CELEBRATION OF 202nd ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SERBIAN UPRISING

15th February 2006 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Princess Katherine attended the celebration ceremony of 202 anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising in Orasac.

The celebration ceremony started with a Holy Liturgy in the Holy Ascension Church in Orasac, served by Their Graces Bishop Jovan of Sumadija and Bishop Georgije of Canada.

Their Royal Highnesses attended a memorial service for Karadjordje and his up-risers in the Maricevica Gully followed by H. E. Dr Vojislav Kostunica Prime Minister of Serbia, H. E. Mr. Miroljub Labus Vice-Premier of Serbia, H. E. Mr. Zoran Stojkovic Minister of Justice, H. E. Mr. Dragan Jocic Minister of Interior of Serbia, H. E. Mr. Radomir Naumov Minister of Energy and Mining of Serbia, H.E. Zoran Loncar Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government of Serbia, H. E. Dr Zoran Stankovic Minister of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro and members of the Advisory Bodies of The Crown.

Their Royal Highnesses, H. E. Dr Vojislav Kostunica Prime Minister of Serbia and attended by members of the Army laid the wreaths on the monument of Karadjordje, in front of the “First Serbian Uprising” School in Orasac.

Crown Prince Alexander II and H. E. Dr Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister of Serbia then addressed. His Royal Highness emphasised the following in his speech:

“I am certain that we can solve the problems and create a better, richer and modern state of Serbia in which all the citizens will live with dignity in Serbia and in which our children will like to stay. We should remember the past, but we must look into the future.

Never again, we can let Serbia to be in the position it must not be in. Proud and straighten Serbia is our tradition, and our country will be like that.

We have to draw the line in order not to make our predecessors ashamed and in order not to turn our back to the future. We are ready to fulfil our international obligations once and for all. No more, no less”, stressed His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II.

H. E. Dr Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister of Serbia followed said the following:

“Karadjordje and his co-fighters showed the real strength of the constitutional spirit necessary for rebuilding the state. The uprising of Serbian common people had a goal: to arrange liberated territory like all the other European states of that period. We must continue the mission of Karadjordje today too”.

After the artistic performance “Karadjordje and Reverend Atanasije Bukovicki” that was performed in Orasac, Their Royal Highnesses continued on to Oplenac, where they attended the Church Memorial Service for Karadjordje and laid the wreath at the grave of the Supreme Leader Karadjordje in the Church of Saint George.

H. E. Dr Vojislav Kostunica, Prime Minister of Serbia, H.E. Dr Zoran Stankovic, Minister of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro and other officials of Serbia and state union also attended the Church Memorial Service for immortal Karadjordje.

After the Church Memorial Service, HRH Crown Prince Alexander II arranged a reception for their excellences and other guests of honour in Kings Peter Villa. On that occasion, Crown Prince had a friendly conversation with H. E. Prime Minister of Serbia, H. E. Minister of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro and other invitees.