23.10.2023.
Minister Vučević unveils monument to General Božidar Boža Janković
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević unveiled today a monument to General Božidar Boža Janković, in Karađorđe’s Park in Belgrade. Minister Vučević unveiled the monument to General Janković together with the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Nikola Selaković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Maja Gojković and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesić.
Minister Vučević said that he had accepted with great pleasure the invitation from Minister Selaković to take part in today’s event – the unveiling of the monument to General Božidar Boža Janković.- With this act, we pay our respects to one of the most competent and meritorious Serbian officers from the period of the liberation wars. General Janković participated in as many as six wars in the period from 1876 to 1918 - in two Serbian-Ottoman wars, in the Serbo-Bulgarian war, both Balkan Wars and the First World War. General Janković's brilliant military career, during which he held a series of important command positions, also included duties in which he developed military thought. He was a professor at the Military Academy, editor of the "Ratnik" (Warrior) magazine, editor of the "Official Military Gazette" and president of the Military Disciplinary Court. He served as the Minister of Defence, and he actively contributed to the defence capabilities of Serbia even after he got retired. Inspired by the idea of freedom and brotherhood, he also performed the role of Chief of Staff of the Montenegrin Supreme Command - said Minister Vučević.
Enraptured by the greatness of the famous field marshals Putnik, Mišić, Stepanović and Bojović, he said, we often seem to do an injustice to other heroes and patriots, without whom even our field marshals could not have accomplished their glorious feats. Therefore, the Minister of Defence emhasized, the initiative to erect a monument to General Janković was launched by the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, which sought and received the support of other institutions to repay General Janković for everything he did for us.
- Today, we are unveiling a monument to a man who was the embodiment of all military values, primarily loyalty to the oath to the homeland that he never violated under any circumstances, a man whose life testified to the values of patriotism, freedom, diligence, scholarship, uprightness and honesty. We are erecting this monument for new generations to learn and know how to demonstrate zeal for our homeland - said Minister Vučević.The Minister of Defence referred to the culture of remembrance for which, he said, there was a lack of enthusiasm in Serbia in the past.
- This event is proof that important steps have been taken to restore and develop the culture of remembrance in our country. So that people would know and remember that General Janković drew the borders of Serbia on the world map. That in 1912, his famous Third Army, rushing in rapture towards their cradle, Kosovo and Metohija, put a boundary stone of our fatherland, given by God and bequeathed to us by our ancestors. There lies the border of our southern province, next to the General Janković village, recognized in accordance with all norms of the public international law, law of morality and of what is given by God. This monument should remind us not to be ashamed of that and to remember that – said Minister Vučević.
He thanked everyone who made their contribution to the construction of the monument that will embellish our capital.- I would like to congratulate the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and admirers, but also the family, the heirs, the honest and honourable Janković family, on everything they have done. Congratulations on your anniversary. I hope you will continue to achieve success in your dedicated work on the preservation of the military and freedom-loving traditions of our country. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, I would like to thank everyone who has helped erect the monument to General Janković and thus embellish the plateau in one of the busiest spots in Belgrade. May his personality and accomplishments be an inspiration to all of us and a reminder of how one should fight and live for their fatherland, for Serbia! Long live the liberating and victorious Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia! – Minister Vučević said.
Minister Selaković said that today, the veil of oblivion is being taken off of the name of one of the most glorious sons of the Serbian people, and oblivion is Serbia’s fiercest enemy.
- By gathering here today and unveiling this monument, the work of our esteemed friend and sculptor Zoran Ivanović, we are saving a Serbian son from oblivion, but he is a first of many who we are planning to save - Minister Selaković said.According to him, the ministry headed by the Government's Committee for Nurturing the Traditions of the Liberation Wars of Serbia, with the selfless support of President Vučić, Minister Vučević and other government ministers, will continue to commemorate all the glorious and tragic dates in our history and to refurbish everything that generations of our ancestors erected to keep alive the memory of their ancestors, but also to erect new monuments.
According to the President of the Association of War Volunteers 1912-1918, their descendants and admirers, Nikola Filipović, in the year when the Association celebrates its 120th anniversary, General Janković receives a monument in his hometown.
- Thanks to patriots, we are correcting a historical injustice. General Janković, along with Voivode Vuk and Voja Tankosić, is one of the greatest Serbian heroes and volunteers. Today, due to the responsible policy of the state leadership, headed by President Vučić, we are correcting the injustice we have done to all the forgotten heroes of our history - said the President of the Association, Filipović.
After the consecration of the monument, the Minister of Defence laid a wreath accompanied by Major General Željko Petrović and Brigadier General Goran Momčilović.The monument was consecrated by Vicar Bishop Stefan of Remesiana and the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The ceremony was attended by members of the collegium of the Minister of Defence, representatives of the City of Belgrade, local self-government, representatives of veterans' associations, and descendants of General Janković.
Božidar Janković was a Serbian general, minister of defence and participant in the Serbian-Ottoman War, Serbo-Bulgarian War, Balkan Wars and the First World War. He was awarded the Order of Karađorđe’s Star with Swords, the Order of the White Eagle and the Order of Miloš the Great.
