THE HUMANITARIAN CONCERT AT THE BELGRADE PHILHARMONICS

Belgrade, 11 December 2004 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended tonight a big Christmas humanitarian concert at the Belgrade Philharmonics. The concert was organized by the Rotary Club «Belgrade» to bid farewell to H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Hennes Porries.

Their Royal Highnesses, Their Excellencies and prominent guests were warmly welcomed on behalf of the Rotary Club by its President Mr Ljubomir Hadzi – Djordjevic, who greeted them and thanked them for coming..

Besides the Saint Georges String Orchestra, whose patron is HRH Prince Philip, and the choir «Oktoih» who played under the baton of Mr. Alexander Spasic, at tonight's concert the following soloists also took part: soprano Aneta Ilic, alto Tanja Obrenovic, tenor Radivoje Simic, baritone Branislav Kosanovic, bass Predrag Milanovic, the soloist of the Munich Philharmonics, the flutist Michael Coffler together with the concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonics and our well known violinist Sreten Krstic.

The visitors had an opportunity to listen to the works of Kornelije Stankovic – parts from the Saint Jovan Zlatousti's Liturgy, Kornelije`s Christmas concerto, Schubert's Mass in G-major and the famous Bach's piece, the Orchestral Suite for flute and the chamber string orchestra.

At the end of the concert a member of the Club Mr. Branko Miljus presented H.E. Ambassador, Mr. Hennes Porries with one of his paintings. H.E. Ambassador, Mr. Hennes Porries then presented a talented Mileva Kotorcic, a protégée of the non governmental organization «Nasa Srbija», with a cheque as a contribution towards the cost of her further musical education.

Addressing the present guests Ambassador Porries thanked all the members of the Club for enabling him to become during his stay in our country a very important part of our people and of our country and added:

«By doing tonight's concert you have given me an unforgettable evening. I am glad that during my work and stay in Belgrade I had the opportunity to help young people together with Their Royal Highnesses and the non governmental organization «Nasa Srbija». It is not easy for one Ambassador to become a part of one country's society but thanks to you all I have succeeded in it.»

During his diplomatic stay in Belgrade H.E. Ambassador Mr. Hennes Porries was very much involved in many humanitarian actions to help our medical and children's institutions and was the active member of the Belgrade Rotary Club.

Besides Their Royal Highnesses and H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Hennes Porries, tonight’s concert was also attended by H.E. Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Wilhelm Meier and Mrs. Gihan Maier, H.E. Ambassador Mr. Dusan Crnogorcevic and his wife, archimandrite Andrei Cilercic, the President of the Jewish Community in Belgrade, Mr. Misa Levi and his wife, as well as numerous friends of H.E. Ambassador Porries and the members of the Belgrade Rotary Club.