On the occasion of 25 years of existence and work, members of the Cultural and Sports Community of Serbs (CSCS) Salzburg organized a ceremonial academy.

They also took the opportunity of the celebration to thank the most deserving individuals, families and institutions that have been helping and supporting the work of the association for years.

The very title of the celebration - 25 Years with You - speaks of the great importance and work of this association in Mozart’s city.

The goal set at its founding in 1999 has remained the same to this day: bringing together children and young people in this region, preserving the roots of their native land through dance, song and Serbian word.

The results achieved in the past years are owed to members, section heads and leadership. Valuable awards have been won, the circle of acquaintances has expanded and new friendships have been created.

Each one have learned about their tradition and took with them valuable knowledge. Through good cooperation with the city institutions of the country where they live and regular participation in joint gatherings, they have built bridges with their country of origin.

The guests of honor attending the celebration included: Vera Vukićević, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Salzburg, Bernhard Auinger, Mayor of Salzburg, Dragan Erić, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Salzburg, priest Dragan Budak on behalf of the Saalfelden Church Municipality, Mag. Mladen Filipović, Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Vienna and president of the Alliance of Serbs in Austria, Peter Eder, president of Salzburg Chamber of Labor, Nemanja Joksimović, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Vienna and Batrić Brajović, Counselor at the Embassy, Mag. Dr Tobias Hinterseer, deputy director of the city Chamber of Labor, Mag. Aleksandar Stanković, president of the Austrian Association of Serbian Folklore, Đuja Bećirević, member of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Labor, Aleksandar Matić, member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Serbs, Milan Vidović, president of the Serbian Center in Vienna, Monika Radulović, teacher at the School of Cyrillic in Salzburg, Vesna Mitić on behalf of the Kraljevina Srbija association from Belgrade and Snežana Jović on behalf of the Salzburg church choir.

‘With dedication to my undertaking, I have been striving for our Association’s set goals. For twenty-five years, together with you, we have rejoiced in every success of our members, every award or recognition won. Many times, tears of joy flowed, which only speaks of the level of our love in dedicating to this work. Each year has given us the will and strength to be even better. Having spent all these years with you and our children, it feels like we have become one big family. I am proud of all of us and everything we have done together. Today’s presence of high-ranking officials and guests confirms that what we have been doing all these years has been done properly and that we are on the right track. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for everything,’ said president Nenad Šulejić.

The musical part of the program featured: Danica Ensemble, Serbian Academic Ensemble from Vienna and vocal soloist Milana Prodanović.

Source: Radio Television of Serbia – CSCS, SALZBURG

Photo: CSCS