THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES ATTEND CELEBRATION OF SMALL GRADUATION CHILDREN FROM KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

Belgrade, 8 May 2007 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended yesterday a celebration of the small graduation of children from Kosovo and Metohija, under the name “Small graduation – big heart” held at the Sava Centre.

This event was organized by the Ministry of Education and Sport, Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija and City Secretariat for Education and it gathered more than 1300 children from Kosovo and Metohija in Belgrade. For many of these children this was their first visit to Belgrade.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the children were welcomed by Mrs. Sanda Raskovic Ivic, President of the Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija who emphasized that the main aim of this project is to develop friendly contact between the children from Kosovo and children from Belgrade, hoping that the children had a nice time during their stay in Belgrade.

HE Mr. Slobodan Vuksanovic, Minister of Education and Sport delivered presents to the children that accomplished best results during their schooling.

Crown Prince Alexander said “My wife Princess Katherine and I congratulate you on your successful completion of elementary education. My Foundation for Culture and Education is always ready to help children by awarding the best pupils and providing scholarships to the best students. I would like very much that my Foundation will help you in the future. Please remember that an individual is worth as much as he knows, so I wish you to be even better students and to become good people and make more friends” – emphasized Crown Prince Alexander II in his welcome speech.

Following the ceremony, the children had the opportunity to enjoy music performances and recitals performed by many distinguished artists such as: Mrs. Svetlana Stevic Beogradski sindikat, Mrs. Zorana Pavic Ekstra Nena, Mrs. Ivana Zigon, Mrs. Jelena Jovanovic, Group 357, Miss Ivana Jordan, Legende, Mr. Lane Gutovic, Mrs. Leontina Vukomanovic, groups Garavi Sokak, Divlji Kesten and Zana, Mrs. Maja Nikolic, Mr. Boris Bizetic and group Riblja Corba.

After the ceremony, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine delivered books “HM King Peter II Karadjordjevic” to each of 62 schools from Kosovo and Metohija to remind them on this beautiful day.

At the manifestation were also present H.E. Mr. Alexander Alekseev, Ambassador of Russia, H.E. Mr. Julio Cesar Cancio Ferrer, Ambassador of Cuba, Mr. Eduardo Hector Moguel Flores, Charges D'Affairs of Mexico, City Government Representatives and teachers from Kosovo and Metohija.