Charity concert and dinner at The White Palace

1,680,000 DINARS IN AID OF “THE CUPRIJA SCHOOL FOR MUSICALLY GIFTED CHILDREN”

Belgrade, 5 February 2003 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine organized a charitable concert performed by three string quartets: the famous “Kamilarov String Quartet” from Vienna, the “Royal Strings of St. George” from Belgrade and the string quartet of “The Cuprija School for Musically Gifted Children” tonight at The White Palace.

This was also the opportunity to celebrate the 23rd birthday of HRH Hereditary Prince Peter, who, due to his commitments, was not able to attend the event.

Total proceeds of this exclusive concert in the amount of 1,680,000 dinars (€28,000) will go to “The Cuprija School for Musically Gifted Children”, that has been facing many problems for the last ten years and is in need of help.

Among the invitees were the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria HE Excellency Dr. Hannes Porias, the Ambassador of Great Britain HE Excellency Mr. Charles Crawford, Minister of Culture Mr. Branislav Lecic, Minister of Technology, Science and Development Mr. Dragan Domazet and Minister of Employment Mr. Dragan Milovanovic, the principal of the Cuprija School Mrs. Zorica Jelic with her associates, and the representatives of the donor companies Vujic Valjevo, Coca-Cola, Fresh & Co, Alpine, Delta Holding, Hemofarm and Reiffeisen Bank.

The guests were first addressed by HRH Crown Prince Alexander who welcomed the performers, and then thanked to HE Dr. Hannes Porias, through whose kind engagement the arrival of the “Kamilarov Quartet” was arranged, as well as to the donors. He added that the idea of the charity concert was born after the visit to the Cuprija School last November, when, impressed by the talent of these children The Royal Family decided to help these young people to keep achieving extraordinary results.

Crown Prince Alexander read the letter of Prince Peter in which he warmly thanked to the performers and the invitees to the concert at The White Palace, as well as to all who congratulated on his birthday, and his parents for their constant support and interest in his studies and work.

“Great job is ahead of all of us, and my generation wants to be proud of what is going to be done to the benefit of all citizens.

I am very glad that this evening’s charity concert supports our culture, and I’m happy that your generosity will aid the Cuprija School for Musically Gifted Children”, said Prince Peter in his letter.

The present were then addressed by HE Dr. Hannes Porias who expressed his pleasure for the successful cooperation with the Royal Family during last year, and thanked Their Royal Highnesses and the donors for this wonderful gesture of helping the young musicians to fully express their talents.

“The country that can gather at one place politicians, businessmen, journalists, people of culture and all of us who take care of the young talents, is a happy one. Thank you very much Your Royal Highnesses, for you are always there to aid our culture and our youth that will represent us in the world one day”, said Minister Branislav Lecic.

The audience enjoyed the rest of the evening listening to compositions of Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Schubert and Strauss, and as a special surprise for Their Royal Highnesses, the “Kamilarov Quartet” performed the familiar tune “Happy Birthday” in the manners of Mozart, Bach and Schubert.