Serbian artists exhibit in New York

Belgrade June 28. 2010. (Serbia Today) - Exhibition of Contemporary Art, "Serbia -most often asked questions", will be opened on 21. September in New York. Admirers of modern art will be able to view works of Serbian artist at the gallery of the Austrian Cultural Forum. New York audiences will be able to enjoy the work of  Zoran Todorovic Katarina Zdjelar, Race Todosijevic, Milica Tomic, Biljana Djurdjevic and Darinka Pop Mitic. Uros Djuric and Austrian artist Elke Kristufek will present a kind of artistic dialogue based on their existing cooperation. Marko Lulic will present his new work that will be dedicated to recently deceased architect Bogdan Bogdanovic. The exhibition t the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York will be open until January 2011th year.

Documentary film "Goodbye, how are you?” in America

Belgrade, June 24. 2010. (Serbia Today) - Documentary film by Boris Mitic of Serbian satirical aphorism "Goodbye, how are you?” will be displayed on 23rd June, at the biggest American Documentary Film Festival in Washington “Silverdocs”. This projection in the hall of the American Film Institute (AFI) will be also the American premiere of the film. The film was also nominated by the Writers Guild of America for the award for best documentary screenplay, which will be awarded 25th June. "Good-bye, how are you?" effectively integrate the most universal Serbian satirical aphorisms in the unusual narration by actor Nebojsa Glogovac, and it is illustrated with nearly 500 'satirical documentary scenes' who were captured during 4 years on the back roads of Serbia and Republika Srpska. The film is supported by the Ministry of Culture and the City of Belgrade, and it was redeemed by the TV stations in France, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Estonia, Israel and all countries of the former Yugoslavia.

Bata Zivoinovic still popular in China

Belgrade, June 18. 2010. (Serbia Today) - Serbian actor Velimir Bata Zivojinovic, one of the biggest actors of former Yugoslavia recently signed agreement with the ‘Hemel’ for the sale of that company’s cosmetics in China, writes Belgrade daily Blic. Soon he is to start working on a series ‘Valter defends Sarajevo’ with the Chinese and is going to act in Srdjan Todorovic’s new film ‘Parade’. Zivojinovic, who is extremely popular in China is to play in a series for the Chinese market. The shooting shall be in cooperation with the ‘Pink’ and ‘Victoria Film’. It is believed that the original film has been seen by about 13 millions of Chinese viewers. ‘I am also to play in Todorovic’s new film on the gay parade. I shall be a parade promoter’, Zivojinovic says. He recently celebrated his 77th birthday and 50 years of work in film. He played in several hundreds of films until so far.

Nisville jazz festival

Belgrade, June ,12. 2010. (Serbia Today) - Musician Rambo Amadeus will be one of the main stars on the "Nisville" Jazz Festival from August 12th to August 15, announced the organizers of the music event. “Nisville” will be held at the Nis fortress, and his goal is to promote southern Serbia. For the occasion famous musician Rambo Amadeus announced that his band will include a brass section. In addition to Rambo Amadeus,  Solomon Burke and his band, "Benny Golson & Automatic rotting systems Kelag Big Band, Quintet Roy Hargruva, Steve Hackett,  De Phazz,  Manu di Bang and others will perform.

TIBA festival started in Belgrade

 
Belgrade June, 10, 2010 (Serbia Today) - Musical "On the letter on the letter" opened on Sunday Eighth International Theatre Festival for Children and Youth TIBA in Pozoriste na Terazijama. The audience will enjoy performances from Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Parma and Copenhagen. The Festival was opened by actor Miki Damjanovic, and the main festival program will showcase nine performances. For the opening event the musical "On the letter on the letter" after once popular TV series directed by Darjan Mihajlovic was selected. In next few days the audience will see performances from Ljubljana, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Parma and Copenhagen, and on the closing day Theatre Ensemble of "Bosko Buha", which organizes the festival, will put on "The Lord of the Flies." The accompanying program at the Studentski Park will feature staged mini-plays written by students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade every day from 6pm to 8pm.
 

Three artists from Serbia in an exhibition of new Canadian art

Belgrade/Ottawa, June, 04. 2010 (Serbia Today) – The works of three artists originally from Serbia have been featured in a group exhibition of new Canadian art and culture in Ottawa. Sculptress Bozica Radjenovic presented the installation symbolically called "Dual citizenship.” Radjenovic has a BA and MA degree from the Faculty of Fine Art in Belgrade, and 1993 she moved to Canada. In her native Belgrade, Ottawa and Toronto she had a dozen solo exhibitions and at group exhibitions in Canada, she has made more than 30 presentations. Zivana Djukic Kostic presented "Nordic fleece" with the performance of a series of metal tapestries in the series "From the Vinca to Iceland”. She lives in Pancevo, Ottawa and Montreal. Jasminka Kukic, the only artist-immigrant from Serbia, with a decade and a half of working on collages has represented three works in this technique. She has lived in Ottawa for 17 years and has exhibited in many exhibitions in  Canada,  France,  USA,  Lithuania,  Bulgaria  and  Serbia  including the "
Golden Pen in Belgrade. 

Film festival in Palic

 
Belgrade/ Palic, June, 03. 2010 (Serbia Today) – European Film Festival Palic 2010th will be held from 17 to 23 July at several locations in Palic and Subotica, announced the organizers - the Open University in Subotica In its 17th edition the festival will offer nine sections, and as in previous years, the main program of the Competition will give out three awards - the Golden Tower for best film, Palic Tower for Best Director and Special Jury Prize. The international jury of critics will award "Tollerance Award (prize for tolerance) for best film from within Parallels and Encounters, and selection of young spirit of Europe will award the European filmmaker with ERSTE Undeground Spirit Award. Traditionally there are two awards, "Alexander Lifka" for his contribution to European cinema, one for domestic and one for foreign artist. Alexander Lifka was the founder of cinema in this region and one of the most important European figures deserving of the promotion of "moving pictures" in the first half of the 20th century.

Lazar Ristovski winner of the award " Sergej Bondarcuk"

Belgrade/Moscow, June, 03. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Serbian well-known actor, Lazar Ristovski has received the award for outstanding contribution to the world cinema, last week at the International Film Festival in Moscow. Ristovski received the prize on Wednesday at the opening of the festival and on that occasion he said: "Maybe I could say that it was the greatest award that I have ever received in my life. " He also said that this award is very worth for the Russians, and for artists from Serbia even more. He pointed out that such awards in Serbia do not attach great significance. "It is a spiritual festival, festival of orthodoxy, but it is not just a festival of Orthodox countries. It is a world festival, at which awards were given to the great artists of the world’s film, and it has a great future" said Ristovski. "Ristovski has played in 50 movies and 3,000 theater plays and its long-term participation in the Moscow festival has made a great contribution to this event" said the organizers.

Srdjan Koljevic’s new film in Karlovy Vary

Belgrade, May, 31. 2010 (Serbia Today) - New movie of the director Srdjan Koljevic "Woman with a broken nose" was included at competitive program 45th International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, which will be held from 2 to 10 July, announced on Wednesday distributor "Tack." The film “Woman with a broken nose" will be shown in the official competition program "East of the West.” It will be the international premiere of the film and the first official participation of a Serbian film in the world festival of A category this year. In the cast are Nebojsa Glogovac, Branka Katic, Anica Dobra, Nada Sargin, Jasna Zalica, Vuk Kostic and Nikola Rakocevic. The film was shot in the production "Bas Celik" from Serbia and the “Neu Mediopolis Film” from Germany.

Darko Lungulov;s film “Here and There'' wins in America

Belgrade, May, 26. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Film “Here and There'' has achieved incredible success at the box office list of independent films after the first weekend showing in America. Last year's winner of the Film Festival "Tribeca" in the category Best New York story, 14 May began screening in the U.S. and after the first weekend, occupied 5th place on the list of independent films in America, as reported by IndyWire Box Office. Serbian film took a high place at the box office list completely free of propaganda and advertising, but with "spreading the good vote". This was enhanced by excellent reviews in influential publications such as Hollywood Reporter, New York Times and Village Voice. Due to great interest, screening will be extended for one more week in the Quad Cinema, in New York. From Friday 21st May "Here and There" begins showing in Los Angeles, in cinema "Laemmle Music Theater, and during the next two months the film will be shown in 14 cities in America.

Serbian director awarded on Cannes film festival

Belgrade, May 25. 2010. (Serbia Today) - Project  the "Circles", idea of Serbian director and producer Srdan Golubovic,  received the award for best project on "Atelier" session, the official program of Cannes film  festival  designed  for  movie works in development. "Circle" received the award  among the 15 Selected Films in progress  emerging from around the world, announced the distributor of “Tuck.” Cannes Film Festival has launched the "Atelier" to help funding  directors  so they could  finish their projects. Besides Golubovic  competition involved the authors from Argentina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Hungary, Venezuela, Turkey, Iran, Britain and Japan. Film Centre of Serbia supported the new Golubovic project "Circles" with 300.000 EUR based on the results of the competition for co-financing domestic films in this year.

Sarajevo Days in Belgrade

Belgrade, May, 22. 2010 (Serbia Today) Sarajevo Days in Belgrade, opens on 19.May. It is a group exhibition of artists from Sarajevo, The manifestation is held every year in May, as a reminder to the beginning of a four-year siege of Sarajevo. From 2007, the festival has renewed old and made new connections between Belgrade and Sarajevo citizens. From last year the Festival received official support from the two cities. This year over 200 artists and cultural workers will come to Belgrade. This year’s theme, according to organizers of the festival, are relations in the region, 15 years after the Dayton agreement, violence at sporting events and discussions on mechanisms for establishing the truth about the past, in war in former Yugoslavia. The visitors are Sarajevo National Theatre, Chamber Theatre 55 and the Sarajevo War Theater with performances of 'Caligula', illness of family M and “This is Ionesco, fool. "The festival is organized by Youth Initiative for Human Rights and the Agency for Cooperation with NGOs and European Harmonization of Belgrade, and will last until 24 May.

Serbian women love theatre

Belgrade, May, 21. 2010  (Serbia Today)  Regular theatre audiences in Serbia are mainly women and young people, according to the results of research conducted by the Institute for the Study of Cultural Development, Belgrade. Women dominate with almost two thirds of theatergoers, with most of the visitors ranging between 19 and 30 years, while the smallest proportion are aged over 65 years.  In terms of education, theater audiences are mostly professionals and students, and even 25 percent of visitors have a high degree.  The research also included the frequency of visits to the theater. The largest group - about 37 percent are occasional visitors, those who go to the theater once or twice in a period of three months. The following is a regular audience - about 30 percent of viewers who go to the theater once or twice each month. About 13 percent of the public visiting the theater two to three times a year, and only four percent annually.  Favorite genres of Serbian theatre audience are comedies and dramas, as well as contemporary works of local authors. Comedies are a bit more popular with young audiences, older audience prefer dramas and interest in musicals is equally in all age groups.  As for information on the work of the theater, most information came from the Internet and recommendations of friends, but there are still important and traditional ways - advertising space in the theater and newspapers, while some potential visitors informed about the culture through programs on radio and television. More than half the audience thinks that ticket prices are reasonable, to 28 percent prices are high, 4.6 percent thought that the are low, and about ten percent of the audience didn’t reveal their opinion. As a reason for the rare visit to the theater audience mentioned social and economic conditions, as well as the dominant value orientations in society. The study included all professional theater audience in Serbia.
 

Creativity of persons with disabilities

Belgrade, May, 20. 2010 (Serbia Today) The Belgrade International Festival of persons with disabilities will be held from May 27 till  May 31. The event will feature films  and theater performances whose  authors or the protagonists are people with disabilities,  announced  festival director, actor Marko Stojanovic. The festival will feature 50 movies releases from more than 10 countries from all over the world.  Audience would also see theatre performances, programs for children, various workshops and forums. "People with disabilities will show that they are the full and equal members of society," said festival direktor Marko Stojanovic. The festival will be held at the “Dom sindikata” and  the building of the Belgrade City hall .  Tickets for the event will be free.
 

Close to 500,000 visitors on the event “Museum Night”

Belgrade, May, 19. 2010 (Serbia Today) – The event which was been held in 48 cities in the country, visited by over 450,000 people, announced the production house “Museum Night”. Most reviews were as expected in Belgrade (250 000) and in Novi Sad (120,000), said organizers. All those who were in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci, Sabac, Valjevo, Pancevo, Svilajnac, Loznica, Subotica, Pozarevac, Krusevac, Kraljevo, Sombor, Kikinda, Jagodina, Smederevo, and in many other cities have had the opportunity to see exhibitions and also to explore the sites that have not had a chance to see it. In Novi Sad, according to initial estimates. Through museums, galleries and exhibition spaces passed 120,000 visitors. About 10,000 visitors in Valjevo visited the new opened  and reshuffled tower Nenadovića and a central museum building in which the visitors enjoyed the performance Live art museum. More than 8,000 people have visited the Town Museum, Modern Art Gallery Subotica and enjoyed meeting in the collection of Jozef Naza - drawings, paintings, graphics and sculptures. For the first time the event was joined Svilajnac, Bela Crkva and Novi Pazar.

Film of a student Dane Komljen at the festival in Cannes

Belgrade, May, 18. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Short film directed by a young Serbian Dane Komljen called "I'm already everything that I have," will participate in the competitive selection Sinefondasion (Cinefondation) in the Cannes festival, which is dedicated to discovering new talents. Komljen's test film from the third year in the class of director Slobodan Sijan, at the Faculty of Drama Arts in Belgrade, is included in the selection of only 13 films, selected among the 1500 papers submitted from around the world. In the Cannes program "Studio" this year is invited a famous Serbian director and producer Srdjan Golubovic. He will present his new project called "Circles” in the sessions before the world's producers.

Jazz fantasy - Wayne Sorter comes to Belgrade

Belgrade, May, 17. 2010 (Serbia Today)  Wayne Sorter, one of the most influential jazz musician of today, will open the 26th Belgrade Jazz Festival  on  October 28 with a  concert at the Sava Center. The famous saxophonist returns to Belgrade  after 30 years. On 1980 in the Serbian capital he performed with his band "Weather Report.”  According to The New York Times, Wayne Sorter is the greatest living jazz composer. Wayne Sorter won the "Grammy’ award nine times. The first time this award was given to him was on 1979 as a member of the group Weather Report. His subsequent eight awards were individual accolades.

Come back of Johnny Stulic

Belgrade, May. 15. 2010 (Serbia Today) The collected works of the legendary  “Azra”  front man and now writer,  Branimir Johnny Stulic, are almost  prepared and should be released by the end of May, announced the publishing house “Plato.” The collection will comprise fifteen of Stulic’s books and a double CD with hitherto unpublished music. Also there will be recordings of the  Azra concerts in Mostar and Banja Luka. Stulic drew covers for his works. The lead singer of one of the most popular bands in the Balkans, former resident of Zagreb now lives in the Netherlands and for many years has not appeared in public.

Kusturica awarded for dialogue between cultures

Belgrade, May, 14. 2010 (Serbia today)  Movie director Emir Kusturica will receive a prize for a dialogue between cultures on the 56th Film festival in the Italian town of Taormina, organization board announced. The festival will be held from June 12 to June 18 at the Greek Theater in Taormina. American actor Robert De Niro will be awarded with the prize "Arte". Emir Kusturica won the "Golden palm" at Cannes for the film "Father on the Business travel" 1985 and "Underground" in 1995.  De Niro (aged 67) received the Oscar for best actor in "Godfather 2 in 1975. Award of the American Academy of film went to him once again six years later for the film "Raging Bull."

Film Plavi voz first at the Cannes Film Market, than in Belgrade

Belgrade, May. 13. 2010 (Serbia today) - Janko Baljak’s film " Plavi voz" whose story is housed at the time of the death of Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, will have its first run on 19th May, at the Film Market Cannes festival. This will be followed on 25th May with special screenings in Belgrade, in the open area in front of the Museum of History of Yugoslavia, where Tito's grave is located. That will be the first run in Belgrade, through a five-day event "ORA 2010.” Baljko’s film is about a generation of high school graduates in 1980. Pupils of electro-technical school "Nikola Tesla", which Tito's death has caught in the moment of a beauty contest. " Plavi voz " is also a film with specific political background with the action happening in the seven days of mourning of Tito's death in Belgrade and other cities of the former Yugoslavia. It was considered rude to be happy and particularly offensive to be in love in the way that the heroes of the film are. In the roles of students are Sanja Popovic, Ljubomir Bulajic, Aleksandar Radojicic, Aleksandar Tomic and Suzana Lukic, director of school plays Lena Bogdanovic, a professor of Marxism, Nebojsa Milovanovic, and Police Colonel Goran Sultanovic.

May exhibition of graphics

 
Belgrade, May. 12. 2010 (Serbia today) -In the graphic arts collective tonight's opening of the May exhibition of graphics, which will be awarded the great seal. The May exhibition of graphic of Belgrade's circle is the oldest and most important exhibition dedicated to graphic creations. This manifestation has been the major indicator in monitoring in changes in  graphic production over the decades. It also showcases young generations as well as renowned artists. For decades every winner of the award has made valuable links in the chain of artistic expression form, writes Ljiljana Slijepcevic in the foreword to the exhibition catalog. This year’s exhibition will see the participation of 96 artists.

First Roma library in Balkans

Belgrade, May, 10 2010 (Serbia Today)  The first Roma library in the Balkans has been opened in Novi Sad. The library is named for the Romani poet and fighter for the emancipation, Trifun Dimic  Roma (1956-2001). The library in Novi Sad suburb  Sangaj has around 4.000 books, with 350 of them relating to the Roma language.   The library "Trifun Dimic" Radić  employs two Roma women who obtained the job thanks to  Vojvodina comity for labor. The main criteria for employment was a knowledge of Roma language. The Library, which covers 100 square meters, was built with the assistance of the City Administration  of Novi Sad, organization Open Society from Belgrade, the National Library of Serbia and the Office for Roma Inclusion. 

Paskaljevic awarded for humanity in film art

Belgrade, May, 07. 2010 (Serbia today) - The famous Serbian movie-maker Goran Paskaljevic was recently honored at the Film Festival in San Sebastian for films dedicated to human rights. He is the first foreign director to receive this award. His film ‘Honeymoons’ is presently screened at art cinemas in Madrid, Barcelona and a dozen other cities in Spain, and has been given outstanding reviews in the leading Spanish media. The media in that country view Paskaljevic as one of the most important European directors in the last three decades. Paskaljevic received the largest number of the highest award in the history of the Film Festival in Valladolid (‘Someone Else’s America’, ‘Optimists’ and ‘Honeymoons’). He is seen by the Spanish film critics as a determined fighter for human rights who, ‘apart from making great films (‘Midwinter Night’s Dream’, ‘Powder Barrel’) has been always fighting against nationalism in his country by modern dialectic’. On the occasion of the six awards he received worldwide for the ‘Honeymoons’ and award for humanity, the famous director told ‘Blic’: ‘The award for humanity is certainly a special recognition. The important thing is that this film, as many of other of my films is being screened at cinemas in Frances, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and now in Spain. The film attracted huge media attention and journalists mainly asked me how the Kosovo issue should be solved since they see Serbia in the EU and Kosovo as an obstacle to that. Of course, I cannot offer a solution, but this film as many have observed, is a bridge between the two conflicted nations and a hand of reconciliation. I think that the Spaniards understand our problems very well, they experienced the civil war the traces of which are still being felt’.

Hair breaks record

Belgrade, May 06. 2010 (Serbia Today)- Performance Hair has become one of the most popular productions in the history of Serbian theater. From the premiere on February 2th till the May 4 performance, this musical in Belgrade theatre Atelje 212 attracted more than 10,000 viewers. The play, directed by Kokan Mladenovic, is a modern version of the Milos Forman film hit. Supporters of the hippie movement’s current heroes are fighters against globalization. Starring, among other Sergej Trifunovic, Branislav Trifunovic, Gordan Kicic and Katarina Zutic. Brothers Sergei and Branislav Trifunovic played the main roles of Claude and Berger. The first version of “Hair” in Belgrade was shown more than 40 years, also in the Atellje 212.

Journalists rights endangered in Serbia

Belgrade, May 3, 2010 ( Sorce: Beta) - The Serbian Journalists’ Association (UNS) stated that the rights of journalist are endangered in Serbia. UNS added that these rights can only be protected by solidarity among journalists. The Association stated that ten years has passed since the democratic changes in Serbia, and that the murders of prominent journalists such as Slavko Ćuruvija, Milan Pantić and Dada Vujasinović have yet to be solved after the passing of many years. “Behind us is a year in which journalists were not threaten by just criminals, but also by the newly-rich, politicians, and even religious figures,” the UNS stated. It also stated that the adoption of the law for public information took away some of the formal freedoms of journalists in Serbia. The UNS also stated that over the last 12 months, the fight for getting attacks and threats on journalists punished appropriately finally ended. “We received the status of a profession of public importance,” adding that, however, that was not enough for the court to qualify threats against B92 investigative journalist Brankica Stanković made by football hooligans as serious enough for prosecution. The statement adds that 2,000 journalists and media workers lost their jobs in 2009, adding that many who are still working, especially at local papers or stations, are receiving small wages that often are not paid on time. The UNS called on union solidarity because of this, adding that only solidarity by a well-organized group of professionals can protect the rights of journalists in Serbia.

Performance “The Hair” will open Sterija’s Theater Festival

Belgrade, April 29. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The Traditional Theatre Festival “Sterija’s Stage" will be open for the 55th time during the ten days, from May 25 to June 4. The audience will have the opportunity to see 12 plays in the selection of national drama and theater, as well as five achievements in the International Selection "Friends", announced the organizers of the festival, adding that the budget for the festival is less than twice than the last year, and this time motto will be Sterija’s lyrics of " nothing form body and nothing from mind”.The “Sterija’s Stage” will be officially open on May 26 by the musical "The Hair", directed by Kokan Mladenovic. This is the final program of the festival, in which the main program will have 12 performances, of which three are from the abroad. The “Sterija’s Stage” will presents nine performances less than the last year - announced Milivoje Mlađenović, director of the festival. The prologue of the “Sterija’s Stage”, will be dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Mesa Selimovic and will be read at the opening. The exhibition of theatrical posters and graphic design will be organized for the 13 th time in the accompanying program and the visitors will be able to see the “The Days of Books” event.

U.S. Embassy Donates Computer Equipment to Public Library “Stevan Sremac” Niš

Belgrade/ Nis, April 28. 2010 (Source :US Embassy) - Ambassador Mary Warlick will visit Niš Public Library on April 28. During the visit, she will donate $4,500 in computer equipment on behalf of the American people. Public Library “Stevan Sremac” is a partner of the U.S. Embassy and host institution for the American Corner program. New computer equipment will enable the automation of library functions and services, a higher level of client services, as well as the digitalization of the library collections. Together with Mayor Simonović, Assembly President Ilić, Mediana municipality President Ćirković, and Library Director Vasić, the Ambassador will visit library departments and give a brief statement.

The event of national importance

Belgrade, April 27. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The Serbian Ministry of Culture has admitted the event “Council of Vuk Karadzic” in the events of the national significance, confirmed the director of the Cultural Center of Loznica "Vuk Karadzic" Diana Đedović She said that this news will probably surprise many of them who believed that one of the oldest cultural events in the country was already on the list. Since the year 2000 the Vuk’s Council had amateur characters and we have constantly tried to prove that it is not so, and that the oldest cultural event in the country, a symbol of Serbian literacy, must have the status of national importance. Finally it happened and we can be satisfied. In addition to promoting the importance of the cultural map of Serbia, Vuk council is a manifestation that will be funded by the relevant ministry - said Đedović. We have always worried if we are able to provide cover for all programs that are demanding and which should be at the level of importance of such events. I hope that now we, will have less concern and we will be able to plan more quality programs. Financial support will provide continuity of work, we will have to wait for the decision of the committee in charge of competitions, but we count on certain money from the Ministry of Culture. We already except funds fom the forthcoming 76th Vuk’s Council, confirmed Đedović.

Hundred years since the birth of Mesa Selimovic

Belgrade, April 26. 2010 (Serbia Today) - On Tuesday, April 27th, Serbia, marks 100th anniversary since the birth of the great Serbian writer Mehmed Mesa Selimovic. As the part of the celebration of hundred years since the birth of writer Mese Selimovića Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) will hold special conference in the on April 27 and 28. The conference will be open by the president of Academy Nikola Hajdin. Writings of the Mesa Selimovic will be read by actor Gojko Santic, and after that the lecture about famous writer will be given by Dobrica Cosic and Matija Beckovic. Svetozar Koljevic, Predrag Palavestra, Milan Đurčinov, Radovan Vuckovic Slavko Gordić, Marko Krstic, Miro Vuksanovic, Ivan Majic, Miroslav Egerić, Ranko Risojević, Staniša Tutnjević, Milos Djordjevic, Svetlana Velmar Jankovic, will be talking during this conference as well. About Mesa Selimović’s work and life will also speak Jasmina Ahmetagić, Aleksandar Gatalica, Vladimir Pistalo, Vladimir Kecmanović, Marko Nedic, Aleksandar Jerkov, Milan Radulovic, Nebojsa Bradic, Radomir Ivanovic, Milorad Radovanovic and Predrag Piper. Mesa Selimovic was born on April 26, 1910 in Tuzla. He graduated at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, Department of Serbo-Croatian language and Yugoslav literature. His first book, a collection of short stories "Prva ceta" was publish in 1950., and then the novel "Tisina" (1961), a collection of short stories "Tudja zemlja" (1962) and poetic novel "Magla I mesecina" (1965). His most famous work is a novel "Dervis I smrt", published in 1966 , and was written as a reaction to the regime in the former Yugoslavia, which persecuted the political prisoners. Mesa Selimovic also wrote the novels "Za I protiv Vuka", "Tvrdjava", "Ostrvo", "Krug". Mesa Selimovic was the President of the Asociation of the Writers of Yugoslavia, Honorary Doctor of the University of Sarajevo and the regular member of the Academy of Sciences of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received NIN award for the novel "Dervis i smrt" in 1967. He died on July 11, 1982 in Belgrade.

Uzice on a “Halfway road”

By: Bojana Jankovic

Belgrade,/Uzice April 25. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Uzice, town in the western part of Serbia, is located exactly halfway between Sarajevo and Belgrade, and for this reason Literary Festival started five years ago in this city has been named “Halfway Road”. It is organized by the high school “Modrag Milovanovic Lune” and with the support of the City of Uzice. This year, “Halfway road ” will be held form April 26 to April 30, when the participants (writers) from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will hold the literature lecture to the students of this school, and present their latest works to the general public. Karmen Loncarek (Rijeka), Enes Kurtovic (Sanski Most), Dinko Telecan (Zagreb), Vladimir Pistalo (Beograd), Nenad Velickovic (Sarajevo), Neven Usumovic (Umag), Dejan Ilic (Beograd), Sreten Ugricic (Beograd), Vladislav Bajaca (Beograd), Stefan Arsenijević (Beograd) and group of young poets from Belgrade will be participants of this year's Literary Festival. Recently, “Halfway road” Festival has received an award from the “Jelena Santic” Fund for the results achieved in development of ethnic understanding through the nurturing of social values.

Teamwork of the Theatres of former Yugoslavia

Belgrade, April 23. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The Theater Atelje 212 has decided to organize a festival under the name “Mucije’s Days” in the honor of one of the leading directors of the former Yugoslavia, Ljubomir Mucije Draskic. He was also the famous manager of Theater Atelje 212 and the artist that marked the theater life of the generations. The festival will be held from May 18-24 at this theater. The manager of Theater Atelje 212, Kokan Mladenovic, said at press conference on Monday, that the basic idea of this Festival is to gather together the people who works in the theatres in which Draskic has directed- Sombor, Ujvideki sinhaza, Serbian National Theatre, Theater 212, theatres from Krusevac, Zagreb and Sarajevo. The performance will take place in Grand Hall and in the Theater in the basement. The Festival is not competitive, but the silver coin with Draskic’s image will be given to the awarded actor of the evening, and who would that be is the decision of the Festival Council. The following program in the Upper foyer will be a video projection of the most famous Draskic direction and the TV series “ Theatre Practicum” in which the artist talked about his life and work in the theater. It will also be organized the exhibition of the photos and texts which testify about his work in Atelje 212. The guests and the audience at the performance will be the artists who will come to Belgrade on the occasion of “Sarajevo Days”, which will take place from Apri 19-23.The support to the Festival was given by the Ministry of Culture, City of Belgrade Dept. of Culture and the Municipality of Stari Grad.

The Book Fair in New Belgrade

Belgrade, 22. 2010 (Serbia Today) - For the second time the Municipality of New Belgrade will organize The Book Fair to be held in the Hall of Sports from April 22 to 28, it was announced by the spokesman for the municipality. The Book Fair will be open on April 22th at 5 PM by writer Zoran Zivkovic and the president of municipality of Novi Beograd Nenad Milenkovic. About 60 exhibitors will participate in the fair, including Laguna, Geopoetika, Mono & Manjana, Lom, Creative Centre, Euro Giunti, Dereta, Kairos, Prometheus, White Road, Solaris, Globosino, Department of textbooks, JRJ, BIGZ( Belgrade publishing graphic institute) and others. As a special guest of the Fair will be one of the famous British writer Tariq Ali, the author of the story Pirates of the Caribbean and he will present his new book on Monday, April 26 . Radoslav Pavlovic, author of scripts for movies and plays "Balkan Rules", "Little", "Chauvinistic farce" will also presents his works Comic books fair and antique comic books will be a part of the book fair as well. The old maps exhibition, the school of drawing and workshops for making comics will be presented to visitors. Ticket prices for the New Belgrade Book Fair will be 80 RSD, and the fair will be open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM.

Momo Kapor in Memoriam

Belgrade, April 21. 2010 (Serbia Today) - During the manifestation "The Days of Belgrade", Gallery "In the cellar” organized the exhibition of paintings and drawings by Momo Kapor. The grand opening of the exhibition was on Monday. The exhibition was opened by the writer and academic Matija Beckovic, and the journalist Radmila Stankovic talked about famous artist. Momo Kapor’s articles about Belgrade, were read by actress Vjera Mujović. The Winery "Vineco - Radenkovic, opened an exhibition-sale of wine and art in the gallery in Kosancicev Venac Street , and on this occasion released the new wine brand for which the name and label was designed from the drawing made by Momo Kapor.

“Open Eyes Dream”

Belgrade, April 17. 2010 (Serbia Today) - "The Open Eyes Dream" is the motto of the seventh "The Nights of the Museums", which will connect 48 cities in Serbia on May 15. More than a hundred cultural institutions will open their doors to present its new, interesting and selected programs. Tickets will soon be released for sale in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Valjevo, while in other cities the entrance will be free. The history of tattooing since the time of Maori, the house where George Vajfert lived, and the art of puppets making from 19th century to the present, will be all part of the program among others. The exhibition Halls of Belgrade will be divided into seven zones. Novi Sad is preparing a program at 40 location with the ideas that conects all generations. Visitors of the 'The Nights of the Museums "will be able to learn the secrets of the “zolnaj” jewelry making, to walk down the 19th century streets of Vojvodina and to participate in the "Archaeologist as a detective” program, and also win numerous awards. Although there is no Municipal Museum in Svilajnac, the City decided that for the first time they take a part in the event and present the program " Resava Museum trail”. Interesting features are designed in Subotica ,Sremski Karlovci, Bela Crkva, Zrenjanin, as well as in Sabac, Valjevo, Loznica, Kragujevac, Bor, Zajecar, Nis, Aleksandrovac.

Mesa Selimovic’s “Dervis I Smrt” (“Dervish and Death") opened Yugoslav Theatre Festival

Belgrade/Uzice April 16. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The first applause at the 14th Yugoslav Theatre Festival in Uzice was received last night by the Ensemble of Belgrade National Theatre, which performed the play "The Dervish and Death", directed by Egon Savin . Although this performance, the dramatization of the novel Mese Selimovic, which was prepared by Borislav Mihajlovic Mihiz, is for a long time at the repertoire of the Belgrade Theatre, auditorium of Uzice was fascinated by the cast, which played they roles with passion as if it was a premiere. The director Egon Savin said after the performance that he was glad that he came to the level in which he can be able to direct the texts of writers who he personally appreciates, like Selimović’s "Dervish and Death". Yugoslav Theatre Festival was supposed to be held in November, but a new flu epidemic then moved it to a mid of April. A five-member jury will give out nine festival awards - for best play, director, men's and women's role, set design and costume design, best walk-on, a young actor and a special prize. The jury is chaired by the Belgrade drama artist Djurdjija Cvetic, while other members are Dr. Ivan Medenica, theatreologist and theater critic in Belgrade, Dr. Darko Gasparovic, theatreologist, dramatist and writer together with the Croatian, Macedonian film director Martin Kočovski and Snezana Kovacevic, Costume National Theatre of Uzice. The second day of the festival, whose sponsors are the Ministry of Culture and the City of Uzice, performed Montenegrin National Theatre from Podgorica with the play "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," Edward Olbija, directed by Dino Mustafic.

The Fado Queen Misija at Kolarac

Belgrade, April 15. 2010 (Serbia Today) - A popular singer Misija, the queen of fado sound from Portugal, held an exclusive concert last night in Kolarac endowment Hall as a part of the ongoing program "The great performers from the music scene - World music", started by Center for music Kolarac. According to Mima Lazarevic, the executive director of the Center for Music Kolarac, on the promotional tour called "Ruas, Portuguese fado artist, the heiress of famous Amalia Rodrigues, will promote new double compact disc under the same name along with the group made up of Portuguese guitar, viola de fado, bass, violin and electric guitar. Misija spent her childhood in her native Porto, where she began to sing fado for the poor workers who were gathered in fado bars and later as a young girl she moved to Barcelona, where she sang in the legendary Cabarets "Parallels". After the fall of the Salazar government, fado was used as a tool for propaganda, repression and manipulation of people and reveals hostility to this music in Portugal.

‘I will sing Djelem, djelem in Belgrade’

Belgrade, April 13. 2010 (Source: Blic) - Dani Klein, the lead singer of the popular Belgian band Vaya Con Dios to appear in Belgrade on 3 May, promises a great concert in an interview for Blic. She also reveals the band will be performing Djelem, djelem, a local traditional song she deems a true musical gem and explains why the band’s latest album features tracks exclusively sung in French. “We will be performing a couple of songs from the latest album and, of course, the old hits. There will be seven of us on the stage and I’m sure we will have a great time, together with the audience,” says Klein and reveals she has yet to do any sightseeing around Belgrade, although Vaya Con Dios have performed on a couple of occasions in Serbia’s capital before. “Unfortunately, we are always in a big hurry, it’s often that we fly off to another concert the very next day and I’ve never got the chance to go around the city. Though, in 2008 we did travel from Sarajevo to a spa resort in Serbia and I was stunned by the nature along the way,” says Klein, the voice of a band which had its peak in the 1990s offering hits such as Just A Friend Of Mine, Johnny, Don’t Cry For Louie, Puerto Rico and Nah Neh Nah.Unlike some previous records, the latest one – Comme on est venu – was released in October 2009, and the lyrics are entirely in French. “It’s been an idea in my head for a long time. French is my native language and ever since I was a child I’ve been listening to French chansons. This is something I just had to do. Besides the fact the album’s lyrics are all in French, there are no major differences comparing to previous albums, as we’ve maintained our sound. We worked on the album for almost three years,” says Klein, who left the band at the height of its fame in 1996, and abandon the world of show business for the time being. She was back in music industry three years later, as Vaya Con Dios produced their comeback album, The Promise, in 2004.

New Book by Irena Sjekloca Miler Masonka has been released

Belgrade, April 10, 2010 (Serbia Today) – The new book by Irena Sjekloca Miler titled Masonka has been just released by the publisher Lux Mundi Press doo from Belgrade, Serbia. At the promotion held last night in the Lux Mundi Bookstore in Belgrade book was presented to the public and press. Irena Sjekloca Miler is well known author of the books on numerology, feng shui, and astrology. So far, she wrote twelve books. She also writes for several newspapers on astrology and holds seminars. Her new book Masonka deals with the phenomenon of women freemasonry on several levels, historically, philosophically and culturally. Masonka is the very first book in Serbian language in the edition Lux Mundi started by the publisher Lux Mundi Press doo and is available for purchase in their flag store in Belgrade (Balkanska 18) as well as online.

The Roads of the Modern Drama in the Region

Belgrade, April 07. 2010 (Serbia Today) —The public readings of the modern drama named “ The Roads of the Modern Drama in the Region will be presented at the National Theater in Belgrade from April 09 to 15. Every day, starting at 5 PM, one drama from different regions of Balkans and the awarded text from Sterija”s Theater Festival will be read.

Besides the Petar Mihajlovic”s “Working Chronicles” awarded text from the Sterija”s Theater Festival, there will be presented to the public Mirjana Drljevic”s (Dream about St.Peter from Cetinje), Almir Imsirevic”s (Mousefuckers), Zanina Micevska (Pharynx), Dora Delbianko” s (Mudslide), Radmila Smiljanic”s (The stone balloon) and Simon Semenic”s (Five boys). The panel about the progress of the national drama text in the countries of our region will be held on April 11th . The purpose of this exchange of experiences and possibilities is to develope common projects and to devise systematic networking of information.

Writers such as Mircevska (Slovenia), Imsirevic (Bosnia and Hercegovina), Delbianco (Croatia), as well as local dramatists/ Miroslav Radonjic (Sterija”s Stage), Aleksandar Milosavljevic (Manager of Serbian National Theatre), Slavko Milanovic (Belgrade National Theater), drama writer Milan Markovic and Maja Pelevic and the director Ana Tomovic. will participate at the conference.

Winners of the “Zlatni Beocug” (Golden Ring)

Belgrade, April 02. 2010 ( Source: Blic ) - The Award "Outstanding Golden Ring" for Lifetime Achievement was awarded to the art historian and director George Kadijevic, conductor Aleksandar Pavlovic and writer and satirist Branislav - Brano Crnčević, itg was announced today by the Committee on Culture and Education in Belgrade. The "Extraordinary Golden Ring" for 2009 year was awarded to the Zavod za Udzbenike Publishing House and the National Theatre in Belgrade. "Golden Ring" for 2009. was given to the composer Miroljub Aranđelović Rasinski, director Darko Bajic, Milan Gutovic actor, poet, Perry prongs, composer Aleksandar Sanja Ilic, entrepreneur Milutin Ignjatovic, painter Milan Marinkovic, and Zoran Marjanovic . Among the awarded were also playwrighter Branko Milicevic Dice, author of documentaries and programs about culture Bozidar Nikolic, graphic artist and painter Dobrilo M. Nikolic, an artist of folk music Merima Njegomir, ballerina Anna Pavlovic-Pesic, art historian and writer Uglješa Rajčević, pianist and multimedia artist Nikola Rackov."Golden Ring" was assigned to the writer and philosopher Zeljko Simic, artist Slobodanka-Rakic Sefer, the International Film Festival (FEST) and the Society of St. Sava. A decision on winners of "Golden Ring" was unanimously adopted by ther jury composed of seventeen chaired by Darko Tanaskovic, and the award ceremony will be held on April 8th , at the National Theatre in Belgrade.

International Theatre Day

Belgrade, March 26. 2010 (Serbia Today) - For the first time in Belgrade at the International Theatre Day, March 27, the event will be organized "Day and night in the theater." Performances, discussions and meetings with artists, and concerts, exhibitions and workshops for children are just part of the program prepared by the Belgrade Theatre. From the play "terrible price Brothers Grimm" theater "Dusko Radovic" One-day event visitors will have the opportunity to see performances from the regular repertoire, but also to peek behind the scenes of the theater, to visit the dressing room, dressing room, sound and light booth, and office manager … - The "Day and night in the Theatre" was created in order to bring art closer to the audience, a new way to perceive, know and discover the world of theater and dance - says John Avžner, Secretary of Culture of Belgrade. The project involves "Studio 212", Belgrade Drama Theatre, "Bitef Theatre, Theatre" Bosko Buha ", Centre for Cultural Decontamination," Dadov "Little Theatre" Dusko Radovic ", Yugoslav Drama Theatre, Opera Theatre" Madlenijanum " National Theatre, the Puppet Theatre "Pinocchio," theatrical "Snail" Theatre "Slavija", Terazije Theatre and Theatre Arts Museum, the Tourist Organization of Belgrade and the Association of Dramatic Artists of Serbia.Little Theatre "Dusko Radovic" program begins tomorrow evening at the park Tašmajdan, when passers-will be animated by the band "Cirku sfera, and action will be resumed in the morning on Saturday. Then the youngsters are expected special surprise - shares of finding "dwarf" hidden in the park, with which theater will receive prizes. From the noon on Saturday at the booth in Knez Mihailova street for the first time in one place will be presented to all the Belgrade Theatre and their repertoires. The project "Day and night in the theater" is conducted under the auspices of the Belgrade and Serbian Ministry of Culture.

Exhibition about Branislav Pekic’s work

Belgrade, March 26. 2010 (Serbia Today) - As a part of 80 th anniversary since the birth of Borislav Pekic in the Cultural Center of Serbia in Paris was held an exhibition dedicated to the renown Serbian write on Thursday March, 25 . In the statement from the Belgrade City Library it was said that the exhibition was organized for the first time two years ago in the library courtyard, and is now translated into French and supplemented with new posters.

"The exhibition captures all the important moments in the life and work Borislav Pekic, from the childhood and family albums to significant awards and recognition," the statement said. Three books of the "Golden Fleece" were translated and published in France, a goal of the exhibition is to encourage the French translators and publishers to publish other books by Pekic. The exhibition at the Cultural Center of Serbia in Paris,was opened by the Ambassador of Serbia Dusan Batakovic, director of the Belgrade City Library Jasmina Ninkov and author Olga Krasic-Marjanovic. the exhibition in Paris was enabled by the financial support from the Ministry of Culture of Serbia.

Gamzigrad

By: Bojana Jankovic


Uzice, March 20, 2010 (Serbia Today) - In the vicinity of a town Zajecar, in the Eastern part of Serbia and South of the river Danube, as a part of the ancient Roman imperial palace Felix Romuliana, an archaeological site Gamzigrad is located. It represents the residence of the Roman Emperor Gaius Valerius Maximianus. Since June 29, 2007, Gamzigrad is under the protection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and officially one of the seven natural and cultural wonders of Serbia since October 18, 2008.

In mid-nineteenth century, Gamzigrad was rated as a very large and exceptional archaeological site, but its purpose was not yet specifically determined. The riddle of Gamzigrad was solved only in 1984, when in the southwestern part of the palace, in a building with mosaic floors and walls painted with frescoes, an archivolt is found made of sandstone on which the inscription FELIX ROMULIANA was carved. That label introduced Gamzigrad in the history entering the big door and placed it in the group of imperial constructions, in the category of monuments of Roman Castle architecture. This label enables mutual adjustment and supplementation of history and archeology. Relief decoration on archivolt, where the inscription was carved, denotes that the first word Felix has a purely religious and ideological meaning, expressing some kind of consecration and alludes to something that is sacred and eternal. The leaves of ivy, laurel wreath and peacocks as well as decorative elements that surround this label are symbols of consecration and apotheosis, as well as symbols of eternal life. Between 1985 and 1989 in the Eastern part of Gamzigrad, an area in front of a large temple was found and the East gate of the older and younger fortification. Parts of a colossal marble statue was found in front of the temple, which represent Jupiter with an eagle on his extended right hand, while in the ruins of the Eastern facade of the gate of that younger fortification, many architectural elements with relief performances were discovered. That is indicative that the whole Romuliana was built in honor of members of Jupiter, his family and their system of ruling the world. In addition to these ,on the portal of Romuliana’s main gate are presented scenes from afterlife and imperial apotheosis; and so the archivolts, consoles, pilasters and panels are abundant in vines, ivy, laurel branches, grape gathering, eagles and laurel wreathes adorned by peacocks. To the apotheosis allude the displayed sculptures of divinities and pictures of Dionysus,


Hercules and Asclepius on the mosaics discovered in the Imperial Palace next to a large temple. All the important checkpoints inside the city walls of Romuliana were explored archaeologically until 1990. Even the first researchers of Gamzigrad have noticed that the space outside the walls was covered with remains of various buildings from Roman times, especially on the Magura ridge that rises east of the main gate Romuliana, at a distance of about 1000 meters. Archaeological research has shown that the Magura is a specific holy hill, “Mons Sanctus”,that even in prehistoric times was a holy place of greatest respect and is the place where Romulus and Galerius were buried and ascended among the gods. Magura is a high, elongated reef built by marl, sandstone and volcanic rocks, and through its northern ridge led a main road for Romuliana. At the highest point of the ridge were discovered remnants of tetrapilon, a monumental gate with four entrances. That was a crossroad: the east-west direction from tetrapilon descended towards the main gate of Romuliana, and to the south changed slightly towards the top of Magura, where between 1989 and 1993, two giant tumulus and remains of two mausoleums were excavated.

Although they were destroyed long time ago and covered in a thick oak forest, religious monuments and tumuli silhouettes, even today are a point that can clearly be sees on the horizon, which means that once they have been far more visible. From the mausoleum’s square foundation on the North side, only a part remained with a grave in its center. A few stone blocks in the site and architectural elements found in the ruins, allowed to perform the reconstruction of the mausoleum. In the middle of a giant natural amphitheater Romuliana was built in the area which was inhabited since prehistoric times. During the excavation of the palace in its northern part, remains of settlements from the Bronze and Iron Age were found. Tombs with urns from the Early Iron Age were discovered at Magura, below the consecration monuments. From the moment the building of Romuliana began, all about it and around it became sacred, and every building is designed in order to convey a certain message or become a symbol. Felix Romuliana is one of the most important late Roman localities in Europe. Gamzigrad is included on the popular tourist offer “On the way of Roman Emperors”. Gamzigrad offers also comfortable accommodations and two kilometers away is a famous water spa with a source of thermal water.

Bradic meets with Chinese culture minister

Belgrade, March, 20 2010 (Serbia Today) – The Ministry of Culture stated that during his visit to China, part of the Days of Serbian Culture in China celebration, Minister Nebojsa Bradic met with his Chinese counterpart Cai Wu .The statement adds that they reached agreement regarding the further strengthening of cooperation in culture between Serbia and China and opened possibilities of extending this cooperation further to include cinematography, literature and other creative domains. The two ministers also agreed to contemplate the idea of opening a Chinese cultural centre in Belgrade. Bradic presented his Chinese colleague with a publication "World Heritage Sites – Serbia" in Chinese, which presents the cultural treasure of Serbia on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He expressed his gratitude for the support that China gives to Serbia's position in resolving the issue of the status of Kosovo-Metohija. The meeting was attended by the Serbian Ambassador to China Miomir Udovicki, State Secretary of Ministry of Culture Nadica Momirov, counselors Zoran Hamovic and Goran Markovic and manager of the Gallery of Matica Srpska Tijana Palkovljevic.

Francophone Film Festival

Belgrade, March, 19. 2010 (Serbia Today) - As one of the events of the month of Francophone Culture in Serbia, a Film festival started yesterday at the Belgrade Youth Center and will go on until March 21st.

During the four-day festival, public will have the opportunity to see films from France, Tunisia, Algeria, Canada, Switzerland, Tunisia, Belgium, and among them is the award-winning film of Vladimir Perisic "Ordinary People". Emphasis is placed on topics that analyze conflicts of tradition and modern, urban and rural, and questions of identity and tolerance.
The International Organization of Francophone Countries gathers 56 countries as full members, three associate member and 14 observer countries, including Serbia. A series of events that are organized during this month throughout Serbia are intended to remind the member countries of the existing links between them and help them develop new forms of cooperation.

Emir Kusturica plants Tree of Peace in Yerevan

Yerevan, March 10, 2010 (Serbia Today) - Few days ago, famous Serbian film director and No Smoking Orchestra have held a magnificent concert in Armenia, at the National Theatre in Yerevan. Kusturica came on invitation by Khachatur Almazian, famous Armenian violinist, known for his Almazian’s Obsession orchestra. Kusturica was given an official reception by Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan, and after that he was seen by Karekin II, the current head of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.
Upon his arrival in Yerevan, Kusturica was welcomed by Armenia’s Prime Minister, Tigran Sargsyan, after which they visited Yerevan’s Armenian Genocide Museum, where he planted a tree of peace. At the end of the visit to the museum-institute, Emir Kusturica, together with the members of the No Smoking Orchestra, laid a wreath at the location where seven Serbian pilots died in 1988, after delivering humanitarian aid to the Armenian people, hit by that year’s devastating earthquake.

A representative exhibition ‘Byzantine – Splendor and Everyday Life’

Belgrade, March 10, 2010 (Source: Blic) - A representative exhibition ‘Byzantine – Splendor and Everyday Life’ (‘Byzanz – Parch und Alltag’) at Art-Exhibition Gallery of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn shall present in the following months more than 600 exhibits from European and American museums Belgrade daily Blic reports. Among them there shall be 68 exhibits from the national museums in Belgrade and Leskovac.

The National Museum in Belgrade announced that among its exhibits there shall also be a head of Constantine the Great from Nis (4th century) and capitals from Stobi (5th-6th century). The National Museum from Leskovac shall send utility objects from the Empress’s Town from 4th to 7th century. That is considered to be as ‘an ideal city of the 6th century’ and a special part of the exhibition is dedicated to it showing thorough view of the ‘Byzantine millennium’ beginning from the year of 324 when Constantine the Great founded Constantinople until 1453 when it was conquered by the Turks.

“Raison d’être” three-dimensional art installation by Ana Knezevic in Gallery Haos

Belgrade, Feb. 26, 2010 (Serbia Today) - Ana Knezevic, notable Serbian artist, the winner of the second price at the Vladimir Velickovic Drawing Contest, surprised art lovers by her art presentation opened recently in the Gallery Haos in Belgrade. To those who thought that drawing is her main expressive tool, she showed very clearly that she is equally comfortable dealing with space and three dimensions.
At this exhibition Mrs. Knezevic substituted line of the drawing with the fluorescent lights forming geometrical art composition. Unlike with drawings, here the viewers have many points of view, they can enter, go through the installation, see it from front, back, sides, from the center, and instead of one have many various artistic experiences.
The whole gallery is a huge three-dimensional drawing that fascinates with its multi expressiveness. In the words of the artist everything is submitted to the individual experience of the viewer. To help them in their experience, artist introduces sounds (music) as a part of the installation. Thorough the utilization of visual and sound capabilities, viewer, as it is understood by artist, gets slowly from the point of chaos before entering the installation to the point of total and unconditional inner harmony.
And while this presentation is completely opposite as a mode of artistic expression from her earlier exhibition in the gallery “Belgrade”, where she exhibited drawings and paintings, it is still equally strong and wonderful example of the artistic genius of talented Serbian artist Ana Knezevic.

Soon the birth of the Foundation “Dictionary of Khazars”

Belgrade, Feb. 22, 2010 (Serbia Today) – The Foundation “Dictionary of Khazars” in memory of the famous Serbian author Milorad Pavic who passed away last year will be officially organized soon, according to foundation two presidents Prof. Dr. Sava Damjanov, and Pavic’s widow, writer Jasmina Mihajlovic.

The purpose of the foundation is the continuation and preservation of the literary work of one the best Serbian writers, translator, poet, historian, and educator, Milorad Pavic. The birth of the foundation was announced last Thursday, after a literary presentation at the Kolarac Foundation, dedicated to the memory of the late writer. Milorad Pavic was born in 1929 and died in 2009.

The headquarters of the foundation will be in the Legate of Milorad Pavic. One of the first projects of the foundation will be the edition of the Pavic’s collected works, both in printed and electronic form. Several grants will be established for young writers, poets, and translators and they will be awarded annually. Milorad Pavic gained world fame with his book “Dictionary of Khazars” which in 87/88 has been on the New York Times bestseller list for months.

Drama about Mirjana and those around her

Belgrade, Feb. 20, 2010 (Serbia Today) - It does not happen often that writer writes a play, places manuscript in the envelope, mails it to the theater, theater director reads it and decide to put it on the stage. That is exactly what happen to young Croatian play writer Ivor Martinic and his play “Drama about Mirjana and those around her”.
This play was staged and open on Thursday night at the Bojan Stupica Stage of the Yugoslavian Drama theatre (JDP) in Belgrade. The director was Iva Milosevic.
Seemingly simple and uneventful provincial life of the main character ( played by Mirjana Karanovic) reveals a complex dramatic story about the meaning of life, and its challenges which sometimes makes us feel like nothing makes sense and there is no use in living. Unconventional answers to conventional questions brought through the story makes this play not only a challenge for actors to express multilayer meanings through their acting, but also interesting and capturing content for the public. An excellent job done by director Iva Milosevic.
Actors in the play are Mirjana Karanovic, Jelena Petrović, Branka Petrić, Marko Baćović, Anđelika Simić, Feđa Stojanović, Cvijeta Mesić and Bojan Lazarov. Costimography was created by Maja Mirković, and music by Vladimir Pejković

After Aleksey Balabanov cancelation, FEST will be open by Ljubisa Samardzic

Belgrade, Feb. 19, 2010 (Serbia Today) - Famed Russian director Aleksey Balabanov, who was originaly scheduled to open 38th International Belgrade film Festival FEST, canceled his participation. The honor of the opening of the festival on Thursday night in Sava center will be given to Serbian movie legend Ljubisa Samardzic. Mr. Samardzic is the member of the organization committee of the festival. It is still unclear how it came to this cancelation and what are the reasons. It is expected that at the press conference after the opening night, it will be given an explanation.
Aleksey Balabanov’s film “Morpheme” will be shown at the opening night. Film was based on the novel by Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov. In the story, young doctor in the Russian village deals with his addiction to morpheme.
Among many movies that will be shown in ten days of the festival on various locations in Belgrade, the most interest of the public was given to Samuel Maos, Israeli director who won “Golden Lion” Award at the Venice Film Festival for his movie “\Liban”. His movie will be shown as a part of the Week of Israeli Film in Sava Center.

Another Award for the movie “Life and death of a Porno band”

Belgrade, Feb. 17, 2010 (Serbia Today) – “Life and death of Porno Band”, a movie made last year by young Serbian director Mladen Djordjevic continues to win the awards on the international film festivals.

Originally premiered on the last year’s FEST film festival in Belgrade where it received Award “Nebojsa Djukelic”, it continues its success on the domestic and international scene. The latest award for the movie is “Royal Reel Award” that will be presented to the authors in the second part of March on the Canadian Film Festival in Vancouver.

The provocative story of the Serbia today seen through the lens of the porno band brings a particular look of the Serbian society and its issues, particularly in relationship to the prototypes of Serbians as they were understood by Westerners.

Valentine’s Day Serbian Style

Vrnjacka Banja, Feb. 13, 2010 (Serbia Today) – As a part of the celebration of the Valentine’s Day ( in Serbia it is called “A Day of Lovers”) on the 14th of February, the event called “Kiss me in Vrnjacka Banja” will be again held in the spa of Vrnjacka Banja.
This traditional event is held annually in Vrnjacka Banja on the “Love Bridge” located in the Vrnjacka Banja City Park. Officially, the event is organized on Valentine’s Day in the memory of the tragic love story from the First World War.
As it is expected, the major attraction of the event is the “kissing competition”. The couple with longest and most attractive kiss will win the competition. Nevertheless, all of the competitors will receive some type of reward. After all, is it not the best of rewards the kiss of the loved one. This event is organized by the Tourist Organization of Vrnjacka Banja and sponsored by the local businesses.

Hundred Years after the birth of Mesa Selimovic

Belgrade, Feb. 12, 2010 (Serbia Today) – The Serbian Ministry of Culture decided to mark hundred years since the birth of famous Serbian writer Mesa Selimovic with the several events and programs that will give to the general public more of the insight into the work of this prominent author.
The comittee founded with the purpose to organize and co-ordinate programs intend to have as a central event a two day conference that will have for a subject the work of Mesa Selimovic. The winner of the Mesa Selimovic Literary Award for this year will be announced in March.
At the end of March the Museum of Theatrical Arts will present exhibition of the works inspired or done by Mesa Selimovic for a theater.This exhibition will then be traveling thorough several towns in Serbia. Ministry of Culture will try to tie to Selimovic Anniversary another of its programs titled „The year of Book and Language“.
It is also planned to publish complete works by Mesa Selimovic in several volumes and to make documentary movie about the time and life of the famous writer. The members of the Committee are Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic, a special adviser in the Ministry of Culture Zoran Hamovic, Prof. Predrag Palavestra, National Theater Director Ivana Dimic, Director of the Museum of Theatrical Arts Ksenija Radulovic abd several executives from the Serbian media.

“Lecture Performance” – New Trends on the Serbian Art Scene

Belgrade, Feb. 11, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Multimedia art project and exhibition titled “Lecture Performance” opened up its doors on three locations in Belgrade - in the Legate House, in the Salon of the Museum of Modern art, and in the Center for Cultural Decontamination. Sponsored by the Belgrade Museum of Modern Art and Kölnishe Kunstferain from Germany, the project was realized by art curators Jelena Vesic and Radmila Joksimovic and in cooperation with Anja Natan-Dorn and Catherine Jentjens.

The idea behind “Lecture Performance” was to deal with the issues related to the power of artistic language and expressions and with the purpose of the art expression itself. Project emphasizes the blurry borders between education, communication, esthetics, political expressions, and entertainment in the process of art making.

A group of international artists brings to Belgrade a fresh look at the meaning and purpose of the art process and on its place in the society. Political undertones are ever present but not visible to insensitive eyes of those who are not initiated in the ways of multimedia art expressions and symbols. Those who can recognize the message are touched with the depth of the applied art processes.

Movies, photo and video installations, and performances all prove that art scene in Belgrade is fertile ground for all kinds of innovations with educated and thankful public. The validity of the new trends are yet to prove themselves as the lasting art legacy or experiment not to be remembered. Time will show, but if you find yourself in Belgrade before the end of February, the visit to any of the locations of the “Lecture Performance” will certainly broad your horizons.

Guitar Art Festival

Belgrade, Feb. 10, 2010 ( Serbia Today) – The Eleventh Annual Guitar Art Festival has been opened last night with the concert by the Swedish world renown guitarist Joren Solsher at the Kolarac Concert Hall. The very same night public was able to see and hear Cavatina Duo and Camerata Serbica group.

This year’s Festival will feature famous French group Air as well as legendary Paco De Lucia who will start his new European tour with the performance in Belgrade with the concert on February 12 in Sava Center.

On February 11 Serbian guitarist Zlatko Manojlovic will have a concert in Belgrade Dom Omladine Hall. Manojlovic resides in Germany already for some time and this concert at the Guitar Art Festival is an opportunity for this virtuoso to come home.

This year again Guitar Art Festival managed to bring music artists and performers not only from Serbia but from over the world. Artists from Cuba, Russia, Morocco, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Sweden were all part of this unique music festival which presents the richness of music styles and artistic expressions with one common denominator – guitar.

Serbian Philosopher and Educator Michail Markovic died at age 87

Belgrade, Feb. 08, 2010 (Serbia Today) – One of the most prominent Serbian philosophers of the 20th century, Professor Michail Markovic died yesterday . He was 87 years of age.
Professor Markovic was the follower of the materialistic school of the philosophy and as such has been deemed for a years as one of the pillars of Marxist philosophical concepts of Serbian society. The author of numerous books , he thought philosophy in Belgrade, and in numerous schools in Europe and USA. He was member of the Serbian academy of Science and Arts.
Member of the Communist Party from the early age, he fought in the Second World war on the side of Tito’s partisans.
In the sixties, he became one of the major critics of the politics of Tito’s government, and in the following years he was one of the most prominent Serbian political dissidents.
Markovic was one of the founding members of the Serbian Socialist Party in the early nineties, but after confronting the authoritarian regime of Slobodan Milosevic, he was forced out of the party membership in 1995. After that Markovic was not any more politically active.

Models of good practice in inclusive education presented

Belgrade, Feb. 05, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Assistant Minister of Education Vesna Fila opened the “School tailored to children’s needs” Conference on Wednesday, Feb. 04, which presented models of good practice in inclusive education and the possibilities for their further implementation at the national and local level.
Fila said that the Ministry of Education will always support projects in which fairness and accessibility of education represent a strategic goal. Program manager Ljiljana Dosen pointed out that the “School tailored to children’s needs” project (part of the “Inclusive education in Serbia” project) began with the support of the organization “Save the Children UK” ten years ago. The conference, organized by Save the Children UK – Program for Serbia, was also attended by British Ambassador to Serbia Stephen Wordsworth and Senior Education Advisor for Mentally Challenged Children at the Montenegrin Ministry of Education and Science Tamara Milic.

Matic presents project of using Facebook for educational purposes

Belgrade/Paris, Feb. 03, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society Jasna Matic presented a project of using the internet social network Facebook for educational purposes at UNESCO on Monday.
In a telephone statement to Beta news agency, Matic said that the pilot project was implemented by Serbian language teacher Violeta Kecman at the Fifth Belgrade High School in her literature classes. When covering the teaching unit of Serbian poets of romanticism, Kecman called on students to make Facebook profiles for poets of this movement and to include facts about their lives, work and achievements. The Minister said that the project was welcomed with great interest by UNESCO because it does not involve any additional costs, moreover it stimulates students to use their free time - which they would spend on the internet anyway - to acquire knowledge. According to Matic, this model can be applied in the teaching of all social subjects, so students can create profiles and communicate about various historical figures and discuss different topics. Matic said that the turnout at the presentation of the UNESCO project was excellent and added that this model will be recommended to teachers across Serbia, while UNESCO will place a similar recommendation on its website and recommend this model to its members. This project is supported by the Serbian Ministry of Education. The presentation in Paris was also attended by Serbian Education Minister Zarko Obradovic.

Placido Domingo at the Sava Center

Belgrade, Feb. 01, 2010, (Serbia Today) – As we learn from the daily Blic, the concert of Placido Domingo, one of the greatest tenors of all time, will take place on April 12 at the Sava Center. Domingo will conduct our orchestra “Camerata Serbica” and will present young opera artists from the whole world. This concert is only one of the top four art events announced yesterday by the Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic.

It is interesting to point out that Placido Domingo will conduct for free and the ticket price will be affordable. Concert of Milos Mihajlovic, Vladimir Milosevic and Vladimir Gligoric, winners of the international piano competitions, is scheduled for February 3. Svetlana Zakharova, the ballet star, will perform with eight stars of the Russian ballet from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev on March 20. Pat Metheny, the jazz guitarist and composer, will have a concert on June 26. All concerts and the ballet “Carmen” will be held at the Sava Center.

50,000 people saw Paja Jovanović's exhibition

Belgrade, Jan.25,2010 (Serbia Today) - The exhibition organized by Belgrade National Museum "Paja Jovanović” which has been set on  December 23rd, 2009 in the Gallery of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) in Belgrade, has received its 50.000th visitor
Nikola Milosavljević, being the 50.000th visitor, was awarded with exhibition catalog that provides a framework for understanding Paja Jovanović (1859-1957)and his artistic opus. The exhibition "Paja Jovanović", which was held on occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the painter, was represented with his 97 works. To the audience was presented Jovanović's creativity, emphasizing motifs from the lives of Balkan people with historical compositions, illustrations of folk epic songs, portraits, landscapes, nudes and studies.
Presented works come from the collections of the National Museum, the Museum of the City of Belgrade, Gallery of Matica Srpska in Novi Sad, Art collection of SANU, the National Museum Pančevo,  National Museum of Zrenjanin, endowments of King Peter I from Oplenac, the Historical Museum of Serbia, as well as from private collections. The Author of study texts in the catalog is professor of the University of Philosophy in Belgrade Miroslav Timotijević.
The exhibition will be opened until February 21, 2010 and during its duration different programs were organized– lectures, expert guidance through the exhibition, film screenings and activities.
Paja Jovanović was born in Vršac in 1859.  He graduated painting on Art Academy in Vienna. He traveled frequently to the Balkans, particularly Montenegrian coast, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the southern and eastern Serbia and full of impressions after those trips, he painted his famous genre pictures.
The image "Wounded Montenegrin", exhibited at the annual exhibition at the Academy in Vienna in 1883 was awarded with first prize and then he also got the imperial scholarship.
In 1895 Jovanović received two significant orders for the Millennium exhibition that was to be held in Budapest in 1896.  The first order came from the Patriarch George Branković to paint a grandiose historical composition, "Migrations of the Serbs under the Patriarch Čarnojević”, and another from municipality of the Vršac for the picture "Vršac triptych''. The Government of the Kingdom of Serbia asked him in 1900,  for the World exhibition in Paris, to create a historical composition, "The Coronation of the Emperor Dušan April 14,1346", which won the gold medal.
Paja Jovanović died in 1957in Vienna. According to his wishes, the urn with his ashes was transferred to Belgrade.

Victor Vasareli’s Art in Serbia

Pecuj, Jan. 21, 2010 (Serbia Today) – To mark the fact that Pecuj is this year’s European capital of art, The Embassy of Hungary organized an exhibition of art by famous Victor Vasareli that will be presented in several Serbian cities. Victor Vasareli was born in Pecuj.
The exhibition will be first in Novi Sad at the Museam of Modern Art of Vojvodina from January 22 to February 21. Visitors will be able to see 120 original graphics and 20 objects from the collection of Tibor Cepeiia from Budapest. From there exhibition will move to Belgrade, then Zrenjanin, and Vrsac.

During the same time will be organized exhibition of the works by students of Serbian Art Schools, participants of the art contest “The dialog with Vasareli”. Two best contest entries will receive the awards by the Hungarian Embassy and their authors will travel to Pecuj.

Victor Vasareli (1906-1997) was one of the best representatives of the op-art in Europe during 20th century.

Serbian New Year’s Eve Concert

Belgrade, Jan. 14, 2010, (Serbia Today) - One of the traditions among Orthodox Christians in Serbia is to celebrate the beginning of the new year according to Julian calendar, which is two weeks later than contemporary calendar . So, the January 1st according to Julian calendar is on January 14th. To mark “Serbian New Years Eve 2010”, Belgrade Opera organized Gala concert on Wednesday , January 13th.

Opera lovers had an oportunity to enjoy three hours of wonderfull performances and music by the most prominent Serbian opera singers and musicians. This spectacular event lasted till midnight. The arias from famous operas were sang by the legendary Serbian soprano Radmila Bakocevic and Bulgarian tenor rumen Dojkov among others. The public was particularly impresed by the duet of Tosca and Cavaradosi sang by them.

The participation of the Dance Group “Kolo” and the Choir and Orchestra of the National Opera further enriched this event. Conductors were Johanes Harnajt, Zorica Mitev-Vojnović, Dejan Savić, Ana Zorana Brajović i Đorđe Pavlović.

The production of the concert was done by Ivana Dragutinović Maričić and scenography by Aleksandar Zlatović.

Six decades of the Museum of cinematography “Jugoslovenska Kinoteka”

Belgrade, Dec. 30, 2009 (Serbia Today) – The museum and archive of cinematography in Belgrade “ Jugoslovenska Kinoteka” celebrated in 2009 sixty years since its founding.
The film collection of the Kinoteka consists of more than 85,000 copies of movies from different periods, from the first silent movies, black/white, to color masterpieces of the late 20th century. Their film archive is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the richest and most valuable in the world.
Jugoslovenka Kinoteka will ask UNESCO that their film collection be recognized as a world heritage and included in organization’s program “Memory of the World”.
In addition, they will apply that the building housing Kinoteka in Kosovska Street, receive “culture heritage” status from the City of Belgrade, which would enable them to get extra funding for its maintenance.
This past year has been very good one for Kinoteka. Last June, Kinoteka’s Center for digital conversion and restoration of the old movies has been open, which will enable them to save many old movies for the future generations.
The renovation of the building in Uzun Mirkova Street is going on and when it completed Kinoteka will have three new movie theatres, The Museum space, Library, Audio and Video Library, and several film studios and film restoration laboratories will be all in one place.