The Formal Assembly of Vidovdan was the final event of the City Day of Kruševac, during which Vidovdan Award and Formal Acknowledgements were given away to the most deserving citizens and organizations of the City.
The church choir “Saint Prince Lazar” opened the event with the performance of the national anthem of Serbia, after which the President of City Assembly Dr. Dragana Barišić formally opened the session.
“Dear Assembly members, representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, clergy of Kruševac, envoy of Father Metodije of the Monastery of Hilandar, representatives of Twin Cities Bijeljina, Szentendre, Lipetsk, Žalec, Stara Zagora, Ramnicu Valcea, dear guests and citizens – today we are celebrating St. Vitus Day – Vidovdan, City Day of Kruševac.
Per tradition, Vidovdan Award and Acknowledgements will be awarded to the most deserving organizations and individuals”, highlighting the importance of the awards, she introduced Mayor Ivan Manojlović.
Mayor Manojlović stated that Vidovdan was a symbol and eternal reminder of the Kosovo Oath: a choice of freedom, justice, and spiritual strength, present throughout the centuries:
“Vidovdan reminds us that freedom cannot be won, one must deserve it, guard it, and give it to future generations. This city was the point from which Prince Lazar marched toward the fields of Kosovo, but not only with his army also with his people, faith, and with a sacrifice in mind for the greater good.
Consequently, Kruševac is not a simple geographic point, it is the heart of Kosovo Oath, it is a symbol of chivalry, pride, and historical responsibility. Our church Lazarica, our monuments, streets… they all speak about the sacred mission – to never forget”.
He added that Vidovdan was a day when people had chosen the path of honor instead of submission, and that he, both as the Mayor of Kruševac and citizen of Kruševac, felt a deep sense of pride of what modern Kruševac was, congratulating the awardees.
After the blessings by the Archbishop David of the Kruševac Eparchy, the event started with art performances, which presented an overture to the award ceremony.
The artistic segments were performed by the actors of Kruševac Theater Nebojša Vranić and Biljana Jocić Savić, baritone Oliver Njego, primadonna Jasmina Trumbetaš, and church choir “Saint Prince Lazar”, choir of the Primary School “Nada Popović”. and music teachers from Music School “Stevan Hristić”.
The Vidovdan Award has gone to Archimandrite Father Metodije and his Brotherhood, for exceptional contribution to cultural and spiritual activities aimed at safekeeping the muilticentennial legacy of Monastery Hilandar.
On Father Metodije’s behalf, Monk Teodosije received the Vidovdan Award.
Vidovdan Plaques were awarded to the following organizations and individuals:
Milica Divac, posthumously, Master Engineer of Geodesy, founder of Economy Association for Geodesic Affairs, for her exceptional contribution in the construction field, through developing planning documents and plans for development of the city.
Her brother, Vojislav Divac, received the Plaque on her behalf.
Ljiljana Pantelić, journalist and author of “Svetosavska bašta” program on Radio – Television of Kruševac, for her work in the field of journalism.
Professor Dr. Nebojša Tasić, for his exceptional contribution and work in cardiology.
Aero Club “Mihajlo Živić”, for their expectional contribution to the education of young flight enthusiasts and for their help in emergency situations (emergency transportation of injured and wounded) and their cooperation with the Department for Emergency Situations.
Present club representatives who accepted the award were Club President Aca Đorđević and Club Secretary Slobodan Milojević.
Preschool facilities “Neven”, “Labud”, “Biser”, and “Pčelice”, for exceptional results in education of preschool children and their compassionate acts in aiding children and citizens.
Representatives of the preschool facilities present who accepted the award were Director of Preschool Intitution “Nata Veljković” Vesna Živković with the head teachers of aforementioned preschools.
Vidovdan Acknowledgements were awarded to the following organizations and individuals:
Gvozden Lapčević, first year student of Mathematics at St. John College, University of Oxford, for his achievements in national and international Maths competitions.
On Gvozden’s behalf, his grandfather Ratko Gašić accepted the award.
Uroš Mladenović, fourth year student of Grammar School, for his achievements in national and international Maths, Physics, and Chemistry competitions.
Aleksa Miljić, eighth grade student of Primary School “Dragomir Marković”, for his achievements in IT, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and History competitions.
Eva Pendić, eighth grade student of Primary School “Jovan Popović”, for her achievements in Maths, Physics, and Serbian Language and Literature competitions.
Milica Jovanović, eighth grade student of Primary School “Nada Popović”, for her achievements in the fields of Natural Sciences and Languages, as well as Arts and Music subjects.
Nebojša Jerinić, a blood donor, for his voluntary and humane donations (he participated in 15o blood donor events as of June 2025).
Svetlana Aleksić, psychologist at Music School “Stevan Hristić”, for her overall contribution in the affirmation activities of the Youth Office of City of Kruševac.
Nikola Petronijević, farmer from Veliki Šiljegovac, for his exceptional contribution to the development of agriculture and animal husbandry.
Nenad Milošević, Doctor of Stomatology, for immense contribution in organizing, educating, and promoting healthy practices in Rasina District.
On his behalf, his associate Dr. Dragana Ignjatović accepted the award.
Živojin Manojlović, a poet and chronicler, for his contribution to affirmation and history-keeping of City of Kruševac.
National Employment Service, for its contribution to the implementation of active employment measures and policies, and decrease of unemployment in City of Kruševac.
Director of NES Aleksandar Jovanović accepted the award.
Institute for Plant Fodder, for its overall contribution to the development of Serbian science, agricultural manufacture, and local environment affirmation.
Director of the Institute Dejan Sokolović accepte the award.
Primary School “Despot Stefan”, department in Naupare, for its contribution to education.
Principal Goran Milosavljević accepted the award.
Company “Hemofluid J.S.” for its successful business and contribution to the development of Kruševac.
Director Jelica Đurović Petronijević accepted the award.
PR “Rešivoje”, for its successful business in the fields of web design and digial marketing.
Director Aleksandar Đorđević accepted the award.
The envoy of Archimandrite Metodije, monk Teodosije, spoke on behalf of all award recipients:
“Brother Metodije told me to convey the huge his and his brotherhood’s appreciation, and to say that this was not a simple effort solely of this generation, but an effort of all of us.
827 years ago, Saint Sava lit the sanctuary lamp in Hilandar Monastery, which remains alight to this day, along with the constant prayer , which are a sure sign that Hilandar has been a significant part of the spirituality of our country.
The relationship between Kruševac and Hilandar is grand and close, because of, above all, Prince Lazar who was one of the patrons of Hilandar”.
He also added that the celebration of Vidovdan and St. Vitus in Kruševac had inspired him to send the following message:
It is important to keep our faith and the light that was given to us by our Lord. That light can only remain shining if we all respect one another.
Mayor Manojlović’s speech can be downloaded through the following link (in Serbian language):
