TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS RECEPTIONS FOR CHILDREN HELD AT WHITE PALACE

Belgrade, 5 January 2009 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine together with His Grace Bishop of Sabac Lavrentije, 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, 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, Bela Crkva, Paracin and Zitiste; children of the victims of war from Zvezdara; Roma children from Belgrade, Ada; refugee children and internally displaced children.

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

The children enjoyed themselves and played with entertainer Pedjolino and Cigra Animators, and received various presents from the Royal Couple, provided by numerous sponsors from Serbia: Adra, Aleksandrija ltd.,Art Ival, Blumen Market, Biljana Plaznic, Baloon Center, Coca-Cola, Coko Land Paracin, C-promet 99 Sabac, Ishrana Produkt, Kika doo Loznica, Kozmolina, Marbo produkt, Matmarex, M-plast, Megaplast Novi Sad, Mogi Trade, Paracinka AD Paracin, Panda Plast, Pekara (bakery) Trpkovic, Rio Valjevo, Sajkaska, SZR Janovic, Stark AD, SR Korana Nova Pazova, Jamax M Cacak, as well as numerous donours from Greece.