The RGS Center in Serbia Celebrates Its Birthday

Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии
Российский центр науки и культуры "Русский дом" в Белграде. Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии

On Friday, November 15th, a gala evening, dedicated to the birthday of the Center of the Russian Geographical Society in Serbia, was held in the Great Hall of the Russian Center of Science and Culture "Russian House" in Belgrade. The center, which invaluable contribution to the development of Russian-Serbian cooperation was repeatedly noted by the top officials of the two nations , celebrated three years of successful work.

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Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии
Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии

The RGS Center in Serbia was established in 2016. Its goals are to popularize geography, preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Russia and Serbia, conduct environmental, educational, research and other activities, aimed at developing the potential of the two countries.

Summer internships for Russian students, photograph exhibitions of the annual RGS contest “The Most Beautiful Country”, film screenings of films shot with the support of the Society are all held under the auspices of the Center. It also supervises the work of the venues of the Russian Geographical Society Geographical Dictation.

In particular, the meeting was attended by the Director of the RGS Center in Serbia, Vice-President of the Serbian Geographical Society Miroljub  Milinčić, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the RGS Center in Serbia Dušan Bajatović, and the Russian Ambassador in Serbia Alexander Botsan-Harchenko.

Dušan Bajatović noted the importance of cooperation with the Russian Geographical Society for Serbia. "Today, when we are faced with attempts to revise history, especially the period of the Second World War, when the Nazis reunite again, and the Russian and Serbian sacrifices are forgotten, it must be recalled that Russians and Serbs are Orthodox Slavic people; it’s not only culture and language that brings us together, but also a special attitude to freedom," said the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center.

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Душан Баятович. Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии
Душан Баятович. Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии

We are very grateful to Serbia, the leadership of Serbia and the Serbs for the fact, that the Russian Geographical Society, the most respected and largest society, that has a large and rich history in Russia, was able to carry out its activities in Serbia through the Center. A similar Center, except for the countries of the former USSR, exists only in Serbia. And I ask myself, could it be opened in any other country? "  Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko noted in his speech. He promised to continue to provide comprehensive support from the embassy to scientific and educational projects.

The vice-president of the Russian Geographical Society, Vladimir Kolosov, also sent congratulations to Belgrade, in which he indicated that “every year the Center’s activities are becoming more versatile, but most importantly, the Center facilitates contacts between people, the exchange of visits of geographers, student trips, and the participation of Serbian colleagues in the events of Russian Geographical Society in Russia and Russian collegues in Serbia. Such contacts are the key to traditional friendship between our countries."

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Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии
Фото предоставлено Центром Русского географического общества в Сербии

A rich cultural program awaited the guests of the event. It included performances by the nationally acclaimed performer of Serbia Lubo Manasijevic , choral and dance troupe of the Academic, Cultural and Artistic Association of the University of Belgrade "Španac".