Regarding the “Liapades” orchestra concert in Kruševac, Mayor Ivan Manojlović and Deputy Mayor Snežana Radojković held a reception for the orhcestra members.
Mayor Manojlović emphasized the orchestra from the Twin City of Corfu was visiting us due to the Saint Sava monument reveal on the day of the most important religious and spiritual holiday – Saint Sava Day.
“I am especially glad that it is Liapades’ 52 anniversary exactly during their visit to our city. Our mission, obligation, and pleasure is to strengthen the traditional relations and keep them on the highest level possible, using the noble and rich universal medium of music.
These events remind us that the friendship between the Serbian and Greek people is eternal and strengthened through music”, concluded Mayor Manojlović.
The President of Philharmonic Orhcestra Liapades Nikos Bozikis, thanked for the hospitality.
“Kruševac is one the first Twin Cities of Corfu, we have always felt at home here. Beside my title as the President, I am also a member of the Serbian – Greek Friendship Society that nurtures and develops the unbreakable bonds between our people and cities”.
Bozikis added that his orchestra had visited Serbia and Republic of Srpska numerous times, and similar was in the plans for the future, as well. Certain number of members of the orchestra are young people who learn more about friendship between Serbian and Greek people on their travels, in order to make the friendship last in the future.
“We have to be next to each other, we are small countries who fought for their freedom. We live in difficult times, as we see that human rights are lost and inconsistent in this new world order. The only way to survive is to be by each other’s side – as Greek and Serbian brothers”.
Conductor Spiros Metalinos arranged musical pieces of Greek and Serbian composers in order to present them to the audience as best as possible.
City of Kruševac has been in the Twin relationship with Corfu since 1985.
The concert was attended by citizens, members of the clergy of Kruševac, Minister of Defense of the Republic of Serbia Bratislav Gašić, Mayor Ivan Manojlović, and other guests.
Concert was organized by City of Kruševac, humanitarian organization “Peace Builders”, Greek – Serbian Friendship Association from Corfu, Kruševac Theater, and organization “Saint Serb and I”. Special appreciation, as the organizers had emphasized, had to be directed toward Minister Gašić, as well.
The crowd was blessed by Archbishop and Metropolitan of Kruševac David. Mayor Manojlović addressed the audience:
“Corfu is not simply a place of remebrance and historical gratitude of the Serbian people, but a symbol of brotherhood of the two people, which stood the test of time and remained strong and alive to this day. That is why you being here means more than meets the eye. It is a confirmation of everlasting friendship, nurtured and carried over through art and culture. It is especially joyous to celebarte more than half a century of your orhcestra’s dedication to music, beauty and connecting people with us.
Thank you for confirming your sincerity and power of our cities’ relationship by holding a concert here. As a token of appreciation, City of Kruševac hands you this Acknowledgement for your 52nd anniversary and the sincere emotion and music through which our cities and people are connected.
These concerts were not a musical message but a artistic performance that was weaved with historical friendship and cultural connection of our people – Serbian and Greek.
Orchestra President Nikos Bozikis was exhilarated:
“It is an honor to be here with you. Happy holliday to Serbia and the whole Christian Orthodox world. Our icon that we gifted to Minister Gašić and Mayor Manojlović was Saint Spyridon, protector of the island of Corfu. We wish to protect you as he protects us, to provide you and your loved ones with healthy lives. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for inviting us to be here and sing together with you. I promise this will be a night to remember”.
Philharmonic Orhcestra “Liapades” participates in national and religious events and festivals across Greece and Europe. For their contribution to art and culture, as well as their work in pedagogy, they have received UNESCO Award. They participate in the remembrance event on the island of Vido in the Serbian Mausoleum. They held concerts across Serbia, Republic of Srpska, Montenegro…
On the eve of the concert in Kruševac, they celebrated 52 years of existing.
Under conductor Spiros Metalinos, “Liapades” performed Greek and Serbian pieces of famous composers, specially arranged for this occasion. The mix of Mediterranean musical expression and Serbian musical tradition created a powerful artistic impression and an emphasized cultural closeness of two people.
The soloist of the “Stanislav Binički” Ministry of Defense Orchestra Katarina Veškovac Božić and the Republic of Srpska police officer Aleksandar Dulić performed, as well.
