22.10.2016.

The Serbian Armed Forces at the ceremony in Novi Sad

Honorary artillery salvo of three volleys from six pieces of artillery, fired by the members of the Guard from the Petrovaradin Fortress, started the military part of the celebration to mark the Day of Liberation of Novi Sad during the World War II.

The ceremony was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojkovic, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, representatives of the legislative, executive and judicial powers, Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic, Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff, General Ljubisa Dikovic, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, diplomatic corps, religious communities, local governments, associations for preserving tradition of liberation wars, as well as numerous citizens.

For the gathered citizens, in the sky over Novi Sad, on the Danube and Belgrade quay, the units of River Flotilla, Air Force and Air Defence and the Special Army Brigade demonstrated a part of the operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces performing operations within the attractive exercise sequence. Before the eyes of the gathered citizens of Novi Sad, vessels of the River Flotilla ripped the waves, which was then replaced by the thunder of echelon of aviation units of the Air Force and Air Defence. Also, the performance of the motorized echelons showed new and modernized materiel, as well as pieces of equipment under development, from the domestic production programme.

Extending best wishes to the members of the Serbian Armed Forces on the demonstrated readiness and the citizens of Novi Sad on the Liberation Day in the Second World War, President Nikolic wished all citizens of Serbia life in freedom and peace, which we inherited from our heroic grandfathers and fathers.

- Laying so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom, Serbia, as always in history, was on the side of justice, honour and glory, on the side of the winning countries in the Second World War – the biggest and bloodiest armed conflict in the history of the mankind – President Nikolic said recalling the sacrifice that the city made, which was then awarded for the heroic deeds of its inhabitants during the national liberation struggle, in 1975, by the Order of National hero and became the hero city.

Emphasizing that we must not forget the glorious past of suffering that binds us to eternity, President Nikolic told the members of the Serbian Armed Forces to cherish the glory and honour of war victories of fighters for freedom of Serbia, from insurgents to partisans.

- We will enhance the strength of our army and we are not threatening anyone, we just wish that everyone, no matter what their intentions are, make sure that we are ready to respond to any security challenge – President Nikolic said, adding that our people showed many times in their history that they knew that freedom and peace are words backed by the greatest sacrifices and renunciations.

According to the Prime Minister of Vojvodina Igor Mirovic, freedom and peace are the most important battles of today and the first and most important guarantor of the freedom of a people is its army, strong, equipped and well trained, highly motivated to protect it and be with it in all circumstances.

- A clear mission always persists despite the time and changes, and it is the mission of patriotism and mission of the oath – to be ready to give one’s life in a battle. A sentence with a lot of signs and symbols – Mirovic said.

Novi Sad Mayor Milos Vucevic reminded that today we remember and pay tribute to victims of the shadows of all those who, 72 years ago, won freedom of Novi Sad. a city that, after years of occupation, was completely destroyed.

- Thousands of lives were built at its foundation, so that we can live in freedom today – Vucevic said adding that we will never either forget their sacrifice or abandon the fundamental values of liberty and anti-fascism.

Besides the three parades, a parachute jump of the Serbian Armed Forces members who landed at Novi Sad 'officers' beach' carrying the flag of the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian Armed Forces and the Special Brigade, was also a unique feast for the eyes within the military part of the ceremony, led by Major General Vojin C. Jondic, Chief of Operations of the General Staff.

At today's ceremony, the gathered guests and citizens were led through the demonstration of the operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces by the commander of the First Brigade, Brigadier General Zeljko Petrovic.

In the past few days, celebrating the Liberation Day, on the banks of the Danube, the interested citizens of Novi Sad could see a kind of static display of large number of small arms as well as the materiel and equipment for different uses within the arms of military members.

Novi Sad Liberation Day during the World War II is celebrated to commemorate 23rd October 1944, when the city was liberated by partisans from Srem and Backa, by which Novi Sad found itself again within the (renewed) Yugoslavia.