CROWN PRINCE ALEXANDER RECEIVES SOKO MEMBERS

Belgrade, 25 September 2008 – His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II received today members of the “Savez srpskih sokola” (literal translation: Federation of Serbian Falcons). The delegation was headed by Mr. Jevdja Jevdjevic, Chief of the Federation, Dr. Ljubomir Kostic, former Chief, as well as Mr. Dragomir Acovic, member of the Privy Council and former Chief. Also attending were Mr. Dragutin Radosavljevic, State Secretary for Public Administration and Local Self-Government, His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvostno and, as a special guest, Colonel Vladimir Huljak, Defence delegate of the Czech Republic.

In his welcome speech, the Crown Prince emphasized: “It gives me great pleasure to greet you as Head of the Royal House. Last year, we marked 100 years of your movement, which cherishes physical and moral upbringing, and has unified the Slavic countries, celebrating the finest possible ideals – brotherhood, solidarity, physical and moral strength. This Movement is connected to the former Czechoslovakia, Poland, Russia, and the former Yugoslavia, i.e. now Serbia”.

Speeches were also delivered by Mr. Jevdja Jevdjevic, Chief, and Dr. Ljubomir Kostic, former Chief (who shared an interesting anecdote how he used to train together with King Peter II, the Crown Prince’s father, in the Soko movement).

The Soko Societies were initially formed as gymnastics societies, but grew into strong organisations that spread across the Slavic lands while they were still under foreign realm, and promoted not only physical strength but also moral virtues including pan-Slavic cooperation in order to achieve freedom. The Karadjordjevic Royal Family has nurtured strong ties with the Soko movement.

On the occasion of marking its centennial, Mr. Jevdja Jevdjevic honoured His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander, as well as former Soko chiefs, Dr. Ljubomir Kostic and Mr. Dragomir Acovic, with a Soko medal.

The guests then enjoyed a tour of the Palaces.