18.10.2024.

Concert of the ‘Stanislav Binički’ Artistic Ensemble in Prague

The ‘Stanislav Binički’ Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence has performed tonight in the Concert Hall of the Prague Academy of Music.

The concert, as part of the “Month of Serbian Culture in Prague” event, was attended by Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Czech Republic Berislav Vekić, Defence Attaché of the Republic of Serbia in the Czech Republic on a non-residential basis Colonel Nenad Milojević, representatives of the Government of the Czech Republic, members of the diplomatic corps, former president of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman, Serbian citizens living and working in the Czech Republic and numerous guests.

Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković emphasized the importance of the manifestation dedicated to Serbian culture in the Czech Republic, as well as the concert of the ‘Stanislav Binički’ Artistic Ensemble in Prague.

- It is an honour to bear the name of the author of the first Serbian opera and many works that have become, I would say, an essential part of the Serbian national being, not only in music. They live in the rhythms that beat the heart of a nation, the Serbian nation, when it is proudest. The entire “Month of Serbian Culture”, in its numerous and very eventful manifestations, is a joint holiday of our two countries, and for that I congratulate our Embassy in Prague and everyone who dedicatedly worked on this rich programme. That is why it is good that the ‘Stanislav Binički’ ensemble is the one that will perform on that holiday. When ‘Binički’ plays, it has never been just another concert, especially not in Prague. It is something much more. In light of our shared history, we nurture a culture of remembrance and that brings us closer together - Minister Selaković stressed.

Welcoming those present on behalf of the Ensemble, Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandar Đurov pointed out that it is an honour to perform on the occasion of the “Month of Serbian Culture in Prague” when the Ensemble celebrates its jubilee - 125 years of existence.

- We are very much present on the cultural and artistic scene in the country, every day performing with equal success concerts of classical, patriotic, film, folk, spiritual and popular music, as well as protocol performances at the highest state level. Great interest in our ensemble among prominent domestic and foreign musicians, music festivals and cultural institutions has given us the privilege to collaborate with the best and participate in projects of the highest artistic quality. This privilege carries with it the honour of representing our culture and tradition outside the borders of Serbia, which we do with pleasure and great success - emphasized Lieutenant Colonel Đurov.

Addressing the audience, the former president of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, said that he was extremely glad that he had the opportunity to attend the concert on the occasion of the “Month of Serbian Culture in Prague”.

- You know that it is known that I am a good friend of Serbia and that is why I am very glad to be here. I wish you many interesting meetings with friends from Serbia. I have recently met with President Vučić on the occasion of the celebration of my modest 80 years, and that is why I am here to reiterate my permanent support and friendship with Serbia, with the Serbian nation whose main characteristic is courage, and I congratulate it for its courage, because in the modern world courage is very rare - Zeman said.

The audience had the opportunity to enjoy the diverse repertoire of the Artistic Ensemble, which included well-known arrangements: “Guards' March”, “Serbian Quadrille”, “Under the Starlight”, “Little Girl”, “Milunka's Waltz”, “Pukni zoro” (“Let the dawn breaks”), “Merakli čoček”, themes from Symphony No. 5 “From the New World”, performed by the symphony orchestra and mixed choir, conducted by lieutenant colonel Igor Mitrović and Katarina Božić.

At tonight's concert, the soloists of the Ensemble major Duško Trnavac performed on the clarinet, as well as the vocal soloists Biljana Vasiljević Mitrović, Marijana Radosavljević, Dragan Milanović and Svetozar Vujić, while the conductor Katarina Božić performed the soundtrack “Vila sa Košara”.

Special attention of the audience was attracted by the performance of the compositions "March on the Drina", "Tamo daleko", as well as "Speech Fugues" by the composer Aleksandar Vujić and the composition by Kornelij Stanković "Sto se bore misli moje".

The "Month of Serbian Culture in Prague" manifestation is organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Prague together with the Serbian association "Port of Prague", which organizes numerous exhibitions, concerts, and at the same time promotes Serbian cuisine, tourist destinations of our country, as well as the diaspora magazine "Serbian Frequency".