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.
Friday, March 26, 2010
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.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
“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.
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.
Monday, March 1, 2010
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.
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
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.
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.
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