ST. GEORGE’S DAY – THE DAY OF KRAGUJEVAC

Belgrade, 6 May 2004 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine visited Kragujevac today, on St. George’s Day.

Their Royal Highnesses went to “Zastava” company, attended the cutting of the Slava cake at the Old Church and the academy at the Old Town Hall.

At the “Zastava” company they were welcomed by the general manager Mr. Zoran Radojevic and the chief of protocol Mr. Milan Markovic with their associates. They presented the company’s history, the difficulties it is facing and the plan for revitalization of this company, one of the oldest in the Balkans.

The Crown Prince addressed the present and emphasized “Zastava” has a long tradition and the foreign investors should be informed about its potentials, in order to revive and modernize the production. HRH Crown Prince Alexander II also offered his business contacts to the management of “Zastava”.

During the tour of the car factory, Their Royal Highnesses were introduced to the history of car production, from the famous “Fica” model (first produced in 1959), to the latest models of cars and trucks.

Then followed the visit to the exhibition hall of the weapon factory. Colonel Dr. Marinko Petrovic greeted the dear guests and introduced them to the production program, particularly of the latest models – hunting carbine M-70, automatic rifle M-21 and Cannon 20 pistol.

After visiting “Zastava”, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess attended the Holy Liturgy dedicated to St. George, the town’s Patron Saint. The Liturgy was celebrated at the Old Church by His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, and then followed the ceremony of cutting the Slava cake. The celebration of St. George’s Day was continued at the Old Town Hall. Beside The Royal Couple and Bishop Jovan, it was attended by the Mayor Dr. Vlatko Rajkovic, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Vasilije Antic, representatives of “brother towns” and prominent public figures of Kragujevac.

Congratulating the Patron Saint’s Day, the Crown Prince in his speech said:

“Kragujevac has a long tradition in industry, but also in education. The first high school in Serbia was established in your town, which only confirms you have always been aware of the great importance of the young people’s education. Young well educated people are our future and our pride. We must help them to apply their acquired knowledge to the general welfare.”

Continuing their visit to Kragujevac, The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess called upon a hairdresser’s salon, which is a donation of the Christel House humanitarian organization, with the aim to offer professional training to the young people of Kragujevac, and then went to the Clinical Centre of Kragujevac and the Home for the children without parental care “Mladost”, where they delivered donations.