Happy Eid Al-Fitr! Al-Fitr! Eid Happy

june 2015 Bunjevci Community Bunjevci Government Bunjevac Josif Bunjevac Was Pančić the by Mourned Country Whole News of "Small" of Communities Communities For Change of Change For Determined to Solve to Determined law and Respect and law the National Minorities National the VASIlIoS PRoVElEGIoS VASIlIoS Questions Important for Important Questions

Happy Eid al-Fitr! al-Fitr! Eid Happy

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Public Invitation Public Group Action the of Reconstruction for Political the of System Minority

Finding a Model for Model a Finding Coordination of National of Coordination

the National Minorities National the Survival and Financing of Financing and Survival

Councils of National Minorities National of Councils 17 HigHligHT EDITORIAL 17

Certificates given to the Publicity is the best protection from privacy interns of the internship program for youth – members of I often ask myself whether it is possible to establish the system minorities in state of open and transparent partner relations with state within institutions of serbia minority politics. Of course, I want such a system, but not so much I believe in it anymore, because I know what the barriers are, and how that utopian idea would finish unsuccessfully. As it is with every relation, so in relation of national minorities and The Fifth Cycle of the Internship Pro- gram for the National Minorities state two are needed at least, but in case of Serbia, you need Youth in the State Institutions of the twenty two. And there appear first problems, because among Republic of Serbia has been brought twenty two there is much more chances for non-transparency to completion in Novi Pazar. The In- ternship Program has been imple- in relations, that will bring into question the whole politics of mented by the Office for Human national minorities. and Minority Rights with support of the UK Embassy in Belgrade. But, happily, we cannot influence number of national communities in Serbia, so we have to see it as objective and given fact. We can, and I would rather say, we must influence attitude of state toward national minorities, if we want those relations to Coordination of minorities be more transparent, but at the same time clearly should be with the Minister defined the ways that national minorities can refer to legiti- of Education mately and communicate with state bodies, and realize their Vice presidents of Bosniak national goals. Otherwise, national minorities are just coins for settling council, Esad Džudžo and Muhedin Fijuljanin, participated in meeting of accounts from election to election within the system representatives of national councils “how somebody manages in the game of the division of of national minorities with the Min- power”. ister of Education, Science, and Tech- nological Development, Dr Srdjan Verbic, and his associates. I see the non-transparency in the relations of the national minorities and the state bodies as a big risk for members of national minorities, because my opinion is that it is dangerous to Bosniak National Council trade with the interests of a community. It is not advisable to see national minority as a political party, which later makes visited by the ambassadors “business deal” under the excuse that everything is done on of Hungary and austria behalf of and for the sake of a national minority. Authorities change, political parties change, but national communities stay Bosniak National Council was visited for good. Think about that. by the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Dr Attila Pinter, and the Ambassador of Austria, H.E. Mr Johannes Eigner. President of the Council, Dr Sulej- man Ugljanin, with his associates, in 30 different national communities live in serbia! separated meetings welcomed ambassadors, and introduced them to the work and functioning of Bosniak National Council.

The sixth meeting of managing board project “we are here together – European support for roma inclusion”

Director of the Oﬃce for human and minority rights, Suzana Paunović, presided the sixth meeting of managing board project “We are here together – European support for Roma inclusion”, kept in Palace Serbia.

www.minoritynews.rs right place for everybody Paunović and schmid talked about questions of inclusion of roma people in serbia irector of the office for human and minority rights, suzana Paunović, bian Government`s plan for making met in Palace “serbia“ with representatives of german Embassy in ser- new Strategy for improvement of the bia, Jurgen schmid, first secretary for economic cooperation and sabine state of Roma people in Serbia for pe- Brendel, oficer of Political section. riod to the year 2025, and that in rela- D tion to this, preparing process of initial Meeting was dedicated to the ques- phasized that the process of Roma in- study for making new strategic docu- tions of Roma inclusion in Serbia. Rep- clusion is long and demands a lot of ment was transparent and included resentatives of German Embassy work, and so she expressed gratitude to number of consultative meetings initiated the established cooperation, German Embassy for partnership and throughout the country with organiza- aiming to give support to the process of support in order to improve the state of tions of civil society, state institutions inclusion of Roma people in the Repub- Roma national minority through inclu- and bodies, local self-governments, in- lic of Serbia. sion into social, economic, cultural and dependent bodies and international or- Director of the Office for human and political life. Paunović introduced repre- ganisations. minority rights, Suzana Paunović, em- sentatives of the Embassy with the Ser-

Paunović congratulated Eid al-Fitr Director of the oﬃce for welfare, tolerance, feeling of fa- human and minority rights, miliarity and enjoyment. May suzana Paunović, congratu- this big holiday inspire in you lated Eid al-Fitr to the religious strengthening of real values, servants and to all believers of importance of togetherness, islamic community. “i wish you mutual respect and under- to spend the holiday in peace, standing“, is stated in congrat- with family and friends, and ulation of Paunović. may your home be ﬁlled with

Minority News 3 NEWS government determined to solve questions important for national minorities rime minister of the republic of serbia, aleksandar Vučić, who is also foreign and of internal policy, praising president of the Council for national minorities, send message today Government`s effort to as soon as pos- that government is determined to give its best in order to solve ques- sible try to realize all sorts of rights which tions which are important for all national minorities. national minorities deserve by constitu- tional and legislative framework. At the “VučićP in his address to the representa- human and minority rights, should be meeting were actively present also vice- tives of national councils of national mi- organized meetings with the represen- president of the Government and min- norities, at the second meeting of the tatives of the Ministry for foreign affairs ister of state government and local mentioned council, reminded that from , in order to improve bilateral relations self-government Kori Udovički, who is the time of founding of this body in with mother countries of national mi- also deputy president of the Council for 2004, to 2009, were kept only five meet- norities. “This sort of dialogue is the only national minorities, and minister of ed- ings, while from April 2015 this is already right way for all citizens, regardless of na- ucation, science and technological de- second meeting. He emphasized that velopment, Srđan Verbić. At the Serbian Government with its active At the meeting agreement is meeting were also present state secre- measures for decreasing budget deficit achieved that, with agency of tary of the Ministry for culture and infor- clearly shows that to its citizen, regard- the Office for human and mation, Saša Mirković, general secretary less of the fact whether he belongs to minority rights, should be of the Ministry for foreign affairs, Veljko majority or to the national minority, it organized meetings with the Odalović, and acting director of the Of- wants to ensure realisation of all his representatives of the Ministry fice for human and minority rights, rights guaranteed by the Statute. for foreign affairs, in order to Suzana Paunović. Also, to the work of Supporting the Action plan, as a key doc- improve bilateral relations meeting contributed acting director of ument that will define measures for im- with mother countries of the Office for cooperation with churches provement of the state of national national minorities. and religious communities, Mileta minorities, prime minister asked state Radojević, assistant of the minister of bodies to as soon as possible opera- justice, Čedomir Backović, and represen- tionalize settlement of key questions in tionality, to feel progress - personal as tatives of all national councils of national education and informing, and he prom- well as of country”, concluded Vučić. minorities in Serbia” – is stated in report ised to personally engage himself in this. Representatives of national councils of the Cabinet of vice-president of the At the meeting agreement is achieved sent support to Serbian Government in Government and minster of state gov- that, with agency of the Office for their further activities and directions of ernment and local self-government.

Minority News 4 NEWS The sixth meeting of managing board for project “we are here together – European support for inclusion of roma people” irector of the office for human and minority rights, suzana Paunović, participants, specified Paunović. presided the sixth meeting of governmental board for project “we are Also is initiated third cycle of trainings for here together – European support for inclusion of roma people”, in raising capacities of mobile teams and Palace serbia. mentor support. She introduced members of managing board to the fact that PaunovićD pointed out the importance of effectively in their community. Paunović Guide about Roma rights on local level the project for establishing better coor- summarised all activities from the last is published - Patrin – How to realize dination and Inter-section cooperation meeting of managing board until today, your rights, made in Serbian and Roma on the local level, and she expressed emphasizing that law teams of partner language. In area of support to the civil gratitude to the Mission of OSCE in Ser- organisation “Praksis“ initiated 894 of society Paunović informed members of bia and to the Delegation of EU, which administrative and court proceedings for managing board that successfully are are partners of Serbian Government in additional registration into registry of finished two cycles of training for chosen effort to improve the state of Roma peo- births, for determination of date and organisations of civil society on theme ple in Serbia. She reminded that through place of birth, as well as for determina- of action planning and public pleading, mechanism of mobile teams, founded in tion of personal name, of which, till the which was attended by more than 100 20 pilot towns and municipalities of Ser- end of May of the present year, 428 are representatives of NGO-s. Significant bia, all results made in previous period, positively solved. Initiated is making of progress is achieved in providing support are connected into one team made of database for following the results of within component of housing and she Roma coordinator, pedagogic assistant, measures for inclusion of Roma, and mentioned that software is made for ge- health mediator, representative of the training is done from the area of anti- ographical-information system (GIS). Centre for social work and National serv- discrimination for local givers of services She reminded that promotion of GIS and ice for employment, in order to help within the area of social and health pro- results of mapping sub-standard settle- Roma people to realise their rights more tection, which was attended by 2822

Initiated making of database for following the results of measures for inclusion of Roma, and training done from area of anti-discrimination for local givers of services from area of social and health protection, attended by 2822 participants

5 Minority News Paunović reminded that within program of support to the stable employment of Roma are given acknowledgements to the enterprising initiatives which have the best practice in employment of Roma in the Republic of Serbia

ments is held in May in the presence of she hopes that till the end of project all the minister of construction, traffic and With project “We are here to- started and planned activities will be re- infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlović and gether – European support for alised successfully. Lloyd Tudik, manager ambassador of OSCE, Peter Burkhard, inclusion of Roma“ is provided of the project in front of Mission of OSCE and results of mapping 583 settlements support to the institutions of in Serbia, presented results achieved in are published in form of study. former period, momentary limits and the Republic of Serbia, within planned activities. Special attention on Software for GIS, developed by company improvement of the state of managing board meeting is given to the Mapsoft, is installed on supplied equip- Romas in areas of access to Program of training and mentor support ment for relevant ministry, training is the basic rights, civilian partici- for organisations of civil society, whose made for the employed in Ministry of pation, market work, educa- objective is improvement of the state of construction, traffic and infrastructure, tion, healthcare, social Roma people. explained Paunović. She informed the presented that tender is announced for protection, adequate housing With project “We are here together – preparation of technical documentation and making stable working European support for inclusion of for improvement of sub-standard Roma places Roma“ is provided support to the insti- settlements in 15 municipalities, and at tutions of the Republic of Serbia, within the moment are under construction 13 ”We are here together”, and that only improvement of the state of Romas in urban plans in 11 municipalities, with with united efforts we can achieve suc- areas of access to the basic rights, civil- which municipalities will be able to cess”, concluded Paunović. ian participation, market work, educa- apply for resources of EU within pro- tion, healthcare, social protection, gram IPA 2013. Paunović reminded that Ana Milenić, project manager in front of adequate housing and making stable within program of support to the stable Delegation of European Union in Serbia, working places through technical sup- employment of Roma people are given expressed satisfaction because of the port to the realisation of project pro- acknowledgments to the enterprising fact that on Seminar on social inclusion posal for social development of Serbian initiatives, that have the best practice in of Roma people in the Republic of Ser- Government. Project is financed with re- employment of Roma people in the Re- bia, on every session were stated some sources of European Union, and con- public of Serbia, adding that in 18 com- of the results of the projects, which is ducted by Mission of OSCE in Serbia, in panies will be employed 62 confirmation that in previous period the coordination with the Office for human Romas. “Presented results show that work was done well, and she added that and minority rights of Serbian Govern- project completely justifies its name ment.

Project is ﬁnanced with resources of European Union, and conducted by Mission of OSCE in Serbia, in coordination with Oﬃce for human and minority rights of the Serbian Government

6 Minority News Coordination of national councils of national minorities Finding model for survival and financing of national minorities media Source: Sandžačke novine

oordination of national councils of national minorities of the republic problems within informing. Our effort to of serbia informed minister of Culture and information, ivan Tasovac, be partners in creation of priorities about conclusions dealing with informing in languages of national mi- within cultural autonomy did not give norities and actual media privatisation, accepted on proposal by satisfying results, and so we inform You deputy president of Coordination, Esad Džudžo, at the meeting held on 26 June and at the same time we ask You to once 2015,C in Novi sad. again accept our mutual attitude refer- ring to the privatisation of local media At the meeting of Coordination of na- councils of national minorities and Law whose founder is local self-government, tional councils of national minorities of on public informing, and to provide de- and which present also programs in mi- the Republic of Serbia, held on 26 June laying of application of Article 143 of the nority languages, as well as media which 2015 in Novi Sad, unanimously are media law, for media which present in national councils named as institutions brought the following conclusions deal- languages of national minorities in of significant importance, and also ing with informing in languages of na- agreement with national councils of na- media founded by national councils. tional minorities and actual media tional minorities of the Republic of Ser- Founded by local self-government, and privatisation. In order to achieve public bia. presenting for decades program in lan- interest it is necessary urgently to ex- guages of national minorities, they fulfil clude from the process of privatisation As soon as possible should be found not only their informative, but also one local media which present in languages model for survival of media of national more important function, and that is of national minorities and whose minorities in Serbia and model for their cherishing of language, and by that cul- founder is local self-government, or de- financing. “Unfortunately we state that ture, which make them significant insti- fine those media as institutions of signif- national councils were not informed tution in keeping national, language and icant importance for national minorities. about the newest changes and additions cultural identity”, is stated, among other in the Law on public informing, though things, in report sent to minister Taso- As soon as possible to make changes Coordination of national councils in- vac. and additions within the Law on national formed the competent bodies about

7 Minority News Bosniak community Coordination of minorities with

minister of educationSource: Bosniak national council ice-presidents of Bosniak national council, Esad Džudžo and Muhedin Fijul- janin, participated in meeting of representatives of national councilsV of national minorities with minister of education, science and technological development, Dr srđan Verbić, and his associates. Acting as deputy president of Coordina- tion of national councils, Esad Džudžo introduced minister Verbić to the activities that Coordination had regarding question of education in minority languages. He stressed the necessity of respect of minority rights and advancement of their position. Talking on behalf of Bosniak national council, vice-president of the Council, Muhedin Fijuljanin, talked about problems that Bosniaks meet in the area of education. He especially emphasized problem of impossibil- nority languages and including of text- problems. ity of declaring of members of Bosniak book in Bosnian language into program national community for teaching in their of free textbooks. Conclusions from At the meeting were present represen- own, mother language, Bosnian lan- meeting of Coordination in Kovačica tatives of all national councils of national guage, especially in municipalities of Pri- were presented by Svetlana Zolnjan, minorities, and in front of Ministry of ed- jepolje and Priboj. He also talked about president of the Board for education of ucation, beside minister Verbić, were problems in procedure of accepting national council of Slovak national mi- present also state secretary Prof Dr Zo- teaching plans and programs, especially nority. Minister Dr Srđan Verbić stressed ranaLužanin, minister`s assistant Vesna history, regarding to which is intended to that Ministry is going to make effort in Lukić, head of the Cabinet Nemanja deny national identity of Bosniaks and solving all the problems, that Ministry is Đorđević, and senior assistant in charge expel Sandžak. Fijuljanin asked for mak- completely open to minorities and their of education for national minorities, Jas- ing special catalogue of textbooks in mi- representatives, and that it is necessary minka Peruničić Allen. friendly and in cooperation to solve all

8 Minority News Bosniak community Dr sulejman Ugljanin sent ramadan congratulation Source: Bosniak national council resident of Bosniak national of strengthening the trust and relations council, Dr sulejman Ugl- among Bosniaks, cooperation among janin, sent ramadan con- people of all religions and nationalities, gratulation. and month of building and keeping of human dignity. In the name of Bosniak InP Congratulation is said: “Ramadan is national council and my own, to all Mus- month of God`s mercy, forgiveness of lims in Serbia I congratulate the forth- sins, dealing of sadaqah and goodness, coming month Ramadan, wishing them month of overall goodness and human- to spend it in peace, good healthand ra- ity. I want this Ramadan too to be month hatluk.”

Bosniak National Council visited by ambassadors of Hungary and austria Source: Bosniak national council osniak national council was problems that they have, and about un- Resolution for solving the status of na- visited by ambassador of solved questions that are burden to tional minorities in the Republic of Ser- Hungary, H.E. Dr attila Pin- Bosniaks, and also about activities of the bia, submitted by minority arliamentary ter, and ambassador of aus- Council related to the solution of those group SDA of Sandžak - PDD, that repre- tria, H.E. Mr Johannes Eigner. President questions. In conversation is empha- sents direction by which Serbia should ofB the Council, Dr sulejman Ugljanin, sized importance of the Action plan for move through stated chapters in nego- with his associates, in separated meet- national minorities which is made within tiations. At both meetings is discussed ings welcomed ambassadors, and in- framework of negotiations about enter- situation in which Bosniaks ﬁnd them- troduced them to the work and ing of Serbia into European Union, pre- selves at the moment, because they are functioning of Bosniak national council. cisely within chapters 23 and 24. the only people within former Yu- Discussing the process of Serbian enter- goslavia whose status is still not solved. Ambassadors are informed about the ing into European Union, president of position of Bosniaks in Serbia, about the Council stressed the importance of

9 Minority News Jewish community

Commemoration in suboticaAuthor: Saša Ristić ynagogue in subotica, a lady whose beauty is impossible to hide, in burs so that they can hook up, the wind spite of her old years, is for a long time decorated so that she can shine blows them, lesson is not learned, and again, and her citizens be proud of her. history repeats itself.

Her joy is killed on 16 of June of the far Jew, but for all people from Subotica, – Jewish community was motor of the awayS 1944 year, when they took from and there were pronounced proud guar- development of Subotica, and tragic her 4.000 of her children and sent them antees that it must not ever happen to events that followed during Second to death. Silenced was then song of can- anyone in the future. – This is a history World War and changed Europe for tor, sermon of rabbi, and loud: “Amen!” lesson that we should remember well, good, but also our town, should be of her pious sons and daughters. She is because its repetition often happens – warning to all, especially to the new gen- now only touristic attraction and mute warned rabbi Isak Asiel. Strong words – erations – said mayor Jene Maglai. After witness of the fact that in this town in of small power. Rabbi is aware of that, commemorative meeting participants the North of Bačka once lived 6.000 of and wise enough not to believe that we went out to the yard, silently and re- Jews. Today only about two hundred. No will all together suddenly become good spectfully to put wreaths on monument makeup can erase that. This 16 June, and attentive students. For, many before of the suffered Jew people. Beautiful Synagogue welcomed town authorities, him talked the same, but words are not Synagogue was empty again. few representatives of different religions, rest of the rest of former big Jew- ish municipality Subotica and their countrymen from other Serbian towns. As always, present were also busy media representatives, ready as a strained gun to write down every word, and what they hear and slightly understand to pre- pare for night news and morning edi- tions of their, as Nobel prize winner Ivo Andrić said, “journalistic mills, that grind too much but give little flour.” Sad meeting, sad occasion – remembrance of more than 4.000 Jew from Subotica, sent to the camps of death. There were heard, in such occasions appropriate, observations about Evil, constantly present in a Man, about misunderstanding and indifference that follow him, about innocent, suffered children and adults, about the saddest day in the history of Subotica, about a huge loss not only for

10 Minority News BUNJEVCI COMMUNITY New objectives and tasks settled Pokornić: Bunjevci from Hungary recognized efforts of Council to keep the national identity and cultural heritage

xecutive Board of the National council of Bunjevci national minority, at the Republic of Hungary actively partic- the meeting, upon constitution, named working team for cooperation ipated in celebration of all Bunjevac na- with diaspora. Working team is made of Branko Pokornić, Nevenka Bašic tional holidays. These first helping and Palković and Zvonko stantić, and its task is, in the name of National supporting steps to Bunjevci from neigh- council, to give all needed help to Bunjevci associations, for the sake of better or- bouring Hungary opened space for mak- ganisationE and enforcing of mutual cooperation of Bunjevci in the republic of Hun- ing Strategy for further advancement of gary. also, within the limits of possibilities, given is material and logistic support in cooperation, and so during February of their choice, at the submitting of applications for acknowledgment of Bunjevci as this year, Working team for cooperation a national minority in Hungary. with diaspora, at the meeting in ex- panded structure made analysis of re- Related to that choice, from 2012 are in- ”Bunjevački sokak”; then in August, in alised activities in previous year, and also tensively kept working meetings, at least organisation of Cultural and Art Society main directions are settled for making of two times a year, with representatives of ”Neven” from Kačmar, is kept Dužijanca, the mentioned strategy. all registered associations with Bunjevac while during winter, in organisation of in their names, and they are: ”Bajska citaonica”, is kept ”Bajsko – I must mention that Bunjevci from the bunjevačko prelo” – numbers president Republic of Hungary recognized efforts ”Zlatna grana” – Baja, Bunjevac cultural of the Working team, Branko Pokornić. by Council, in order to keep national association ”Neven” - Kacmar, ”Bajska identity and cultural heritage. In all this citaonica” – Baja, Bunjevci association – This approach until now showed good it is important to stress that within real- Gara, Assiciation Bacalmaš, Association results, it succeeded to close many peo- isation of all former agreements special ”Kolo” – Tompa, Association Bacbokod ple, solved present disagreements, and merits has Čaba Kamerman, who is co- and Association from Felšisentisvan. – At also opened new spaces of mutual re- ordinator of all associations of Bunjevci the first few meetings, together with de- spect and cooperation. in Hungary, and bearer of all important tailed acquaintance with difficulties and enterprises toward gathering of Bunjevci problems that for decades follow Bun- Now second step is in turn, and Pokornić explains what it means: – Plan is, and Bunjevac intellectuals around cul- jevci in the Republic of Hungary, asked tural associations, for realisation of the was also possible answer on question through organized workshops, to access learning of mother language, to give basic objective – acknowledgement of how to give hope and strength to the Hungarian parliament that Bunjevci rep- Bunjevci associations, so that they can possibilities to children in schools, through picture-books and practical resent national minority in the Republic persist in their fight for survival of Bun- of Hungary – emphasizes at the end jevci community; who, and in which ef- manuals, to easier master Bunjevac speech, letters, and dances. We want to Branko Pokornić. Since new chapter of fective way can help national council of development and advancement of mu- Bunjevci national minority. Thus was organize common children workshops, dances and association, and also, now, tual relations of Bunjevci between two made agreement to begin with organi- neighbouring countries is just opening, sation of manifestation under Bunjevci through workshops, all interested name, and on the basis of given propos- it is clear that Working team is neces- als, Council participates in the town activists we train for other important activities, in order to protect Bunjevac cul- sary, and in following period there are tural treasure in Hungary. It is important numerous tasks and challenges in front manifestation ”Bajski kotlić”, kept in July, of it. with given town agreement for to stress that Bunjevci associations from

11 Minority News BUNJEVCI COMMUNITY

LIFE AND WORK BY BUNJEVAC, ACADEMICIAN JOSIF PANČIĆ 5 (17) APRIL 1814 ¬ 25 FEBRUARY (8 MARCH) 1888. Whole country mourned Author: Zvonko Stantić

osif Pančić died on 25 February (by old calendar) 1888, at 4:30, in arms ciety, Serbian archaeological Society, of his daughter Milica. His last wish is fulfilled at the initiative of Yu- Serbian agriculture society, Civic mess- goslav Union of mountaineers and serbian academy of science and room, Main educational council, acade- art (saNU). Coffin from Pančić pine, with his bones, on 7 July 1951 is micians, National radical party, Serbian moved to Kopaonik and settled in pine at the biggest peak of the mountain, at progressive party, Higher female school, theJ height of 2017 meters. teachers of I and II Belgrade Grammar school, teachers of Belgrade training col- ”It was a huge national mourn. When he lege, Belgrade Realka, Royal Serbian di- came to Serbia nobody knew him, and vinity, gardeners of Botanical garden, when died after 42 years, our whole Association of Teachers, Serbian miners, country was veiled in sorrow. People mine ”Pančić” from Podrinje, Serbian cried for their best friend and teacher. freemasons ”Pobratimstvo” (from which Together with people in great sorrow we see that he was mason), Fund for were 34 generations of lyceums and ed- helping poor high-students, Academic ucated people, who Pančić, through his choral society ”Obilic”, Church choral so- life and work, taught about science, re- ciety ”Kornelije”, Serbian Jewish choral sponsibility, and first of all about love for society, naturalists, philologists, lawyers, their people and their country. In pleiad technicians, Academic youth in Vienna. of our great people of science and patri- Written expressions of condolence sent: otism, name Pančić shines with full bril- ”Tekelijanum” with students from Bu- liance!” says about Pančić Prof. Ljubiša dapest, Serbian University Youth, Pest, M. Glišić. In the Archive of Serbian Acad- Orthodox divinity institute from Zadar, emy of Science and Art (SANU), under rector of Royal University Franjo Josip I number 8746, in segment about Pančić, from Zagreb, archimandrite Dr. Nikodin is kept letter by lawyer Milan Mostić, Milaš from Zadar, Royal Venetian insti- husband of Pančić`s daughter Milica, tute for science, literature and art from about last days, that he sent 4 days after Venice, Serbian academic society ”Sr- death to Stojan Novaković, minister of bija” from Graz, Naturalist society of education, and later president of SANU, Hungary from Budapest, Hungarian who reformed education from primary est external appearance, all foreign ex- academy of sciences, royal academy of to high level, just the way that Pančić perts who saw it, cannot but admire its sciences from Berlin and Kiev society of asked, still in time when Novaković was rich content”, and one of the founders naturalists within Imperator University his student at Licej (Secondary school). of Serbian physicians society, Dr. Vladan of Saint Vladimir from Kiev. By his close In the letter Mostić says: „...For the time Đorđević, evoking memory on Pančić, colleagues, scientists, Pančić during his of two months sickness of my late, never said: ”In those times when the biggest life deserved sincere respect, and thus enough mourned father-in-law, profes- Serbian school paid, almost exclusively, in necrology in Ugric academy of sci- sor Josif Pančić, I read to him all letter attention to the laws You first started ences, in 1893, August Kanic mentions that he received. After reading of Your teaching us to pronounce and read the Pančić`s correspondence with Johan Ha- letter he ordered me to answer You, and magnificent book of nature. You lead us jfel, as well as problems that he had in kindly greet and thank to You and Your through this beautiful Serbian country, correspondence. Short time after Sadler family, that sends him offers. Offers to show us every town and every village, died, he had for a long time correspon- came while he was alive, and he drank all rivers and mountains, to show us all dence only with Hajfel, and to him he juice squeezed from an orange. After 4- richness of Serbian flora and fauna and sent a lengthy report about vegetation 5 days, he slept for good.” In his funeral all mining treasure of Serbia.” of Jagodina district. In current Student`s speech, in front of Big school, departing park, in 1897, monument is raised to from Pančić in the name of Big school, At the funeral service was present King Pančić. At the inauguration, with many professor J. Žujovic, his assistant, espe- Milan Obrenović, and with greatest re- students and high-scholars, academi- cially emphasized tireless work of Pančić spect, Dr. Josif Pančić was buried at Taš- cians, professors, ministers, members of in botanical cabinet, and he says: ”The majdan graveyard, near the church of Serbian Royal academy, were present cabinet is blessed temple, where this ed- Saint Marko, in street Grobljanska, today king Aleksandar Obrenović, patriarch of ucated vicar served to the science. That Takovska. There were buried also Serbian orthodox church Georgije is the biggest value of Big school, be- Daničić, Kolarac, Vujić. Wreaths on the Branković, president of Belgrade munic- cause it is attained with hardest work coffin were put by: His Majesty King ipality Nikola Pašic, who at that occasion and longest strain of Pančić. That is pride Milan, Serbian Royal Academy, profes- said: ”With raising this monument, cap- to Serbian science, for, though of mod- sors of Big school, Serbian physicians so- ital of Serbia wants to motivate Serbian

12 Minority News youth for cultural and literature work, and to give proofs that it likes Serbs, wherever they are, and that Belgrade brotherly supports them in honour of itself and of all serbdom”. Mountaineers and SANU, in 1950, remembered an- cient wish of Dr. Josip Pančić, to rest at the peak of Kopaonik, and thus on 5 July of the next year moved procession with coffin from Pančić pine, with his re- mains, and the next day, 6 July, coffin definitely moved to Suvo Rudište on Kopaonik. At the new send-off were present many Serbian academicians and professors of Belgrade University, as well as many mountaineers. The highest peak of Kopaonik, from that year, in- stead of Milan`s, by prince Milan, is called Pančić`s peak, and in the same year is raised mausoleum, where Pančić`s bones are put, and after that also of his wife. Near Pančić`s mausoleum, because of appropriate strategic position, army built radar-observing centre, and there were also objects of civil Agency for flight control, which were, in 1999 destroyed by NATO bombs and rockets. We all know for how long lasted NATO bombing of Serbia, but according to some prognoses, based on following the increase in number of pa- tients with cancer, the explosion of malign tumours, we can yet expect, as a consequence of 15 tons of uranium. It is especially interesting that first in the world who talked and wrote about heal- ing features of petroleum, among others when it is about malign diseases, was Josif Pančić, in his ”Omorika”. Four years ago, to me and my niece was not allowed entrance into military object, which is now surrounded by high double con- it, which grew because of dilapidation crete wall, so and disuse of the path. According to pic- that mausoleum tures that you can see, mausoleum suf- is not well visible fered smaller destructions, but it is not from outside. struck, though metal tower in surround- After one year ing, on 4 meters, is completely bended. and disaster with Soon mausoleum was reconstructed, exploded cas- but destructions of stone edge are visi- sette bombs on ble. Marble plate, which because of the the highest skiing explosion fell from mausoleum, also is path, when two reconstructed. On it again is written: officers of Ser- ”Realising vow of Pančić, we move him bian military here, to rest for good. We announce his died, we saw message sent to Serbian youth – that that it is that very only with deep knowledge and studying path through which we passed on the dangerous, especially because of cas- of nature of our country they will show way to mausoleum, and where was only sette bombs, was not mentioned. Peo- how much they respect and love their written that it was closed, but that it is ple carelessly picked wild raspberries on country.”

13 Minority News DANAS

Vasilios Provelegios, president of National council of Greek national minority in Serbia

For change of Law and respect of "small" communities

lections for national councils of national minorities in serbia are kept last year, according to law in force, which many representatives of national councils want to change. For that change is also Vasilios Prov- elegios, who is chosen for the president of National council of greek national minority after last year`s elections. He, however, thinks that more atten- tionE should be given also to "smaller" ethnic communities in serbia, which in- AutHor: S. Biševac cludes greece.

Law on national councils is destroyed by municipalities and some other national we do not have even a place for gather- its liberality. All welfare of the law can councils. To conclude, law should be ing and holding meetings. Thus, we start feel only "big" minority communities. changed, and not only aesthetically, but from the beginning. In this period we We, "small" ones, are left to manage features of all national councils should worked a lot on popularisation of Greek how we know in the sea of freedoms, be respected, not to support only big national minority. We launched internet that are given to national minorities, ones, says Provelegios. radio station, which plays Greek music without even one instrument of protec- 24 hours, and we plan including of in- tion from assimilation, because of im- You are head of National council since formative program too. In our new possibility to fulfil quotas which state last year. What have you done until space, in the very centre of Belgrade, bodies defined, in order to actively par- now and what are your plans? municipality Savski venac, we plan to ticipate on all levels. One of the mecha- start free school of Greek language and nisms that we create is association of - National council of Greek national mi- journalism school, that will be basis for "small" national minorities, that we ini- nority is devastated by behaviour of for- magazine in Greek language. tiated together with Union of Jewish mer convocations. We understood that

National council of Greek national minority devastated with behaviour of previous convocations

14 Minority News Essentially, if you are representative of "small" national minority and you do not have political power, the only way to approach somebody who decides and has authority to start solving any problem, is that he himself calls you in Serbia are divided, but we have one specific problem, and that is dispersion. In every bigger town in Serbia there is a smaller or bigger organized Greek community, and though generally our interests are the same, when it is on a local level you have many dissonant tones about model and about way of solving the same problems. We plan to visit all associations of Greeks in Serbia, and to make modus, in order on next elections to have less lists with more number of representatives from all parts of the country. Work of former convocations of Na- tional council of greek minority is marked with line of scandals and ac- cuses for abuse of money. Can you guarantee that in future it will not happen? are you satisfied with cooperation with rance about work of our councils causes - While I am president of national coun- competent state bodies? revolt among majority, and I often hear cil, scandals and trivialisation of council, that minorities have more rights than as in former period will not happen. The - Generally, yes. After six years of break majority. Of course that is not true, but are held two meetings of council for na- things that they allowed to happen we should try decently to close activity within such important body for our com- tional minorities in a very short period, of our councils to the majority, and even that are presides by prime minister or munity deserve all blames! Up to 2010, to include them in our activities, so that in Karađorđeva street No. 69 in Bel- the highest political actors of the coun- we all together can enjoy differences. try, and that gives us hope that problems grade, we had office, active school of that we have can be solved more effec- in the last elections for national coun- language, library, school for fencing, hu- tively. Essentially, if you are representa- cils participated five greek lists. Have manitarian organisation, Greek club, and tive of "small" national minority and you you accepted the logic "two serbs, we lost everything, after malversations do not have political power, the only way three parties"? Why are greeks in ser- with which council is taken and left in to approach somebody who decides bia so divided? debt of more than three millions. It is al- and has authority to start solving any lowed on one hand by law and its liber- problem, is that he himself calls you. It - Logic "two Serbs, three parties" is not alism. These malversations are treated is happening now, and we try to use it in invented in Serbia, in every country in by courts and competent institutions, the best way for our community. We the world you can find more different submitted criminal applications slowly want our voice to be heard, we want opinions. I see it as training of basic prin- get their epilogues, and I hope that cul- also to praise Republic of Serbia in its at- ciples of democracy, more opinions bet- prits will be punished, so that no one titude toward national minorities. Igno- ter solution! I would not say that Greeks ever again can think about playing with a national community. Tsipras can do a lot greeks and serbs are close tality. As for politics of instruments of governing in people, mutual linking is prime minister Tsipras, we realisation of his ideas. Bu obvious. still, popularity of see that his popularity, in he is young and ambitious, Tsipras decreases. What is spite of all opinions is big- and he does not put every- your opinion about greek ger. He came as a refresh- thing in political capsule, prime minister? ment, after half-century especially when addressing ruling of two political par- people. What Tsipras must - Closeness of Serbs and ties, New Democracy and and can do is to introduce Greek started a long time PASOK, as well as their two ﬁscal discipline in the ago, historical persons who dynasties of family. Alexis whole country, not so connected us are tsar Tsipras is a man who is much because of the big Dušan, Riga od Fere, Eleft- closer to the people, and three, but because of the erios Venizelos, but the who feels better the essen- interests of his country. If hardest connection of our tial problems of people. I he realises that the right two nations are religion am afraid he will need way, in a short time Greek and almost the same men- more time to master the crisis can be the past.

While I am president of national council, scandals and trivialisation of council, as in former period will not happen

15 Minority News This newsletter is funded by the Open Society Foundation, Embassy of the United States of America in Belgrade and the OSCE Mission in Serbia. Opinions expressed in Minority News newsletter do not necessarily represent the oﬃcial positions of the Governments and and organizations that fund this project.