Serbian New Year celebrated with concert at UNGA

NEW YORK UN General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic hosted an event on January 14 in New York, to mark the beginning of the Julian ("Serbian") New Year. Belgrade's Viva Vox acapella choir gave a concert before an audience assembled in the General Assembly hall. Serbian New Year celebrated with concert at UNGA Jeremic, Serbia's former foreign minister, organized the event in order to present Serbia to this world body, according to reports. The UNGA president dedicated the evening to "all those who dream about world peace, the billions of people of good will of call colors and creeds". The choir opened with a rendition of Ameno, and followed with a number of Serbian and international traditional and pop classics, to end the concert with the sounds of March to the Drina - a patriotic song associated in Serbia with the WW1 effort to liberate the country from the occupation, which was introduced in New York as "a song of peace". The audience in the hall joined in by clapping their hands to the beat, leaving Jeremic "unable to hide his satisfaction, but also pride", according to reports. Speaking about the role of the General Assembly, its president stressed that when free nations of the world took their place in the hall after the epic victory over fascism, "these walls were witnesses of unforgettable moments, which to a large degree determined the fate of our planet". Jeremic also noted that Serbia was honored to hold the presidency. "We are a small nation, exceptionally proud of our history. Many inspiring artists and well-known scientists came from our area. We produced gifted writers and famed athletes," he said, and stressed that seven holy places located in Serbia have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. According to Jeremic, Serbia was proud to "again stand before the world, only two decades after we were denied the possibility to be present here": "We do this as a country determined to contribute to the common interest of mankind, dedicated to the efforts to shape the world where peace will triumph, and justice be served." The event to mark the Julian calendar New Year was also attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who received an applause for greeting the guests in fluent Serbian when he said, "Good evening, thank you, Serbia, happy New Year!" Ban said he wished that the Viva Vox concert would inspire everyone to raise their voice in favor of justice, solidarity, and peace in the world. But the UN chief also warned that too many families around the world welcomed the new year with a wish that it may be less painful than the previous one, that they may have enough food, and be able to provide their children with education and a better life. Ban stated that he met with people who lived in refugee camps and in slums, and that, regardless of their origins, they were united in their hope that the UN can make a difference. The United Nations, the secretary-general stressed, is carrying the torch of hope that the wishes of the disadvantaged may be fulfilled. The UNGA stage (@vuk_jeremic, via Twitter) Blic Fonet, Mondo

Serbian New Year celebrated with concert at UNGA

Jeremić, Serbia's former foreign minister, organized the event in order to present Serbia to this world body, according to reports.

The UNGA president dedicated the evening to "all those who dream about world peace, the billions of people of good will of call colors and creeds".

The choir opened with a rendition of Ameno, and followed with a number of Serbian and international traditional and pop classics, to end the concert with the sounds of March to the Drina - a patriotic song associated in Serbia with the WW1 effort to liberate the country from the occupation, which was introduced in New York as "a song of peace".

The audience in the hall joined in by clapping their hands to the beat, leaving Jeremić "unable to hide his satisfaction, but also pride", according to reports.

Speaking about the role of the General Assembly, its president stressed that when free nations of the world took their place in the hall after the epic victory over fascism, "these walls were witnesses of unforgettable moments, which to a large degree determined the fate of our planet".

Jeremić also noted that Serbia was honored to hold the presidency.

"We are a small nation, exceptionally proud of our history. Many inspiring artists and well-known scientists came from our area. We produced gifted writers and famed athletes," he said, and stressed that seven holy places located in Serbia have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

According to Jeremić, Serbia was proud to "again stand before the world, only two decades after we were denied the possibility to be present here":

"We do this as a country determined to contribute to the common interest of mankind, dedicated to the efforts to shape the world where peace will triumph, and justice be served."

The event to mark the Julian calendar New Year was also attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who received an applause for greeting the guests in fluent Serbian when he said, "Good evening, thank you, Serbia, happy New Year!"

Ban said he wished that the Viva Vox concert would inspire everyone to raise their voice in favor of justice, solidarity, and peace in the world.

But the UN chief also warned that too many families around the world welcomed the new year with a wish that it may be less painful than the previous one, that they may have enough food, and be able to provide their children with education and a better life.

Ban stated that he met with people who lived in refugee camps and in slums, and that, regardless of their origins, they were united in their hope that the UN can make a difference.

The United Nations, the secretary-general stressed, is carrying the torch of hope that the wishes of the disadvantaged may be fulfilled.