NATIONAL MUSEUM CELEBRATES ITS 160^TH ANNIVERSARY

Belgrade, 10 May 2004 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine attended the celebration of the 160th anniversary of the National Museum tonight.

On this day in 1844, “the Serbian Museum” was established by the decree of the then Minister of Education, our famous playwright Jovan Sterija Popovic, with the aim to protect, present and promote the cultural heritage of Serbia. Today this reputed institution is facing the problem of space, for it has under its roof over 400,000 exclusive archeological items and works of art, that represent and symbolize Serbia’s culture.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the present were welcomed by the interim Director Mrs. Tatjana Cveticanin who introduced the development of the Museum and expressed her hope for this institution to become a great center for education of the young. Then followed the presentation of the new visual identity of the National Museum, entitled “New Life of Miroslav’s Gospel”, organized by Mr. Dragan Sakan.

Congratulating this important jubilee, HE the Minister of Culture Mr. Dragan Kojadinovic expressed his wish that the Museum continues its work, and invited all our people in the country and abroad to assist, just as they assisted the completion of the Temple of Saint Sava, the construction of the new Museum building – a new temple of art, and then opened the exhibition “Dossier Paja Jovanovic”.

Beside Their Royal Highnesses this celebration was attended by the representatives of the Government and diplomatic corps as well as many prominent public figures.