ROYAL COUPLE ATTENDED OPLENAC VINTAGE LAUNCHING

Belgrade, 11 October 2008 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine accompanied by Mr. Vladan Zivulovic, member of the Crown Cabinet attended the traditional Oplenac vintage at the King’s vineyard at Opelenac and Serbian Convocation of National Creation. This traditional manifestation will be held from 10th to 12th October at Topola.

Besides Their Royal Highnesses at Oplenac vintage present were also: HE Mr. Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior affairs, HE Mrs. Denise de Hauwere, Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia, Mrs. Borka Vucic, Mr. Dragan Jovanovic, City Mayor of Topola, Mr Miladin Gavrilovic, director of Oplenac Foundation and large number of citizens.

The host of the event, Mr Dragan Jonavovic, City Mayor of Topola, was the first to address the guests afterwards His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander made an opening speech.

Addressing the guests Crown Prince emphasized: “The Legacy of King Petar I is slowly but certainly being renewed since it was taken away for 70 years. This was one of the first projects that my grandfather King Peter I started when he returned to Serbia. After many years the Oplenac Foundation is developing and renewing, and it will again be a symbol of respect not only for the district but for entire Serbia“

Later the Crown Prince and Princess attended the opening of the Convocation of National Creation held in the Karadjordje’s City at Topola. Mrs. Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic opened the convocation in the presence of many respectable guests, among them was His Grace Bishop of Sumadija Jovan. The purpose of this manifestation is to preserve and help developing genuine national creation of Serbia in the form of: dancing, music, customs in village amateur groups and cultural-art associations.