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.