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.