Vuk Karadzic

Loznica, September 11, 2001 - The 67th annual Vuk's Assembly began in Loznica on Monday, September 10, and will close on Sunday, September 16.

The Assembly was opened by Serbian Culture Minister Branislav Lecic, who recalling the work of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic said, "to be civilized means to respect your roots above all."

Vuk wished that the Serbian people should "become self-conscious, appreciate their roots, name, religion and cultural heritage, simply in order to be among the society of cultures and peoples of Europe," said Lecic.

"Such spirit and consciousness exists in the Serbian people thanks mainly to Vuk, but there are still now those amongst Serbs, thank God, who will keep their people in step with other nations," said Lecic.

"Thhose in positions of power have to be equal to Vuk Karadzic who thought not of himself, but of his people as a whole," stressed Lecic.

He announced that the Serbian Culture Ministry would provide more funds for next Vuk's Assembly because "Vuk represents the strength of our rebirth."

An ethno-musical evening and an exhibition dedicated to Serbian national musical instruments from the Ethnographic Museum, Belgrade was held last night.