14.02.2011.

Opening of the exhibition " "Tracing the Principality and the Kingdom of Serbia"

Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac opened the exhibition "Tracing the Principality and the Kingdom of Serbia" in the Gallery of Matica Serbian in Novi Sad. The exhibition, which presented the public honors, medals and memorials of exceptional national importance was hosted by the Military Museum and Gallery of Matica Serpska, and to mark the National Day - 15 February. On this occasion, Minister Sutanovac awarded for the first time, military commemorative medals to thirty members of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia.

The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Bojan Pajtic, the mayor of Novi Sad, Igor Pavlicic, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Miloje Miletic, the representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia and a number of personalities from public and cultural life.

"Throughout its long history, Serbia has gone through various periods changing, becoming stronger, enriching in culture, arts, education and science. At the same time, changes are taking place as we speak in its armed forces and today we can proudly say that the Serbian Armed Forces are true heir of the leader of the I Serbian Uprising Karadjordje and of Knez Milos the Great, as well as of warriors and veterans of both world wars and the Balkans, "said Sutanovac while opening the exhibition recalling the historical events relating to the 15th February.

The exhibition in Serbian Matica, said the minister, is a unique privilege of getting a true insight into the lives of the people in those times by looking at the medals awarded in those times, to learn about their accomplishments and merits of the state for which they were awarded.

"I am extremely glad that, in addition to these awards, I have the honor to present for the first time military commemorative medals established nearly seven decades after the last Serbian decorations and medals were established," said Minister Sutanovac stating that the chosen representatives of the armed forces were awarded these medals and that this should serve as an example for the reputation of colleagues and citizens of Serbia.

The Minister expressed satisfaction that he, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, had the honor to congratulate the jubilee - 185 years of Matica Srpska, which is a symbol of culture, science and art of our country.

The President of Vojvodina Government Bojan Pajtic said that the decorations were given to people who gave their lives to the citizens of Serbia and that without them and their courage would we would not have Serbia today.

The Exhibition "Decorations of the Principality and the Kingdom of Serbia", the author of which is the senior curator at the Military Museum Dusanka Maricic, is one in a series of specific exhibitions that are under the auspices of the Republic of Serbia, organized in Kragujevac, Nis, Valjevo, Belgrade and Novi Sad to mark the National Holiday.

The public will be presented over a hundred medals, medallions, commemorative, charters and certificates that testify to the emergence and development of these public awards. The first Medal was the one awarded for dedication, which the Prince Milos Obrenovic after returning to the Serbian throne in 1858 awarded to his supporters, to those which King Peter I presented to the deserving participants in the liberation wars. The exhibition includes typologically rare medals, as well as those given to significant historical figures.

The exhibition is complemented by portraits of the representatives of royal families of Obrenovic and Karadjordjevic dynasties and Serbian generals, lithographs depicting significant historical events and drawings from sketches medals and decorations from the Gallery of Matica Srpska.

On occasion of the National Day and the Day of the Serbian Army, after the opening of the exhibition, the representative Guard Orchestra gave a concert promenade along the famous street in Novi Sad, Danube and the Zmaj Jovina streets. Under the baton of Lieutenant Alexander Djurovic, the orchestra performed a program consisting of the old Serbian protocol marches and marches from the world literature.

The members of the honorary Guard units under the command of Captain Mirko Mitric also participated in the parade who at the Liberty Square, received with the round of applause from observers, performed an egzercir on spot and in movement, and
The honorary echelon units performed special display acts.