13.02.2014.

Hidden treasures of Jevrem Grujic's house

In the full Gallery of the Central Military Club an exhibition " Hidden Treasure from Jevrem Grujic’s house ", which reveals the rich treasures of art objects from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century was opened tonight .

The exhibition, which was opened by Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic , a joint project of the House of Jevrem Grujic , Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments , the Central Institute for Conservation in Belgrade Media Center "Defense " .

Attendees were addressed by Lazar Šećerović and Aleksandar Conic , from the House of Jevrem Grujic , Nela Mićović , c. d . Director of the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments , prof . Mila Živančević , director of the Central Institute for Conservation in Belgrade and Lt. Col. Slavoljub M . Markovic, Director of the Media Center "Defense ".

Minister Rodic said that the extraordinary effort and commitment of employees in the institutions that participated in the project to visitors of the Army now available in the next month, enjoy the classical museum exhibition.

- Bearing in mind that our most important cultural institutions, the National Museum, has long been closed to the public , the exhibition " Hidden Treasure Houses Jevrema Grujića " a unique opportunity not only to look at the history of a renowned Serbian bourgeois family , but also to see the extremely valuable works of art and applied art , antique weapons and archival library materials that testify to the rich cultural and historical heritage of our nation . At the same time , it is also an opportunity to get acquainted more closely with the development of civil society in Serbia , politics and diplomacy , and to refresh the memories of the first parties and evening gatherings at the famous club " Kod Laze Secera” at the end of the 1960s,as the minister remarked. He stressed that it is not a coincidence that the exhibition is included in the program of the Army , the former warrior home , and just ahead of the Statehood Day of Serbia.

- Jevrem Grujic, a prominent lawyer, politician , statesman and diplomat , and his descendants , have left a deep mark in the construction of the modern Serbian state and the military culture in public life . This is also an opportunity to celebrate the anniversaries of this year , marking the 100th anniversary of the Great War , we remember those whose names we do not know , yet whose feats teach us how to love our country , and to be so committed, patient and loyal to the achievement of national interest, as Rodic observed.

Lazar Šećerović said he was pleased at seeing the Belgrade elite political, social , cultural and intellectual attend the event . He pointed out that the authors of the exhibition hosted in order to recreate an environment Serbian seen houses which are numerous in late 19th and early 20 century , a few survived .

- A large number of people participated in the project. The idea came from Colonel Petar Boskovic , Head of Public Relations of the Ministry of Defense , which was initiated together with Aleksandar Conic , with my support and Lieutenant Colonel Markovic. We are pleased that the exhibition has sparked up such great interest and contributed to the presentation of our cultural heritage , said Šećerović thanking all the participants in the realization of the exhibition , especially Jovan Vesković , an art historian from the Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments , author and curator of the exhibition .

Aleksandar Conić presented the exhibition as "unique on several levels ."

- For the first time a large number of works of art , which have not been exhibited in public, displayed a unique and extraordinary cooperation for the four institutions . The collection has been created spontaneously during the 250 years of love to Serbia and their ancestors , and nurturing the memory of them , and each object in the exhibition tells a story as it is related to one moment , one person and one historic moment . We wanted to reconcile the past and the avant-garde , he said Conic .

The director of the Central Institute for Conservation in Belgrade said that the institution is a recognized historical and social significance of Jevrem Grujic.

- We wanted to with the protection and conservation of valuable collections , which were formed during two centuries , give our professional contribution and help to organize a systematic concern for such an important legacy . Institute members were delighted by the fact that each generation of Jevrem Grujic’s descendants were concerned about preserving heritage , and we decided to help today's descendants that still continue to worry about , said Professor Živančević .

Nela Mićović also pointed out that the exhibition is unique because it is the first time introduced the first monument in Belgrade , but in a different way .

- We presented the atmosphere , ambiance , artists collection , valuable items that we brought from the authentic ambience of the house into a gallery space . The setting has a few important stories that make this house really matters . So this is not just an exhibition of art objects , but also an exhibition about lifestyle , fashion, aesthetics and taste of the high bourgeoisie and a prominent Serbian family , said Nela Mićović .

Director of the Media Center "Odbrana " welcomed a number of visitors of the Central Club noting that there is excellent cooperation between the institutions that participated in this project .

- On this occasion, it was shown that a good idea met with a positive response and full support which can then yield such a fruitful cooperation and result. I hope that the House of Jevrem Grujic , after the exhibition , attracting more and more attention of passers in Belgrade , said Lt. Col. Markovic .

The collection includes the most important part of the Serbian artists - Paja Jovanovic , Uros Predic , Steve Todorovic , Uros Knezevic , Andrei Petrovic , Zora Petrovic , Ivana Tabakovića , George Krstic , then utilitarian objects , antique furniture , diplomatic uniform , a collection of old weapons from I and II Serbian Uprising , archival material as well as conceptually and spatially separate segment based on photos of the first disco in the Balkans , opened in the House Jevrema Grujića in 1967.

Visitors will be able to see the oldest preserved wedding dress from Serbia from 1856 what Jelena Grujic looked like, the first woman awarded the one sultan , gun of Hajduk Veljko highest European award - the Order of the French Legion of Honor , the Bulgarian imperial crown , Turkish gold crescent as a wedding gift that Stevan and Stana Đirić received from Queen Natalija and King Milan Obrenovic , and more .

The exhibition " Hidden Treasure Houses Jevrema Grujic " , was realized with the support of the company UNIQA insurance, which is the main sponsor of the exhibition , a sponsor of the exhibition are: TELEKOM SERBIA , Hemofarm Foundation and Raiffeisen Bank.

During the exhibition , open until 15 March ,a rich accompanying program is provided .