02.04.2024.

Minister Vučević opens exhibition “Fight for Serbia’s Statehood and Freedom of Serbian People” in Niš

This evening, Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević opened the exhibition titled “Fight for Serbia’s Statehood and the Freedom of the Serbian People” at the Gallery of Contemporary Art in the Officers’ Club in Niš, to mark the 220th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising.

Minister Vučević said he was happy that the exhibition marking the 220th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising was not only displayed in the capital city, but that all citizens of Serbia were given the chance to learn something about their history and the works of the authors of the exhibition.

- And let us remind ourselves, we cannot expect others to know about us what we think they should until we learn it ourselves. And we cannot expect others to respect and appreciate us until we learn to appreciate and respect ourselves - said Minister Vučević.

He highlighted a painting by Nebojša Đuranović and its strong symbolism.

- The painting has one detail that could warn us, but that should also guide us. It is this torch, this flame of freedom. It must burn with the same brightness in both war and peace. It's not just a warrior's flame. It is the flame of freedom. And every time we extinguished that flame throughout our history, or when it was extinguished but someone else, we wandered, we forgot who we were, we forgot our neighbours, we did not understand ourselves, our identity, our spirituality, our statehood. We also forgot our soldiers, veterans, fighters, comrades, we forgot Serbia. Therefore, it is the duty of each of us, regardless of our age or our job, to do everything in our power not to allow that flame to be extinguished ever again – said the Minister of Defence and added that without that flame we were alienated from ourselves.

Minister Vučević thanked the authors of the exhibition and said that visitors would be able to see the works of art dedicated not only to the Sretenje Constitution and the uprising, but also to medieval Serbian history. He announced the work of sculptor Zoran Ivanović, a new memorial complex that is to be erected in Novi Sad, which will help establish a clear and strong national identity in that part of Serbia as well.

- I hope you enjoy the exhibition. First of all, it would be great if students could come to see the exhibition and learn something about their history, about themselves. What I mean is, they will better understand the present and prepare themselves better for the future. Thank you all. Long live Niš and long live our Serbia, the most beautiful country and the only homeland we have - said Minister Vučević and declared the exhibition officially open in Niš.

The Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Nikola Selaković, said that it was important that after the capital city, the exhibition was displayed in Niš, thereby passing on the flame of freedom.

- I think it is clear to everyone that we must fight against discord. And that it is important for us to stand together, just as we have come together to this exhibition tonight. Dear citizens of Niš, I hope you enjoy the days ahead and a wonderful artistic inspiration of our friends Zoran Ivanović and Nebojsa Đuranović. And I hope that the young people who visit this exhibition one of these days will be encouraged by it, inspired to create in their own way and demonstrate what they can do for their motherland, instead of wondering what the motherland can do for them - said Minister Selaković.

According to sculptor and author of the exhibition Ivanović, past takes a very important place in the set of values that shape our identity. Past in which we were shaped as a people - recollections, remembrance, memory. The opportunity to contribute to the preservation and strengthening of our identity through sculpture makes him feel very privileged, he emphasized.

Painter and author of the exhibition Đuranović said that the paintings and sculptures were not only works of art, but that each of them told a story of courage, determination, and the sacrifice made by the Serbs in their fight for freedom. The commemoration of the 220th anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising has encouraged them, he said, to exhibit works that represent the continuity of the Serbian people's struggle for freedom and statehood from the 13th to the 20th century.

The exhibition "Fight for Serbia’s Statehood and the Freedom of the Serbian People", whose authors are Zoran Ivanović and Nebojša Đuranović, consists of paintings, sculptures and drawings that show in an artistic way the fight of the Serbian people for their freedom and state.

The opening of the exhibition was attended Army Commander Lt. Gen. Milosav Simović, Mayor of Niš Dragana Sotirovski, His Grace Arsenije, Bishop of Nis with the clergy, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, veteran associations and associations nurturing the traditions of liberation wars, public figures and numerous guests.

The exhibition will be open to visitors until April 15.