11.04.2014.

Musical and theatrical event "Behest" in Lazarevac

Tonight, at the Cultural Centre in Lazarevac, "Stanislav Binički" Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence and "Kolo" National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances of Serbia performed a musical and theatrical performance "Behest" to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

"Behest" is a kind of artistic representation of calvary and resurrection of Serbia in the Great War. From the rich literal and musical heritage related to suffering and victories in the First World War, an appropriate musical and theatrical whole was created. The musical and theatrical fresco is a selection of texts on the events in the First World War, and how Serbia fought and emerged as the victor.

Immediately before that, a press conference was held where the audience was addressed by Stela Stanisic, Director of the Cultural Centre in Lazarevac, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Stojiljkovic, Head of the Art Ensemble, Vladimir Lazic, film director, and Dragan Milinkovic, Acting Director of the "Kolo" Ensemble. They spoke about the project "Behest" and cooperation between the two ensembles in the year marking a century since the First World War.

Lazarevac is the first city in Serbia, but not the last one, in which "Behest" was performed after the premiere in the Central Military Club in Belgrade.

In addition to the well-known musical motifs of our composers Stanislav Binicki, Davorin Jenko and others, original compositions were made specifically for this musical event by Dragan Knezevic and Dobrosav Vasic. Orchestra and choir were conducted by Ivona Eklemovic and Pavle Medakovic.

The programme included several songs, such as "The March of the Emperor Dusan", "The Bridge", "Suite", "This is I, Jeremiah", "March on the Drina", "There marched King Petar’s Guard" and "Stand up Serbie", and in the film part, participants were Ljiljana Stjepanovic, Mihajlo Janketic, Marko Nikolic, Milorad Mandic, Nenad Ciric, Viktor Savic, and other dramatic artists.