For the first time, Serbs in Nice, Serbs gathered around the Serbian-French Association from that city, organized a big Vidovdan celebration on the Côte d'Azur. The celebration was open to all – Serbs, the hosts, as well as all those living in this area. The event titled Vidovdan Bells aimed not only to mark this great holiday, but also to nurture and strengthen the French-Serbian friendship, which has lasted for centuries. As the president of the Serbian-French Association, Vladan Radovanović, pointed out, ‘The French-Serbian friendship begins with the arrival of Helen of Anjou to our region, and this event only showed how important to us are Vidovdan, the Kosovo battle, our faith, culture, tradition, and understanding between our compatriots.’

The Garibaldi Amphitheater was full, there was not enough seats, and a rich program was performed by chanters Vera Stolić (from Kosovo and Metohija), Vid Erceg and Nemanja Perkučin (from Belgrade Seminary); actors Jasmina Stoiljković and Strahinja Bičanin from the Serbian Drama of the Priština Theater – Gračanica; player Milan Vašalić – ethnic multi-instrumentalist, as well as special participants attending the school at the Serbian Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nice.

The program was in Serbian with French subtitles. It was closely followed by the consuls from the Netherlands, Malta, Sri Lanka, Russia, as well as the Serbian Honorary Consul in Nice, Philippe Mangeard, representatives of the city of Nice, Cyril Doutre, director of international cooperation of the city of Nice, Stanislas Andre, representative in the Assembly, and Auguste Verola, sector adviser of the city of Nice; president of the Nice Foreign Legion Association, retired colonel Langlan, with Association members, including 3 officers and Nikola Gutić, Foreign Legion member and event host for his colleagues. Attendance included many French people and diaspora representatives from the region.

‘We are very glad that our guests from France were able to feel, and later in the conversation told us that they understood why Vidovdan is a special holiday for us’, added Vladan Radovanović, the organizer of this evening. ‘I think that with this event we have only strengthened our longstanding French-Serbian friendship, which is especially cherished here and for which we are making strong efforts.’

The Vidovdan Bells music and stage program was designed by the artistic program author Jasmina Stoiljković, the organizer Vladan Radovanović, the interpreter Andrijan Dujen Orsini, with Nikola Mitić in charge of the videos and music. The event was supported by the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region.

‘We continue to celebrate Vidovdan in Nice. The first event was splendid and very successful, which makes us all especially happy. Thank you all for your help and organization. We have succeeded!’ Radovanović added.

Source: RASEJANJE.INFO

Photo: Archives of the Serbian-French Association Nice