Thematic summer camps for children from the diaspora and the region, which are held in Serbia and organized by the office of Minister without Portfolio Đorđe Milićević, were presented in Thessaloniki. These are programs that connect children of Serbian origin from the diaspora with their motherland, the Serbian language, culture, history and tradition.

In addition to the Minister without Portfolio in charge of monitoring the situation, proposing measures and participating in the coordination of activities in the field of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, the presentation was also attended by the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, Father Metodije, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Hellenic Republic, Nikola Nedeljković, the Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Thessaloniki, Jelena Vujić-Obradović, representatives of the Republic of Srpska, representatives of Serbian associations in Greece and the Serbian community, as well as representatives of the city of Kruševac.

Minister Milićević said that thematic summer camps were an important and lasting form of cooperation between the motherland and the diaspora in the interest of children and the future of the Serbian people.

Milićević stated that thematic summer camps had become a recognizable bridge between Serbia and our people in the diaspora.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of the Saint Sava Serbian Supplementary School in Thessaloniki, whose work has been supported by the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, and which was previously supported by Minister Milićević’s office.

On this occasion, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Hellenic Republic Nikola Nedeljković, as the envoy of the President of the Republic of Serbia, together with Minister Milićević, presented the Abbot of the Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra of the Hilandar Monastery, the Most Venerable Archimandrite Metodije, with the Sretenje Order, First Degree.

Minister Milićević thanked Abbot Metodije, the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Hellenic Republic, the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Thessaloniki, Serbian associations and all people working to preserve the Serbian language and identity among children in Greece.

‘Hilandar is one of the most important spiritual and historical pillars of the Serbian people. That is why it is especially important that here, in Thessaloniki, we speak together about children, language, tradition and the connection with Serbia.

I would also like to emphasize in particular the importance of the activities of the Theophilos Charitable Organization of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, whose educational, cultural and humanitarian work contributes greatly to the preservation of the Serbian language, faith, tradition and identity among our people in Greece.

The cooperation between the institutions of the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Srpska, the Holy Monastery of Hilandar and the Serbian community in Greece shows that, when we work together, we can do a lot for our children and for the future of our people,’ concluded Minister Milićević.

Source: Radio Television of Serbia – Office of the Minister

Photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the Hellenic Republic