125th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ZVECANSKA ORPHANAGE

Belgrade, 9 December 2004 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended this evening the 125th Anniversary of the Zvecanska Street Orphanage.

In the beginning of the celebration guests were addressed by the Institution's Director, Mr. Zoran Milacic. He thanked everyone for assisting this very important Institution. The orphanage was founded at the initiative of His Majesty King Alexander I and over the years had taken care of more than 30 000 children. Director Milacic emphasized that the wish of all teachers has always been to bring up the children to become decent people and start their own families. The evening continued with orphans Daniela and Sasa welcoming guests.

The patron of this event is the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs Minister Slobodan Lalovic who greeted guests and thanked them on behalf of the children for giving great support to this Institution. The Minister emphasized that the jubilee marks a significant date in the history of the Serbian people and quoted the words of the famous Russian writer Dostoevsky: “The whole world is not worth as much as only one tear of a child.” Minister Lalovic called upon everyone to give these children what they need the most, and that is love.

“Children are like arrows and we shoot them into future. We do not know where they are going to land but it is up to us to do all in our power to make sure that they come of age as nice people”, stressed Minister Lalovic.

The ceremony continued with the Academic choir «Spanac» under the direction of Mr. Djordje Stankovic. This was followed by a short film describing the history of orphanage.

Besides Their Royal Highnesses, H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Boris Tadic and the Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs Mr. Slobodan Lalovic being present there was also the Adviser to the President of Serbia for Public Relations, Mr. Nebojsa Krstic, the daughter of HRH Princess Katherine Mrs. Alison Andrews and Mr. Dimitris Paraskevis, as well as numerous donors who have generously helped the orphanage.