30.11.2018.
Commemoration Ceremony in the Russian House
Last night, at the Russian House, the commemoration ceremony dubbed “Field Marshal Vuk – Kaimaktsalan – Salonika Front” was held on the occasion of marking 102 years of the death of Field Marshal Vuk, and the centenary of the end of the World War I and the breakthrough of the Salonika Front.
The commemoration ceremony, organised by the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and followers, was attended by envoy of the minister of defence, Colonel Slađan Ristić and representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
On behalf of the organisers, the audience was welcomed by Mr Vidoje Golubović, Chair of the Association, and he reminded of the sacrifice made by the Serbian army and the people in the World War I. The warrior role of Field Marshal Vuk and his credit for maintaining the morale of the army that struggled to return to their homeland were particularly emphasised. Golubović also presented appreciation letters to individuals and collectives for the help they provided to the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and followers in the previous period.In their absence, the appreciation letters were given to the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin, Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Secretary General of the Serbian President Nikola Selakovič, as well as numerous other representatives of the army, church and citizenship.
The musical-drama part of the programme included students from the Belgrade Military High School who dramatically captured the evening before the Battle of Gruniški Vis where Vojvoda Vuk died in 1916. The programme was made more complete by the Cultural and Artistic Society “Gradimir” from Belgrade, national gusle player Vukojica Sandić and the octet of students of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade.
Within the programme, the monograph “Field Marshal Vuk – Kaimaktsalan – Salonika Front” was presented, the publication of which was facilitated by the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the Department for Tradition, Standard and Veterans, which was distributed to visitors of the commemoration ceremony free of charge.
Vojin Popović, remembered in history as Field Marshal Vuk, was a field marshal of Serbian Komitas who took part in the battles for Macedonia, the Balkan Wars and the World War I as commander of the volunteer detachment in the Salonika Front. This infantry lieutenant colonel and field marshal of Chetniks is a symbol of volunteering and the tradition that the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and followers cherished for years. He was particularly prominent in “bayonet-fighting” when the victory was won exclusively by the warrior's heart. The field marshal was the commander of the Mountain Staff in Old Serbia and Macedonia, the first commander of volunteer units. For his courage and military service, he was decorated three times with a Karađorđe star with swords. Field Marshal Vuk was killed in Grunište on 29th November 1916. At the Topličin venac St. in Belgrade, there is a monument to Field Marshal Vuk erected by his war comrades in 1936.Members of the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and followers paid tribute by laying a wreath at the tomb of Field Marshal Vuk at the New Cemetery in Belgrade.
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VIDEOGALLERY30.11.2018
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