the army of Matthias Corvinus, known as King Mátyás. Today, it is the only poem in Hungarian that survived from the medieval era and still can be heard at the many traditional performances.

The Siege of Šabac in 1476 was a battle against Ottomans, who had built the strong fortification just a few years before to secure its borders against the Kingdom of Hungary. Many noble Serbs were posted in Corvinus’s army, including Sibinjanin Janko (hun. Hunyadi János) and Vuk Grgurević Branković, known as Zmaj Ognjeni Vuk. Famous Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dracula) was there with them.

The siege was a try by King Mathias I Hunyadi to convince the Europeans to take more action against the Ottoman threat. Still, despite his victory and Šabac conquest, he later failed in his attempt.

The only way to attack Šabac was from the river Sava. King Mathias brought an army of ten thousand cavalry and six thousand mercenaries. King was based in Belgrade for a while (Nándorfehérvár in those days), and he was waiting for the fleet

50

FOCUS ON

coming up the Danube to assemble, then sent it upstream by the river Sava to Šabac.

From galleys, Mathias bombarded the fortress in early January of 1476 to secure troops landing at the positions beneath the outer city walls. Bombardments from ground and river contin-

But this is only one of many legends of the siege. The poem Szabács Viadala tells a different story. The commander of the Ottoman army, Ali Bey, took 15 thousand horsemen to defend Šabac. Still, according to the poem, he was so intimidated by the power of King Mathias’s army that he decided to retire.

The fortress remained poorly

THE POEM PRAISES THE SIEGE, TALKING ABOUT THE GREAT VICTORY OF KING MATHIAS, WHO CAME BACK HOME TO BUDA CASTLE WITH GREAT BOOTY

defended, but the key moment for Mathias’s victory was treason by one man who escaped from the fortress and betrayed the Ottomans, showing the opponent weak portions of the city walls that should be bombarded. After easily breaching the outer walls, the commander of the fortification surrendered, saving the lives of his soldiers.

Hungarians lost two hundred soldiers, while Ottomans suffered twice more.

Anyway, the poem praises the siege, talking about the great victory of King Mathias, who came back home to Buda castle with great booty. The song lyrics are incomplete, but we still can get a picture of the battle.

The commander of the Ottoman army, Ali Bey, took 15 thousand horsemen to defend Šabac. Still, according to the poem, he was so intimidated by the power of King Mathias’s army that he decided to retire.

The poem itself is important not only as a historical source but also as a piece of art of that time.

Although it was found heavily damaged four centuries later, it is a rare example of an important historical event. The poem Szabács Viadala took a very important place in Hungarian national literature and history.

HUNGARY

OBITUARY

„With Friendship...”

István Pásztor (1956-2023)

The leader of the Union of Vojvodina Hungarians was a visionary and a champion of his Hungarian community, but also of the entire Vojvodina and the relations between Serbia and Hungary

„W

ith friendship...”, is how István Pásztor ended every SMS message. We collaborated on many projects, he was a very wise and intelligent man. Dedicated to the Hungarian community, but also to the entire Vojvodina as well as to the relations between Hungary and Serbia.

There are few politicians in Serbia who understood social processes so well and cared about the cultural heritage of not only their own people, like István Pásztor. „Robert, you must go and see how we fixed up the Synagogue in Subotica!”, Ištvan told me a few years ago. I went there and realised that it was probably the most beautiful interior in Serbia at the moment.

The synagogue in Subotica was renovated thanks to 2 million euros donated by the Government of Hungary. It is especially impor-

tant that the Hungarians also supervised the works, so everything was done with such high quality that one can’t tell the difference between the original parts of the mosaic from 1902 and those that were done during the restoration in 2018. István Pásztor then complained to me about the works on Aqua Park at Palić Lake which were carried out by the „Serbian side” and where millions of euros were spent but the result was tragically bad. In May of this year, István Pásztor’s party „took control” of that site, and I believe that regardless of the fact that he is no longer with us, everything will be done properly. „Robert, go and see how we fixed up the Synagogue in Senta,” he told me a couple of years later. I went there and realised that the former sports hall, which until 1941 was the only Sephardic synagogue in Vojvodina, shines again with its old glory – it has

been transformed into a multifunctional cultural centre.

I could list dozens of such examples. I believe that, if István Pásztor had lived, the „Castles of Serbia” project with the help of the Hungarian state and Hungarian businessmen would have „gilded” the neglected castles in Vojvodina too.

Evidence of the kind of visionary he was is also in this anecdote he told me: „In 2011, while Boris Tadić was still the president of Serbia, I met Aleksandar (Vučić) and Tomislav (Nikolić) at a petrol station near the Hungarian border. I took them to Budapest to meet Viktor (Orbán).

The agreement on the normalization of relations between Serbs and Hungarians that Aleksandar and Viktor reached then is still being implemented today!”

Since 2007 he led the Union of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM), whose

member he had been since the nineties, and he was elected as the head of the party for the fifth time in May 2023. The Union of Vojvodina Hungarians is a party that represents the interests of Hungarians in Vojvodina, whose population is the highest in Vojvodina, in the north of the country, where they make up 13 percent of the population. It is part of the ruling coalition with the Serbian Progressive Party. The SVM maintains close relations with Fidesz, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

He led the Assembly of Vojvodina since 2012, and before that he was the head of the Provincial Secretariat for the Economy. István Pásztor was born in 1956 and completed elementary school and high school in Subotica, while he obtained his university degree in 1980 at the Faculty of Law of the University of Novi Sad.

Robert Čoban

51

READ THIS ON WEB

Experience and Innovation

- the Business Card of Richter Gedeon Company Richter Gedeon is a leading Hungarian pharmaceutical company with a strong global presence

E

stablished in 1901, the company has a rich history of innovation and commitment to healthcare. Richter is renowned for its diverse portfolio of high-quality pharmaceuticals, including women’s health, central nervous system, and biosimilar products. With a focus on research and development, Richter continues to contribute to advancements in healthcare, significantly impacting the well-being of individuals worldwide. In this regard, we spoke with Dr. Jelena Ristić, Director of the Representative Office in Serbia.

You recently marked the 120th anniversary of the company and over 15 years of successful operation in Seria. What is the key characteristic of your business that contributes to such longevity?

There are always many factors that influence success. The capacity to adapt to new situations, technologies, and environments is vital in a constantly evolving world.

Thanks to the foundations laid by the founder, pharmacist Richter Gedeon, the business upgrade is built on high-quality products, clear goals, continuous learning, resilience, and high ethical standards. So, the standard has been set and followed through decades.

Keeping pace with, and sometimes

52

FOCUS ON

leading, the times, our company brings constant innovations to the pharmaceutical business. We are very pleased to bring this spirit to our local market.

How challenging is it to lead a branch of a multinational company like Richter Gedeon?

Managing a successful organization requires constant communication and the ability to adapt to constant changes in the market.

Our flexibility in adapting to various situations is deeply linked to our core beliefs. The first years were a time of intensive learning, adaptation, and laying the groundwork for what we wanted to achieve as an organization. It was crucial to direct energy toward developing a vision that would serve as a compass for our steps in the future. Every business move from a leadership position implies significant responsibility. In challenging times, it is important to demonstrate that you are a community member upon whom people can always rely. If you do so, the reputation and trust bestowed upon you serve as excellent moti-

JELENA RISTIĆ

Director of the Representative Office in Serbia of Richter Gedeon

vation and an indicator that you are on the right path. Challenges are always present in business, but the key lies in adaptation and innovation. It’s important to have an agile approach, a willingness to learn from every situation, and a fantastic team.

Richter Gedeon has had a presence in Serbia since 2007. What sets you apart in this market?

Richter Gedeon aims to offer highly value-added products with a strategy firmly grounded in original research, women’s healthcare, and biosimilars. The areas of expertise that I mention represent significant advancements in business.

Innovations in the field of pharmacy are advancing day by day.

How accessible are they to the citizens of Serbia?

Our company strongly focuses on R&D, contributing to developing

OUR FLEXIBILITY IN ADAPTING TO VARIOUS SITUATIONS IS DEEPLY LINKED TO OUR CORE BELIEFS

innovative pharmaceutical products and therapies. The strategic objective for Richter is to provide a continuously expanding product line in the Central Nervous System segment. Still, we are also recognized for our commitment to women’s health, with a diverse portfolio of products addressing unmet healthcare needs for women. A wide range of these products are also available in the Serbian market. The latest addition to the portfolio in Serbia is the proprietary antipsychotic, containing the active ingredient cariprazine, a molecule discovered by Richter researchers in the early 2000s, becoming a blockbuster in the US. What are the plans for Serbia in the upcoming years?

Richter Gedeon’s business strategy for 2018-2028 is to become a prominent player in the league of European-based mid-pharma. We will contribute to this goal locally, and I look at it optimistically. Seeing how our work directly impacts improving people’s lives is a precious aspect that underscores our commitment.

HUNGARY

Space-Time

Exciting symbiosis of contemporary electronic music and spectacular generative visuals

O

rganized by the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Belgrade, Collegium Hungaricum and the Dom Omladine in Belgrade, on November 16, a spectacular audio-visual event was held.

Hungarian artists Zságer Balázs and Kati Katona, in collaboration with the Serbian artist Kӣra, brought the magic of light and sound with enticing visual effects to the Belgrade scene.

Zságer Balázsje keyboardist and producer of the leading Hungarian electronic project Žagar. His debut album „Local Broadcast” was included in the 50 most important Hungarian albums of all time, as chosen by Wan2Magazine.

He is the co-author of the cult album „Shallow and Profound” by the popular Hungarian musician Laslo Foragaši, better known as Yonderboi. He composed music for many films and popular TV shows (CSI), and Zságer compositions were also broadcasted on the BBC radio. His songs were remixed by many music producers, he works as a label manager for two publishing houses, while In his creative work, he is fascinated by the exciting new directions of contemporary art.

Zságer Balázs and Kati Katona have performed at many events and festivals of audio-visual arts so far, and their artistic performance is based on constant interaction of moving images and sounds that are shaped in the moment.

The artist himself says that his per-

formance is an exciting symbiosis of contemporary electronic music and spectacular generative visuals. The Belgrade performance was called Disordered Space-Time. „Our performance is usually influenced by a specific physical space. This means that the acoustics of the hall, its size or architectural elements play a role in shaping our performance. Visual and musical elements are not pre-planned or static, we create them in real time. These elements serve as reference points or cues to help the audience interpret and experience the flow of time and physical space and can direct the audience’s perception and its own understanding of our artistic act”, said Zságer in an interview he gave for the Dom Omladine website, explaining why he decided on this name of the performance.

Although Hungary and Serbia are close, neighboring countries, we don’t really know enough about each other’s modern music scenes, Zságer says. „It would be great if Eastern European artists cooperated more, I think they have a very similar approach”, this Hungarian artist believes.

HIS DEBUT ALBUM „LOCAL BROADCAST” WAS INCLUDED IN THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT HUNGARIAN ALBUMS OF ALL TIME, AS CHOSEN

BY WAN2MAGAZINE

Photo: © Collegium Hungaricum Belgrade

Disordered

VISIT CULTURE HUNGARY

54

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

READ THIS ON WEB

CMC EVENTS

Nadežda Petrović One Painter, 15 Photographers, 30 Works of Art In November, an exhibition of contemporary interpretations of selected works by Nadežda Petrović was staged in the Officers’ Home in Niš

T

he guests were greeted by Duška Jovanić, author of the exhibition, Adriana Anastasov, member of the Niš City Council, Emilija Ćoćić Bilić, director of the Gallery of Contemporary Fine Art Niš and Robert Čoban, director of Color Media Communications.

The author of the exhibition is Duška Jovanić, a journalist, writer, and producer of documentaries, series, and exhibitions, and the exhibition includes contemporary interpretations of selected works of Nadežda Petrović from the collections of the National Museum of Serbia, the Memorial Collection of Pavel Beljanski and the Nadežda Petrović Čačak Art Gallery.

This is a kind of tribute to the famous painter, the progenitor of Serbian modernity, art critic and educator, and socially engaged woman, who provoked her art, courage, feminist attitudes, and political activism.

She showed her humanity and patriotism as a war photographer and medic in the Balkan and Great Wars – say the people from the Gallery of Contemporary Fine Art in Niš.

The authors are art and fashion photographers: Marko Krunić, Monika Pavlović, Aleksandar Crnogorac, Branislav Brajan Rašić, Jakovi Simović, Vukica Mikača, Katarina Batuta Višekruna, Vuk Dapčević, Jasna Prolić, Miša Obradović, Vuk Vidor, Sever Zolak, Sanja Stefanović, Vladimir Milivojević Boogie, Nebojsa Babić.

The Gallery of Contemporary Fine Arts in Niš reminds us that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Nadežda Petrović.

Nadežda Petrović’s valuable contribution to art and culture, es-

pecially in the south of Serbia, is the First Yugoslav Art Colony founded in 1905 in Sićevo – GCFA points out.

The exhibition is realized jointly by the Gallery of Contemporary Fine Art in Niš, Color Media Communications, and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia.

It will be open to the public until November 20.

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF NADEŽDA PETROVIĆ

55

READ THIS ON WEB

by Dragan Nikolić

CULTURAL INTERVIEW

The Appeal of Tradition The cultural heritage of every country is the foundation of its identity, the basis for the development of contemporary culture younger generations, bringing their own identity closer to them. To know one’s history, one’s cultural heritage means to recognise the importance of preserving and protecting one’s tradition, of respecting the traditions of others and of understanding that the wealth of the world lies in diversity.

© Miloš Nadaždin

The way you combined the traditional with the modern at the festival has proved to be a very successful recipe for success. What’s the secret? Does Serbian tradition have the potential to be more widely accepted and understood in the modern world?

GOGA GRUBJEŠIĆ

Author of Etnology Fest

W

e spoke with Goga Grubješić, the author of a unique festival in our country, about how important it is in modern times to respect and nurture tradition, but also how to make it attractive for the international scene and even more so for young people.

You are the author and founder of Etnology Fest, which has been attracting more and more attention from the domestic and foreign public year after year. How would you describe the success of this festival and what is it that appeals to the audience?

I am glad that such a beautiful and noble idea matured in me and that, together with a large number of collaborators, year after year, I turned it into a unique festival, which has become a true example of cultural diplomacy and the promotion of cultural identities. Its success lies in its original concept: it lasts 3 days, has an international character and aims to present intangible cultural heritage through the form of fashion shows – traditional, folk costumes, as well as contemporary artists who are inspired by cultural

56

heritage and tradition. The idea is to show the audience the connection between traditional art and cultural heritage and the natural need for their continued presence in modern society.

The success of the festival every year is its well-conceived programme and exceptional guests.

The first day always belongs to Serbia, the second day is for the country that’s the focus of the festival, and the third day is a panel on one of the important topics that the festival deals with. When talking about its success, there is also the huge contribution of the spouse of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tamara Vučić, who is the honorary patron of the festival. There is also the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Ethnographic Museum, the patrons, the audience that shares this passion with us, the organisers, year after year.

How appealing are ethnology and tradition today and do young people have a feel for them? Do they respect them?

Yes. Ethnology and tradition still have appeal, but the level of interest and respect varies among young people. Some young people show deep respect for their cultural heritage and tradition, exploring and nurturing it through various activities. Others, however, are not so connected to their cultural heritage and traditions. Modern societies and the digital age impose other influences, so tradition seems less relevant. However, the cultural heritage of each country is the foundation of its identity, the basis for the development of contemporary culture.

It is events like this, such as Etnology Fest, that offer a new showcase of national creativity and heritage and can thus be of interest to

ETHNOLOGY AND TRADITION STILL HAVE APPEAL, BUT THE LEVEL OF INTEREST AND RESPECT VARIES AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE

It is interesting that I first saw the traditional as modern. It happened, way back in 2008, when I was captivated by the beauty of the costumes of our national ensemble of songs and dances, KOLO, and organised the first fashion show in SKC called ETHNO COUTURE SERBIA. In a contemporary production, professional models presented various folk costumes, created as a product of the inexhaustible imagination of anonymous folk designers, to the delight of the visitors. It was a fashion show of timeless trends.

Serbian tradition and our intangible cultural heritage are visually and aesthetically very rich. The entire Balkans is fascinating. That is why today we often see that major fashion houses or renowned designers find inspiration for their contemporary collections precisely in countries distinguished by costumes with original motifs and forms. We have a great opportunity, with just a little more promotion of this segment, to reach great designers, or conversely, that one of our designers skillfully presents some of the wealth that belongs to our part of the world through fashion.

Something beautiful like that actually happened at this year’s London Fashion Week, when Serbian designer Roksanda Ilinčić presented the spring/summer 24 fashion collection inspired by the monasteries of Studenica, Žiča and Gračanica. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

The PR we received after the show is immeasurable.

Speaking of inspiration, I would like to use this opportunity to praise the 12 students of costume design from the Faculty of Contemporary Art who, together with their professor and mentor Sonja Krstić, presented the phenomenal collection „Threads of Tradition” at this year’s Etnology Fest and showed that their interpretation of tradition can go on the world stage.

How important is the international cooperation fostered by the festival? What can we learn from others?

International cooperation is key to the success of a festival like this, which promotes cultural identities through intangible cultural heritage. Through such cooperation, we can learn a lot about different cultures, practices and ways of preserving intangible heritage. This cooperation enriches our mutual relations and contributes to the exchange of experiences in order to learn how others promote and preserve their intangible cultural heritage. Also, cooperation with international partners can help us to give the festival greater international visibility, which contributes to the growth of the festival and its reputation.

SERBIAN TRADITION AND OUR INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE ARE VISUALLY AND AESTHETICALLY VERY RICH It is wonderful that there are so many different nations and impressive cultures in the world that Etnology Fest can for sure have an outstanding programme and enchanting guests for a long time.

My first guests in 2017 were truly exotic. They came from faraway Yakutia, a land in the north of Russia, where winters are very cold, even down to -50 degrees.

Because of the long winters, they wear rich furs and are very skilled at making jewellery and decorations. They left unforgettable impressions. But no less spectacular were the guests from Romania, Georgia, Morocco and Egypt, who showed us part of their extremely rich tradition and skillful contemporary intertwinings. Our national minorities, especially the Slovaks brought to us by Mr.

Pavel Surovi from KC „Kisač”, also left an unforgettable impression on me.

Culture is often marginalised for the sake of entertainment. As someone who has many years of experience working in domestic show business, how do you see that division – is there culture in show business or show business in culture today?

There is everything, both culture in show business and show business in culture. The freedom is greater than ever, but so are the choices. Each of us is a medium.

I am not worried. The good things unfailingly find their way to everyone’s heart.

As a stylist and aesthete, how do you see the present time and your

Which countries that participated in the festival this year and in previous years have left the most lasting impression on you?

Protection and promotion of cultural identities is one of the main goals of the festival.

Students

Tamara Vucic and Goga Grubjesic

contemporaries? What style is dominant today and what does it tell us about social values?

As a stylist, I see that under the influence of globalisation, digitalisation, social changes and social networks, we follow the most diverse fashion trends. There is no longer one dominant style. I feel that, as never before, freedom in the interpretation of trends is tolerated, but it also encourages creativity and individuality. For example, the minimalism that emphasises simplicity is often seen in combination with some expressive style. Then the so-called streetwear, which offers comfort and practicality, became more widespread, especially during and after Covid. There is also the vintage style, which is a kind of nostalgia and a return to the values of the past. The fashion of old crafts and „handmade” clothes is also coming back, which makes me particularly happy and which is also one of the goals of Etnology Fest. People wear everything, but if I have to give some advice, wear everything but always ensure that your personality is more noticeable than your wardrobe.

57

READ THIS ON WEB

TRAVEL PROMO

HOTEL AMAURIS AND GLASSWING RESTAURANT

T

Where Tradition Meets Innovation

he Amauris Vienna has recently opened its doors at the iconic Ringstrasse Boulevard, accommodating a unique gastronomic jewel - the Glasswing Restaurant.

This refined establishment, along with the adjoining Glasswing Bar & Bistro, complements the exclusive offerings of the hotel, catering to both its guests and those seeking an exceptional dining experience. Crafted by passionate experts committed to honest and authentic atmospheres, the Glasswing Restaurant stands as a testament to this unique gastronomic destination. While

58

The Amauris Vienna´s interior will delight you with its magical atmosphere, your experience in the Glasswing Restaurant will add a new level of luxury and gastronomic extravagance.

Additionally, the scenic view of the stunning Ringstrasse Boulevard and meticulously prepared flavours and dishes, accentuated by minute details,

enhance the overall experience.

The Glasswing Restaurants menu stands out in many aspects, with flavour creations representing a sophisticated combination of traditional and modern Austrian dishes. Most of the ingredients are selected in line with nature and season availability. Moreover, it showcases distinctive specialties prepared by local artisans using

ALEXANDRU SIMON IS THE EXECUTIVE CHEF AND CREATIVE VIRTUOSO BEHIND THE SPECIALTIES THAT WILL WIN YOUR HEART AND MAKE ALL YOUR SENSES ENJOY

unique techniques, adding to the menu’s distinctive allure.

And who are the artisans that create the flavour magic offered in the Glasswing Restaurant?

Alexandru Simon is the Executive Chef and creative virtuoso behind the specialties that will win your heart and make all your senses enjoy. Similarly to The Amauris Vienna itself, Alexandru Simon combines Vienna’s rich cultural heritage with innovative and contemporary flavours. The restaurant offers dishes that represent a perfect combination of tradition www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

and innovation, with a focus on the highest quality of preparing and serving food, whether those are dishes from the local region in Austria or some of the numerous seafood specialties. The chef’s love for authenticity and respect for natural ingredients is clearly reflected in all of his culinary wonders. His vast culinary experience adds to the restaurant’s sophistication and elegance, creating a unique harmony of flavors and visual experience.

The restaurant manager, Andreas Rehrmbacher, boasts with exceptionally vast professional experience. His adeptness spans various restaurant facets, emphasizing staff potential development for elevated service quality and customer contentment. A harmonious atmosphere in the restaurant is a result of his support and communication between various sectors, with the final result of serving every dish with incredible passion and precision.

Passion for wine is the foundation for every good sommelier, but it is fine details that make a difference when it comes to top-notch restaurants. In addition to understanding wine, a sommelier should be someone who perfectly follows and listens to guests’ tastes and recognizes preferences in tiny hints for a perfect pairing with selected food.

The Glasswing Restaurant´s collection of over 350 wines, curated masterpieces like the original art collection decorating the walls, is a true highlight of the restaurant, including premium wines from Austria and renowned wine-growing regions of France, Italy, and overseas

And if you opt for a drink after dinner, you will be welcomed by Maximilian Wölle, the experienced manager and bartender of

destinations. The experienced sommelier of the Glasswing Restaurant, Max Populorum, is someone who will passionately take you on a journey through this diverse world and present the finest red, white, and sparkling wines.

the Glasswing Bar & Bistro, who meticulously cares about every aspect of this bar. Skillful in pre-

With the same passion for communication with guests, he creates perfect cocktails, providing you with a unique experience and atmosphere of Vienna nights.

“The Glasswing team will continue to innovate, set benchmarks, and create memorable experiences in the restaurant that celebrates the art of gastronomy,” noted Alexandru Simon when asked about future plans, and we recommend you to visit The Amauris Vienna, the Glasswing Restaurant, and the Glasswing Bar & Bistro, to

paring drinks, as well as hospitable and professional, he makes a lasting impression on guests.

DON’T SPREAD THE WORD, KEEP IT JUST FOR YOU!

be part of the gastronomic haven in the very heart of Vienna and witness the personnel’s professionalism, competence, politeness and hospitality. Let yourself enjoy this experience, but don’t spread the word, keep it just for you.

59

COLUMN

The List: People who change Belgrade

VOL.

9

© Goran Popovski

Belgrade a city with a soul, where every street and every person tells their own story. Throughout this city’s history, people have left their mark and influenced its appearance, architecture, gastronomic offer, and the habits of the people of Belgrade. But here’s the thing about being influential: it’s not for everyone. It takes a certain kind of person to stand out in a crowd and be heard. Let’s take a look at some of the men and women who have made their mark on Belgrade in a feature column by Duška Jovanić, which is out each month.

Enfant terrible

2

JASNA OBRADOVIĆ Beauty expert

When the legendary Coco Chanel uttered the almost heretical sentence that there are no ugly women, only lazy ones, she had no idea that it would become the guiding idea for Jasna Obradović from Belgrade in creating a real cosmetics empire, which has been in existence for over fifty years. Taking care of one’s looks is serious and painstaking work, regardless of what famous women say while trying to convince us that they owe their beauty to ordinary soap, water and olive oil. That’s simply not the case. Just as the wise Aldous Huxley tried to deceive us with the thesis that „pomades do not sell lanolin, but hope”. Jasna Obradović was also suspicious of that narrative and that’s why women, when they leave her salon, glow as if they were fed on precious stones, which is not far from the truth, as face masks made from Japanese algae or caviar were used on them. Jasna simply made sure that “the diamonds” ended up where they belonged:

60

prefer”. His uncle, Gerard Beigbeder, has been living in Serbia for more than fifteen years, as he is married to Katarina, from the famous Veljković family from Belgrade. „Their story is like from the novel Doctor Zhivago. This is also one of the reasons why Belgrade is a special place for me”. Although he became part of the Beigbeder show-up culture, his two excellent books „A French Novel” and „Oona and Salinger” thankfully didn’t make him too fashionable, otherwise he would be in danger of ending up like poor Coelho, a must-read for anyone who doesn’t normally read books. „Readers today like to see their writer, to know everything about his intimate life, and even what he eats.” It was Sunday morning when his publisher locked us in the Booka store. We had croissants for breakfast from a nearby bakery. What happens in the bookstore, doesn’t stay in the bookstore.

© Nevojša Babić

The most boisterous illegitimate child of literature and capitalism, literary satirist and author of bestselling books, he still cries at romantic movies despite actively working towards eradicating pathos, while girls all over the world take pictures of his books for Instagram, next to their lipsticks or nail polish. Not even Belgrade women are immune from worshipping this „naughty” boy in his 50s. Lately, this wealthy rebel has acquired a nice patina. Frédéric Beigbeder is a hunk to the bone.

A serious badass. Why is he on the list of people who are changing Belgrade? Not only because of family ties, but also because of what he thinks and responsibly asserts and that is that history is made in Serbia and Belgrade, the city of the best banter in this part of the world. „What’s wrong with that!? People go out, dress up and have fun. Those are the things that I also

on the suffering woman’s neck. As a woman, Jasna behaves as if she is flirting with the whole world, and most of all with Belgrade, which she perceives as a great gentleman with the best manners, no matter how much the city has changed. Her life joy is not fleeting, but transitory - she is the first person to raise a glass in a bar and get up to dance with the passion and grace of a movie heroine. Just as she led women into the revolution to change their attitude towards their skin, body and spirit. On top of all that, she was the first to bring the Biologique Recherche skincare brand to Belgrade, today’s equivalent of quite luxury in fashion. Women who frequent Jasna’s salon are willing to sacrifice spending unnecessary money on clothes, which pollute the environment anyway, in their quest for perfect skin. The beauty has not been in the eyes of the beholder for a very long time but in Jasna Obradović’s and her team’s magic hands.

© Andreja Leko

1

NOTE: The list is made in alphabetical order

FRÉDÉRIC BEIGBEDER

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

MAJA UZELAC City icon

bunch of clients. Together with Ana Rodić, she re-did Konstrakta’s video and catapulted her to Eurovision. Belgrade loves her because of all of that, even when it doesn’t understand her very well. „I hope that I managed to make my city take itself a little less seriously. It seems to me that New York City or Berlin have an obligation to make themselves important. That’s when it’s easiest to put them down. But when they don’t take themselves too seriously, they become invincible. That applies to a time of peace. In other, different times, one should furrow a brow a little to show strength”. Maja’s Belgrade lives in her and that’s why it’s the most beautiful to her. „They can never destroy it as good as I can remember it. And I will even upgrade it, to the level of madness”. The only thing that is left to be said is the usual - #belikemaja.

4

NATAŠA VOJNOVIĆ Supermodel

A naughty beauty. The first supermodel from our part of the world. An artist of undone glamour.

Irresistible in everything. A model whose cover story would impress even Dostoyevsky. Virgo with an interesting character and a furious temperament. Protégé of Carina Roitfeld. Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite. Tom Ford’s naked inspiration. Actress in „Bugs and Heroes”. Smart as all the money she made. Barefoot in the munus.

The queen of flats, who conquered the world in a flash almost thirty years ago. A war refugee from Brčko. At twelve years old, she escaped the civil war and came to Belgrade only to be greeted by the harsh 1990s. She didn’t give in to them. At sixteen, she won the Elite Model Look contest in 1997. She was jumping for joy like a crazy child.

In the same year, she became one of the Fifteen Magnificent in Nice. She arrived in Paris in her Dr Martens boots and a stretched sweatshirt. With her plush lips and naturally blonde, wild hair. At the castings, she looked girly in a rough knit co-

© Marko Krunić

5

© Goran Srdanov

She continues to provide cultural knockouts.

Her book of essays “Prosto” blew us away. She explained it best herself: „Finally, I have experience, I don’t care, I don’t care about reputation, and I don’t have much time either. For the first time in my life, I wrote about the simplest things, using the simplest vocabulary. Let’s get serious. Let’s be the best. Let’s not be pussies.

Someone with a shelf life cannot afford that.”

Voila! The result was a completely new Maja. Or it was maybe always her, but we experienced her differently. Maja Uzelac is a director and columnist remembered by generations for her iconic show „Cultural Knockout” aired on B92 TV, her articles in Vreme weekly, as the author of the first Serbian fashion film „Bunny”, a visual artist and a DJ from Belgrade clubs. Today, she has her own creative studio, Lava Pop, and a

lourful sweater given to her by Sergej Trifunović.

She’s a chic-shock person. Always ready to go all the way for a good joke. When the great Karl Lagerfeld whispered to her to make a splash at the Chanel fashion show, she appeared in the middle of the runway, crawling on all fours. At the end of the show, she winked at him, as if saying: „There! That’s a real catwalk.” She was a New Yorker with Serbian habits for a long time. The African queen on adventures. She is a tough girl, who has been looking for the right guy for a long time. She found him on the Ada Bojana beach, certain that, next to him, her feet would be firmly planted on the ground. She is like that when she walks around Belgrade or waits in queue at the bank. When she gave birth to a girl five years ago, she named her Gora, after her mother, but also after her character. A while ago, in Paris, at the Mugler show, all other supermodels faded into the background when she appeared. Effortlessly!

Because she is the one & only Nataša Vojnović.

RADE ŠERBEDŽIJA Legend

With him, everything looks simple, although to some people it seems that all he does is improvise and all that he needs is a bottle of red wine, grilled fish, a pair of trousers, a loose shirt and a Krleža-like hat. Despite this, he has shown us so many times how well he can handle success, even when he finds himself in the middle of the perilous Hollywood machine. He is trying not to be an unhappy Yugonostalgic, even less a poser, which is the perception of the people who don’t actually know him. All he is trying to be is Rade Šerbedžija. He first became famous here, in Belgrade, and then took on the world. He didn’t spend many nights in local theatre bars for nothing. He became a staple in Ivo and Buda’s iconic bar “Klub Književnika” (The Writers’ Club). That’s why he doesn’t stop by there anymore. These days he finds delight in ordering a glass of wine in his favourite Dorćol bar, playing a few rounds of tennis with his friends and blowing everyone out of the water with his masterful acting in the play „Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” at

the Belgrade Drama Theatre (BDP). Belgrade will remember him mostly for his roles in the KPGT theatre, Žika Pavlović, Goran Marković and Bora Drašković’s films and his committed support for every kind of righteous rebellion against the government. As well as for his concerts at which audiences sang and cried together with him. And now here’s something from his personal history - although dissidence suited him well, I once managed to persuade him to get rid of Krleža’s hat. It seems that his soccer player-like walk of a dishevelled young man in black shimmy shoes that Brad Pitt’s girlfriend gave him because he taught Brad to sing sad Balkan songs, is saying “Hello, I’m here, what else do you want from me?” Just to change your clothes! At the bar, he sipped a few sips of his favourite bourbon to ease into the costume of Nick Wooster, a grey-haired dandy with spectacular styling. This reminded me of a real Hollywood sitcom set against the backdrop of a fine Belgrade restaurant, the next episodes of which we are eagerly awaiting.

© Nevojša Babić

3

61

READ THIS ON WEB

TRAVELOGUE

by Viktor Lazić

Beneath the Great Wall of Ice

The Inuit believe that anyone who goes to these areas just to enjoy the beauty of them is out of their mind because they are putting their life at risk

„T

he most terrible sound that can be heard on the Earth”, is how the Inuit described the breaking of a rock from an ice ridge to me.

Brittle comes from the icy depths but seems to be coming from the bowels of the planet. As if the ice is not splitting, but the Earth’s crust itself. Trapped air bubbles have been languishing in the ice for millennia; breaking off and re-

62

leasing the pressure with a muffled pop. Maybe it’s the sound of an ice soul ripping...

was about to burst in half.” This is how the ice children are separated from their ancient parent.

My Inuit friends described the sound to me as „as if the Earth

The frozen rocks have been waiting for who knows how many

NEXT TO ICEBERGS, WE LOOK LIKE LILLIPUTIANS STANDING IN FRONT OF GULLIVER!

thousands of years to break free and sail on their way. Scientists claim that the average age of the ice here is at least four thousand years. Separation from the progenitor - the endless expanse of ice - is the beginning of the end. It may be a year, a flicker of time in a long duration, before they become water spilt in the ocean. But they dissolve by taking on wondrous, stunning forms, as if to make www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

enjoy the beauty of them is out of their mind because they are putting their life at risk. The ‚living glacier’, as they call it because the rocks are constantly falling off it much more often than from others, is a great danger to ships.

Countless videos on the Internet will get your blood pumping,” a scientist tells me.

As we approach it, the glacier looks like a small bulge in the far open sea. The massive ice cliff is two hundred metres high (our ship is not even fifteen) and almost four and a half kilometres long! When travelling, one quickly and instantaneously realizes how relative everything is. „Imagine a river the width of the Danube. If one part of it froze, stood up the length of its width and then was placed between two peaks of the mountain, it would

if it had been prepared by some clumsy titan, trained cocktail master... „We are lucky. In a few weeks, the water will change its aggregate state and form a solid cover, and then even much more powerful icebreakers won’t be able to enter here”, the ship’s captain informs us and adds that the temperature is around zero, which means - very warm. „Soon it will be minus twenty degrees.” But the scientist explains to me that even this is an unusually high temperature for this latitude. „Because of the warm Gulf Stream on the other side... If you travel just a few hundred kilometres to the west, to Canada, the weather is at least twice as cold.”

We slowly and persistently make our way to the ice cliff, turn sideways to it, and then the captain

FOR MANY, A TRIP TO GREENLAND IS A DREAM COME TRUE AND FOR SOME, IT’S JUST A WHIM actually be like this glacier. And the cliff you see is a huge frozen waterfall, from which pieces of ice break off every fifteen minutes and crash into the sea with a great noise,” the scientist tells me.

turns off the ship’s engine, to allow us to hear only the sounds of nature. The glacier is crumbling

and its pieces fall into the sea with a bang. The flawlessly flat surface of the sea then rises and transforms into one big wave, which lifts us up and down as it pleases. The sun shines on the front wall of the glacier, so it is bright, but the gloomy clouds play and scatter a multitude of bluish shades on it and the water. It seems that the entire spectrum is reduced to only one colour - blue, but it seems there is an infinite number of shades of blue. „If we compare Eqi to a skyscraper, it would have thirty floors. It is about twenty metres under the water and the cliff that we see is 180 metres,” the scientist tells me.

I notice the cascading structure of the ice, which reminds me of elementary school children when the teacher prepares them for a photo shoot - the shortest kids are in the first row and the tallest are in the last. The cliffs that are closest to us are also the lowest, while much bigger boulders are in the second, third and fifth rows.

A lot has already broken off from their tips, so they are sharp like shards of broken glass. There are thousands of tiny spikes on top of Eqi, whose name means „edge” in Inuit.

„Meet Eqi! Squint as much as you can because you will definitely hear the sound”, he makes a gesture with his hand as a sign of introduction.

their unforgettable contribution to the beauty of the world before they disappear.

The ships look like scrolls that are sometimes visible and sometimes disappear from the horizon, among the rocks that overhang them by at least ten times. Polar bears hunt seals in the distance, and Inuit take tourists to watch their melting treasures. „Only recently have ships reached the Eqi glacier for the first time.

The Inuit believe that anyone who goes to these areas just to

The ice cliff still appears as a thin whitish line in the distance. The sea is calm, there is not even a breath of wind. As we get closer to the goal, there are more and more rocks of different sizes. We are again amazed by the dimensions: only when we saw another ship next to a distant rock, did we realize that the ice was dozens of times bigger than us. Next to icebergs, we look like Lilliputians standing in front of Gulliver!

The ocean and the sky are the same piece of folded blue sheet and the folding line is the glacier we are heading towards. Larger pieces of ice hit the ship’s hull.

Just as the scientist described before leaving, we enter a sea covered with a multitude of white figures. All the ice seemed to have passed through a giant blender, as

63

place in a uniform wall where the breakage occurs.

That’s why we help each other and shout as soon as we notice that the ice is starting to crumble. Two hours passed as we were witnessing awe-inspiring scenes. I want to stay here.

The ship makes its way through the finely crumbled whitish bits, getting increasingly closer to the glacier. I looked behind the stern and there was something to see - we had opened a new, empty fairway! The ice parted where we passed. I expected it to join right after us, but instead, a very long green river formed in the middle of the white sea, which would last at least half an hour until the ice overcame it. „This is the most dangerous activity for you in Greenland,” my scientist friend informs me at a rather inopportune time. „If an iceberg breaks off, it can cause a real tsunami and turn us into fish food, pureed, forever. We would not be the first or the last to be overturned by such a wave.”

We tensely watch the long white wall, waiting for it to break. We want to see it, that’s why we came, but we are also afraid of it.

If we turn our heads away for a second we could miss the action, while one big iceberg can send us swimming with the whales.

„When the pressure prevails, cracks appear that are tens, maybe even hundreds of kilometres long.

The formation of icebergs can cause a powerful earthquake, up to five degrees on the Richter scale,” the scientist teaches me. „Look at the red dots on that crimson-gray hill on the side... Those are huts where you can spend the night. From there you can walk to the glacier or the ice sheet,” my friend tells me. However, we don’t have time for that. The makeshift pier is actually the ship’s destination. Ukrainians and a few more Inuit disembark there. Two tourists who spent the night near the

glacier will join us, but first, we all disembarked to dine in a small restaurant.

each other’s arms. And that kind of experience is another asset that this island gives us.

„We don’t have Internet, talk to each other,” it says on the front door.

„Greenland is a giant piece of ice thrown over a green carpet, which corners and fringes engulf the ocean,” the scientist tells me, explaining that no one can predict how the landscape will behave when everything melts.

Among the few foreigners I met on this trip, each is a world of its own. The grumpy woman from Bermuda with whom I shared a room, adventurers who spent their inheritance to see the Arctic, rich American pensioners who apologized to me for the bombing (of Yugoslavia)... They all complement the landscape, climb the crags, and tell me about themselves and about how they perceive this area. For many, a trip to Greenland is a dream come true and for some, it’s just a whim. We admire and enjoy the beauty of nature, the icy expanse, and the surprises that illuminate. This divine island unites and equalizes us all - we all have to travel on the same ship, spend the night in the same inn, have lunch in the same place and shop in the same store - because other options are hundreds of kilometres away, days of sailing or waiting for a flight. Wealthy people, travellers who gave their last penny to see the ice sheet, explorers, tourists, curious and crazy people of various kinds, although there are not many of us, we are all pushed into

„HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT HOW OLD THE EARTH YOU LIVE ON IS? HOW DID IT COME ABOUT? THE ANSWERS ARE MAGNIFICENT.”

Sound travels more slowly and is heard only a second or two after the piece begins to break off; it often reaches us when all the action is already over and on the surface of the water you can only see the place that swallowed the icy bite.

It is not easy to recognize the 1 A liqueur originating from Mexico with coffee taste. It is a key ingredient in many cocktails or is added to ice cream, cakes and cookies. It contains rum, cornstarch and vanilla, but coffee is the main ingredient.

2 A premium liqueur that is a delicate mixture of fine cognacs and tropical orange distillates with the secret skill of the distillery’s founder, Louis Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle.

64

„The ice sheet over Greenland is actually the largest freshwater sea in the world, only it’s frozen and placed over an undulating landscape. Glaciers are rivers that flow from that sea and they speed up their flow every year.

They flow twice as fast today as they did twenty years ago and that is the most worrying. Only recently my colleagues discovered that in the centre of the island, under the eternal ice, there is the longest canyon in the world, about 750 kilometres long.

Who knows if that canyon will one day become a huge lake, or maybe it will divide the unique island into several parts? What we found is that the rocks at the bottom are among the oldest on the planet - they were formed three million years ago,” he explains to us the endlessly interesting geology of the northern region. „Have you ever thought about how old the Earth you live on is? How did it come about? The answers are magnificent.”

He explains to us how entire mountains, by freezing and thawing in the centre of the island, were crushed by huge amounts of ice that moved. They were carried by glaciers, grain by grain, to the ocean, where they became sand at the bottom. The scientist takes out a tablet from his bag and shows us a 3D animation that evokes the researcher’s idea of what the Greenland soil looks like under many hundreds of thousands of tonnes of ice, which has been standing there for at least two to three million years. „Look at that detached house on the hill. It is the home of your namesake, Paul-Emile Victor, the famous French explorer, who started his expeditions across the frozen wasteland from there.

He claimed that three large islands were hidden under the Greenland ice.” www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

„Well, someone had to show the way to Victor, just as you were shown,” says the chef who is bringing us a mini-barbecue, roughly half a kebab for lunch for each of us. His name is Nicolai Koch Christensen and he is the great-grandson of Victor’s guide. „When I got the job here, I didn’t know anything about it. It was all destiny”, he says while serving us coffee in wine glasses, which he set on fire.

The bluish flame in the scientist’s glass died down in no time and we could help ourselves to „Greenland coffee”. Noticing my surprise, he immediately explained: „The local coffee is made by adding whiskey in it, which represents everything that is rough on this island - hunters, fishermen, mountains. Then we add Kahlua1 coffee liqueur to complement the drink with delicate beauty: a symbol of women, animals, nature. Both are mixed during the dark polar nights, epitomized by the blackness of the coffee itself. We cover it with foamy cream, representing- icebergs and glaciers. Then we add Grand Marnier2, which burns in the colours of the aurora borealis.

So, in one glass, we serve you the whole of Greenland”, he says as he sets fire to my serving. While I’m enjoying the coffee flame that instantly turned into smoke and the unusual drink, we are joined by a middle-aged Inuit woman who had been sitting at the next table. „I was born in Ilulissat. Our fjord used to freeze over every year, but that hasn’t happened for some time now,” she says. „Greenland is changing, and those changes will affect the lives of all creatures on the planet,” my scientist friend asserts as we watch Eqi. „Look at this glacier... Three kilometres of its surface has melted since 2015 to date. Three kilometres of ice, two hundred meters high”, he animatedly tells us. „That much ice hasn’t retreated in 3 One gigatonne is one billion tonnes.

4 One trillion is one thousand billion

or later, the ice will break off Eqi. The captain hurries us aboard: „The wave takes less than two minutes to get here. If it hits the pier while we’re boarding, we’ll all go underwater.’

We continue sailing through the sea of ice.

Around us is an endless white mixture, from which no water can be seen. I imagine we’re floating on a giant bowl of melted white chocolate ice cream.

the last five thousand years! About two hundred billion tonnes a year melts off Greenland!” He shows us printed photos of Eqi, showing where the cliff was in 1912, 1929, 1953 and every year since 2011.

„The mass of the ice sheet has not increased since 1998. We are witnessing the biggest geological change of the modern age”, begins a short lecture the scientist who specializes in geology. „Five

„GREENLAND IS CHANGING, AND THOSE CHANGES WILL AFFECT THE LIVES OF ALL CREATURES ON THE PLANET.” The changes are enormous: in the last hundred years, the miles and miles we’ve just sailed had been part of an ice wall as tall as a thirty-story building! I look at the pictures, then at the landscape. „I can hardly believe my eyes,” I say. „You can’t argue there is or there isn’t climate change. We feel it here every day. The climate is changing. Summers are warmer.

There is less and less ice. I don’t believe my generation will live to see it disappear completely, but my descendants probably will.

Life will continue its course, but the world without Greenland, as it is today, will not be the same world”, an Inuit woman, whom I met earlier on the ship, warns.

We walk around the deck and bump into each other every ten minutes; we say a few words, and then everyone keeps mum, and walks away spontaneously, staring at the magnificent Eqi glacier, which is waving its tail like the most beautiful blue peacock in front of us.

thousand gigatonnes3 of water have melted in Greenland since 1972. That’s enough to fill 16 trillion4 bathtubs. To compare, New York consumes one gigatonne of water annually,” he tries to convey enormous amounts, but he only succeeds in comparing the unimaginable with the unimaginable. „Half of it melted from 2010 to date. At least 22 billion tonnes of ice melts on Earth every day!”

The captain warned us that time was running out by blowing his whistle. We go down the goat trail and the steep staircase to the improvised pier. „Wonderful beach,” I exclaim without thinking, even though I know that just a few minutes in this water would cause the death of a careless swimmer from hypothermia. „Oh, well, we call it suicide beach,” an Inuit woman tells me, explaining that if you get tired of life, all you have to do is go to that lovely patch of gravel and wait for a wave to wash over you as sooner

„If the Earth was flat, this would be its edge,” the scientist tells me, staring at the glacier. We come across an area full of icebergs resembling small clouds: as if the sea is a 3D mirror of the sky, we sail above the clouds and watch them become white in the mass of blue. It’s just that the air cushions of the sky are surprisingly firm and scratch our vessel with a frightening sound.

I heard a terrible sound, but I did not see which part of Eqi broke off. As the weather is gloomy, I ask the scientist whether that was thunder. „Lightning and lightning only exist in unstable atmospheric conditions. A wave of warm air and a wave of cold air are needed. Everything is cold here, so thunderstorms are rare, maybe once every few years. Unfortunately, recently there have been more and more of them and this is one of the proofs that the climate is changing.”

We sail down the same passage past the glacier to make as many videos and photos as possible. We are all sorry that time is passing quickly and that we have to say goodbye to the magnificent Eqi. We understand why the Inuit consider glaciers to be living beings.

Thanks to this visit, it was as if we were all reborn with it. We bonded with Eqi, it became dear to us, although it is still unknown, distant, unique, untamable. Reflecting on its size, I vividly felt how small and miniature I was and that caused relief and comfort to wash over me.

65

READ THIS ON WEB

CMC EVENTS

Redefining Boundaries: Disabled Icons and Their Global Influence

C

itizens Association, The Best Fest from Novi Sad, implements the project Redefining Boundaries: Disabled Icons and Their Global Influence, co-financed by the European Delegation in the Republic of Serbia.

The project deals with creating conditions for the social inclusion of people with special needs through activities that promote the achievements and abilities of people with disabilities through a series of exhibitions, awareness campaigns, and training initiatives in Serbian cities.

people with disabilities from around the world will be opened, which does not prevent them from achieving exceptional results in their fields of activity.

After the panel discussion in the Museum of Vojvodina, the exhibition opened in the Danube Park.

The plan is to implement activity projects in four cities: Požarevac, Šabac, and Indjija. The project’s first event and ceremonial opening was held in Novi Sad on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

The accompanying project activity accompanying the exhibition is the organization of a panel discussion on the inclusion of persons with disabilities, which will be attended by experts from this field and associations for which this is a priority topic. After that, an exhibition of photos of famous

READ THIS ON WEB

Magical Evening: Johann Strauss Fest at Kotek Castle

„J

ohann Strauss Fest” was held on November 2nd, in the Kotek castle in Futog (today’s Agricultural School).

Visitors enjoyed the most famous compositions of Johann Strauss the Younger performed by the Salon Orchestra of the Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra. The beautiful atmosphere was completed

66

by Agota Vitkai-Kučera, soprano, and Jožef Riter, pianist, who spontaneously joined the artists on stage from the audience. „Johann Strauss Fest” is organized by the citizens’ association „Petrovaradin Media” and the company Color Media Communications with the institutional support of the City of Novi Sad. www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

67

READ THIS ON WEB

TASTE OF PLANET

Finland

The People of Novi Sad Enjoyed the Flavours of Seven World Cuisines Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy various specialties from Korea, Finland, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Indonesia

C

ouscous, baklava with almonds, and cakes with pistachios prepared by the chefs of the Embassy of Libya in Belgrade marked the first day of the “Taste of Planet” festival, which Color Media Communications traditionally organizes in front of TC Promenade.

Finland

dents and their families live in Novi Sad,” said H.E. Mohammed Galbun, ambassador of Libya, who participated in the festival for the first time this year.

In addition to the food, the people of Novi Sad had the oppor-

Ambassador of Finland

68

tunity to share their impressions of the culture with the Libyans, who have been staying in our city for many years, and the traditional Libyan folk costume worn at weddings was shown.

“It is very important for us that the citizens of Novi Sad get to know our culture through our specialties. First, because the Libyan community in Novi Sad is extremely large, the second largest after Belgrade. Many stu-

Swiss ambassador wife serving potatos

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

dressed in traditional Swiss costume. On the menu was a traditional Swiss specialty – raclette – melted cheese that the ambassador and his wife personally served to the people of Novi Sad. They served as many as ten kilograms of melted Swiss cheese and the same number of boiled potatoes.

In addition to its traditional food, the Czech Republic delighted the visitors of the festival with a traditional Czech tambourine band (including a dulcimer player),

Ambassador of Hungary

“There is no better way to get to know a nation than music and food, and I recommend all guests who come to Serbia to try our excellent wines, to try our excellent food, and to get to know what Serbia is,” said at the opening of the festival Nenad Ivanišević, provincial secretary for economy and tourism.

Korea

Czech orchestra

Korean ambassador

Czech ambassador serving beer

Indonesia costums

Indonesia

In the days that followed, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy various specialties from Korea, Finland, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Indonesia.

Hungary is participating in this festival for the first time, and the new ambassador of this country in Belgrade, H.E. Mr. József Magyar, greeted the visitors in perfect Serbian (before Belgrade, he was ambassador in Zagreb for many years). In addition to Hungarian specialties, visitors had the opportunity to enjoy traditional songs from this country performed by opera singer Melinda Morvai.

Swiss ambassador serving raclette

Ambassador of Switzerland H. E. Urs Schmid came with his wife

who played the Czech, Serbian, and European Union anthems at the reception on the occasion of the Czech Republic’s National Day at the Czech Embassy the day before.

On the last day of the festival, residents of Novi Sad had the opportunity to try food prepared by the Indonesian embassy, a regular festival participant. Every year, the visitors enjoy the traditional Indonesian dance.

The Taste of Planet festival is organized with the support of the City of Novi Sad, the Provincial Secretariat for Economy, and the companies Coca-Cola and Heineken.

69

CULTURAL NEWS

TÊTE - À – TÊTE 4 ROOMS, 8 ARTISTS UNTIL 27TH JANUARY 2024 DRINA GALLERY BELGRADE, SERBIA

The exhibition “Tête-à-tête - 4 Rooms 8 Artists” was officially opened on the 27th of October. It will be displayed by appointment until January 27th, 2024, in the Drina Gallery in Belgrade.

GAMES.CON 8-10 DECEMBER BELGRADE, SERBIA Games.con is the region’s largest gaming and pop culture fes-

Separated into four rooms, the Tête-à-tête exhibition brings together eight local and international artists for a visual and intellectual dialogue. Each of the exhibition rooms features differ-

tival. The organizer’s idea is to gather fans of all kinds of games in one place. The Games.con festival is aimed at the younger population and older teenagers, as well as all those whose interests tend towards gaming and pop culture. Here, under one roof, competitions in electronic sports and board games, as well as content for fans of popular franchises - from games and comics to movies, series, and books.

ent artistic processes, themes, styles, and interventions, facing each other and showcasing a variety of media and forms, including paintings, objects, ceramics, textiles, photography, and mixed me-

dia created by the following artist pairs: Filip Black - Marko Ladjušić, Vittorio Bianchi - Nemanja Maraš, Claire Clelia Baldo - Aleksandar Vac, Federico Luger - Mina Radović.

In this face-to-face dialogue, contrast becomes the driving force, intended to captivate the observer in their pursuit of discovering the object’s origin and to stimulate contemplation about the creative process. Unexpected and unconventional pairings encourage the audience to uncover fresh interpretations and new perspectives, ultimately revealing concealed connections and boundaries.

AUTHOR’S FILM FESTIVAL 24 NOVEMBER 2023 – 1 DECEMBER 2023 BELGRADE, SERBIA The central selections of the festival are the competition and the main program. In contrast, the supporting selections, which have attracted much attention from the audience recently, are Hrabri Balkan, Band à part, Sirovo, and Mreža festival Jadranske regije.

The main location of the festival will be the MTS Dvorana. At the same time, film screenings will be held in the Hall of the Cultural Center of Belgrade, the Belgrade Youth Center, Jugoslovenska Kinoteka, the Studentski Grad Cultural Center, and the Cine Grand BIG Rakovica” cinema.

61ST NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL 15 – 30 DECEMBER BELGRADE, SERBIA The Belgrade New Year’s Fair is a recognizable manifestation of fun and good shopping. Adults can also enjoy this introduction to New Year’s festive mood and merriment.

As many as 27 entertainment facilities will be available to visitors - carousels, playhouses, autodrome, „roto-panoramic,” „house of fear,” slides, and other games to raise adrenaline. This event will be held at the Belgrade Fair, and entrance is free for all visitors.

70

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs

71

72

www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs