THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES AT CELEBRATION IN DUBLJE

Belgrade, 26 July, 2003 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Crown Princess Katarina attended a celebration on the occasion of 188th anniversary of the Dublje battle, in which, during the Second Serbian Uprising Serbian army defeated the Turks and made a turning point in the Serbian history. It has also been 89 years since our soldiers defeated the mighty Austro-Hungarian army in the great battle on mount Cer in 1914. Together with Their Royal Highnesses was Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac and Valjevo,

The congregation in Dublje commenced with the Holy Liturgy in Ascension of Our Lord Church served by Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac and Valjevo and other priests. After the Liturgy His Royal Highness laid a wreath in commemoration of the soldiers killed in the battle.

A programme that followed was opened by Mr Velibor Djurkovic, President of Dublje Borough’s welcome, who emphasised that Their Royal Highnesses’ visit on this occasion was a great joy.

His Royal Highness addressed the present by saying that no one could change the history, but we could all learn from it how to be tolerant and how to respect everyone regardless of their religious, ethnic or political background.

“That is the only way to make a modern, democratic Serbia as a part of the big European family, to the pride of our ancestors and our descendants” emphasised the Crown Prince.

The gathering in Dublje was attended by the local officials, representatives of public life and prominent people from the region, as well as the representatives of the political parties.

After the visit to Dublje, Their Royal Highnesses and Bishop Lavrentije continued to Brankovina, home village to Aleksa Nenadovic and the great Serbian poet Desanka Maksimovic. They attended Slava celebration of the Holy Archangel Gabriel church, where they extended their congratulations to the hosts and were warmly welcomed by the Slava host, Father Vladimir, head of the church.

Having paid a short visit to Brankovina Their Royal Highnesses continued to Valjevo.