TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS RECEPTIONS FOR CHILDREN HELD AT WHITE PALACE

Belgrade, 4 January 2008 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine hosted today at the White Palace the traditional Christmas receptions for children from all over Serbia without parental care, children with special needs, Roma children, refugee and internally displaced children.

More than 1200 children ages 3 to 12, had the opportunity to feel and share the joy of Christmas with Their Royal Highnesses.

The first reception was hosted for children without parental care from Belgrade, Sombor, Subotica, Kragujevac, Valjevo, Pancevo; Roma children from Belgrade, Obrenovac, Trestenik, Borca and Marinkova Bara; as well as children from Milosevac and Sremska Kamenica.

The second reception was organized for children with special needs, while the third reception was hosted for children without parental care from Nis, Aleksinac, Negotin, Cuprija, Uzice, Banja Koviljaca, Bela Crkva, Paracin and Zitiste; children of the victims of war from Zvezdara; Roma children from Belgrade, Veliko Gradiste, Ada; refugee children and internally displaced children from the Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvostno welcomed the children, wishing them all the best for Christmas and New Year.

The children enjoyed themselves and played with entertainer Pedjolino, Smiley the Clown, Cigra Animators, and received various presents from the Royal Couple, provided by numerous sponsors from Serbia: Adra, Aleksandrija doo, Blumen market, Herba, Kika doo Loznica, Knjaz Milos, Marbo produkt, Matmarex d.o.o., Mikos d.o.o., M-plast, Paracinka AD Paracin, Pekara (bakery) Trpkovic, Pionir Subotica, Sajkaska AD Zabalj, SR Korana Nova Pazova, SZKR BMB Tara, SZKTR Mala moda Marija, SZR Miplast, ZR Janovic Sombor, Zvecevo Komerc doo, as well as numerous donours from Greece.