HRH Crown Prince Alexander II Speech in Orasac for “Sretenje” 2004

My name is Alexander. I am the son of king peter the second, the grandson of King Alexander the first, the great grandson of king peter the first, the great-great grandson of prince Alexander , the descendant of Karadjordje. Welcome to Orasac, happy holiday!

As the host and the descendant of Karadjordje I greet the descendants of those who were with Karadjordje at this place two hundred years ago, as well as our dear guests from the country and abroad. Orasac is today a meeting point of all Serbs wherever they are. The ancestors and descendants, and all those who share history and destiny with the Serbs are together. This is the cornerstone of Serbia and the heart of Sumadija. One of the most glorious flags that the Serbs have raised during their history was raised here. On that flag words are written: freedom, truth, justice, Serbia. Sometimes we would lower that flag half way down, sometimes we would hide it. We never let go of it from our hands, nor forget what we had written on it.

This is where two centuries ago “Raya” became a nation, and Pashalik became a state. Its establishment was initiated by the Sumadinci but all the Serbs and all their friends dreamed about it and helped it. Orasac is the place where the way out was found, direction set, pride returned, views broadened, hope born. It is time for Serbia to resurrect based on the same ideals. Modern, democratic Serbia for the good of all its citizens. Our task is to bring back our country to the place that belongs to it.

As the descendent of Karadjordje I have a vision of Serbia in which the citizens live and work without conflicts. It is a stable Serbia in which the young have a future. It is Serbia that seeks and finds solutions, Serbia that conducts reforms. We must not waste precious time. We should consolidate democracy, develop human rights, provide equality of all citizens regardless of religion or ethnic origin. We urgently need a new constitution. We need new jobs, economic development and better standards of living. Better social services and better health care system. We need modern European Serbia without corruption. We need ethic and independent judicial system and the rule of law. In other words, we need Serbia that respects the past, understands the present and heads for the future.

My ancestor Karadjordje was the father and savior of Serbia. My great-grandfather king peter the first - the liberator. My grandfather king Alexander the first - the unifier. My father king peter the second – was a young king who loved his country. I want to be the reconciliator and champion of democracy.

Let me remind you that on the occasion of the first Serbian uprising Dositej Obradovic pointed at the way this country should go today, too. He sang: Rise Serbia! Rise empress! Show your beautiful face to Europe!