"We'll protect Serbian language from bad influences"

"We'll protect Serbian language from bad influences"

"We will always support the events that have the goal of preserving the Serbian language and culture. For the same reason, together with the Ministry of Culture and Information, we will launch a number of campaigns in the coming period, while our first project will be to increase the number of books in school libraries," he said.

Another important issue that will be initiated this year, the minister said, was the reform of the education system.

"We have a great obligation toward Vuk and his heritage to nurture our language, not to allow it to be spoiled by various new and modern words, not to invent a Serbian-English that does not exist; when we speak English, to speak that language, while when we speak Serbian, to nurture it in the authentic sense," Sarcevic has been quoted as telling the audience.

The minister also pleaded with teachers and parents to pay due attention to this issue, and described Serbians as "a nation lucky to have such a good language and alphabet of such quality, so many literary and literate people."

Sarcevic also said his ministry will try to help make the Vuk's Assembly gathering and the Trsic Complex "an important place on Serbia's cultural map."