“CHILANDAR SOCIETY” FROM VALJEVO VISIT HRH CROWN PRINCE II

Belgrade, 10 July 2004 – HRH Crown Prince Alexander II hosted a reception at The Royal Palace in Dedinje today, for the representatives of the “Chilandar Society” from Valjevo.

The Crown Prince welcomed the members of the Society and thanked them for their numerous activities and efforts to assist the reconstruction of the Serbian Imperial Monastery of Chilandar that was devastated in disastrous fire in March this year.

Prof. Dr Marko Đurđević thanked HRH Crown Prince Alexander on behalf of all members of the Society for his warm welcome and his personal involvement in collecting the funds necessary for the restoration of Chilandar.

Mr. Đurđević presented the Crown Prince with the short history and the most significant actions of the Society so far, and also their future plans, with main activity representing the promotion of our cultural and spiritual values. He also informed the Crown Prince that the members of the Society are involved in various humanitarian activities. Within the Society there is an out-patient clinic in which over ten doctors and medical staff provide health assistance daily to the socialy endangered persons from Valjevo and its surroundings.

While addressing the present, HRH Crown Prince Alexander emphasized the importance of joint activities and involvement of all in Chilandar's reconstruction.

''We must have the joint action plan of tasks, and make sure that all proceeds from many humanitarian events go directly for the reconstruction of Chilandar. Only by working together we can help speed up the restoration process'' – pointed out HRH Crown Prince Alexander.

After the short reception , the guests, ''Chilandar Society'' memebers took a short guided tour of The Royal and The White Palace.