Diplomacy&Commerce magazine #98 - September 2024 by Diplomacy&Commerce magazine

BUSINESS INTERVIEW

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN MEXICO AND SERBIA

Juan Gabriel Espejo Ceballos, Embassy of Mexico in Serbia

REFUGEE STORIES BY UNHCR

DEDICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REFUGEE LAW

Ivana Krstić, Faculty of Law - University of Belgrade

FROM PARIS WITH LOVE PRESIDENT MACRON IN SERBIA

THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY

MATILDE MORDT

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia

FOCUS ON

CONGRESS TOURISM

UNITY IN DIVERSITY EMANUELE GIAUFRET

Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia

THE FUTURE OF CONFERENCE TOURISM IN SERBIA MARIJA LABOVIĆ

Director of The Tourism Organisation of Serbia (TOS)

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Director ROBERT ČOBAN robert.coban@color.rs

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ŽIKICA MILOŠEVIĆ

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AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES FACING HUMANITY MATILDE MORDT

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia

FEATURED INTERVIEW THE EU AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM AND PEACE EMANUELE GIAUFRET

Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia

19 FOCUS ON CONGRESS TOURISM

BUSINESS INTERVIEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN MEXICO AND SERBIA JUAN GABRIEL ESPEJO CEBALLOS Embassy of Mexico in Serbia

REFUGEE STORIES BY UNHCR DEDICATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF REFUGEE LAW IVANA KRSTIĆ Full Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade

FEATURED INTERVIEW THE FUTURE OF CONFERENCE TOURISM IN SERBIA MARIJA LABOVIĆ

Director of The Tourism Organisation of Serbia (TOS)

MEDIA INTERVIEW THE CHANGING FACE OF PROTEST ALEKSANDAR GUBAŠ Cultural and Media Activist, Archive of Public Gatherings

CULTURAL TALKS BY BITEF LIFE BEGINS AT FORTY

Красная рекa

One of the basic problems with lithium is the anti-Western narrative that has been fostered and media-fed here for decades. You can’t tell people in June all the worst things about Germany as the sponsor of the Srebrenica Resolution and then expect in July that the same people will wholeheartedly welcome the arrival of German Chancellor Scholz to discuss lithium. I’m sure that if the company was called “Krasnaya Reka” instead of “Rio Tinto,” and if it were a Russian project, the resistance from a large part of the public would be much smaller. The same goes for conspiracy theories like the stories about airplanes whose trails in the sky are poisoning us (and only us in Serbia, no one else); or the “5G mobile network spreading coronavirus” and similar nonsense.

When Chancellor Scholz came to Serbia, social media was immediately flooded with visuals like “1914 - 1941 - 1999 - 2024,” with clear associations implying that “a German has never brought us anything good.” This is what a large part of both supporters and opponents of the current government in Serbia think.

Thus, this same government has become a victim of stoking (or at least tolerating) the spread of conspiracy theories and myths in the media they control. And they can’t break out of that closed circle. Even if Nikola Tesla and Milutin Milanković rose from the grave, they wouldn’t be able to convince the majority of Serbs who are against lithium mining that it is safe for the environment and the health of their children. As my colleague Zoran Panović aptly noted in a show we were on together, suddenly people in small towns in Šumadija and Western Serbia are very well informed when it comes to their health and are protesting en masse. But when the protests were about the mass shootings in Belgrade and villages around Mladenovac and Smederevo in May last year, you could count the demonstrators in those places on the one hand. The same happened when the opposition protested after the elections in December 2023.

In response to all this, the government is launching another “patriotic initiative”—the reinstatement of mandatory military service! I think the reintroduction of mandatory military service, even for just 75 days, should be approached with great caution. We’re talking about a generation that globally has lost interest in things like skiing, for example, because they’re too lazy, and if they have the means, they’d rather spend winter lying on a beach with a phone in hand. I do not doubt that many of them aren’t lacking in patriotism, but if military service for men becomes mandatory, avoiding it will have to be sanctioned, and both rich kids and poor kids will have to serve. I dread to think what that will look like in a society like ours today...

Robert Čoban

From Challenge to Opportunity: Reinforcing Global Cooperation for a Sustainable Future

MATILDE MORDT

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia

In an exclusive first interview with Serbian media, we are honoured to welcome Matilde Mordt, the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia. With a distinguished career in international development and human rights, Ms Mordt steps into what are the biggest development challenges that humanity is fac-

ing a time of significant global and regional challenges. Today, she shares her vision for strengthening the partnership between the United Nations and Serbia, highlighting key priorities and the path forward in addressing shared goals.

A recent UN report has highlighted significant setbacks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals globally. What are the most critical factors hindering progress, and what immediate actions should

THE PRINCIPLE OF ‘LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND’ PUTS THE FOCUS ON THOSE MOST VULNERABLE

the international community prioritize to accelerate the achievement of these goals? Let me start by emphasizing the importance of the 2030 Agenda. It took the international community years to negotiate this global framework for sustainable development, involving not only governments but also the private sector, civil society and different stakeholders around the world. The guiding question was: what are the biggest development challenges

that humanity is facing, and what are the common goals that we can establish to overcome these? There was a need to address complex problems with an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together social, economic and environmental perspectives in an integrated way. The principle of “Leaving no one behind” put the focus on those most vulnerable. And the principle of universality acknowledged that the Agenda was for all countries, developed and developing alike. And so, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were approved by 193 member states in September 2015. In today’s troubled world, it is a blueprint for survival more than ever.

The path to achieving the SDGs has been anything but smooth, with substantial challenges still ahead. We still feel the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted economies, health systems, and education. Add to that the current escalation of conflicts and geopolitical tensions that are destabilizing economies and lives worldwide. Globally, over 120 million people are forcibly displaced today, a tragic record high. And let’s not forget the ever-looming threat of climate chaos; the last year has been the hottest on record, pushing us dangerously close to the 1.5°C global temperature threshold.

So, where do we go from here? First, we need to up our game in international cooperation. Massive investments are crucial, and we need a reformed global financial system to unlock the required funds. Addressing the debt crisis that haunts many developing nations is paramount. Building robust partnerships is another key — think innovative collaborations in sectors like food, energy, social protection, and digital connectivity. Transitions in these key sectors are accelerators of sustainable development.

This is not about making lofty promises; it’s about turning commitments into real, tangible actions. Monitoring systems must measure progress, identify areas needing further effort, and ensure information is transparent and available to the public.

With the upcoming Summit of the Future designed to address the increasingly interconnected challenges we face globally, what are the primary objectives of this summit, and how do you envision it reshaping international cooperation to

THIS IS NOT ABOUT MAKING LOFTY PROMISES; IT’S ABOUT TURNING COMMITMENTS INTO REAL TANGIBLE ACTIONS

meet both current and future threats and opportunities?

The Summit of the Future is focused on revitalizing international cooperation to allow us to tackle global challenges. The goal is to agree on a forward-thinking ‘Pact for the Future’, with two annexes: a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.

It builds on the momentum from the 2023 SDG Summit. By leveraging what we’ve already learned and the commitments we’ve made, the Summit of the Future tackles pressing issues related to international peace, security and development. It’s about pooling our resources and ideas to strengthen progress towards the 2030 Agenda.

And it’s not just government representatives at the table. We’re talking about a broad spectrum of voices, with diverse input, from youth activists to private sector leaders, that will make the outcomes actionable and grounded in reality. Hopefully, we will see a reinvigorated spirit of global cooperation that works for us all.

One of the key aspects of the upcoming Summit of the Future is to include the voices of youth in shaping global policies. What role do you see for young people in this summit, and can you elaborate on how youth in Serbia are being involved to ensure their voices are heard in these critical discussions

The upcoming Summit of the Future is actively including the voices of youth in shaping global policies. Young people are no longer just future leaders; they are essential stakeholders who will live through the long-term effects of today’s decisions. The summit aims to ensure that young people have their rightful seat at the table, bringing their energy, vision, and innovative thinking to the forefront of global discussions. In Serbia, we’ve launched an initiative to ensure that local youth are actively engaged, and their perspectives are integrated into the preparatory process of the Summit. This initiative carried out in coordination between the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, UNDP, and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, is committed to ensuring that youth involvement is both authentic and effective. We’ve held youth focus group consultations in Pančevo, Šabac, Pirot and Belgrade between July and Septem-

ber, providing a platform for young people to voice their opinions, priorities and recommendations for the future. In addition, an online survey is being circulated to capture the views of a broader cohort of young people across Serbia. The collective insights from these activities will be compiled into a comprehensive report to support the Government’s contributions to the Summit of the Future process and discussions.

Focusing on Serbia’s standing with the 2030 Agenda, how would you assess the country’s progress in achieving the SDGs compared to global parameters? Could you highlight some specific results and challenges Serbia faces and the strategies being implemented to address them?

At the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda, Serbia stands out with some commendable achievements. The country is on track on approximately 25% of the targets of the SDGs, surpassing the global average of 18%. This is no small feat: Serbia has fully met eight targets in six key areas, such as maternal and child health, drinking water supply, census completion, and birth registration.

One area where Serbia has made notable progress over the past decades is in reducing poverty. However, after a sharp decline, we’ve reached a plateau, where it is more difficult to get the figures down. This brings us to the essential principle of leaving no one behind. The challenge now is to ensure we reach the most vulnerable populations, such as the Roma, or the elderly, especially elderly women, who often find themselves below the poverty line. Tailored policies targeting these groups are crucial.

Education is another success story. Recent revisions in preschool education policies and curricula, backed by the World Bank and UNICEF, have set a global example. Moreover, Serbia’s scientific community is thriving, with a significant number of women earning PhDs and leading various academic and research sectors. This progress in education, science, and technology sets a positive trajectory for the future.

On the other hand, Serbia still faces challenges. A key area is the transition to clean energy. However, the country is making progress and has recently adopted a new Energy and Climate Plan, which includes a target of over 45% of renewables in the country’s electricity generation

SERBIA’S PROGRESS SO FAR IS ENCOURAGING, BUT THE ROAD AHEAD REQUIRES SUSTAINED EFFORT

mix by 2030. Such efforts will contribute to fulfilling Serbia's commitments under the Paris Agreement. Investments are already ongoing, and other important projects, such as the desulphurization of existing thermal plants are reducing emissions and pollutants, bringing substantial benefits for the environment and public health.

Serbia’s progress so far is encouraging, but the road ahead requires sustained effort. Continued focus on inclusive policies, education, and energy transition, as well as institutional strengthening, will be key to ensuring that Serbia meets its SDG targets by 2030. It’s a collective journey, and collaboration with stakeholders across society, such as the private sector, local governments and civil society, is fundamental.

My first impressions are centred on Belgrade, as I have not had the opportunity to visit other parts of the country, except for one beautiful trip to the Gradac Gorge and a 45 km bike ride along the Danube, leading to the marvelous Golubac Fortress.. I am a nature lover and hope to be able to see many more parts of the country and enjoy beautiful sceneries, the local food and its inhabitants. I look forward!

António Guterres, SecretaryGeneral of the UN was present at the Opening ceremony of the Olympics. In Paris, we saw our World united and also - divided. In your opinion, how our generation can make our World a better place in four years for the LA Olympics in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032?

Looking ahead, we can channel the Olympic spirit to promote peace and dialogue. Just as the Olympic Truce calls for ceasing conflict during the Games, we should strive for ongoing dialogues and peace-building initiatives.

Another perspective at the Paris Olympics was its commitment to carbon neutrality. We can take a cue from this and champion sustainability in our daily lives - the collective actions of millions can lead to significant environmental impact.

Full gender parity was achieved for the first time at these Games, showing us that equality is a reality we can strive for. We must continue to advocate for gender equality across all spheres—be it in the workplace, education, or governance. By creating environments where everyone has an equal chance to succeed, we build a stronger and more inclusive world.

You have been in Belgrade since June. What is your first impression of Serbia?

One thing that stands out immediately when arriving is how friendly Serbs are. People are cordial and attentive and even if you don’t speak the language, you feel very welcome. There is always a helping hand, a pleasant smile, and a useful recommendation ready to guide you. I will feel at home here.

There are so many other aspects that catch your attention as a newcomer: the good food, the excellent wines, the contrasts between old and new in architecture, the historical complexities, and so on. One detail that I find marvellous is the number of bookstores there are – it is a very good sign of a society that reads a lot!

Moreover, the inclusion of a refugee team was a powerful statement about not leaving anyone behind. We should continue such efforts by empowering marginalized communities through inclusive policies. This extends to supporting refugees, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups by ensuring they have equal access to opportunities and resources. The Paralympics are another expression of this spirit of inclusion!

Ultimately, the Olympic Games remind us of what is possible when we unite in respect. By the time we gather for the LA and Brisbane Olympics, this spirit should guide us to celebrate not just athletic achievements, but also a world advancing towards peace, sustainability, and equality.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

The EU as a Symbol of Freedom and Peace

The EU plays a crucial role in promoting prosperity, democracy, and shared values in Serbia

EMANUELE GIAUFRET

Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia

In this insightful interview, Emanuele Giaufret, the EU Ambassador to Serbia, reflects on the European Union’s significance both personally and professionally. He discusses the EU’s role as a symbol of freedom, peace, and prosperity, and its importance for Serbia’s future. Giaufret highlights the benefits of European integration, the shared values between Serbia and the EU, and the transformative potential of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. Through his perspective, we gain a deeper understanding of how the EU continues to shape the region’s path toward stability, democracy, and economic growth

What does the EU mean to you and what does it truly represent, both professionally and personally?

Personally, the European Union is a symbol of freedom. I remember in the early seventies travelling as a child with my parents from

in my youth the opening of the European space and the adoption of a single currency, I studied in France and Belgium, also with an EU Erasmus scholarship, and I witnessed the great enlargement to welcome the countries that embraced democracy after the

THE EU IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEACE PROJECT THAT HAS ALSO BROUGHT UNPRECEDENTED PROSPERITY TO ITS CITIZENS

Italy to France to visit my grandparents and our car was stopped by the customs official for a luggage inspection. Now that border crossing is no longer there. I saw

collapse of communist dictatorships. Europeans have developed a strong feeling of common belonging while remaining proud of everyone’s national identity

- unity in diversity as our motto goes. Professionally, the EU is the most successful peace project that has also brought unprecedented prosperity to EU citizens and strengthened our unique model that ensures social protection and high environmental standards. This project is anchored in democratic values, where democracy, human rights and protection of minorities, non-discrimination, media pluralism, rule of law, are essential pillars of our European identity. National interests still very much exist, but we manage to find compromises through dialogue and tough negotiations. Everyone knows that at the EU table, sooner rather than later, you will need the others’ support and there is a common interest to find solutions. In the world of today, dominated by geopolitical giants, individual member states are too small to count. Within the EU, climate change, the new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, security, international trade, and migration, just to name a few issues, cannot be successfully addressed by national governments alone. These are issues that require action at the EU level where we are stronger, we have the financial means, better diplomatic leverage and effective regulatory powers. The very sovereignty of individual member States is better defended by promoting the European strategic autonomy. The European project has evolved since the creation of the Coal and Steal Community in 1951, but it has remained as relevant because it offers the most adequate tool to address the challenges of the contemporary world. The basis of success lies in the efficient functioning of EU Institutions and unity of purpose among Member States.

Why is it important for Serbia to join the EU and what would you separate as the main benefits of European integration for Serbian citizens?

Serbia’s aspiration to join the European Union (EU) is crucial for offering its citizens the same level of prosperity, protection and democracy enjoyed by their fellow Europeans in EU member States. EU membership will bring many practical benefits: freedom to move, work and study in the EU, economic opportunities through trade and access to larger capital markets, to provide and receive services from across the EU. In addition, it will bring EU standards on consumer protection, environment protection, and product safety, ensuring a higher quality of goods and services for all citizens. The EU promotes strong governance, transparency, and the rule of law. Serbia’s accession process involves significant reforms which are to the benefit of Serbian citizens. Democracy and the rule of law will be strengthened through reforms of the judicial system, and public administration, and more efforts to combat corruption and organised crime. Finally, once an EU member, Serbia will receive significantly higher financial aid through the EU’s structural and

SERBIA’S ASPIRATION TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CRUCIAL FOR OFFERING ITS CITIZENS THE SAME LEVEL OF PROSPERITY, PROTECTION, AND DEMOCRACY ENJOYED BY THEIR FELLOW EUROPEANS IN EU MEMBER STATES

cohesion funds, which are aimed at reducing economic disparities among regions. These funds could be used to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, and rural development. Integration into the EU would bring better job opportunities and potentially higher wages, as businesses benefit from increased market access and foreign investment.

European integration already provides numerous benefits for Serbia and its citizens. Now, with the Growth Plan, we are offering some important benefits even before membership. The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will boost the region’s economic growth and increase the socio-economic convergence of the Western Balkan region with the EU.

The region’s average GDP per capita currently stands only at 36% of the EU average. The Growth Plan will help the Western

Balkans to narrow this gap. It has the potential to double the economies of the Western Balkans within the next decade.

The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is based on four pillars. Firstly, enhancing economic integration with the European Union’s Single Market. For example, entering the Single European Payment area to reduce the costs of financial transactions. This will allow to save 500 m Euro per year for the Western Balkans Secondly, boosting economic integration within the Western Balkans through the Common Regional Market. as a stepping-stone to the opportunities of the Single Market.

Thirdly, accelerating reforms, and finally, increasing financial assistance to support the reforms through a new performancebased financing instrument worth €6 billion, the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans.

What European values are shared by the Serbian people as well? Which bonds tie us together as Europeans? European values are also Serbian values, they come straight from the Enlightenment and Serbia contributed to shaping these values, for example with the Sretenje Constitution. These values are about human dignity, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, social justice, and respect for cultural diversity. Like many European nations, Serbia has undergone a transition toward democracy, particularly after the fall of authoritarian regimes in the 1990s. The Serbian people share the European commitment to democracy, where competitive elections, pluralism, and political participation are essential elements. One of the core European values is respect for the rule of law, which ensures that laws are applied fairly, that the judicial system is independent, and that no one is above the law. Serbia, through its EU accession process, will have to strengthen its legal institutions and align them with European standards, reflecting the common belief in justice and fairness as well as on the other topics I mentioned. I am sure there is support for freedom of the press, the rule of law, democracy, human rights as well as peace and stability.

Where does Serbia currently stand on its path of European integration? Is the pace at which it’s moving along satisfactory or is there still room for improvement?

There is a new momentum in the enlargement process. The Russian war of aggression has created a new reality. We have new candidates, Ukraine and Moldova and a new determination by the EU to accelerate the enlargement after years when it had lost its dynamism

President von der Leyen has announced a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement in the next EU Commission. We are preparing the EU to host new members and candidate countries need to accelerate their preparations to become new members not to lose this historical opportunity. Serbia needs to accelerate reforms. The European Commission’s annual country report indicates what needs to be done.

What plans does the EU have for the future? Which goals will be considered a priority for the next couple of years? I suppose this is about the EU reforms, strategic autonomy, industrial policy etc... Inside the EU we will of course follow the Political Guidelines of the new European Commission. We will further deepen the single market, fight climate change, pursue further digital transformation, increase our border security and work further on common defence issues to increase our strategic autonomy to name just a few subjects. Boosting the competitiveness of European industry will also be high on the political agenda and we will prepare the EU from inside to accept new members.

Concerning EU Enlargement, we will be further supporting candidate countries meeting the accession criteria to be able to join the EU sooner, than later. In this regard, our new Growth Plan itself is a tool that will provide further support to that end.

What can the Western Balkans expect from the EU and its expansion policies?

President Ursula von der Leyen has laid out her Political Guidelines which I mentioned before and which I recommend to have a look at - a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement which is a clear sign of our determination to move on enlargement. The EU will engage even more strongly with Serbia. We need to accelerate reforms. Progress on the Rule of Law and

THE

EU GROWTH PLAN FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS WILL BOOST THE REGION’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND INCREASE SOCIOECONOMIC CONVERGENCE WITH THE EU

Democracy will remain essential. And we also need to continue to work hard on the normalisation of relations with Pristina, this will require the implementation of the agreements reached in the past, including the Agreement on the path of normalisation of 2023. We need to shape a common vision of our shared future and strengthen our coordination and convergence on security and foreign policy. Increase the integration of our economy and our industrial value chains. I read sometimes that the agreement on critical raw materials signed with the European Commission has a colonial flavour it is exactly the contrary, it is an agreement to expand the Serbian industry and value chain by Serbia benefitting from its natural resources in line with the highest environmental standards in the world. As with everything we do, we work in partnership and ultimately it is up to Serbia to decide.

The new Europe House recently was opened. What can we expect from this Europe House? The new Europe House is much bigger than our previous location in the centre of Belgrade, the EU Info Center which is now closed. Now we have a new space which is bigger, better and much better situated in the very heart of the pedestrian zone of Kneza Mihaila. It will be a vibrant hub where education, technology, discussion, art and innovations merge & promote EU values and where we have a prestige facility to offer a stage to young talented & active citizens, partners and stakeholders who are interested in the EU and where one can learn about the EU.

Memories and New Challenges in Prague

TOMÁŠ KUCHTA

Former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia

In this heartfelt message, Tomáš Kuchta, the former Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia, shares his fond memories and reflections on his time in Serbia. With deep appreciation for the friendships and experiences he gained, Ambassador Kuchta offers a personal glimpse into the connections between our two nations, leaving a lasting note of goodwill and continued partnership

What have You been doing since You left Belgrade?

Since the end of June, when I left Belgrade I´ve been very busy in my position as Director of Economic and Science Diplomacy Department at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I had to build almost a new team because half of my colleagues left for their missions abroad and had to be replaced by experienced diplomats coming back from Embassies. My old team organized together with our consular section meeting of Honorary Consuls from all over the world because one of the main roles of our Honorary Consuls abroad is the promotion of the economic interests of our country abroad. They had a very unique opportunity to visit the most interesting companies, science centres

and schools in the Czech Republic. It was very interesting also for me to see, how many centres of excellence with very highly educated and skilled people we have not only in Prague, but all across the country. Very demanding for me also the organization of the annual conference of our Economic Diplomats, my Department is fully responsible for the whole system of promotion of export, investment, science cooperation and partly also Czech development projects abroad. If You ask me about my family, we didn´t have time for the summer holidays yet, but I hope, that we will relax for at least 5 days during September. My wife Barbora has also a full-time job and my kids are enjoying their first working experience in Prague.

What (and who) do You miss the most from Serbia?

To be honest, these two months passed so quickly and in such a hectic way, that I didn´t have much time to think about it. Of course, we are all missing nice places in Serbia, not only the beautiful city of Belgrade, but many other interesting cities and places in Serbia. What we miss the most is the people. We left Belgrade with many real friends, which always hurts. But fortunately, we are in contact with most of them, some friends have already paid a visit to us in Prague. I´m very glad that

both my kids visited Belgrade recently to see their friends. They are connected, social networks and communication technologies help a lot. I would like to use this opportunity to say, that six years in Serbia was for me and my family one of the best parts of our lives and we will never forget Serbia and its people. I hope I will be part of different Czech delegations in Belgrade this autumn, for the moment I cannot say details, but be sure, that the exchange of experiences and the frequency of delegations in both directions will continue to be as dense as it was before, maybe more. Our two countries are natural partners and this will remain forever.

Strengthening Ties: Macron’s Diplomatic Visit to Serbia

From the Rafale aircraft contract to the Matica Srpska Gallery, Macron’s visit reinforces long-standing French-Serbian ties

On August 29th, the city of Belgrade was in the colours of the French flag on the occasion of the arrival of the president of France, Emmanuel Macron.

On the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Serbia, a contract was signed for the purchase of the Rafale aircraft and accompanying goods and services. This document was signed by the Minister of Defense of Serbia, Bratislav Gašić, and Eric Trappier, executive director of the “Daso” company.

At the beginning of his speech, President Macron said that with his presence he wanted to once again send a message of French friendship to Serbia, emphasizing that in the last five years,

“OUR ECONOMIC COOPERATION HAS STRENGTHENED. FRENCH COMPANIES HAVE ENGAGED IN LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE BELGRADE METRO, THE MODERNIZATION OF THE ‘NIKOLA TESLA’ AIRPORT, AND COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH.” — EMMANUEL MACRON

relations between Serbia and France have experienced a new upswing.

“Our economic cooperation has strengthened. French companies have engaged in long-term infrastructural projects such as the Belgrade metro, the modernization of the ‘Nikola Tesla’ Airport,

where tomorrow we will mark the completed works, the modernization of the electricity distribution network, waste management and cooperation in the field of health.”, Macron pointed out.

“I thanked President Macron for the support that France provided and I am confident it will continue

to provide it on our European path,” said Vučić at the beginning of his address after the ceremony.

On the second day, August 30th, the presidents visited the Schneider Electric company.

The international company Schneider Electric is known for its social responsibility, and thanks to ecological business and sustainable development, they have won many awards and recognitions.

„I am honoured to be here today and I am very happy. What is important is the right of every person to have access to electricity, and that is why they invest so much in the electricity network. Everything is based on innovation, in science. I am especially grateful that here in Novi Sad we

Photo: Presidency of Serbia

/ Dimitrije Goll

have a good technical faculty, and talented people, I believe that we will be able to invest more money in the future, to get even more students who represent the future of our country“, said President Vučić.

Yesterday we signed an agreement which is the basis of an ambitious project. Everything we signed yesterday allows us to structure our relationships better. I committed with President Vučić to come to Novi Sad to the Gallery, I’m sorry I can’t stay longer, it’s impressive to see all those artists, and to see the way the nation thinks. I am pleased to have been here”, said the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

After seeing the Schneider Electric company, the visit continued its course at the Matica Srpska Gallery in Novi Sad.

The President of the Republic of France was welcomed by Dr. Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, manager of the Matica Srpska Gallery, prof. Dr. Dragan Stanić, President of Matica Srpska, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, President of the Provincial Government of Vojvodina Maja Gojković and Mayor of Novi Sad Milan Đurić.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, had the opportunity to tour the new permanent exhibition of the Matica Srpska Gallery, which uniquely represents the collection of national art from the 18th to the 20th century, which the Gallery inherits. Observing the exhibited works on the first floor of the Matica Srpska Gallery, President Macron was introduced to the history and biography of this cultural institution by Dr Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, manager of the GMS, starting with the portrait of Mladi Sava Tekelija,

MACRON’S VISIT TO MATICA SRPSKA IS A CONTINUATION OF THE CENTURIES-OLD FRENCH-SERBIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION, MARKING 185 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

who presents the original idea founder of the Gallery.

Through the works of zografs, Đura Jakšić, Uroš Predić, Paja

Jovanović, Sava Šumanović and many other artists, the presidents first got acquainted with the history of the Gallery from

its establishment in 1847 until 2022, when the 175th anniversary of its establishment was celebrated.

Also, through the exhibition rooms, they observed the chronology of national art, from the 18th to the 20th century, and ended the tour with a tour of the exhibition room where the most important works of art in the GMS collection were presented. In the ceremonial hall, where there are portraits of the previous managers, the presidents signed the book of impressions. Mr Macron expressed his deep gratitude to the Gallery team and his enthusiasm for the cultural heritage he had the opportunity to see. He pointed out that he was extremely glad that he had the opportunity to see how the people built their identity through national art, and his attention was drawn to the icons of the zografs, the works of Đura Jakšić, Uroš Predić and Bogdan Suput.

Matica Srpska Gallery has prepared a special program for the visit of President Emmanuel Macron and President Aleksandar Vučić, as well as special gifts in the form of the most important publications in Serbian and French.

Matica Srpska Gallery has been fostering Serbian-French relations in the field of culture and art for more than a decade through cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of France, the French Institute in Serbia and Serbian cultural institutions in Paris.

Macron’s visit to Matica Serbia is a continuation of the development of centuries-old FrenchSerbian cultural cooperation. Also, Serbia and France are marking 185 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Photo: Andrej Pap

Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll

Photo: Schneider Electric

The Top 10 Most Vegetarian Countries

When we visited the Art Front music festival in my town of Sremska Mitrovica, some Russians living here were surprised that there were hardly any non-meat dishes served, and the locals were extremely proud of their cuisine. There is a proverb here: “You don’t eat meat? Are you ill or something?” Anyone who saw the film “Everything is Illuminated” knows that it is the case in Ukraine too, and much of Eastern Europe. So it brought us to the question: What are the countries where there are most vegetarians, according to The World Atlas?

So, the 10th position is occupied by Australia, with 5.5% of the population currently identifying as vegetarian. “VegetarianWeek” is held from 1-7 October on an annual basis. Still, the “Barbie” and the carnivore culture are very strong there. In 9th place lies Ireland, which was not suited for growing plants – the terrain and the climate are very harsh, which led to the wide adoption of potato as the first choice plant by large masses, and after a disastrous event known as “The Great Irish Famine” the population was decimated in the mid-19th century. Thankfully, now Ireland is one of the richest countries in the world, so such problems are far away. Now, 6% of the population of the Republic are vegetarian. The next on the list is the only South American country, Brazil. The country known for “all you can eat” churrascarias and the meat-eating Gaúcho culture is however, a

place of many vegetarian restaurants, especially in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Curitiba. Vegetarianism in Brazil is associated with counterculture movements, Eastern religions and philosophies, anarchism, punks, Spiritism, indie youth subcultures, and New Ageism – all in all, 8% of the population.

The UK is 7th on the list (9%), and vegetarianism is especially popular among women - there are twice as many vegetarian women as men. Also, there is Flexitarianism which is also becoming a trend in the country, which refers to those who still consume meat but have made a conscious effort to do so less, or simply eat meat rarely and occasionally – not strictly against it but not frequently. The same applies to Germany, with vegetarianism being a conscious choice in the country of wurst –the numbers are slightly higher than those of the UK, and Austria, 5th on the list. The surprising 4th place goes to Italy – with 1 in every 10 people being vegetarian. Some of the people are here for animal rights, others are for health reasons, while some are simply on dairy and vegetable diets, as part of their tradition. There was some fight in this temperament country – namely, in 2016, the city of Turin proposed a meat-reduction agenda targeted towards vegetarianism. The move was championed by the Mayor, Chiara Appendino, but was met with resistance from the inhabitants.

Taiwan (Chinese province), if counted as a separate territory for these purposes, would

occupy the 3rd place with 12% of the population being vegetarian. Hokkien, Hakka, and Buddhist vegetarian practices have helped to cultivate a plant-based culture in the nation.

In 2007, Taiwan joined India and Sundarapore in instituting a meat ban. The country is home to a famous movement dubbed “One Day Vegetarian Every Week” that has benefited from local and national government support. Interestingly enough, the second and the first place is also dictated by religion – the 2nd being Israel – with many young hip people identifying as vegans, while many religious people choose the vegetarian lifestyle. As we know, kosher laws forbid mixing dairy and meat, and many people choose dairy over meat every day, which makes them effectively vegetarian. And the first place is – India, with little surprise. Hinduism emphasises non-violence, while Jainism prescribes a vegetarian diet. Buddhism also teaches respect towards animals, so the number of 38% vegetarians (most of them lacto-vegetarians in fact) is no surprise. The consumption of meat is common in coastal states such as West Bengal and Kerala (fish). Vegetarianism is prevalent in communities such as Jain Community, Lingayat, Brahmins, and Vaishnav Community. But it does not change the taste of the food – which is excellent! As late Anthony Bourdain said, he would not be half as (a swear word) about vegetarianism if the veg food tasted like the Indian veg food!

H.E. JAN BONDY

New Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia

SEPTEMBER 2th, 2024

H.E. Jan Bondy was born in Prague on October 3rd, 1962. He graduated from the University of Economics in Prague, VŠE Faculty of Production Economics. He speaks German, English & Russian and he has completed Courses on Marketing, Management, Public Diplomacy, and Cyber Security. From 2011 to 2015 he works as the Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, from 2015 to 2019 as the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Greece and from 2020 to 2023, once again as the Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy.

H.E. AN LUGON-MOULIN

New Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Serbia

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received the credentials of the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Serbia, Anne Lugon-Moulin on the 3rd of September. From 2010 to 2013 she was Deputy Head & Co-Head of the CIS Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. From 2013 till 2019 she was Ambassador, Head of the Sub-Saharan Africa and Francophonie Division.

DEPARTURES

New Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia

H.E. Charlotte Sammelin got her Masters in Political Science, Economics & European Law at the Ludwig-Maximilian Universität in München. From 2012 to 2014 she was the Member of Cabinet of President Van Rompuy. From 2014 to 2015 she was a part of the Support Group for Ukraine at the European Commission, she was Director, Deputy Head Department for International Trade and EU Internal Market at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2017. From 2017 to 2021 she was the Ambassador of Sweden in Athens and from 2021 until becoming the Ambassador to Serbia, she was the Head of Department for International Trade and EU Single Market at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden.

H.E. JOOST REINTJES

Ambassador of the Netherlands to Serbia

AUGUST 13th, 2024

Joost Reintjes has been ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Serbia since 2021. From now he will serve as ambassador in Stockholm.

Joost Reintjes was born on June 17th, in Ubbergen. He has been ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Serbia since 2021. From 2011 to 2015 he was the Ambassador in Nairobi, from 2015 to 2016 he was the Director of DWH at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 2016 to 2020 the Ambassador in Riyadh, and the acting Ambassador in Moscow from 2020 to 2021.

H.E. AVIVIT BAR-ILAN

New Ambassador of Israel to Serbia

H.E. Avivit Bar-Ilan was born in Holon, Israel. From 2007 to 2011 she was the Political Advisor for Israeli Mission to the European Union and Israeli Mission to NATO, Brussels, from 2011 to 2013 the Bureau Chief for the Deputy Director General, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 2013 to 2017 the Director of the European Organizations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from 2017 to 2021 she was the Head of Bureau, UN and International Organizations Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and before coming to Serbia, from 2021 to 2023, she was the Deputy Head of the NSC for Foreign Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office.

H.E. CHARLOTTE SAMMELIN

Photo

New Programs of Cultural Cooperation Between Serbia and Algeria

The Serbian delegation is the guest of honour at the commemoration event of the National Day of Fighters in Algeria

On the occasion of the National Day of Revolution Fighters in Algeria, Minister of Veteran Affairs Laid Rebiga hosted a warm reception for Dr Marija Aleksić, director of the Museum of African Art in Belgrade, whose visit to Algeria was organised with the aim of strengthening partnership relations and cooperation between the two countries in the field of culture.

The meeting discussed the possibilities of establishing cooperation between the Algerian National Museum of the Fighters of the Revolution and the Belgrade Museum of African Art and the implementation of a series of projects related to shared memory,

exchange of experiences in museum management, organisation of expert visits to familiarise with various modern museum practices and technologies, as well as the preparation of a special program to celebrate 70 years since the outbreak of the Algerian Revolution.

Minister Rebiga pointed out that the visit of the Serbian official to Algeria and the accompanying delegation “is of exceptional importance considering the privileged historical relations that unite these two countries, especially during the national liberation revolution.” Dr Marija Aleksić expressed her satisfaction and gratitude for the opportunity to stay in Algeria with a team of collaborators, bearing in mind the depth of the relationship between our two countries established in the time of Zdravko Pečar, Yugoslav diplomat,

31 AUG 2024

Celebrating Tazio Nuvolari at Beli Dvor

At the premises of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade, a get-together was organised in celebration of one of the greatest Italian race car drivers Tazio Nuvolari, “the Flying Mantuan” September 3rd 1939 saw one of the greatest Italian racecar drivers of all time Tazio Nuvolari, “the Flying Mantuan” victorious at Belgrade’s International Motorcycles and

war correspondent, researcher and writer, and later the founder of the Museum of African of art in Belgrade.

The delegation of the Museum of African Art, which, apart from Dr. Marija Aleksić, also includes curator Dr. Ana Knežević and assistant professor of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Nemanja Radonjić, visited numerous museums in the cities of Algiers, Oran and Temušen, as well as other cultural monuments, historical and tourist sites.

Minister Laid Rebiga, together with the director of the museum, Dr Marija Aleksić, planted a tree in front of the new rehabilitation centre for veterans in Beni Saf as a symbol of Serbian-Algerian friendship and awarded her a special plaque in the name of gratitude for the help our country provided to Algeria during the war of independence.

Automobiles Race. The cocktail on August 30th was a pleasant get-together for the participants and the organizers of this year’s reenactment, as well as for all motor heritage enthusiasts.

Additionally, all were able to enjoy the display in front of the Embassy of the vintage vehicles that were racing on Sunday, September 1st, on the original circuit around Kalemegdan.

The European House in Belgrade Opened

The European House in Belgrade was opened in the presence of state officials, representatives of the Democratic core and numerous partners

The European House will be a place of meeting, learning, debate, good films, books or music, and a place of cultural exchange in the centre of the capital of Serbia, agreed the speakers at the opening.

“The European House is our meeting place for people, ideas and cultures, all under one European roof. A place that belongs to all of us, where we can celebrate our similarities and differences, in a spirit of mutual respect and an open mind. Thank you all for coming today, all our partners from civil society, from the Government, from the

business sector, from public administration, and culture are here. This is precisely the purpose of the European House that we are opening today,” said the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, H.E. Emmanuele Giaufret.

“I am pleased to be here on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to mark the opening of the European House. We work together to achieve the goals and standards of the European Union, sometimes with less and sometimes with more success, but really with one goal, to one day be together under the same roof with the 27 member states of the European Union. There is still a long way ahead of us and that is why the European House will be a place for our meet-

ings, our learning, communication about the benefits of European integration, but also a place where we will learn new skills,” said Minister Miščević.

The ceremonial opening was accompanied by an artistic work – a painted model of a house that symbolizes togetherness, in which 6 artists from Serbia and the EU participated – Max Freinde (Austria), Julija Dašić (France), Radovan Kunić (Croatia), Amanda Helsten (Sweden), Slavko Krunić (Serbia) and Sonja Lundin (Serbia/ Sweden) with a special musical background by a composer originally from Ukraine and Serbia (Sveti Tkalac Grbić). The exhibition of their works in the European House will last until September 11.

04 SEP 2024

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Visits Serbia

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Elina Valtonen visited Serbia on 4–5 September 2024. The aim of the visit was to strengthen political and commercial relations with Serbia. During her visit, Minister Valtonen took part in a Trade Promotion Event hosted by the Embassy of Finland in Belgrade. The event was attended by representatives of Finnish companies, their local partners, as

05 SEP 2024

well as representatives of the Nordic Business Alliance and local institutions. In her opening address to the audience, Minister Valtonen noted that the trade relations between Serbia and Finland are very active. The minister said she was encouraged by her discussions with the companies, and emphasized that there are possibilities for even deeper trade relations between Finland and Serbia.

Slovak Embassy Celebrates Constitution Day and Armed Forces Day

On Thursday, the Embassy of the Slovak Republic hosted a distinguished reception in honour of the Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic and the Armed Forces Day of the Slovak Republic. The event was led by H.E. Ambassador Michal Pavúk and his wife, Mrs. Andrea Pavúková, alongside

Defense Attaché Col. Rastislav Skyva and Mrs. Marcela Skyvová.

Held at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, the reception brought together diplomats, government officials, and members of the military community to commemorate these significant national holidays. Constitution Day marks the anniversary of the adop-

tion of Slovakia’s constitution in 1992, while Armed Forces Day celebrates the dedication and service of Slovakia’s military.

The reception featured traditional Slovak cuisine and provided an opportunity for guests to engage in cultural exchange and celebrate the strong diplomatic ties between Slovakia and Serbia.

CONGRESS TOURISM

The Rise of Congress Tourism in Belgrade during Yugoslavia

Marija Labović Director of The

THE FUTURE OF CONFERENCE TOURISM IN SERBIA

From infrastructure to sustainability, Serbia must innovate and adapt to remain competitive in the global conference tourism market

MARIJA LABOVIĆ Director of The Tourism Organisation of Serbia (TOS)

Welcome to our special edition on Congress Tourism! We are thrilled to have with us Marija Labović, the director of the Tourism Organisation of Serbia. With her extensive experience in promoting Serbia as a premier destination for business events and congresses, Marija has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s tourism strategy.

In this interview, we will explore the unique offerings of Serbia in the realm of congress tourism, the challenges and opportunities in the current landscape, and the innovative initiatives being implemented to attract international events. Join us as we dive into the insights and vision of a leader dedicated to elevating Serbia’s status on the global tourism map.

To begin with, I would like us to recall the golden age of Belgrade when it comes to conference tourism. How did it look back then (in the 1970s and 1980s), and what events marked this period?

During the period you’re referring to, Belgrade hosted numerous significant international events, among which I would particularly highlight the first and ninth conferences of the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Yugoslavia was one of the founders. These events attracted guests from all over the world and solidified Belgrade’s position as a centre of diplomatic activities in this part of the world. This period was characterized by a high frequency of important political, economic, and scientific gatherings, which greatly contributed to Belgrade’s recognition on the world map of major international events.

Where are we today? Particularly about the surrounding region and some new conference destinations?

Today, Serbia, and especially Belgrade, holds a significant place on the global conference map. Although we face competition from new conference destinations in the region, Serbia continues to attract great attention due to its rich history, strategic location, and

AN INCREASING NUMBER OF EXPERTS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RECOGNIZE SERBIA AS AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR SPECIALIZED CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Photo: Peter Irman

relatively affordable prices. Over the past decade, Serbia has significantly improved its infrastructure, with modern spaces suitable for hosting conferences, as well as numerous hotels and conference venues offering high-quality services. The reopening of the renovated Sava Center is also of great importance, providing us with the ability to organize both large and small gatherings efficiently. An increasing number of experts and international organizations recognize Serbia as an attractive destination for specialized conferences and events. A key contribution to the development of conference tourism comes from our prominent experts—professors and engineers—who, through their work and international recognition, manage to attract their colleagues and bring them to Serbia. However, I would like to emphasize that additional efforts are still needed in promotion and development to ensure that Serbia keeps pace with regional competitors and increases its market share.

Besides Belgrade, Serbia has great potential for the development of conference tourism in other cities. What would you highlight as the most significant?

In addition to Belgrade, Serbia has other cities with great potential for the development of conference tourism. I would highlight Novi Sad, which stands out as the second-largest conference centre in the country, thanks to its rich offerings, excellent conference centre, and growing popularity among tourists.

MODERN CONFERENCE TOURISM REQUIRES MUCH MORE THAN BASIC

INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE ROADS, HALLS, AND A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF ROOMS

Niš, as the historical and cultural centre of southern Serbia, also has the capacity for organizing conferences, with an attractive offering that includes a rich cultural heritage and proximity to important archaeological sites such as Mediana, Niš Fortress, and the Skull Tower.

I would also mention Zlatibor, Kopaonik, Subotica, and Vrnjačka Banja as attractive and appealing conference destinations. These centres have significant potential to attract small and medium-sized conferences, combining business facilities with opportunities for relaxation and recreation. They represent a unique blend of natural beauty and modern conference services, making them ideal for organizing events in a more relaxed environment.

It should be noted that in addition to Belgrade, other cities recognized as conference destinations are opening their convention bureaus, which, in collaboration with the Serbian Convention Bureau of the Tourist Organization, will work on promoting their destinations. Novi Sad, Niš, and Zlatibor have already made significant progress in this area.

How has the increase in hotel capacities and the arrival of major hotel chains contributed to the development of conference facilities?

The increase in hotel capacities and the arrival of major international hotel chains have significantly contributed to the development of conference facilities in Serbia. New hotels not only offer premium accommodation to their guests but also modern conference halls and accompanying facilities that enable the organization of various types of events, from smaller business meetings to large international conferences. The arrival of well-known chains increases Serbia’s credibility as a conference tourism destination, as famous brands bring international quality standards. Additionally, the increase in hotel capacities allows for the simultaneous hosting of multiple large events, which enhances Serbia’s accessibility and attractiveness in the global conference tourism market.

Do you have data on current results (this or last year)?

Data on the current results of conference tourism in Serbia for this and the previous year indicate a gradual recovery and growth of the sector after the pandemic. According to available reports from the International Congress

and Convention Association (ICCA) for 2023, Serbia ranked 52nd with a total of 43 events that meet the association’s criteria, while Belgrade ranked 66th on the list of the most desirable cities in the world for business tourism, with a total of 34 events held. It is important to note that congresses, seminars, and various types of events are held daily in our country, but the International Association only counts congresses that have more than 50 delegates, rotate between at least three countries, and are held continuously, e.g., annually or biannually. The competition is increasing, and we will need to put in a lot of effort to improve our positions in this industry in the coming years. Work on infrastructure and proximity to airports positively influences the growth in the number of conference tourists. Also, statistics show that hotel occupancy rates during international conferences have increased, contributing to overall tourism revenue.

What should we do to improve our country’s position in the conference tourism market and attract major event organizers?

To strengthen Serbia’s position in conference tourism and attract larger event organizers, efforts need to be made on several key fronts. First, continuous improvement of infrastructure is essential, including the modernization of existing conference centres and the construction of new venues that can accommodate larger numbers of participants. Second, stronger promotion of Serbia as a conference destination on international markets is crucial, particularly through presence at global trade fairs, more active digital promotion, and stronger partnerships with national professional associations. Additionally, it is necessary to enhance cooperation between the government, local authorities, and the private sector to develop attractive packages for event organizers, including tax incentives, subsidies, or other benefits. Investment in education and training of local staff in the conference industry is also vital to ensure high service standards. Finally, improving

Serbia’s connectivity with key markets by further enhancing air and transport infrastructure is important to make the destination more accessible to international visitors.

Times are changing, and so are conferences. What are the modern needs for the development of conference tourism? Are roads, halls, and enough rooms sufficient, or is something else needed now?

Modern conference tourism requires much more than basic infrastructure like roads, halls, and a sufficient number of rooms. In today’s world, conference organizers and participants expect high-tech support, flexible spaces for various types of events, and customized offerings that cater to the specific needs of different industries.

Technological readiness has become crucial—fast and reliable internet connectivity, the ability to host hybrid events that combine in-person and online participation, and advanced audio-visual technologies are now essential standards. Sustainability is also increasingly important, with organizers seeking environmentally responsible venues and services, which include the use of renewable energy, waste reduction, and the provision of local products and services.

CONFERENCE TOURISM HELPS REDUCE SEASONALITY, EXTENDING THE PERIOD DURING WHICH THE DESTINATION GENERATES TOURISM REVENUE

Additionally, services such as personalized participant support, networking opportunities, and accompanying programs that include cultural and recreational activities are becoming more significant. Establishing a conference destination as a place that offers a comprehensive and memorable experience is key to attracting large and prestigious events.

How significant and stimulating is conference tourism for the standard tourism offering, and how can it boost tourism development in general?

I would like to emphasize that conference tourism positively impacts standard tourism offerings and can be a powerful driver of tourism development overall. First of all, conferences and business events attract a large number of participants who often extend their stay to explore the destination they are visiting. This leads to an increase in hotel stays, visits to local attractions, and higher spending on restaurants, shops, and other services.

It’s especially important to note that conference tourism helps reduce seasonality, as business events often take place outside the peak tourist season, thereby extending the period during which the destination generates tourism revenue. These events also create opportunities for developing specialized services, such as guided tours, themed evenings, or educational workshops, which can become part of the regular tourist offering.

Finally, successfully organized conferences enhance the visibility and reputation of a destination on the international level, attracting new visitors and investments. In this way, conference tourism becomes a catalyst for expanding and improving the overall tourism offering, bringing long-term benefits to the entire local community.

Photo: TOS

THE YUGOSLAV SPACE IS ONCE AGAIN IN THE FOCUS OF CONGRESS TOURISM

After the golden age of the 1980s, Belgrade and other major cities of the former Yugoslavia, along with well-known tourist centres are once again demonstrating potential in the development of congress tourism

While there are several congress tourism centres in the Balkan region Belgrade is out as the most important and historically significant in the former Yugoslavia. Its scale, location, and historical role make it a major city for international conferences in the region, with modern facilities designed for a wide range of events. Other cities like Zagreb, Skopje, Ljubljana, and Dubrovnik also have emerging or established congress facilities

In Serbia, besides Belgrade, there are many other centres with emerging potential for organizing congresses and conferences. Mostly, they are located in the two largest cities after Belgrade – Novi Sad and Niš, but also, there are interesting hotels and venues in Zlatibor, Kopaonik, Vrnjačka Banja and Stara Planina, where some smaller groups can be accommodated for business conferences.

KOPAONIK, SERBIA

The Kopaonik Business Forum is a prestigious annual event held in the picturesque Kopaonik mountain region of Serbia, bringing together leaders from business, government, and academia to discuss pressing economic issues and opportunities for growth in the Balkans. Established to foster collaboration and innovation, the forum features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attracting a diverse audience that includes entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers. Participants engage in meaningful dialogues on topics such as technological advancements, sustainable development, and investment strategies, all set against the stunning backdrop of Serbia’s premier ski resort. This unique blend of business and leisure not only enhances the participant experience but also positions Serbia as an emerging hub for investment and economic development in the region. Through its dynamic exchanges and collaborative spirit, the Kopaonik Business Forum continues to shape the economic landscape and inspire new partnerships and initiatives year after year.

MEĆAVNIK, SERBIA

Mećavnik, a picturesque village in Serbia at the Tara Mountain, created by film director Emir Kusturica, hosts various conferences and events throughout the year. Known for its unique architecture and serene natural surroundings, Mećavnik, also known as Drvengrad, offers a charming and inspiring setting for business meetings, seminars, and cultural gatherings.

NOVI SAD, SERBIA

The second-largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad is known for its vibrant cultural scene and hosts the renowned EXIT music festival. The Novi Sad Fair is a major venue for exhibitions and conferences, making it a great choice for business events.

NIŠ, SERBIA

One of the oldest cities in Europe, Niš has a rich history and offers various venues for congresses. The city has been working to develop its conference tourism, with options like the Niš Fair and several hotels equipped for meetings.

SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA

Skopje has been growing as a congress destination with modern facilities like the Macedonian Philharmonic and Skopje Fair offering space for conferences and exhibitions. Skopje’s geographic location makes it a central hub in the southern Balkans.

ZAGREB, CROATIA

Zagreb has emerged as another key congress centre in the region. The Zagreb Fair and various venues like the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall and Zagreb Convention Center cater to international meetings and exhibitions.

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana is one of the leading congress centres in Slovenia, combining modern congress facilities with the cultural and historical appeal of the city. It is known for hosting international conferences, as well as cultural events and festivals.

DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Dubrovnik, famous for its coastal beauty, also offers upscale congress tourism through venues like the Dubrovnik Palace Hotel and the Valamar Lacroma Resort. Its picturesque setting adds a unique appeal for delegates attending international events.

All these destinations are increasingly being recognized for their potential in congress tourism, supported by their unique cultural offerings, historical significance, and modern infrastructure.

THE RISE OF CONGRESS TOURISM IN BELGRADE DURING YUGOSLAVIA

The dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the subsequent Yugoslav Wars marked the end of this golden era of congress tourism in Belgrade

During the time of Yugoslavia, particularly after World War II, Belgrade became an important centre of political and economic life for the region. As the capital of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Belgrade was more than just a national hub—it was a crossroads of cultures, ideologies, and international connections. One of the most significant developments in this era was the rise of congress tourism, a form of travel that revolves around international conferences, summits, and conventions.

This transformation did not happen overnight. It was a gradual process, shaped by Yugoslavia’s unique political position between the East and West during the Cold War, its non-aligned status, and Belgrade’s evolving role as a diplomatic and economic gateway between different political blocs.

1950S–1960S: EARLY BEGINNINGS

In the immediate post-war period, Belgrade was still recovering from the devastation of World War II. However, with the establishment of socialist Yugoslavia under Josip Broz Tito, the city began to grow, rebuild, and modernize.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, the government saw an opportunity to position Belgrade as a neutral meeting point for international diplomacy, particularly with the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in the 1960s.

The movement, founded by Tito along with other world leaders like Egypt’s Nasser and India’s Nehru, sought to create a space where countries could remain independent from both NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Belgrade was a natural choice for hosting NAM summits, starting with the First Summit of Non-Aligned Countries in 1961, which drew leaders and delegates from all over the world. This event is often credited with putting Belgrade on the map as an international congress destination.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOTELS SUCH AS THE ICONIC HOTEL METROPOL IN THE LATE 1950S SIGNALLED A GROWING AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Photo Facebook page Stare slike Novog Beograda

The city’s infrastructure began to adapt to accommodate this new influx of political figures, journalists, and international dignitaries. The construction of hotels such as the iconic Hotel Metropol in the late 1950s signalled a growing awareness of the needs of international visitors. In the years that followed, conference halls, exhibition centres, and other necessary venues started to spring up around the city.

1970S: EXPANDING INFRASTRUCTURE AND INFLUENCE

As Belgrade’s role on the international stage grew, so did its congress infrastructure. In 1977, one of the most significant developments was the opening of the Sava Centar, a state-of-the-art congress centre designed specifically for hosting large conferences and events. Located near the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, the Sava Centar was an architectural and cultural achievement that could accommodate thousands of guests. It became the heart of Belgrade’s congress tourism.

The Sava Centar was soon the go-to venue for major international congresses, from political summits to scientific and business conferences. Notably, in 1979, Belgrade hosted the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), one of the most significant diplomatic events of the Cold War era, attended by representatives of 35 countries. Such events solidified the city’s reputation as a neutral and well-equipped destination for international meetings.

1980S: PEAK OF CONGRESS TOURISM

The 1980s marked the peak of congress tourism in Belgrade. By this time, the city had developed a comprehensive ecosystem of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues to serve the growing number of international visitors. The government actively promoted congress tourism, seeing it as an important source of revenue and international prestige.

Belgrade’s appeal was not only based on its infrastructure but also on its cultural and historical richness. Visitors could explore the city’s vibrant cultural life, from theatres and museums to nightlife and cuisine, blending Balkan traditions with international influences.

At the same time, Yugoslavia’s relatively open borders allowed for easier travel compared to other socialist states. The country’s visafree policy with many non-aligned

and Western countries made it an accessible destination, further boosting its appeal to international congresses.

1990S: DECLINE AND LEGACY

Unfortunately, the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s and the subsequent Yugoslav Wars marked the end of this golden era of congress tourism in Belgrade. The city, once a thriving hub for international meetings, conferences, and summits, found itself isolated from much of the international community. The Sava Centar, once bustling with diplomats and business leaders, saw a dramatic decline in events.

However, the legacy of this period in Belgrade’s history remains. Many of the buildings and institutions established during the height of Congress tourism are still in use today, and the city’s experience in hosting international events has continued to influence its development in the post-Yugoslav era. Today, Belgrade is once again growing as a congress tourism destination, leveraging its history and experience to attract new international events.

The history of congress tourism in Belgrade during Yugoslavia is a reflection of the city’s unique role in global diplomacy and culture during the Cold War. From the early days of the Non-Aligned Movement to the construction of the Sava Centar, Belgrade transformed into a key international meeting point. While the wars of the 1990s interrupted this growth, the city’s legacy as a congress hub lives on, continuing to shape its identity as a place where East meets West, and where diverse cultures and ideas come together. NOTABLY, IN 1979, BELGRADE HOSTED THE CONFERENCE ON

Photo Museum of Science and Technology Belgrade

Photo Museum of Yugoslavia

EXPLORING TOP HOTELS WITH CONGRESS CAPACITIES IN THE EX-YUGOSLAVIAN REGION

The ex-Yugoslavian region, with its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international conferences and corporate events. From modern meeting spaces in bustling cities to serene venues along the Adriatic coast, the area offers a wide range of hotels equipped with state-of-the-art congress facilities. This article highlights the best hotel options across the region, ensuring both business efficiency and a memorable stay.

SERBIA

HILTON BELGRADE

Hilton Belgrade is a modern hotel in the heart of Belgrade, Serbia, offering a range of facilities for meetings, conferences, and events. Its congress and event spaces are designed to accommodate a variety of needs, from small business meetings to large-scale conferences. up to 526 guests

MONA PLAZA BELGRADE

Mona Plaza Belgrade is a modern hotel located in the historic Lower Dorćol district of Belgrade, Serbia. Known for its contemporary design and multifunctional event spaces, it’s an excellent venue for corporate events, conferences, and social gatherings. The hotel is built on the site of the former “Kosta Šonda” chocolate factory, blending history with modern hospitality. up to 450 guests

GRAND HOTEL KOPAONIK

Grand Hotel Kopaonik, located in Serbia’s premier mountain resort Kopaonik, is a luxurious destination offering a blend of natural beauty and sophisticated facilities for meetings, conferences, and events. This mountain retreat is ideal for corporate events, team-building, and social gatherings. up to

250 guests

GORSKI HOTEL & SPA KOPAONIK

Gorski Hotel & Spa Kopaonik, located in the heart of the Kopaonik mountain resort, is known for its modern facilities and stunning natural surroundings, making it an ideal venue for both business and social events. The hotel offers a range of meeting spaces that cater to different types of gatherings, from corporate events to intimate celebrations. up to

300 guests

PREZIDENT PALACE HOTEL NOVI SAD

Prezident Palace Hotel in Novi Sad, Serbia, is a luxury boutique hotel offering elegant event spaces ideal for business meetings, conferences, and special events. Its sophisticated design, high-end amenities, and central location make it a popular choice for hosting events in the city. up to

120 guests

HOTEL PALISAD ZLATIBOR

Hotel Palisad in Zlatibor, Serbia, is a popular destination for both leisure and business travellers, offering excellent facilities for hosting events in the beautiful Zlatibor mountain region. The hotel’s congress capacities and event spaces make it a versatile venue for corporate meetings, conferences, and social gatherings. up to

500 guests

HOTEL MONA PLAZA ZLATIBOR

Hotel Mona Plaza Zlatibor, located in the heart of Zlatibor, Serbia, is a wellknown hotel that offers a combination of leisure and business facilities, including modern congress and event spaces. It’s a popular venue for corporate events, conferences, and private functions in the picturesque mountain setting of Zlatibor. up to

500 guests

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

HOTEL EUROPE SARAJEVO

Hotel Europe in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a historic and elegant hotel located in the heart of the city. Known for its blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities, it’s a popular venue for business events, conferences, and social gatherings. The hotel offers a range of congress and event facilities to accommodate various types of events.

up to

300 guests

MONTENEGRO

HUMA KOTOR BAY

Huma Kotor Bay is a luxury hotel located in the stunning Kotor Bay area of Montenegro. Known for its modern design and breathtaking views, the hotel offers a variety of facilities for meetings, conferences, and events. Its picturesque setting makes it a popular venue for both corporate and social gatherings. up to

200 guests

HYATT KOTOR BAY

Hyatt Kotor Bay is a luxury hotel located in the picturesque Kotor Bay area of Montenegro. This modern hotel offers stunning views of the bay and surrounding mountains, making it a desirable venue for both leisure and business travellers. With its state-of-the-art facilities, Hyatt Kotor Bay is well-equipped to host various events, from corporate meetings to social gatherings. up to

500 guests

MAESTRAL RESORT & CASINO

Maestral Resort & Casino is a beachfront hotel located in Pržno, Montenegro, near the popular town of Budva. The resort is known for its luxurious amenities, stunning views of the Adriatic Sea, and excellent facilities for meetings and events, making it a favoured choice for both leisure and business travellers. up to

300 guests

REGENT PORTO MONTENEGRO

Regent Porto Montenegro is a luxury hotel situated in the heart of Porto Montenegro, a premier superyacht marina and waterfront destination in Tivat, Montenegro. Known for its stunning architecture, elegant design, and breathtaking views of the bay, the hotel offers a range of facilities for meetings, conferences, and special events. up to

300 guests

AZUL BEACH RESORT ULCINJ

Azul Beach Resort Ulcinj is a modern beachfront hotel located in Ulcinj, Montenegro. Known for its beautiful setting along the Adriatic coast, the resort offers a range of amenities and facilities suitable for both leisure and business travellers. Its stunning views and modern design make it a popular choice for various events, including conferences and weddings. up to

300 guests

CROATIA

HILTON RIJEKA COSTABELLA BEACH RESORT & SPA

Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa is located on the Adriatic coast in Rijeka, Croatia, and offers a beautiful setting for meetings, conferences, and events. The hotel’s event spaces are designed to accommodate various types of gatherings, from small meetings to larger conferences and celebrations. up to

400 guests

GRAND VIEW, BRAČ

Grand View Postira Brač is a luxury hotel located on the island of Brač, Croatia, known for its stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and beautiful natural surroundings. The hotel combines modern amenities with a tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal venue for both leisure and business travellers. It offers a variety of facilities suitable for hosting events, conferences, and social gatherings. up to

150 guests

BELLEVUE, MALI LOŠINJ

Hotel Bellevue Mali Lošinj is a luxurious resort located on the island of Lošinj, Croatia. Renowned for its stunning coastal views, modern design, and serene environment, the hotel offers a variety of amenities and facilities suitable for both leisure and business travellers. It is an excellent venue for hosting conferences, events, and social gatherings. up to

300 guests

ELIZABETH PALACE, HVAR

Elisabeth Palace Hvar is a luxury hotel located on the beautiful island of Hvar, Croatia. Known for its stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and lush surroundings, the hotel offers a combination of modern design and historical charm, making it a popular choice for both leisure and business travellers. It provides excellent facilities for hosting events, conferences, and social gatherings.

up to

150 guests

KEMPINSKI ADRIATIC, SAVUDRIJA

Kempinski Hotel Adriatic is a luxury resort located in Savudrija, Croatia, near the Italian border. Set along the beautiful Adriatic coastline, the hotel offers stunning views, elegant accommodations, and a wide range of amenities. It is an ideal venue for both leisure and business travellers, with excellent facilities for hosting events, conferences, and social gatherings.

up to

500 guests

ESPLANADE, ZAGREB

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is a prestigious five-star hotel located in the heart of Zagreb, Croatia. Known for its rich history, elegant architecture, and luxurious accommodations, the hotel is a popular choice for both business and leisure travellers. It offers a variety of facilities suitable for hosting events, conferences, and social gatherings.

up to

550 guests

HILTON RIJEKA COSTABELLA BEACH RESORT & SPA

From a Dream to Luxury on the Adriatic

The story of Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa begins in 1983 when a young man named Jaroslav Třešňák arrived in Rijeka with a backpack and no money

As a recent high school graduate, he dreamed of the Adriatic coast but had to sleep under the open sky on his first night. A chance encounter with a local fisherman, Milenko Brnčić, provided him with shelter and hospitality, creating a bond that tied him to this place forever.

Four years later, Jaroslav returned with his new wife, promising that one day he would build a hotel in this magical spot. Today, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa represents the fulfilment of that dream. Located on the shores of Kvarner Bay, the hotel offers a luxurious five-star experience, with elegantly designed rooms, suites, and villas.

Rijeka, a historic port city, is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Risnjak and Učka National Parks, as well as the largest Croatian islands, Krk and Cres. Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa offers guests a unique Adriatic experience, infused with elegance and comfort, making this place not only a reflection of Jaroslav’s dreams but also a symbol of long-standing friendship and vision.

PROJECT WORTH 278 MILLION EUROS

Luxury Hotel and Residential Beachfront Complex “Porta Rai” Officially Presented in Podgorica and Ulcinj

LRai” on Velika plaža was officially presented this weekend at a ceremony first in Podgorica, and a day later in Ulcinj, in front of a large number of distinguished guests, among whom was the Vice President of the Government of Montenegro Aleksa Bečić, ministers, representatives state institutions, the diplomatic corps, the business community and the media

The construction of one of the most significant tourist projects in the last decade in this part of the Adriatic will begin in November, and the estimated value of the investment behind the hotel group Karisma Hotels & Resorts and the international company Dobrov & Family Group is 170 million euros.

“We are proud of this investment, but also of the information that thanks to “Porta Rai” we will improve domestic entrepreneurship, increase the number of jobs and bring world know-how to the region. I would especially emphasise that local companies will be engaged in constructing this complex, which further confirms our commitment to the development of the Montenegrin economy. The benefits for the domestic economy are multiple, including the fact that we will pay 65 million euros in value-added tax in the next 10 years, then, the profit tax in the same period will amount to 25 million euros, and taxes and contributions to wages will amount to about 7 million euros. When property tax is added to that, which is about 11 million euros for the next 10 years, we arrive at a figure of additional 108 million euros that remain in Montenegro thanks to the project, in addition to the already mentioned 170 million,” said Nemanja Kostić, director of Karisma Hotels & Resorts for Europe and the Middle East.

“Porta Rai” will be located on Velika Beach, the longest sandy beach on the Adriatic, offering visitors and residents a unique experience of enjoying luxury on the seashore. The hotel-residential beachfront complex with five-star hotel

service will offer exclusive restaurants and bars, a wellness and spa centre, seven swimming pools, a padel, tennis and basketball courts, mini golf, various children’s facilities with a promenade and an exclusive retail zone.

“The “Porta Rai” project on the Velika beach will additionally strengthen the position of Montenegro on the world map when it comes to luxury hotel-residential complexes, and we are proud of that. It is a building that will meet the highest quality standards and will represent a new address of luxury in one of the most beautiful locations on the Adriatic. At the same time, I am pleased to point out that the complex will be completely family-oriented, filled with greenery, parks, and numerous facilities for children because we want to create an environment tailored to people,” said Kostić, who thanked all state institutions for the efficient handling of all the necessary procedures: “I must emphasise that the relevant ministries and local self-government in this process showed a high level of support and cooperation, which enabled us to carry out all the necessary procedures in the highest quality way. I want to once again thank them I sincerely thank you for that.”

Karisma Hotels & Resorts started its operations in Montenegro in 2017 by renovating the former Belvi Hotel, today Azul Beach Resort Montenegro, and with the new project Porta Rai confirms its sincere intentions to continue improving the tourism product of Montenegro.

“PORTA RAI” WILL BE LOCATED ON VELIKA BEACH, THE LONGEST SANDY BEACH ON THE ADRIATIC, OFFERING VISITORS AND RESIDENTS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE OF ENJOYING LUXURY ON THE SEASHORE

UXURY hotel-residential beachfront complex “Porta

Foto

Sasa

Vujanovic

Economic Opportunities Between Mexico and Serbia

Mexico is one of the most open economies in the world with a network of 14 Free Trade Agreements with 50 countries, including the European Union and the Asia-Pacific region

JUAN GABRIEL ESPEJO CEBALLOS

Chief for Economical-Commercial Affairs, Cultural Diplomacy and International Cooperation, Embassy of Mexico in Serbia

We spoke with Juan Gabriel Espejo Ceballos, Chief for Economic-Commercial Affairs, Cultural Diplomacy, and International Cooperation at the Embassy of Mexico in Serbia, about the potential for cooperation between the two countries, especially considering the opportunities that Mexico offers.

Given that relations between Mexico and Serbia are very good, while at the same time, the volume of economic cooperation is low, can you tell us the reason?

Mexico and Serbia have celebrated 78 years of diplomatic relations. Both countries have focused on establishing a profound political dialogue and growing cultural cooperation. There are still other areas of opportunity to expand those ties mainly with more economic exchanges.

Mexico is part of North America, the biggest regional market in the world, with more than 450

ute. Mexico as well is the first exporter of goods to the US market.

Mexico is one of the most open economies in the world, with a network of 14 Free Trade Agreements with 50 countries (FTAs), including the European Union, and the Asia Pacific region, and with 30 Agreements for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (APPRIs). Mexico and Serbia don´t have yet any of those kind of trade agreements and this is a window opportunity to work together to establish formal instruments to facilitate more trade and investment exchange.

Despite that limitation, the tendency of the trade between the countries is growing. In 2023, Mexico exported to Serbia US$11.5 M, while Mexico imported from Serbia US$117M, with a deficit net trade balance for Mexico of -US$ 105 M. In 2013, the trade between the countries was significantly

TRADE BETWEEN MEXICO AND SERBIA DOES NOT REFLECT THE POTENTIAL OF THEIR ECONOMIES

less. That year Mexico exported to Serbia US$753 K, while Serbia exported to Mexico US$6.62M.

million consumers, as a result of the entry into force of the United States, Mexico and Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC) on July 1st, 2020, that updated the North America Free Trade Agreement NAFTA signed in 1992. The economic integration of the Mexican economy into the North American market has led Mexico to develop a strong manufacturing sector integrated with value chains in that region. Today Mexico is the first trade partner of the United States, with a volume of trade of $798.9 billion in goods, equivalent to a bilateral exchange of two million dollars every min-

Trade between Mexico and Serbia does not reflect the potential of their economies. In 2023, Serbia was Mexico’s 87th largest trading partner worldwide. Serbia ranked sixth among the rest of Europe. Serbian companies have a lot of opportunities to participate in the Mexican market, with more than 128 million consumers, as well as to expand to other international markets taking advantage of the Free Trade Agreements network that Mexico has around the world.

Where do you see opportunities for improving economic cooperation and increasing trade volume between the two countries?

The opportunities are identified in the areas where both countries are more competitive and where the integration of value chains could lead to improving our competitiveness and diversification of markets. According to our data, the trade between Serbia and Mexico is related to the automotive and electrical-electronics sectors.

Mexico’s top exports are cars, computers, crude petroleum, motor vehicles, and parts and accessories of the automobile industry. Mexico ranks 12th in global food production, exporting products like beer, tequila, berries, avocado, beef, tomato, sweet biscuits, confectionery, pepper, and sugar. Serbia is developing its automotive sector and it has other important economic activities in agriculture and mining. Those are the sectors that both countries should consider to explore.

Someone told me there is a great interest in Serbian goods in Mexico, but the problem is the small capacity of the Serbian industry, which cannot cover such large markets as Mexico. Is this true?

Mexico is now the 12th economy in the world and the second largest in Latin America. Also, it is the 9th exporter in the world and the 12th importer. In Latin America, Mexico’s exports represent 42.8% of the region’s total, consolidating itself as the main export power. With a population of nearly 130 million, and belonging to the biggest regional market on the planet, the opportunities for trade and investment in Mexico are immense. There are a lot of niche markets that Serbian small and mediumsized companies can penetrate to boost their export capacity production.

In which areas do you see the greatest potential for economic cooperation?

As it was mentioned, Mexico has a solid and developed industry, mainly in sectors such as metalworking, automotive, aerospace and electrical-electronic, among others. Consequently, Mexican exports of industrial goods have shown a notable increase, in particular those with high added value, in medium or high technology manufactures. Therefore, most of the opportunities for Serbian companies are in those above-mentioned sectors, which are linked to the value chain export capacity of Mexico. Nowadays most of the Serbian sales to Mexico are in the sector of automotive and electrical-electronic, and there is still more potential in this area.

We have only one Mexican investor in Serbia, the telecommunications company A1. Are others interested, and

SERBIAN COMPANIES HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEXICAN MARKET WITH MORE THAN 128 MILLION CONSUMERS

how can we encourage Mexican companies to invest more in Serbia?

Many Mexican companies are trying to diversify their markets and constantly looking for new opportunities. The agroindustry has shown interest in exporting to the Serbian market. It is important to understand that many Mexican businesses look for economic regions rather than countries. In this sense, the Western Balkans are perceived as an area of economic opportunities. Also, it is important to mention that currently, different regulations for trade and investment in Serbia might change during the process of the economic reforms to the European Union.

In that sense, it is important to facilitate the flow of information about the rules and regulations to trade and establish Mexican companies in the Serbian market. The Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry plays an important role in achieving this purpose.

Also, both countries should find common grounds in their projects of economic development for the future and also

Tianguis Turístico every year, where all the Serbian travel agencies can participate in the most important tourist event in Mexico. The Tianguis Turístico aims to promote and market Mexico’s tourism products and services, showing national and international markets the products, offerings and diversity in terms of tourism that our country offers to the world.

In 2025, Tianguis Turístico will take place in the state of Baja California and it will be showcasing the cultural and natural wealth of Mexico and Baja California on a global scale. It will be the ideal setting for Mexico’s 270 tourist destinations, including 177 Magical Towns, to show themselves to the world as the best option to visit.

As someone living in Serbia, do you think our country could attract tourists from Mexico?

Serbia has a lot of potential to attract tourists from all around the world. Serbia is a great point to visit, because of its rich history, natural scenery, delicious food, and overall, friendly people.

promote companies´ participation in trade fairs, seminars and symposiums, as well as exchanging information about trade and investment opportunities, among others.

The number of Serbian tourists visiting Mexico is growing at a very significant rate year after year. Do you have more precise data on the volume of tourism exchange?

The number of Serbian tourists in Mexico has grown significantly in recent years, and these visitors are increasingly focused on cultural tourism, not exclusively recreational tourism. In 2023, the total air entries of Serbian nationals to Mexico for the year 2023 was 3,982, therefore there is more room to increase the flow of tourism.

We hope that in the coming years, a greater number of Serbian travel agencies will show interest in organizing tours to Mexico, and the Embassy of Mexico can support this purpose, facilitating information that is provided by the Secretariat of Tourism of Mexico. Also, it is important to highlight that Mexico organizes the

Mexico registered 46 million departures in 2023, so there are a lot of opportunities to catch the attention of Mexican tourists to visit Serbia and the whole Balkan region. Another opportunity in this area is the technical cooperation on managing tourism. Mexico can share with Serbia its ample experience in managing different segments of tourism.

Is there potential for establishing direct air traffic between Belgrade and Mexico City, or at least in the form of charter tourist flights to Cancun?

There is always potential for increasing connectivity with European countries. Mexico has direct connectivity with some of the main European capitals and hubs, like Madrid, Barcelona, London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam and Istanbul. Charter tourist flights to Cancun or Mexico City could be a great option that airlines should consider. Also, Air Serbia can explore establishing flights to cities in Mexico and the possibility of making arrangements to have connections from there to other cities in the US considering the geographical position of Mexico. Air Serbia can contemplate as well codeshare policy with Mexican airlines to promote more possibilities of cooperation in this area.

Investments for the Development and Well-Being of Citizens and Tourists

Vrnjačka Banja has seen various investments aimed at improving its infrastructure, tourism facilities, and overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

Vrnjačka Banja is the most popular spa town in Serbia, known for its healing mineral waters and beautiful parks. Located in central Serbia, it has been a renowned health resort since Roman times. The town offers a blend of wellness, tourism, and cultural events, with its famous Promenade, lush greenery, and thermal springs attracting visitors seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. In addition to spa treatments, Vrnjačka Banja hosts various festivals, including the Vrnjačka Carnival, and boasts historic architecture and modern facilities for visitors to enjoy.

The town has invested in upgrading its roadways, bridges, and public spaces. Recent projects include the construction of new bridges, such as the one over the Mala River, and the improvement of drainage systems to prevent flooding. Investments have been made in energy efficiency upgrades for public buildings, such as the “Popinski Borci” Elementary School. These projects focus on in-

sulation, modern heating systems, and overall energy conservation.

Vrnjačka Banja has been working to enhance its tourism appeal by renovating hotels, spa facilities, and recreational areas. Investments in the tourism sector aim to attract more visitors and boost the local economy. The municipality has supported various cultural events and public gatherings to promote local traditions and engage the community. These include festivals and public infrastructure for events.

Several projects have received funding and support from the European Union and other international organizations, focusing on sustainable development and

improving local infrastructure. These investments are part of a broader strategy to position Vrnjačka Banja as a leading health and wellness destination while enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

08 AUG 2024

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECT AT “POPINSKI BORCI” ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

In collaboration with the Ministry of Mining and Energy, the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja is successfully implementing the energy efficiency project at “Popinski Borci” Elementary School,

This article was created in collaboration with the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja as part of a media cooperation project on the investment potential of the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja. As part of the series, Diplomacy & Commerce magazine will publish other interesting articles in upcoming issues, including an interview with the president of the municipality, Boban Đurović, and successful entrepreneurs from this municipality.

valued at 28 million dinars. The school has received a new façade with stone wool insulation, new windows and doors have been installed, the old boiler has been replaced with new pumps, and the thermo-technical insulation will soon be completed.

The energy efficiency project at “Popinski Borci” Elementary School will not only improve conditions for students and teachers but also reduce the school’s energy costs. The new façade with stone wool insulation and new windows will help retain heat in the building, while the modernization of the boiler and pumps will increase the energy efficiency of the entire heating system. Further investments have been planned, considering that a large number of children attend “Popinski Borci” Elementary School. To transition to a single-shift schedule, additional classrooms need to be built. There are plans to apply for a project to build these necessary classrooms with the relevant ministries, which will also result in significant energy savings.

Photo:

08 AUG 2024

BRIDGE ON THE MALA RIVER IN NOVO SELO COMPLETED

This important investment, realized with the support of UNOPS, was visited by the president of the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Boban Đurović. On this occasion, the president stated: “This significant investment will improve connectivity and make everyday life easier for our citizens. I thank everyone involved in the realization of this project, and our citizens for their patience and understanding during the construction work.”

The new bridge for both pedestrians and vehicles, measuring 13 meters in length and 5.5 meters in width, connects to the regional road and will serve the residents of Novo Selo, Rsavci, and nearby villages. The value of this project is 203,545 euros, with the European Union contributing 163,990 euros, and the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja contributing 39,554 euros.

09 AUG 2024

CONSTRUCTION

OF A DRAINAGE CANAL IN NOVO SELO AND VRNCI

With an investment worth 4 million dinars and the involvement of the Municipal Housing Agency as the investor, the project to build a drainage canal between Novo Selo and Vrnci represents a significant step toward improving water management in the area. This investment will enable the efficient drainage of water from a large catchment area of 100 hectares toward the West Morava River, helping to prevent floods and protect local infrastructure and property. The works were inspected by the president of the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Boban Đurović, and the director of the Municipal Housing Agency, Branislav Bežanović, to assess the situation on the ground and monitor the progress of the construction.

The construction of the bridge over the Mala River in Novo Selo has been completed. This bridge, which was destroyed in the 2023 floods and previously damaged in the 2020 floods, is now fully operational again.

14 AUG 2024

EU CONTRIBUTION STRENGTHENS INFRASTRUCTURE IN VRNJAČKA BANJA

Thanks to the support of the European Union, a bridge for both pedestrians and vehicles on the

Mala River in Novo Selo, within the Vrnjačka Banja municipality, is once again operational. The EU, through the EU PRO Plus program, provided more than 160,000 euros for the construction of the 13-meter-long bridge, which was destroyed during the floods in 2023 and connects this settlement to the regional road.

During a working visit to Vrnjačka Banja, the new bridge was visited by Nikola Bertolini, Head of the EU Delegation’s Cooperation Department in Serbia, who stated: “This bridge is an example of EU solidarity and tangible assistance to the citizens of Serbia, as it improves connectivity and facilitates the daily lives of residents.”

26 AUGUST 2024

PUBLIC EVENT IN VRNJCI AS PART OF THE PROJECT “YOUTH IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, SUPPORT IN ACTION”

As part of the project “Youth in the Countryside, Support in Action,” which provided young people from Vrnjci and Ruđinci with 20 park benches for various public events and gatherings of locals, an open-air movie night was organized in the schoolyard of the “Mladost” Elementary School in Vrnjci on August 24.

— The Center for Children and Youth is behind this project, which organized training on

and rural tourism and participated in the development of activist plans and programs is Slobodan Cvetković, who had a range of ideas for the youth from his area..

26. AUG 2024 IN THE “CITIES IN FOCUS” COMPETITION, VRNJAČKA BANJA WAS AWARDED 6.7 MILLION DINARS

Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković signed contracts today with representatives of 10 cities and municipalities that received funds from the Ministry in this year’s “Cities in Focus” competition. The contract for the project “Without Infrastructure, There Is No Culture” was signed in Belgrade by the president of the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Boban Đurović.

The Minister of Culture in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, reminded that less than a month ago, the first 14 contracts with cities and municipalities were signed, adding that a total of 350 million dinars has been allocated this year for 47 projects.

rural tourism and public event organization to develop rural local communities. A survey was also conducted involving 45 young people from rural areas of the Vrnjačka municipality, who reflected on what is good and what is lacking in their communities. As a result, in collaboration with a mentor and with the participation of youth from five local communities, activist plans for the development and revitalization of these communities were created. Thanks to the project, we managed to initiate the organization of public events based on the ideas of the youth, with our technical support, said Valentina Krstić, the project coordinator, expressing hope that the youth will continue what has been started.

Among those who attended all the workshops related to activism

The funds allocated to the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, amounting to 6.7 million dinars, will allow for the replacement of the carpentry, specifically replacing all wooden windows and exterior doors on the building of the “Dr. Dušan Radić” National Library. The library is located on the Promenade, in a building that was once a villa and has preserved the typical spa architecture from the first half of the 20th century. The library holds around 40,000 titles available to both locals and visitors of Vrnjačka Banja. In addition to library services, the venue also hosts literary evenings, panels, lectures, book promotions, and chamber concerts, with the active participation and collaboration of many cultural, scientific, and other organizations and institutions.

Photo: Vrnjačka Banja Municipality

DRAGAN LUČIĆ

Laptop Centar General Manager

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with a general manager from Laptop Centar, a company that has grown into a leading force in IT technology over the past 15 years. From the early days of small-scale management to overseeing a group of four specialized companies, the journey reflects dedication, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. Discover how the Carbon brand emerged as a response to market needs, the key to longterm success, and what drives this leader to continue motivating and empowering others in the industry.

What inspired you to pursue a managerial career, and what motivates you to continue working in this field?

I believe there isn’t really a specific inspiration for a career. In my case, and generally, it’s about courage and the readiness to take on tasks and responsibilities. Over time, this leads to the necessity of involving more people to accomplish these tasks, and then you need to organize them, which is how management starts—first on a smaller scale, and then it grows over the years. Motivation increases with every success, and then it evolves into motivating others, especially good colleagues, to become great managers themselves. It gives me immense satisfaction when I see someone I mentored achieving success.

After 20 years in this industry, which period would you highlight as the most important for your professional development, and why?

The Journey and Vision Behind Laptop Centar’s Success

The Carbon brand emerged from the market’s need in Serbia and the region for a high-quality product at the best price

The period when I realized how to organize work in a way that brings enjoyment. Gaining this understanding requires the opportunity to learn from top-notch companies with highly developed organizational structures, and one of the best examples of this is the global IT circle of well-known companies.

What sets Laptop Centar apart from other companies?

Laptop Centar has grown into a group of four companies with different areas of operation but with similar or identical products. This is the first distinctive feature—IT products, software solutions, services, and all consumer electronics are procured through a shared system, and then the products are distributed, solutions implemented, and services provided through different channels, each of which is specialized:

latest products, software, and services, to all our partners— large and small, as well as end consumers—at the most favourable terms, much better than what is available in both local and global markets. We achieve this by shortening the supply chain from manufacturer to end consumer and maintaining rigorously low costs while preserving the highest quality, thus ensuring a serious advantage for everyone collaborating with our group.

Laptop Centar recently marked its 15th anniversary. What do you think is key to a company’s successful longevity?

It’s a combination of understanding the needs of our partners and the end consumers of our products, services, and support, along with excellent organization and a quality team.

MOTIVATION INCREASES WITH EVERY SUCCESS, AND THEN IT EVOLVES INTO MOTIVATING OTHERS, ESPECIALLY GOOD COLLEAGUES, TO BECOME GREAT MANAGERS THEMSELVES

Laptop Centar – to end consumers via the online shop, ITG – to large corporations, small, and medium-sized enterprises, Smart Technology Solutions – project channels for large-scale planned procurements, Solar Distribution System – solar power plants and all products needed for them.

The second distinctive feature of our group is the commitment to the goal of providing high technology, embodied in the

How did Laptop Centar manage to position itself among the leaders in IT technology?

Only through hard, dedicated work and the desire to execute every task, from the smallest to the most demanding, with quality. Additionally, we maintain an exceptional level of dynamism, identifying early on which sales channels or product programs require more effort and investment, and where a pause is necessary

until business opportunities improve.

Can you tell us about the role of Laptop Centar in introducing the “Carbon” brand?

The Carbon brand emerged from the market’s need in Serbia and the region for a high-quality product at the best price. We achieved success with Carbon products by simply shortening the path between the manufacturers we work with directly and the end consumers. By reducing this path, controlling costs, and maintaining quality, we enabled the end consumer—whether a company or an individual—to purchase the device at a more affordable price. We also ensure that our products align with the values of modern society, making them as healthy and economical as possible!

What is planned for the “Carbon Era” event, which is expected to occur at Kalemegdan?

Carbon Era is an event through which we aim to initiate a new era, where the latest technology, culture, and art merge. The event is the product of our group’s strong desire as a representative of technology, Verica Rakočević as a symbol of style and art, and Veljko Kuzmančević, who symbolises modern art and culture with his symphony orchestra and original compositions. And then there’s Kalemegdan, a place that would require two books to describe fully—it is a world-renowned multicultural site, reflecting the presence of almost all of the most significant civilisations, with a stamp of our own culture, which we want to breathe new life into with this event.

26. SEPTEMBAR 2024 | VELIKA SALA PRIVREDNE

09.30 - 10.30 Wake Up Co ee

10.30 - 11.30 Otvaranje konferencije:

Dejan Ristić, ministar informisanja i telekomunikacija u Vladi Republike Srbije

Vladimir Radovanović, pomoćnik

ministarka nauke, tehnološkog razvoja i inovacija u Vladi Republike Srbije

Marko Čadež, predsednik Privredne komore Srbije

Alexander Titolo, zamenik ambsadora SAD u Republici Srbiji

11.30 - 12.30

PANEL BR. 1 - 10 GODINA POSLE: Tradicionalni panel telekomunikacionih lidera regiona

Moderator: Dejan Ljuština, CEO and Managing Partner Vision Partners

Učesnici: Vladimir Lučić, CEO Telekom Srbija

Majk Mišel, CEO Yettel Srbija

Judit Albers, CEO A1 Srbija

Slobodan Đinović, CEO Orion Telekom

12.30 - 13.30 Panel br. 2 - AI Alice in an Analogue Balkans Wonderland: Ko (treba da) se plaši Veštačke inteligencije powered by Privredna komora Srbije

13.30 - 14.30

Panel br. 3 - The 3 Big Cs: Content, Context & Concepts: Šta (i kako) ćemo gledati u 2025.

14.30 - 15.30 Panel br. 4 - Lideri digitalne transformacije u Srbiji

15.30 - 16.30 Lunch Break

16.30 - 17.00 Case Study br. 1

17.00 - 18.00 Panel br. 5 - Uticaj, kako ga steći i naplatiti: Inﬂuenserska scena u eri AIdominacije

18.00 - 19.00 Panel br. 6 - Prenos Finala izbora za Pesmu Evrovizije: Cast & Crew Live on Stage

19.00 - 20.30 Digital Awards - Dodela nagrada najboljima u 2024.

20.30 - 21.30 - After Work Cocktail Party

www.communications.rs/digital2024/

KOMORE SRBIJE

The Faculty of Law’s Dedication to the Development of Refugee Law

The best way to combat xenophobia among young people is to introduce them to refugees who are their peers and who did not come to Serbia for tourist reasons, but because they were driven by hardship

IVANA KRSTIĆ

Full Professor, University of Belgrade Faculty of Law

The magazine Diplomacy&Commerce, in collaboration with UNHCR - UN Refugee Agency, brings you refugee stories. In this issue, you can read an interview with Professor Ivana Krstić from the Faculty of Law, who discusses the development of legal science in the protection of refugees as well as the collaboration with UNHCR.

University of Belgrade Faculty of Law has received the prestigious opportunity to establish the De Mello Chair as part of the collaboration between the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and higher education institutions, which focuses on conducting studies in the fields of forced displacement, statelessness, and human rights in general. How significant is this initiative for the Faculty of Law and you?

The Faculty of Law at the University of Belgrade has a long tradition of studying subjects such as International Public Law and Human Rights, within which students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with refugee law. The Faculty hosts the oldest UN documentation centre in the world, where professors and students can at any time access numerous reports and materials related to the early workings of the UN. Additionally, for nearly two decades, the Faculty has operated a Legal Clinic for Asylum

and Refugee Law, which represents one of the oldest forms of clinical education in the world. The Legal Clinic was established by the late Professor Dr. Milan Paunović in collaboration with UNHCR, and it continues to successfully educate final-year students on this important topic.

The De Mello Chairs is an international initiative that brings together universities and academic institutions dedicated to working with refugees, internally displaced persons, and stateless individuals. The De Mello Chairs network was established in Brazil in 2004 to promote academic activities related to these categories of individuals. The initiative is named after Sergio Vieira de Mello, a diplomat and UN veteran, who began his career at UNHCR in 1969 and successfully served in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Unfortunately, he was killed in 2003 during an attack on the UN offices in Baghdad. His bust is located in the Palace of Nations, in front of the UN building in Geneva, and serves as a testament to his contributions to the field of refugee law.

The network’s task is to connect researchers who will work on joint projects and exchange experiences regarding research, analysis, student engagement, and direct involvement of refugees in communities. This initiative also involves close collaboration between faculties and universities with local UNHCR offices in countries around the world.

Our country became the second in Europe to join the network in 2023, following the United Kingdom, which is a prestigious achievement for both the state and the university, and illustrates the commitment of the Faculty of Law to further nurture and develop the field of refugee law. For the Faculty of Law, and me personally, it is a great honour that we received an invitation to join this initiative, as it signifies that our long-standing work has been recognized by professionals and academics who are engaged in the protection of refugees. Furthermore, it has been a natural progression given that our cooperation with the UNHCR office in Serbia has been successfully ongoing for nearly 20 years.

Since 2022, the Faculty of Law has been organizing a Specialist Course on International Refugee Law in collaboration with UNHCR and the International Institute of Humanitarian Law from Sanremo. Can you tell us

more about this course, why it is important, and what experiences participants who have gone through it?

As a result of collaboration with UNHCR, many very important activities have been created and implemented for the Faculty of Law and its students, as they contribute to their better education and understanding of the significance of refugee law, which is still often discussed in a relatively small circle of experts in Serbia. We have had the opportunity to implement various activities for professionals engaged in the field of asylum, such as conducting different trainings, preparing analyses, newsletters on case law, and manuals for border police, Asylum Office staff, and Asylum Commisions, as well as for judges of the Administrative Court. The notable results have been made possible by our excellent team of professors and assistants, which includes Prof. Marko Davinić, Prof. Dr. Bojana Čučković, Assistant Marija Vlajković, and Teaching Associate Ana Memeti. Unfortunately, the topic of displacement is not new to our society due to everything we went through during the 1990s. Additionally, our country was part of the so-called Western Balkan route, which saw over a million refugees pass through in 2015. Today, refugees still arrive in Serbia, but in far fewer numbers. It is important not to lose sight of the fact that we live in a world with over 120 million forcibly displaced persons. For this reason, we are motivated to introduce and promote activities that enhance knowledge in the field of refugee law. In 2022, we came up with the idea, in collaboration with the prestigious Institute of Humanitarian Law from Sanremo and the UNHCR office in Serbia, to offer a specialist course on International Refugee Law. The course was conducted in 2022 and 2023, and we expect its third edition in October of this year.

We are particularly proud that this course is conducted in a modern way, using various online tools that allow students to think critically, participate in group work, and respond to hypothetical situations.

The educational institution where you teach is among those that actively support the development of a system that helps forcibly displaced persons and people at risk of statelessness. Why do you think it is important for institutions and individuals to

do what they can to help those in greatest need?

The Faculty of Law is a prestigious institution that educates future lawyers and decision-makers. For this reason, it is important for us that our students learn as much as possible about the topic of refugee law and apply their knowledge in practice tomorrow. We already collaborate with our graduates who are professionally engaged in asylum, mainly in the non-governmental sector, where they use their knowledge and research talent to inform about the state of asylum and advocate for policy changes that should contribute to the protection of human rights in Serbia.

However, it is important to emphasize that our programs do not only involve the transmission of knowledge but also the enhancement of skills, as well as raising awareness of refugee issues for a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of displacement and breaking down various myths and stereotypes that exist in our society. Additionally, contact with refugees—whether through visits to asylum centres or their arrival at the Faculty of Law for specific activities—greatly contributes to understanding the significance

of the topic and the desire to help those in distress.

This is also important for nurturing the significance of pro bono work, meaning understanding and accepting that every lawyer should dedicate a certain amount of time to providing free legal assistance to clients in need.

Recent public opinion surveys have shown a concerning level of xenophobia among youth, primarily high school and university students. Since you are in direct, daily contact with students, what are your impressions on this issue? How should we best approach this problem?

Working on these topics is crucial for combating xenophobia and stereotypes related to refugees among young people. The best way to achieve this is for students to hear personal stories, and to meet refugees who are their peers and who did not come to Serbia for tourism, but rather because they were forced by dire circumstances.

So far, it has been shown that such classes for exchanging experiences and discussions have been the most effective, and our students have further promoted

WE ARE ALREADY COLLABORATING WITH OUR GRADUATES WHO ARE PROFESSIONALLY ENGAGED IN ASYLUM, MOSTLY IN THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR, THEREBY

INFLUENCING THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE OF ASYLUM ISSUES WITH THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH TALENTA

these values among other students, family members, and friends. Additionally, we organize a conference once a year where students present their research in groups on various topics related to asylum, migration, human trafficking, gender-based violence, and statelessness.

During the research process, students become aware of the discrepancies between standards and practice and identify ways to overcome them, studying cases from practice, whether domestic or international, particularly examining judgments from the European Court of Human Rights.

We have repeatedly surveyed students’ attitudes on this topic, then discussed them and tried to explain why some of their views are incorrect or shaped by their environment and stereotypes.

It is particularly concerning that a significant portion of the student group believed it was acceptable to have civilian patrols to protect the “people” from migrants. When we directed them to our Constitution and our domestic norms, which answer who can exercise repressive power and what such self-organization could mean for citizens, they realized how problematic it is that such slogans have not been removed from the streets. A similar discussion was held on the topic of education when students saw from practical examples that young people quickly learn the language and that initial unfamiliarity with Serbian should not be an obstacle to accessing education for asylum seekers. These exercises also include those in which students are tasked with playing different roles to understand what it is like to be in “someone else’s shoes,” which also serves as a powerful tool for breaking down xenophobia and understanding the issues of displacement. We hope that new initiatives, projects, and partnerships will allow us to achieve even better results in working with young people.

This publication was produced within theproject“EUSupporttoMigration Management: Fostering the IntegrationofRefugeesandMigrants”implementedbyUNHCR,theUNRefugee Agency,withthesupportoftheEuropean Union. The author of the publicationissolelyresponsibleforcontent thatdoesnotnecessarilyreflectthe officialviewsoftheEuropeanUnion.

ALEKSANDAR GUBAŠ

Cultural and Media Activist, Archive of Public Gatherings

In Serbia, protests against lithium mining are being held, and their large scale has surprised both the authorities and seemingly the protesters themselves. After each protest, we have precise data on the number of attendees thanks to the Public Assemblies Archive. On this occasion, we spoke with cultural and media activist Aleksandar Gubaš, who made a comparison between the gatherings from the 1990s and these new ones.

You describe yourself as a passionate protest crowd counter since 1991. How did it look back then, and how does it look now with modern technology?

The biggest technological leap in this field was brought by the advent of smartphones, not crowdcounting software, as is often mistakenly believed. The software is somewhat mystified, and we avoid it at the Public Assemblies Archive because our initial experiences showed it can be quite error-prone. That’s why we still stick to the tried-and-true method of manually marking people in pictures, using the software only for automatic counting. More useful than the software is the ability to video and photo record every gathering, which mobile phones

The Changing Face of Protest

The right to protest is one of the fundamental principles of democracy

day, no opposition party has even close to the same capacity, and all have significantly exhausted their credibility by stringing together failures and repeating mistakes over the last 7-8 years. During that time, other entities, such as environmental organizations, groups of public figures, or neighbourhood movements against investor urbanism, have emerged as credible, effective, and popular protest organizers, entities that did not exist at the end of the last century.

The government tends to downplay the significance of protests and uses police data on the number of protesters, which is usually far lower than the actual count. On the other hand, organizers often inflate these numbers. What is the secret to your credibility in the public eye, and do both sides trust you?

have made possible, allowing us to count and analyze the footage endlessly. In the 1990s, we could only count as accurately as our naked eye allowed on the spot.

What is the difference between those gatherings in the 1990s and the modern ones?

The biggest technical difference is the existence of social networks, which has somewhat reduced the motivation to take to the streets because there is now the possibility of experiencing the protest

The right to protest is one of the fundamental principles of democracy. What does “the street” mean to you in the context of “gaining/losing power on the street”? Does “the street” really have such power? In our tradition, we don’t have such popular revolutions as recently seen in Bangladesh. In Serbia, the overthrow of power by people taking to the streets is only a reaction to something that has already been resolved in other spheres, like the military coup in March 1941 or the

EVEN IF IT DOESN’T DIRECTLY LEAD TO A CHANGE OF POWER, THE CROWD ON THE STREET CERTAINLY HAS GREAT POTENTIAL TO ACHIEVE THE ADOPTION OF SOME DEMANDS OF THE PROTESTERS.”

indirectly through live broadcasts. However, it should be noted that mobilizing protesters has now become much more accessible and democratic, as anyone can call people through social networks, which is how important protests in 2017 and 2020 were organized. The biggest political difference compared to the Milosevic era is that back then, there were strong opposition parties with authority and infrastructure on the ground, whose calls people would respond to without much hesitation. To-

presidential elections in September 2000. Here, the crowd does not overthrow power on the street by itself, and I don’t see any real plans for that either.

However, even if it doesn’t directly lead to a change of power, the crowd on the street certainly has great potential to achieve the adoption of some demands of the protesters and can seriously shake the positions of power if the protest organizers make smart moves. There are successful examples of this in our practice.

Our methodology is completely transparent and detailed on our website, as well as in various media outlets. It is something entirely verifiable, and anyone willing to spend two or three hours counting can verify any of our estimates using the available material.

I believe that even those who haven’t delved into our methodological explanations understand that the figures presented by the Public Assemblies Archive are based on a structured system and a consistent scale, which alone is enough to foster a different kind of relationship with our estimates. People see that these numbers are not made up on the spot: they may be lower or higher than what they think they should be, but they are consistently so, and I believe that this principled approach is noticeable.

Moreover, common sense suggests that the real figures, likely similar to ours, always fall somewhere between the numbers presented by the opposing sides.

I think people also recognize our seriousness in the fact that, unlike President Vučić, who likes to present supposedly very precise numbers, we never offer exact headcounts. Instead, we always round to tens, hundreds, or thousands, depending on the scale of the gathering, and often provide a range from to. Protests and public gatherings are too dynamic, complex, and fluid to give a headcount with absolute precision.

The estimate heavily depends on the available material, its technical quality, and the timing of the footage. We do not shy away from

Photo: Private Archive

updating our estimates if we receive better-quality material, and I think this also helps build trust. We understand that the path to truth is often not straightforward, but we are committed to establishing it objectively, whether we like it or not.

We believe that the truth is very useful, especially for protest organizers, as it highlights strengths that should be leveraged and weaknesses that need to be addressed. I think we have already helped many—participants, organizers, and analysts alike—to develop a realistic understanding of the scale and significance of turnout at a protest.

However, we also often have to “burst the bubble” for many who still believe in myths about hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets of Belgrade, Prague, or Tel Aviv because that simply doesn’t happen in cities of this size in the political realm. But there’s no need for that because significant changes can be achieved with far fewer people when other factors align.

From your experience, how would you characterize the recent protest against lithium mining held in Belgrade at the beginning of August?

In terms of mass turnout, it was one of the largest gatherings in the history of Belgrade, which is particularly impressive considering it was organized in the middle of the vacation season and under pressure on activists. It’s also worth noting that this grassroots, self-organized gathering was larger than the largest political rally that the current state apparatus has ever managed to organize. When we add the even more impressive turnout in smaller towns, it is clear that we are witnessing an organic national resistance to lithium mining in our fields and graves. This is something that all interested parties should take seriously.

Although smaller in number of participants, protests in small towns are often more impressive. Why is that?

In a small town, it is not possible to gather as large a crowd as in Belgrade, but the situation with lithium has shown that it is possible to mobilize a much larger percentage of the local population in smaller towns than in larger cities. One explanation is certainly the degree of vital interest: people whose fields are directly affected surely have a much stronger motive to attend these protests than residents of large urban areas who never even see those fields.

COMMON SENSE SUGGESTS THAT THE REAL FIGURES, LIKELY SIMILAR TO OURS, ALWAYS FALL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE NUMBERS PRESENTED BY THE OPPOSING SIDES

In smaller towns, it is generally thought that it takes more courage to come out and protest, which is certainly true, but in small towns, other factors are also at play, making the situation less linear. For example, it is easier to find out about a protest even without the media because it is much more visible—everyone in a small town sees and hears when something happens in the main square. Moreover, getting to the protest location takes less time in small towns than in Belgrade, so a smaller percentage of people back out. Therefore, such things should also be considered when comparing turnout in towns of different sizes, but in this story about lithium, the degree of vital

interest certainly stands out as an exceptionally strong factor.

Which protests this summer were “impressive” in the categories of small and medium-sized towns?

More than a fifth of the local population turned out in many small towns: Gornja Dobrinja, Bresnica, Mionica, Osečina, Rekovac, Bogatić, Kosjerić. In Gornja Dobrinja, more than two-thirds of the village participated in the protest. In many of these places, these were the largest protests ever organized. As for towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants, the best turnout was in Šabac and Gornji Milanovac.

It is interesting that in none of these places have there been any specialized rallies in support of lith-

ium mining. Such sentiment seems to not exist at all in Western Serbia, neither spontaneously nor induced.

How do you assess the media coverage of street protests?

Despite the frequent media blackouts, can the truth about protests reach the majority of citizens?

I believe that a large part of Serbia’s population does not have a very clear idea of what lies behind a protest, and due to the media blackout, most probably don’t even know that a protest has taken place. However, during these recent protests against lithium, it was clear that the local population’s response was enormous, even in places where United Media doesn’t reach. This tells us that information about something that genuinely threatens people will somehow find its way to those affected, especially when the problem directly impacts their fields, yards, and homes. In such cases, fear drives people to activate various informal communication channels spontaneously at the local level.

THE POWER AND DELUSION OF NICOLÁS MADURO

How Maduro Got Stranded on Chávez’s Socialism

The citizens of Venezuela can officially start to panic because whoever wins will hardly know how to pull the country out of the economic crisis.

Iam not one of those who read horoscopes, value natal charts, and consider Friday the 13th unlucky, but in Maduro’s case, one could believe that on July 28, Saturn was not in his first house (or however astrologers would express it when someone is falling apart). I can almost say that this date is certainly recorded in President Nicolás Maduro’s (or rather former President’s) natal chart, but not in the way he wanted. Maduro hoped that on July 28, he would secure a third term and give this act a special dimension,

A COUNTRY THAT SITS ON THE WORLD’S LARGEST OIL RESERVES AND VAST GOLD RESERVES HAS BECOME THE BIGGEST “EXPORTER” OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

him to gaze far ahead, until 2031, smile contentedly, and head to the grave in a clearing near Caracas, where his teacher, the “eternal commander,” as they often say when referring to the late Chávez, rests.

But that day, those who do not light candles to the eternal and admire the potentially eternal commander also stepped out of their homes. They are still on the streets. With whistles, shouts, and banging on pots, they shatter the mystique of the former and current leader, which they do not wish to be wrapped around their hungry bellies. Venezuela’s Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner but provided no evidence. The opposition claims to have obtained records from polling stations showing how people voted. They printed them as proof that their candidate, Edmundo Gonzales, actually won. Protests are being held from Sydney to Buenos Aires by those who were forced to leave the country due to the economic crisis and chronically empty shelves. They express support for the opposition and condemn the election fraud.

A country that sits on the world’s largest oil reserves and vast gold reserves has become the biggest “exporter” of people fleeing to a better and more democratic world.

While Maduro lit a candle at his mentor’s grave, the people were tearing down his monuments. Videos of decapitated Chávez statues are circulating on social media, and not so long ago, all of Latin America celebrated him due to Chávez’s idea of solidary Bolivarian socialism. Even those from the United States considered him charming, perhaps more because of oil than his ideas. They certainly applauded his constitutional changes and social reforms, including that citizens could keep their chosen best leader forever. The best part is that the decision to abolish the provision limiting presidents to two terms was supported by a referendum. The people gave him the opportunity for a lifetime mandate democratically. Perfect.

further consolidating his power with the spirit and charisma of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. On that day, 70 years ago, Chávez was born, a four-time president of Venezuela and the originator of the idea of Bolivarian socialism in the 21st century. Maduro imagined that he, Chávez’s successor, would win a third six-year term on July 28. His National Electoral Council somewhat ensured this by declaring him the winner but without evidence. That was enough for

Maduro wanted to brush against Chávez’s “philosopher’s stone,” but he seems to have run aground. He was looking forward to a third, probably a fourth mandate, but something “clicked.” Maduro is not Chávez, and in the U.S., Venezuela no longer receives applause as it once did. How Bolivarian socialism has collapsed,

Photo: StringerAL Shutterstock.com

and how Venezuela has gone from Chávez’s promised land to what is happening today is a long story and essentially the answer to the question of whether Maduro can bear the consequences of the people’s recollections of that story. Venezuela has travelled a bitter path over the past decade. Maduro seeks a third term and support from citizens at a time when Venezuela is facing an economic crisis and the largest migration in the history of Latin America. Once a prosperous Venezuela has sunk deeply, experiencing hyperinflation and losing about 7.7 million residents, Maduro gives speeches as if he is governing in New Zealand, where the main problem is whether to introduce zero tolerance for tobacco smoke.

The Power of the People He is not to blame for the current state. He wants to make that clear, saying that he is a victim of an attack supported by the U.S. “They will not defeat us because we have the strength of the nation. We have God’s power. We have power like David against Goliath.” “I have the power of the people,” he said in front of supporters, whom he previously asked to take to the streets as a counterweight to the increasingly numerous opposition demonstrators whom the authorities mercilessly arrest daily. In the past month under democracy on the streets of Venezuela, dozens of citizens have died. Thousands have been arrested. Many of those arrested have been charged with terrorism, and their families do not know where the authorities are holding them. But when despair strikes, fear disappears. That is now the power of the people. Despair, like that which brought a man with a chainsaw to power in Argentina, literally throwing them into the abyss of hunger only to have it be a little better later. Argentines are ready for anything as long as it’s not like it is now. A similar sentiment has gripped Venezuela.

Opposition leader Marina Corina Machado knows this. She repeatedly echoes through a megaphone that these are protests for the truth. She says she will continue to demand that the authorities acknowledge their defeat. Good luck with that, as well as with her demand that every vote be respected because nothing is above the voice of the people. If it weren’t tragic, it would be funny. In truth, justice, and the people above whom there is no one, one

MADURO WANTED TO BRUSH AGAINST CHÁVEZ’S “PHILOSOPHER’S STONE,” BUT IT SEEMS HE HAS RUN AGROUND. HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO A THIRD, PROBABLY A FOURTH TERM, BUT SOMETHING “CLICKED.” MADURO IS NOT CHÁVEZ, AND IN THE U.S., VENEZUELA NO LONGER RECEIVES APPLAUSE AS IT ONCE DID.

would rather rely on the support and intentions of slightly larger powers from neighbouring countries, the European bloc, and of course, Washington.

And they are not the same as when Chávez came to power.

The National Electoral Commission remains faithful to Maduro, but his close ally, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, joined other leaders in calling for the publication of detailed election results. The call for a vote count verification is echoed by numerous governments. The fact that the New York Times reported that the figures suggest that the opposition candidate, retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzales, actually won by more than 30 per cent—says a lot about Maduro’s placement among the stars. The famous American paper states that researchers estimate the result at 66 to 31 per cent and that it aligns with data collected from an independent election study conducted on election day across the country. The Carter Center, based in the United States and invited by the Venezue-

lan government to monitor the elections, also stated that it could not confirm the election results published by the National Electoral Commission. In a statement regarding the Venezuelan presidential elections, the Center also noted that the failure to publish detailed results from polling stations constitutes a serious violation of electoral principles. This has “clearly expressed bias in favour of President Maduro.” Those results are not recognized even by European Union countries, and the U.S. and several Latin American countries now consider his opposition competitor to be president.

Pressure on the Electoral Commission to publish the vote details is strong, while Maduro defends them by claiming that the electoral system has been hacked. The Electoral Commission has come under cyberattack, so they couldn’t publish the details, Maduro defends. He accuses Marina Machado and Gonzales of a fascist conspiracy, concluding that they should be behind bars. Thus, the words “fascism and fascist” have begun to be carelessly

used in this country. There are no negotiations. As far as Maduro is concerned, the only person the opposition should negotiate with is the state prosecutor. The opposition thinks the same about him. Both sides agree in rejecting Washington’s stance on repeating the elections. Joseph Biden said this to reporters after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva proposed that Nicolás Maduro call new elections with the participation of international observers. This is not a solution to the political crisis because, as far as the opposition is concerned, the elections have already happened. And they did, and the most tragic result is that whoever wins, Venezuela will lose. It is already losing people who are dying in the streets. It loses those who are now packing their bags and gains discord in society, while no one knows the most important thing—how a country blessed with oil and gold will emerge from the economic crisis. How it will safely withdraw from the edge of the abyss that some analysts and historians predicted for them more than 20 years ago instead of socialism? They were wise enough to realize from the very beginning that Chávez was undermining the state he led, where civil society, any division of power, and media freedom bothered him.

Nevertheless, Chávez left this world as a charismatic leader, while his students and successor have not even come close to achieving that fame. And where he ends up will be determined by “the power of the people.”

Photo:

Caracas, Venezuela, August 2024. Opposition demonstration led by the leader Maria Corina Machado a month after the presidential elections

The Battle for the West

It

seems that all recent battles boil down to participants fighting for what they consider the West and Western values. What is the REAL West, indeed?

Ukraine believes it is defending Western values from an Asian horde; Republicans believe they are preserving the fire of Western civilisation from the godless Democrats; Democrats believe they are the light against the forces of regression from MAGA; British right-wingers think that by attacking immigrants, they will defend their culture; and Russia believes it is the Alternative West as it once was, ready to offer refuge and leadership to both people and countries. Is this a new Battle for the West?

THE REMAINS OF BRITAIN

We have seen how prone people are to irrationality, lynching, and mob justice in the case of Algerian boxer Iman Khelif, who, if the mob had been allowed, would have

SIR KEIR STARMER HAS INHERITED A "HOT POTATO" THAT HAS BEEN "BAKING" SINCE MARGARET THATCHER CAME TO POWER, AND HE WILL HAVE THE TASK OF CORRECTING 50 YEARS OF TRAVELLING "ON THE WRONG TRAIN."

ended up at the stake in 90 minutes, showing us that the mentality of witch hunts is not far from us, even since 1667. We also see that pogrom mentalities are not distant either, as some Christian teenager of Rwandan origin, but born in the UK and with autism (who knows what clicked in that head), massacred innocent children, and the crowd concluded it’s time to attack Muslims, Hindus,

and other minorities and immigrant centres.

So, we know we are a mob, and social media has painfully exposed this truth that we once hid, as well as all our bigotries within four walls. But it's not just the mob that's to blame for the sudden and shocking violence that hasn't occurred for decades, at least not on racial grounds. The problem is that this incident was like a

match in a powder keg – and the truth is – this is not how a great country like Britain has been run for the last 25 years. Military interventions around the world (Yugoslavia 1999, Afghanistan 2001, Iraq 2003, Libya 2011...) and financing wars elsewhere are certainly the business of an "old school" superpower, not an economy with so many problems. Since Margaret Thatcher, the country has been run as if it were a corporation –if an industry or even a region doesn't generate profit, it is "let go." But there's a problem – a state is not a company where you close down a non-profit branch or shut down a loss-making subsidiary. These are people. Those leftbehind areas already retaliated with Brexit eight years ago, but it seems Westminster and London haven't realized this. The legacy of Margaret Thatcher and her decomposition of the entire state is now coming back with 30-40 years of interest.

An unreal 8 million immigrants have entered the UK in just the 21st century – no country can handle that, especially not a densely populated island. None of the "Big 6" in the EU has shown such nonchalance in state management. The NHS is falling apart,

Photo:

as The Economist writes, GDP growth is the lowest among developed countries, and India overtook the UK in GDP last year. This is all devastating, as is the poverty in many regions – the collapse of small towns, the collapse of the "high street" where shops are boarded up and squatted by the homeless and drug addicts, the dramatic decline of British seaside resorts... All these are unresolved problems that have been growing like yeast. Immigrants were found as scapegoats. And when the riots subside, another scapegoat will be found, the right-wingers. But no one will touch the core of the problem. We will come to the laconic answer that "right-wingers are crazy and evil" (true, no sane person would start a pogrom based on a rumour) or that the Kremlin is behind it all, etc. But no one will look the truth in the eye – that this was just a spark that ignited a long-accumulated explosive mix. Sir Keir Starmer has been handed a hot potato which others, particularly Thatcher and the recent string of "Brexit" prime ministers, have "kneaded". It’ll take a lot of work and a completely new "New Deal" for Sir Keir to bring the country into order.

KAMALOMENTUM

A lot has changed in the past month – it was as if Republicans were confused for a few weeks – they were confident in their victory over the ailing Joe, and then Kamala began to gain – "Kamalomentum" as the media called it. She chose a left-wing Democrat, Tim Walz (known for the "Minnesota nice" concept), which completely surprised the Republicans. But as we've already said, Kamala has to prove that she isn't just someone who will "win votes because she's half Caribbean, half Indian. Now comes the hard part, like presenting a programme –and The Economist is much more sceptical than others, claiming that promises, although nice, are made too lightly.

Yet America is a strange society – if someone like Kamala promises to limit the price of drugs for pensioners, insurance companies will raise policy prices so much that pensioners can't afford them – which is truly unbelievable to us in Europe and even to Canadians next door. But let's go back to the Republicans. They responded with completely unbalanced reactions to the sudden shift by the Democrats, sounding "weird," as Walz called them.

WHILE WAGING WAR WITH UKRAINE NOW IN BOTH COUNTRIES AND EVEN ON ANOTHER CONTINENT, PUTIN IS NOT ONLY CREATING AN ECONOMIC BLOC BUT AN ENTIRE CIVILIZATION – THE "ALTERNATIVE WEST" AS IT ONCE WAS –OR AT LEAST TRYING TO

It's as if all the euphoria around "Messiah Trump," who survived an assassination attempt, and his young "Hillbilly" deputy has faded, and then Trump began with "heavy artillery" and promised that he might even find a job for Elon Musk. And that's not all – the "swing vote" Robert F. Kennedy joined his camp. A "duel of titans" is brewing, and it's worrying that both sides' supporters (especially Trump's) believe that their leader is a Messiah and that a defeat of their candidate would be a sign of yet another conspiracy, led especially by Trump's followers - a sinister omen in the Western sky.

THE FIRST WORLD UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN WAR

The Ukrainian army's incursion into the Kursk region for the first time with serious territorial gains is a major psychological blow to the Russian army and Putin. It's not entirely clear what Ukraine gains from this – except to say, "If you can occupy our territories and impose military administration, so can we on yours." All this is beginning to resemble the war from my childhood between Iraq and Iran, where they alternately invaded each other's territory and

as "alternative defenders" from Islamists, separatists, and civil wars and divisions that Westerners bring to Africa in the eyes of Africans, and now Ukraine is perceived as part of that same West, and that too on African soil. It would be wise to reconsider whether this war should spread to continents where the background of the conflict is not so well understood.

ALTERNATIVE WEST

held it, only for everything to end with millions dead as if the war had never happened.

But let's leave it aside. The major escalation is the transfer of the war to Africa – making this conflict a "worldwide Ukrainian-Russian war" – as it seems Ukrainian forces helped separatists in Mali as an act of defiance since Wagner was helping the Malian government in the same conflict. The Ukrainians won that battle, but maybe not the war – as the Malian government, along with neighbouring Niger, got so angry that it broke off diplomatic relations with Ukraine and raised the issue of Ukraine's "support for terrorism" at the UN Security Council.

Given that the Ukrainian government was very dissatisfied with public opinion and political thinking in more than half of the African countries, their proclaimed goal was a diplomatic offensive to turn African countries towards their cause, and now this comes into question. Ego is fed, and Wagner cannot sleep peacefully even in the Sahel – "we will find you everywhere" – but at what cost? It would be wise to understand that the Russians and Wagner are "popular" there

And while we're on the topic of "alternatives," the other day, Putin signed a decree granting residency to all Westerners who are "against the neoliberal ideology." Even a few months ago, The Economist realized that the conflict with the West over Ukraine is for Putin some kind of broader ideological struggle. Initially, it was thought that Russia was now going to become the leader of Eurasia together with other BRICS members, then it was said to be the Global South rising against the Global North, but ultimately the point is this – Russia is positioning itself as the West – but the Old West from before 2000, before the flood of ideas that have driven away many countries of the East and South from the West. And Putin wants Russia to be that old-fashioned but new Alternative West. Hence the support for all conservative movements in Western Europe, as well as the support of ultraconservatives and the like (populists, right-wingers, traditionalists) – to Russia.

Putin wants the Global South and the countries of Asia and Africa, which once looked towards Europe as the future but have been disappointed by it, whether due to the neocolonial approach or social changes they do not want, to find a new beacon in – Russia. "The West as you loved it and as it once was." We will see if this tactic will be successful. Azerbaijan and Türkiye decided to formally apply for BRICS membership. They like the "old-fashioned West" because they don't want to go in the more conservative direction where Iran and other Islamic countries southeast of them are. Still, they don't want to go in the more liberal direction (neither does Turkey, for example) that Western European countries are headed. Durov is arrested in France, yet another blow for the Western freedeoms. Edward Snowden is already in Russia. We will see if there will be " voluntary refugees" to the Alternative West.

The Old Man and the Sea

In his political role, Lončar saw from within that the country he fought for and loved was on the verge of disintegration, due to already significant disputes and differences within the political elite

by Dejan Jović

Budimir Lončar, the last federal secretary of foreign affairs of Yugoslavia (1987 – 1991) passed away in Preko on the Dalmatian island of Ugljan, where he was born one hundred years ago (1924). Lončar joined the diplomatic service in 1949, a year after the Tito-Stalin split when the foreign office needed new, young, devoted and open-minded people to represent the country, particularly in the West. Lončar was a suitable candidate. In 1942 he joined Tito’s Partisans in his native island and was twice wounded in battles for liberation of Yugoslavia. Immediately after the war, he was posted to the interior ministry and briefly to the Department for Protection of People (OZNA), the first intelligence service of post-war Yugoslavia, these days still preoccupied with fighting against the remnants of enemies in the forests and mountains of Croatian hin-

terland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. But like many other people from his native island and its surroundings, he saw himself as a „man of the world“, curious about other countries, and thus was keen to see the world. The foreign service was a natural place to be. He proudly accepted his first posting in diplomacy – as Consul and Third Secretary in the Yugoslav mission in New York. He travelled to the USA, as he would later testify, on Queen Mary and on 7th May 1950 saw to shores of New York, which he compared to Zadar, „only bigger“, as he said. In his childhood, Zadar was the first large city near Preko – and it was historically disputed between Italy and Yugoslavia. Interest in diplomacy, but also his participation in the antifascist movement (against Italian occupation of Dalmatia), Lončar later contributes to his desire to participate in the liberation of native shores and its returning to Croatia and

BUDIMIR

(1924 – 2024)

Yugoslavia. Croatian fascists – Ustashe – he saw as being responsible for collaboration with Duce’s Italy, and thus as being massively anti-patriotic. For his whole life, he remained committed to anti-Ustashism, actively opposing historical revisionism and pro-Ustashe denialism.

While in New York, Lončar was chosen (being the most junior member of staff at the Yugoslav mission) to take minutes in highly secretive meetings of Yugoslav political and military leaders with their US counterparts – concerning economic but also military assistance to „America’s Communist Ally“ which dared to say „no“ to Stalin. In one of these meetings, he impressed Koča Popović, the legendary Partisan Commander, then the Head of the Yugoslav Army’s General Staff (1948-1953), the key negotiator with American military officials. Popović noticed that Lončar had a rare quality of „perfect memory“ – that he could remember the whole conversation ad verbatim, without the need to take notes or record (secretly) the meetings. When Popović was appointed (in 1953) the Foreign Secretary of Yugoslavia, he invited Lončar to his inner Cabinet, where he soon (in 1956) became the Head of the powerful GAP (Group for Analysis and Planning, the de facto analytical brain of Yugoslavia’s foreign policy). Lončar practically overlooked the

LONČAR

Foto Želimir

Brala

IN 1961 HE WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN PREPARATIONS FOR THE FIRST (FOUNDING) CONFERENCE OF THE NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT, THAT BEGAN ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1961 IN BELGRADE

border area between foreign policy and intelligence for eight years, until 1964. He founded the powerful and secretive SID – the Office for Information and Documentation, the de facto foreign intelligence service of Yugoslavia. In this role, he followed Koča Popović’s line that was suspicious of the official intelligence services of the Interior Ministry. He also supported Popović’s orientation of “permanent non-alignment”, even when Yugoslav leadership was keen to explore closer links with the post-Stalin USSR. For this reason, Lončar was always seen as being closer to the West than to the USSR and was never appointed to any diplomatic role in the Eastern bloc.

In 1961 he was directly involved in preparations for the first (founding) conference of the Non-Aligned movement, that began on 1 September 1961 in Belgrade. (Lončar died also on 1 September – 63 years since). He took part in all Summits of the NAM, and thus earned the title of „Mr Non-Alignment“. His network of influence in NAM countries was hugely impressive. Long after Yugoslavia ceased to exist, Budimir Lončar was in the position to lobby for the interests of his native Croatia and to open the doors for the business community, young Croatian diplomats and its politicians in the world beyond EU and NATO, because he was widely known and respected in what is now called „Global South“.

Lončar was Ambassador of Yugoslavia to Indonesia (1965 – 1969), to West Germany (1973 – 1977), and United States of America (1979 – 1984). These were difficult postings, exposed to permanent threats by hostile antiYugoslav emigres, in particular in Germany. He was a true civil servant, a top professional diplomat in the services of his country. Still, when he became first the Deputy Foreign Secretary (1984) and then the last Foreign Secretary of the „big“ Yugoslavia (1987 – 1991) politics became an unavoidable part of his job.

In his political role, Lončar saw from within that the country he fought for and loved was on the verge of disintegration, due to already significant disputes and differences within the political elite. He soon discovered that there was little he could do to change the course of events. He was only loosely embedded in the Party (then already nationalistically divided), so he used his international links hoping that the pressure from abroad could enforce

compromise. Paradoxically, he now became more of a diplomat of the world in his own country, than a diplomat of his country in the world. He needed to use his diplomatic skills to prevent a war at home, having spent decades promoting peace, co-existence and economic development globally.

When the government of Ante Marković collapsed (in 1991) and the country entered the most violent phase of its history, Lončar moved abroad – to New York. These were difficult years for him. He lost his homeland (at least one of them, Yugoslav – whereas the other homeland, Croatian, was often hostile to him, as he refused to support the nationalist government of Franjo Tuđman) and even his profession (at least for a little while). Milošević’s “small Yugoslavia” (consisted of Serbia and Montenegro only) was also too authoritarian and too nationalistic for his taste, and – after all – Serb leadership considered him to be an obstacle to their visions of Yugoslavia and Serbia. It was the Secretary-General of the UN, Boutros-Boutros Ghali, his colleague and friend from a nonaligned Egypt, who offered support in these difficult years and appointed him as special representative of the UN in the NAM.

advanced age – in the office of Mesić’s successor, Ivo Josipović (2010-2015) as his Chairman of the Council on Foreign Affairs. As President’s advisor, Lončar recovered some of his influence in overseeing the development of Croatian diplomacy.

HE REMAINED COMMITTED TO THE IDEALS OF LIBERATION, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND GLOBAL PEACE, AND EXPRESSED HIS SORROW FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PREVENT (HOW COULD HE?) YUGOSLAVIA FROM COLLAPSING IN HORRIBLE BLOODSHED

With Franjo Tuđman’s passing in 1999, Lončar returned to Croatia where he was welcomed by the new President (2000 – 2010), Stjepan Mesić, who needed his advice and assistance in foreign policy issues. He then became the Advisor to the President, which he remained – in a reduced capacity due to his

Even in his tenth decade, until the very last days of his life, Budimir Lončar was of sharp analytical mind. Mild in his manners, astute in his judgments, with a brilliant memory and decades of accumulated wisdom, he was in daily communication with scholars (one of whom, Tvrtko Jakovina, published an authorized biography of Lončar in 2020) and foreign diplomats. In November 2023 he described his own life in two words: „anti-fascism and diplomacy“. He remained committed to the ideals of liberation, economic and social justice, and global peace, and expressed his sorrow for not being able to prevent (how could he?) Yugoslavia from collapsing in horrible bloodshed. He felt ashamed for all Yugoslavs for this.

Budimir Lončar died peacefully while swimming in front of his house in Preko, five months following his centenarian birthday. He will be remembered by many – in Croatia, all post-Yugoslav states and abroad, as one of the grandees of the world’s diplomacy, as the personification of the second half of the 20th century and the two decades of the 21st. His diplomatic style and elegant manners, as well as his analytical sharpness, will be very difficult to match.

Echoes of Serbian Heritage in Szentendre

Exploring the Cultural Legacy and Enduring Spirit of Serbian Settlers in Hungary

Somewhere there must be an easier life, a brightness in events that flow like pure and cold, pleasant, sparkling waterfalls. One must move away, leave for somewhere, and settle down in a place that is clean, clear, and smooth like the surface of deep mountain lakes. To live according to one’s own will, without this terrible confusion, following one’s life for which one was born. Pursuing something extraordinary, which, like the sky, he felt covered everything,” said Miloš Crnjanski in his “Migrations” (Seobe). A thought in which the fate of the Serbian people is woven, who throughout history have migrated and continue to migrate in search of a better life. And thus, they have left and continue to leave their cultural and historical mark across the entire universe.

Following the traces of Serbian heritage in Hungary, I took the railway that was built

IN

THE 17TH

CENTURY,

SERBS SETTLED IN SZENTENDRE, HUNGARY, FLEEING OTTOMAN OPPRESSION

during the socialist era, from Budapest, 26 km north, to the small town called Szentendre. The journey lasted 50 minutes, but it felt as if we were travelling through time. From the train, one could see the entire historical development of Hungary through its architecture, from the magnificent building of Hungarian Parliament building in the Neo-Gothic style, through the monotonous grey districts of Budapest’s suburbs from the socialist era, to the Baroque Szentendre. There, at the entrance to

the town, a welcome sign greeted us in Hungarian, English, German, and Serbian. I was told that this sign was created out of great respect for the tourists who visit this place: for the Germans who were residents of this town, for the Hungarians who still live here today, and for the Serbs who built this town.

The Serbs arrived in the Habsburg Monarchy, which included present-day Hungary, in the 17th century, specifically in 1690/91, during the Great Migration of Serbs under the Patriarch of Peć, Arsenije III Čarnojević, fleeing from Ottoman oppression. One part of the Serbian population found their new home in the territory of present-day Vojvodina, while those more persistent in their search for a better life went all the way to the walls of Buda Castle and settled in the surrounding area, thus founding the town of Szentendre. In 1691, the Habsburg Emperor Leopold I, at the

initiative of Patriarch Arsenije III Čarnojević, granted “Privileges” to the Serbian refugees, which gave them church autonomy, and proclaimed Patriarch Arsenije III as the leader of the Serbs in the Habsburg Monarchy. Based on this document, the Serbs were allowed to build their places of worship, had the right to religious freedom, and thus began to build their lives in the new homeland. However, in return for the emperor’s benevolence, the Serbs joined the imperial army and defended the imperial border from Ottoman attacks.

“Walking from the train station toward the heart of the town, I had only one thought in my mind, ‘Why did they have to settle here, when the terrain of today’s Pest is much more accessible and better for living?’ As is always the life case, I got the answer to my question when I saw the panorama of the town. I had the impression that I was looking at the hills of Šumadija and Old Serbia, and I realized that the Serbian refugees, in a completely new and foreign world, were searching for a trace of something that would remind them of the ‘old’ land where they were their masters, even if it was just the hills. So that they could start anew from their refuges, not knowing that by doing so, they were writing a new chapter of Serbian history.

Reading the chronicles of various settlements, I noticed that over time, in search of a better life, the inhabitants moved their settlements from their original locations. But this was not the case for Szentendre; let’s be clear, the settlement was not initially of Baroque architecture—it was more like log churches and earthen houses built as a temporary solution. When the Serbs, due to political and fateful influences, stopped dreaming of returning to their homeland, they didn’t move an inch from the temporary homes their grandfathers had built. So, in his book “We, the People of Szentendre”, which I read before visiting this town to understand the spirit and inclinations of an ordinary person from Szentendre, Petar Milošević says: ‘Szentendre stands petrified in its final form where it has always

WHAT PRESERVED THE IDENTITY AND FAITH OF THE SERBS IN SZENTENDRE AND HUNGARY IN GENERAL THROUGHOUT THE FOUR CENTURIES OF THEIR EXISTENCE WAS THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND ITS PRIESTS

been, unchanged and immovable like a dense pile of firewood.’ While reading the book, this sentence was quite amusing and incomprehensible to me. Walking through the winding dirt streets, I realized that the closeness of the houses had its purpose—to keep their inhabitants closer to each other, and thereby preserve their faith and identity in a foreign world.

What preserved the identity and faith of the Serbs in Szentendre and Hungary in general throughout the four centuries of their existence was the Serbian Orthodox Church and its priests. There were seven Serbian churches in Szentendre. To this day, due to various political and historical circumstances, only four churches remain in Serbian hands. These churches, like the pyramids in Egypt, stand and testify to the centuries-old achievements and identity of a people who are almost no longer present in this town.”

“Since we were coming from the southern, Buda side, the first landmark we saw was the Požarevac Church dedicated to Archangel Michael. It was built in the 17th century out of wood, while its current appearance dates back to the 18th century. The church got its nickname from the faithful people who attended it, having fled to Szentendre from Požarevac. At first glance, the tower’s construction reminded me of the Almaška Church in Novi Sad, and I was flooded with a wave of pleasant emotions because the Almaš neighbourhood is my favourite part of Serbian Athens. Under that impression and with a strong desire to see the iconostasis made by Moldavian masters, I headed towards the gate, only to be met with disappointment. The gate was locked with a large padlock. Later, we heard that the church is only open on major holidays and the day of its patron saint.

I was a little disappointed that I wasn’t able to see the jewel of Serbian ecclesiastical art. My mood was lifted by a sign in Cyrillic that read „Посластичарница“ (Confectionery). To make the paradox even greater, this is where I tried the famous lavender-flavored ice cream, a Hungarian delicacy. Since it was very hot, I found shade in the reflection of a house. While tasting the ice cream, my thoughts wandered to Lake Balaton and its lavender fields, but I was quickly brought back to reality by the inscription on a marble plaque on the house that provided me with shade. It read: „У

Угарској“ (In this house lived Evgenije Dumča (1838-1917), the first mayor of Szentendre, who played a decisive role in the town’s civic development and was a prominent representative of the Serbs in Hungary). Reading this inscription, I realized that I was actually in an openair museum where every stone has its history, which further enriches this town and the soul of the traveller who visits it.

The path led uphill toward the central square. As we climbed higher, we could see the outlines of the monumental Merchant’s Cross, the most recognizable landmark of Szentendre. It was erected in 1763 by the Serbian Merchant Society, as I learned from its epitaph. I also discovered that the cross has undergone two restorations, the most recent being in 1990, precisely when the Serbian people were rediscovering the faith of their ancestors. Like any tourist, I had to take a photo at this spot. But my attention was diverted from the camera lens by two, I believe, Japanese women who were admiring the old fountain that pumps water mechanically. I was reminded of the 1999 bombing in Serbia and how those very fountains saved us from a general water shortage, and immediately thought that such a fountain had long been out of use in Japan. But in the end, I was glad that in Szentendre, the old Serbian saying still holds: ‘Don’t throw anything away, you never know when you might need it.’”

“Just a few steps from the central square, proudly defying time, stands the Preparandija, the first teacher training school for Serbs, where future teachers were educated from 1812 to 1816. What the Serbs from Hungary proudly emphasize is that it was precisely from their Preparandija that the Teacher’s Faculty in Sombor emerged, which has been educating future teachers for two and a half centuries. Teachers are one of the foundations of every society because they shape the future by educating the youngest generations.

SZENTENDRE STANDS PETRIFIED IN ITS FINAL FORM WHERE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, UNCHANGED AND IMMOVABLE, LIKE A DENSE PILE OF FIREWOOD

Today, the Preparandija building has changed. Since 2019, the Serbian Church Museum has been located here. In front of this building, I faced the fear of every Serb—that perhaps their fellow countrymen who were born and live outside the homeland might not understand them if they spoke their native language. In the hall, we were greeted by an older lady, and we spoke in Serbian. While she gave us basic information about the museum’s exhibits, she also answered the question we hesitantly

asked because we didn’t want to add salt to a decades-old wound: ‘Are there still Serbs in Szentendre, other than the clergy?’ With a smile and a strange accent, as she opened the door to the first museum section, she said: ‘We were once the majority; today there are only nine Serbian families left, but you know, young lady, our children still speak Serbian.’

As I mentioned, the permanent exhibition of the Church Museum in Szentendre is divided into three sections. The first section houses church paintings from all the Serbian churches in Hungary. The exhibits in this section date from the 15th to the 19th century and many were signed by Hristofor Žefarović, Zaharije Orfelin, and many other well-known Serbian icon painters of that era. One exhibit that holds a particularly prominent place, to which our hostess drew special attention, is the Lovra Codex. This is the oldest liturgical book in Hungary, written by an unknown scribe between the 13th and 14th centuries. It contains liturgies from Lazarus Saturday to All Saints Sunday. This liturgical book was discovered quite by accident, as is often the case, in Lovra near Serbian Kovin.”

“The second section of the permanent exhibition is dedicated to liturgical items, treasures, and luxurious vestments that were saved from the long darkness of the Orthodox churches’ treasuries. As I walked among the glass cases, captivated by the lavish craftsmanship of these treasures, my attention was drawn to two wedding crowns dating from the late 19th century. Reading the dedication written in Old Church Slavonic, I realized that this was a gift from Princess Persida Karađorđević to the Church of St. George in Budapest. This is proof that Serbian monarchs, regardless of the dynasty they belonged to, cared for and supported their people even though they lived outside the borders of what was then Serbia.

The third section is located in the museum’s basement, like a cornerstone, as it tells the

story through portraits and diplomas of the notable Serbs who built Szentendre and made it what it is today. Among these figures is Sava Tekelija, a great Serbian benefactor and lifelong president of Matica Srpska. He understood that the strength of intellect and reason was necessary for the Serbian people to stand on equal footing with other nations, provided they were united around an institution like Matica Srpska.

As the old saying goes, ‘The star was already burning hot,’ and the winding street led us straight to the promenade along the Danube in front of a čarda (traditional tavern). My attention was caught by the Hungarian and Serbian flags standing side by side, equally respected. The first represents the respect for the country that provided a piece of its sky for the ‘new’ Serbian family nest to settle under. The second represents respect for the homeland, which, through history and to this day, has not forgotten its exiled ancestors. The čarda is the Serbian tavern ‘Korner,’ owned by the Margaritović family. What makes this tavern unique is its menu in Serbian and waiters who speak Serbian. In addition to Hungarian and international cuisine, traditional Serbian dishes are also served here. Naturally, we opted for the Serbian dishes, which were a welcome change after three days of fast food. Just as the Serbs adapted to life in their new environment, so too did the dishes, which took on a new flavour and thus became original.”

“As I mentioned, this small town is an open-air museum, and everything is steeped in history. Right next to the tavern stands the Cross of Prince Lazar, erected as a memorial to the wooden church that once housed the relics of Prince Lazar. The monks from Ravanica Monastery brought them during the Great Migration in 1690, and they briefly rested in Szentendre. The relics were later returned to the homeland. The wooden church burned down in a fire in 1697, but the cross remains as a testament to how Szentendre served as a refuge for a saint.

After lunch, we had no specific plans, so we wandered wherever the path took us. We found ourselves in Tabačka Mahala, one of the artisan districts of Szentendre. It was founded by tabadžije, a craftsman who softened wool

SZENTENDRE CONTINUES TO HONOUR ITS SERBIAN ROOTS

in water. Therefore, it makes sense that the area was established right next to the Danube. The winding streets and small shops reminded me of Tešnjar in Valjevo. However, unlike Tešnjar, there are no longer any artisan shops here; all the old workshops have been converted into souvenir shops, of course featuring Hungarian cultural heritage, and art galleries. The only remnant of the old Tabačka Mahala is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord or the Tabačka Church. Like all the churches in this town, it was initially a wooden structure, and it took on its current form in the 17th century. Here, too, we encountered locked doors. The only glimpse we could catch of the skills of the Kyiv painters who created the church’s icons was the fresco of Christ’s Crucifixion, which teaches us to hope and believe in eternal life. I lifted my gaze, and

in my view was the baroque tower of the Belgrade Church, looming over Szentendre like its eternal guardian.

Hoping that the Belgrade or Cathedral Church would be open to the public, we hurried to the oldest district of the town. This is where refugees from Belgrade settled after the city fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1521, which is why the church is called the Belgrade Church. It took on its current form at the end of the 18th century and is the seat of the Diocese of Buda. Because of its dark red colour, it reminded me of Žiča Monastery, and I was thrilled at the prospect of lighting a candle in the largest church in Szentendre. However, when we arrived at the church gate, we realized that the church has ‘working hours’ from 8 AM to 4 PM. We were astonished because we had never encountered such a phenomenon before, and 4 PM had long passed, so the only thing left to do was to head towards the train station.

As we walked down the streets towards the train station, I happened to see a sign for ‘Jakov Ignjatović Street.’ I turned and, in that narrow alley, I had the opportunity to see a mural of our famous writer. A woman selling her artworks pointed out that the mural was painted on the very house of the renowned writer, the man who, in his work ‘The Eternal Groom,’ depicted the decline of the Serbian bourgeois class in Szentendre.

In a casual conversation with the artist, I inquired about the train schedule to return to Budapest. During this informal chat, she emphasized that we absolutely must not miss the sunset at the central square. So, we found ourselves back where everything begins and ends in Szentendre. We sat down in a restaurant and watched the sunset...

I reflected on the situation of the Serbs in this small town and on how the great Serbian figures of Szentendre have not been forgotten by their fellow Hungarian citizens... This is because they lived lives worthy of remembrance... And through stories and memories, they will live on forever in Szentendre.”

The List: People who are changing Belgrade

Belgrade—a city full of character, where every street and person tells a unique story. Over time, its residents have shaped its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. However, leaving a truly lasting mark on this city requires a remarkable individual, someone who captivates and stands out. In a monthly series by Duška Jovanić, we’ll shine a spotlight on the men and women who have left an indelible imprint on Belgrade.

Note: The List is in alphabetical order

ANA MIHAJLOVSKI

Smart Girl

By many measures, she is an exceptional woman. Perhaps a young woman in her early forties would be a more accurate description, but Ana Mihajlovski is still mischievous, quick with words and actions, sharp, and capable of answering even the greatest challenges with wit, just like when she first began her TV career. Although her official biography labels her as a TV host and actress, she has long since surpassed that cliché. It just sounds better in English: she is a personality, and very cool. And she knows how to handle it, I add, because I feel I know her well. Lately, she has been hyperactive on social media, fiercely fighting against every injustice. She knows life isn’t fair, but she doesn’t look the other way. On the contrary. The role of a fighter suits her perfectly, dressed for every verbal showdown, but also a fashion editorial. Where is she now, and what does her Belgrade look like? “I’m not from Belgrade; I’m from the Hippodrome, where I grew up. Maybe the Hippodrome is tech-

DUŠAN NEDELJKOVIĆ

Urban Guerrilla

Dule Glavonja, as Belgraders affectionately call him, has such an exciting biography that he didn’t even need to invent stories for his books. Officially, he’s a writer, screenwriter, journalist, radio host, and one of the most famous bloggers around.

The buzz around him began with Monday, a brutal novel with a happy ending, which became the hot topic at every city party. As a keeper of the legacy of the 1980s, he became one of the main authors of the youth radio program Ritam Srca (Rhythm of the Heart), which later evolved into the legendary Radio B92. However, this urban guerrilla spent a good part of his life at an altitude of 12,000 meters. From his former life as a fearless flight attendant, he’s left with a few hundred photographs and memories from the days when he ate everything that flew, swam, or walked. Still, Belgrade has always been and remains his favourite city. “I love Belgrade above all, even though it

nically in Belgrade, but I’m still from the Hippodrome. I come from that ‘bubble’ that no one outside of it can understand and that no longer exists in that form. After the Hippodrome, I spent a long time searching for my Belgrade. First, I moved from that small world to Vračar, then to Košutnjak, from there to Dedinje, then Voždovac, and finally to Zemun, before moving to New Belgrade, and eventually returning to the city centre, settling recently in Vračar. My search lasted more than twenty years. Vračar restored my hope that my Belgrade is right here, around this beautiful building over a hundred years old. And so, as I sit on my balcony, surrounded by Vračar’s rare treetops, often another piece of the façade crumbles off, taking with it something I once called youth. Yet, I wouldn’t search anymore, nor would I change anything—perhaps only that thing that prevents us from realizing that Belgrade reflects all of us and that it will always be just as we are.” What else is there to say, except the proven motto #BeLikeAna?

has changed quite a bit during my lifetime. I like to compare it to a big tree that grows despite everything. Here and there, a leaf falls, but the trunk is firmly rooted. My city is in its people and urban pockets. I don’t live in the past; I respect it, but I’m pushing forward into the future.” Dule Nedeljković recently published a new novel, Bože brate (God, Brother), and launched a podcast, proudly saying he thinks globally but acts locally. He considers it a personal success that he has managed to reduce the verbal aggression that has become a trend in the 21st century. “I walk upright and smiling through the streets. I inspire the weak. I write and breathe in the rhythm of the heart. Activism is my daily routine. I have to remain a winner until the end. I want to believe that through my public work, I’ve managed to bring someone to my side of the street.” Read and listen to this die-hard Zvezda fan. In every novel, radio show, or podcast, he’s planted hope for Belgrade.

© Goran

Popovski

Photo: Tanja Agafonova

Photo: Vesna Lalić

JULIJA CASTELLUCCI

@digitalnaimovina

Who is this extraordinary woman?

Anyone who has walked past the city billboard displaying her name, typically accompanied by a soothing message that reads “Don’t worry,” might just wonder. In short, she is the founder and undisputed owner of a mobile museum where archived reality is presented as a piece of art. This primarily visual and conceptual artist intervenes in space in her unique way. Her favourite city is Belgrade. Both she and the city are quite serious while playfully engaging with one another. “Belgrade was created when God let it slip from His hands. In my life, I’ve encountered three charisms: Belgrade, New York, and the Greek island of Hydra.” For her, Belgrade has always been a living entity. Whenever she wants to converse with it, it instantly turns into an exchange of excitement. There are no intermediaries between them, just the wind and pure emanation that carries them. Their eternal game is

ŽANA KARAKLAJIĆ

The Rebel with a Cause

Even as a young girl, she had her own opinions and strong beliefs. She would say that she was simply born this way, and her parents, especially her mother, contributed to this mindset, claiming she has always been independent. She proudly highlights rebellion as her defining characteristic, which is why punk resonated with her so deeply. Her life abroad (in Paris, Algeria, Los Angeles, and Ljubljana) and numerous travels have undoubtedly shaped her cosmopolitan spirit, which she strives to nurture in Belgrade. Retro avant-garde, eclecticism, strong individuality, and perhaps an atypical style of dressing are all things that Belgrade isn’t accustomed to, making her one of the most significant changemakers in this context. For her, lacking a stance and respect is unthinkable. That’s why she strives to liberate people from imposed constraints and stereotypical thinking, because “everything is so much more beautiful when one is relaxed, unburdened, and tolerant. Being curious, creative, and a homo ludens is endlessly inspiring! I hope my Belgrade

innocent and pure, just as its name suggests. “My name means light in Hebrew, and so Belgrade and I, in a sensuous harmony, link arms and shine.” Of course, she has days when the city feels rude, arrogant, tired, unkempt, hunchbacked, pretentious, cold, and greedy, but during those times, Julija simply steps back to let that mood pass. “Belgrade has a big ego and a big libido; it knows how to seduce and enchant. It can be fatal and deadly, depending on what reality you encounter in it. And yes, it has just one flaw: it’s bipolar, but that’s precisely its beauty.” Artist Julija Castellucci believes her work has the potential to evoke feelings. She creates and emits a kind of change in human emotions and minds. According to Jovana Stokić, the curator of Julija’s most famous installation, the messages placed in public spaces become a universal call for empathy and compassion, reminding passersby of the importance of caring for others as well as for themselves. So, Belgrade, don’t worry! Julija is here.

MARKO MILOŠEVIĆ

Belgrade’s Troubadour

When was the last time a man recited poetry to you? And did it resonate loudly enough for everyone to hear? I’m sure you can’t remember. Or perhaps you pretend you’re not part of that narrative because poetry, for some unknown reason, has become a forgotten art of words. But a few years ago, Marko Milošević emerged to change all that, and he’s doing remarkably well. So well, that it’s easy to catch him in action. His verses are carefully listened to and recounted, and it’s not always just women who aren’t ashamed to shed a tear. “Belgrade today is what we make of it for ourselves, tailored to our measure. It feels bigger and denser to me compared to what it was when I came to stay here twenty-five years ago. I decided to change it to make it better for myself by bringing poetry back to the people. Since it has embraced me, I wanted to return the embrace even more strongly.” Today, Marko gifts Belgraders unforgettable poetry evenings several times a month, where souls are left at the

entrance. He is convinced that beautiful words still exist among us; they just need to be discovered and welcomed with an open heart. However, few can completely surrender to their emotions. That’s why Belgrade isn’t the same city for everyone. “One of my poems says: I opened my arms to anyone who reached out to me.” Marko moved from his hometown of Jagodina at the age of nineteen. He says he carried with him a lot of soul. He has been writing poetry since forever, though not professionally. At the beginning of the pandemic, he wrote the song “Sad znaš” (Now You Know), which was recited by the famous actor and host Tarik Filipović. The song quickly became a hit throughout the region. This was followed by three more poetry collections published under the collective title Poezija života (Poetry of Life). His verses soon became cinematic images, captured by a professional camera in a pioneering endeavour he called “Pobeda sebe” (Victory of the Self). By chance, this organic poet lives on my street, and he always has a rhyme up his sleeve.

recognizes that in me.” As a journalist, translator, and creator of the intriguing show “Inspiracija dana, inspiracija noći” (Inspiration of the Day, Inspiration of the Night), Žana Karaklajić responds daily to her many social media followers with insights on major provocations and often conservative views of those around her. Always direct and unfiltered, her statements “shake the cage” of our stagnant society. “It seems to me that my Belgrade has lost its compass, mixed up the seasons, and found itself in some sort of existential crisis. Sometimes, I am surprised by its fantastic flexibility, breadth, and hospitality, while other times it plunges me into absolute despair due to its inability to resist the wave of a rural virus that is ravaging our weary capital. I try not to forget how much it has endured, how many military and fashion boots have trampled it, but occasionally, I get seriously angry at it. In those moments, I feel like grabbing it by the imaginary shoulders, somewhere between the Sava and the Danube, giving it a good shake, and screaming: Wake up! Remember! Come back!”

Photo: Privat Archive

Photo: Dejan Karaklajić

Photo: Marko Krunić

I care that my work outlasts time

When the history of Yugoslav, or rather Serbian television, is written, Siniša Pavić will be the first in at least three categories: the author of the largest number of series, the author of the most watched series, and the author of the most re-broadcasted series on Television Belgrade, or Radio Television Serbia.

by Radmila Stanković

He wrote the scripts for: Pozorište u kući, Otpisani, Obraz uz obraz, Diplomci, Vruć vetar, Bolji život, Srećni ljudi, Porodično blago, Stižu dolari, Bela lađa, Junaci našeg doba… He is the author of the book Višnja na Tašmajdanu, which was adapted into a feature film, and he is the screenwriter of several historical feature films, as well as documentary dramas on topics from recent history. He created numerous characters that the audience loves and remembers, but one character stands out as special and unique: Šojić from the series Bela lađa, who has become “the embodiment of a corrupt Serbian politician over the past few decades. Politics as a mockery has become the main theme of this series because politics has become the greatest horror in our lives,” as he told me in one of our last conversations.

Siniša Pavić spent his working life in the court and retired as a judge. It’s easy to conclude that his choice of characters from the people is actually the result of his long-standing interactions with litigants who came to court

with various requests—funny, bizarre, sad, impossible… He loved those characters, the common people who were so well-received among viewers. Even though it was almost mandatory for judges to be members of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia during Socialist Yugoslavia, Siniša was not, although his beliefs have always been leftist. He went to work every day, and in the afternoons and evenings, he would write. He never had a study or a desk. He wrote exclusively by hand, on scraps of paper. He had over 80,000 handwritten pages. That handwriting was given to be typed up.

Siniša Pavić’s father, Ante, was from Sinj, a Croat, but in his ideas and belonging, he identified as a Yugoslav. He gave one son a Serbian name, Siniša, and the other a Croatian name, Damir. Known for his sense of justice, integrity, and conviction as a Yugoslav, in the years leading up to World War II, he realized that he could not survive in Croatia. He had been freed from prison in Kotor, where he had led a sailor’s rebellion in 1918, after a year by the Serbian army, marking him. He was a man who

SINIŠA PAVIĆ (1933-2024)

mastered a dozen trades and was a sailor in the Austro-Hungarian fleet. Siniša was five years old when the Pavić family moved to Belgrade in 1938.

When I visited Vlasotince a few years ago, where Pavić lived in his last years with his wife Ljiljana, I saw during a walk with him what it means to be an honorary citizen of this beautiful town in southern Serbia, which has about fifteen thousand inhabitants. People warmly greeted him, paused, stopped him, asked questions, and commented… It was a life that kept him healthy and in a good mood until the last day. His wife Ljiljana (89) is also a lawyer, as is their son Vladimir (a professor at the Law Faculty, married and has a son, Konstantin).

No matter how much his characters in the series dealt with politics, Siniša Pavić personally never had the slightest emotional relationship with politics. He is, as he attributes to his character Šojić, an emotional observer. And here’s another quote from one of our conversations: “I had four offers for four very high political positions, one from Prime Minister Radoman Božović, one from President of

Serbia Slobodan Milošević… and I declined all four. That is not a job that fits my moral being. I cannot claim that I am always right, nor that I know everything best; I wouldn’t be able to constantly praise myself before the people. That is a job that pushes a person into banality, while what I do is an attempt to rise above the banal, to elevate ourselves above everyday trivialities.”

What can a man wish for who has intertwined his work with the widest television audience in Yugoslavia? In our last conversation, when he turned 90, he said this to me:

“I care that my work endures over time. So far it has, what will happen in the future is not for me to judge. Although, I’m not sure if a writer like me will be needed for tomorrow’s television at all. I was very dedicated to writing, I had self-discipline, and every detail was important to me. Today, much of what I achieved through work is achieved through marketing. Today, there are fewer and fewer people who expect something more from television than ordinary, often banal entertainment.”

Photo: Nebojša Jovanović

Life Begins at Forty

A completely unusual dance ensemble will open this year’s Bitef on September 25th with an equally unusual performance titled Mellowing

Alba Baral Fernandes has always been fascinated by anatomy and the human body. This Spaniard, born in 1979 in Lugo, intended to build a career in medicine, which most likely would have happened if one encounter hadn’t changed her life. At just under twenty years old, in her medical studies, she met a person from the Netherlands who was a professional dancer and made a living from it.

“Suddenly something clicked in my head, and I was like, ‘But this is what I want to do,’” she explains. Although she had experience in dancing, up until that moment she wasn’t sure if she could make a career out of it. She began exploring her options, quickly left medicine, and switched to dance.

“That decision was the best decision I’ve ever made. It was like the whole world opened up, and I felt – oh yeah, this is it. This is what makes me happy. I want to do this for as long as I can,” adds Baral Fernandes.

Although the career span for dancers is significantly shorter than for other performing artists, Baral Fernandes has managed to push those boundaries. Today,

IN THE END, THE MELLOWING IN SOFTENING IS REFLECTED IN THE SUBTLY EXECUTED IDEA OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S REBELLION THROUGH BARELY NOTICEABLE DISRUPTIONS OF SET BOUNDARIES

she is a member of the successful Dance On Ensemble from Berlin, which brings together dancers over the age of forty.

“I understand the necessity for something like this to exist,” she says. “There is a need to kind of underline the fact that age is not

BEAUTY (WILL NOT) SAVE THE WORLD

This year’s edition of the festival is held under the slogan “Beauty (Will Not) Save the World”, with the main program curated by a selection team consisting of artistic director Nikita Milivojević, executive director and co-curator Ksenija Đurović, and dramaturge and co-curator Tijana Grumić.

According to them, just as Dostoevsky referred to virtue and the beauty of the human soul when he spoke of beauty saving the world, in this context, beauty represents primarily an ethical, not merely an aesthetic, category.

“However, the ambivalence of this slogan, in a world torn apart by wars, brutalities, horrific injustices, and extreme social divisions, suggests a critical reflection on whether anything, even something as elevated and noble as beauty, can truly save such a world,” explains the selection team of the 58th Bitef. “In addition to the works in the main program that articulates this question in various ways, their value also lies in the fact that they leave room for the possibility of salvation.”

important, and, funny enough, the way to underline it is by actually creating a company of people who are older than the average dancers.”

The Belgrade audience will have the opportunity to see Alba Barral Fernández, as well as her colleagues from the Dance On Ensemble, on September 25 at the opening of the 58th Bitef Festival. The dance performance Mellowing was co-produced by this ensemble with the Onassis Stegi from Greece and the National Choreographic Center of Rillieuxla-Pape from France, with choreography by Greek artist Christos Papadopoulos.

This work highlights the very essence of this ensemble by asking the question: What does it mean to mature? How does the body soften, and how does it change as it matures?

THE FEELING IS GREAT

The Dance On Ensemble has already participated in Bitef through its award-winning collaboration with choreographer Jan Martens. The performance "any attempt will end in crushed bodies and shattered bones" opened the 56th Bitef and later

won the Mira Trailović Grand Prix, which it shared equally with the performance Solo by Nina Rajić Kranjac.

Ty Boomershine joined the Dance On Ensemble in 2015 and by 2019 had already become the ensemble’s artistic director. He admits he’s surprised that his dance career is still going strong.

“I never expected to work this long,” Boomershine says. “For me, it’s a surprise that I’m still able to do half the things I can do. Honestly, I’m surprised that I get up, take class, and I’m like, ‘I can still do this.’ So I’m just living in the moment. I just feel like I’m a better dancer now. I’m curious when it will start to change because, for now, it still feels quite good. I don’t know what it looks like, but it feels pretty good.”

Boomershine was born in 1968 in the U.S. and has been a professional dancer since 1989 – “so you do the math,” he adds with a laugh. Like many of his generation, the famous Martha Graham was “to blame” for his falling in love with dance.

“When I was young, especially in high school, when I first saw Martha Graham, I thought this was great. Seeing Graham, even on video, kind of shocked me that you could still tell these fairy-tale stories, but they were powerful, and the women didn’t seem fragile,” he explains. “Of course, my taste changed a bit. I was introduced to Merce Cunningham’s work, which profoundly affected me. To see the kind of intelligence that could go behind a dance performance was exciting and new.”

LESS EFFORT FOR GREATER SUCCESS

This is exactly the kind of “reading” of dance that awaits the audience at the opening of this year’s Bitef.

THE PERFORMANCE MELLOWING WILL BE STAGED AT THE OPENING OF THE 58TH BITEF ON SEPTEMBER 25 AT 8 P.M. AT THE MADLENIANUM OPERA AND THEATRE

MELLOWING – WHAT DOES THE CRITICISM SAY?

“It is a joy to watch these experienced and expressive dancers. In Mellowing, they manage to maintain tension, increase intensity, and find freedom within the strict form,” writes the German daily Der Tagesspiegel. The portal Tanznetz.de notes how Papadopoulos and the Dance On Ensemble leave a lasting impression on the audience: “The result of this finely choreographed performance is incredibly effective: a compelling pull is created that is almost impossible to resist.”

Eleven dancers gradually fill a clean, white space, shifting their weight almost imperceptibly from one joint to another, accompanied by music that sounds like a metronome, composed by the ItalianGreek composer Koti K. They explore the possibilities of human attention and concentration through a minimalistic and almost meditative stage expression.

With synchronized, minimalist movements inspired by classical dance techniques, the eleven bodies create collective images, coming together in diverse con-

stellations that occasionally break apart only to be rebuilt, all the while allowing us to enjoy the beauty woven into the cracks of an otherwise seemingly formalized stage language.

In the end, the mellowing in Mellowing is reflected in the subtly executed idea of an individual’s rebellion through barely noticeable disruptions of set boundaries.

For choreographer, Christos Papadopoulos, who is working with the Dance On Ensemble for the first time, aging represents a shift in priorities.

“For me, ageing is changing the priorities. Ageing is changing the function of the body because the priority of the mind keeps changing,” he explains. “In a way, when we age, we realize different aspects of movement, different aspects of the world, and different aspects of our work as artists. We have this saying in the dance field that when we age, we use less effort to achieve something we want.”

When Papadopoulos presented his piece Opus in Belgrade in 2018, he was announced as a rising European star, while today he is a confirmed name on the European dance scene. The Greek choreographer fondly remembers his encounter with the local audience.

“For me, it was one of the warmest and most generous reactions we had from the public. I had the impression – but of course, this is not objective, it’s subjective – I had the impression that the audience was extremely attentive, very quiet, and extremely concentrated. That is quite rare to observe.”

The 58th Bitef will be held from September 25 to October 4, and the audience will have the opportunity to see performances from Germany, France, Switzerland, Bolivia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. All performances in the main program will be presented in the original language of production, with translations available in English and Serbian. Details about the program, festival events, and ticket sales can be found on the festival’s official website (www.bitef.rs).

58TH BELGRADE INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL “BITEF”

25 SEPTMEBER – 4 OCTOBER

Belgrade, Serbia

Since the sixties of the 20th century, BITEF has presented a festival of theatrical tendencies through which the turbulent development of theater art is most directly depicted. The festival will be held under the slogan “On the edge of the future”. In the main program, numerous performances of fourteen theater productions by directors and choreographers will be organized. Among them are five performances planned for last year. These plays, which will arrive in Belgrade this autumn from all over the world, will make up the main program of the upcoming Bitef. From September 25 to October 4, the audience will have the opportunity to watch performances from Germany, France, Switzerland, Bolivia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia.