Belgrade, September 3, 2001 - At the invitation of Serbian Culture Ministry, a delegation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art from New York, made up of the Metropolitan Museum curator for Byzantine art Helen C. Evans, assistant director to this museum Mahruk Tarpor and Professor of Medieval Art at Princeton University Slobodan Curcic.

The visit was occasioned by preparations of Serbia for the exhibition "The Glory and Power of Byzantium: 1261-1557," which is to be held in the Metropolitan Museum.

During their stay in Serbia, the New York museum delegation have visited monasteries of Zica, Sopocani, Manasija and Ravanica as well as the Serbian Orthodox Church Museum, the Gallery of Frescoes and the National Museum in Belgrade.

It is agreed that the Metropolitan Museum sends official invitation to the Serbian Culture Ministry. The Ministry of Culture will appoint a Board for preparation of our participation at this exhibition in February 2004.