11.11.2009.
Armistice Day marked
Central state ceremony marking the Armistice Day in WWI, was held today at the vault of Belgrade liberators near Novo groblje. Marking this jubilee was organized with the highest state honors with the laying of wreaths ceremony On behalf of the Government, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic.
Minister Bradic reminded the guests that on this day in 1918, WWI ended when “ the final curtain fell over the slaughter and bloodshed left in the wake of WWI, as this war threatened to exterminate many nations, especially Serbs. This war full of atrocities ended 91 years ago”. The heroism of the Serbian army verged on self-destruction and only “faith in ourselves and the unity with the allies saved us from the catastrophe”.Bradic also emphasized and such great commanders, as Radomir Putnik, Stepa Stjepanovic, Zivojin Misic, Petar Bojovic as well as the French general France d’ Epre lead our youths down the path of great victory, which was disproportionate in terms of the number of soldiers and equipment of the Serbian army. ‘Their bones rest close to this place, as well as the remain of thousands of Serbian warriors buried in crypts of the memorial where we are standing now. However, the number of those buried far away is much higher”, he said.
"We hope that the atrocities of WWI will not repeat ever again, and we hope that Serbs will die no more, while also hoping that their great heroism once demonstrated would not be needed in order to maintain peace in Europe”.
The ceremony was attended by the representatives of ministries, of MoD and SAF, ambassadors and and DAs of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Russia, USA, Slovakia, UK, France and the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.The presence of the representatives of victor countries only testifies to the fact that the memory of WWI should be preserved while also cherishing trust and cooperation as the basis for Serbia’s bilateral relations.
