GORNJI MILANOVAC CELEBRATES PALM SUNDAY

Belgrade, 4 April 2004 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II was in Gornji Mlanovac today, on Palm Sunday, when this town celebrates its Day of the Municipality.

The celebration started with the Liturgy in the Church of the Holy Trinity, where the Crown Prince was welcomed by the Mayor of Gornji Milanovac Mr. Milutin Prodanovic with his associates. Many gathered citizens welcomed the Crown Prince by a big applause.

The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Their Graces Bishop Hrizostom of Zica and Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, with the assistance of the clergy of the Zica Bishopric. After the Liturgy there was a short reception in the building of the District Administration and a visit to the flower exhibition.

Beside HRH Crown Prince Alexander II this great celebration of the Day of Gornji Milanovac was attended by HE the Ambassador of Cyprus Mr. Stavros Amvrosiou, Charge d’affairs of Norwegian Embassy Mrs. Eli Jonson, HE Minister of the Interior Mr. Dragan Jocic, HE Minister of Capital Investments Mr. Velja Ilic, HE Minister of Justice Mr. Zoran Stojkovic, HE Minister of Energy and Mining Mr. Radomir Naumov. the Mayor of Cacak Mr. Velimir Stanojevic, delegations from Norway, Slovenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and brotherly towns of Kotor, Vranje, Kavadarci, Gorno Nagoricane and many other distinguished guests.

The hosts then led their guests to Takovo where the wreaths were laid to the monument to the Second Serbian Uprising, and then followed a visit to the local Museum. The Museum’s curator, Mr. Zoran Falhner introduced the guests to the rich history of Takovo region and the time of the Second Serbian Uprising. The Crown Prince signed the guest book, had a short conversation with the gathered citizens who warmly greeted and applauded to the descendant of the Supreme Leader Karadjordje.

Upon return to Gornji Milanovac the Crown Prince opened the children’s flower garlands exhibition in the House of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro, and delivered the young artists toys as a reward for their talent and effort.

Then there was a ceremony of celebrating the Day of the Municipality, when the awards of recognitions were handed over to the prominent citizens of Gornji Milanovac, after which the Crown Prince went to the elementary school “King Alexander I”, accompanied by his hosts and other distinguished guests.

The descendant of King Alexander I, Crown Prince Alexander II was warmly welcomed in front of the school by the Headmaster Mr. Slobodan Pantic with the teachers and associates. The Crown Prince unveiled the plaque with the name of King Alexander I that the school originally carried.

Greeting the gathered citizens, the Headmaster and teacher of the school, the Crown Prince expressed his joy for this school being returned the name of his grandfather, King Alexander I and reminded that The Royal Family has always taken care of the young people’s education:

“They are our future and we must all work together to provide them with the conditions for best education, so that they could put their knowledge to the service of our country and for the good of all of us” – emphasized the Crown Prince.

At a short reception the Headmaster introduced the dearest guest to the plans for reconstruction of the school, which is a historical site in Gornji Milanovac. As a memento to this happy occasion the Headmaster presented the Crown Prince with a painting of his grandfather’s family.

The visit of HRH Crown Prince Alexander II to Gornji Milanovac was ended with a promise that he would come again.