28 October 2021

Last night in New York, the Ambassador of Serbia in Washington, Marko Đurić, organized a reception in honor of Marina Abramović and the great jubilee of 140 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The reception was attended by numerous officials of the US administration, led by the advisor to the US Ambassador to the UN, Elisabeth Millard, who, recalling famous Serbs, such as Nikola Tesla and David Vujić, said that whenever Serbs and Americans work, create and play together, great things happen.

At the gathering at which Đurić, as a special envoy of the President of Serbia, presented a gold medal to one of the most important artists of today, a letter from the President of Serbia was read in which he expressed his deepest respect for the work of Marina Abramović, in his own name and in the name of the Serbian people.

"Serbia is waiting for you with an open heart, we are waiting for your new performances and new successes", said President Aleksandar Vučić and reminded that the exhibition "Cleaner", seen by more than 60,000 people, was an example of cooperation between the state and artists, and which shows and confirms a new state policy towards culture. Marina Abramović emphasized that the recognition she received from her country for her work touched her deeply.

She reminded that her art is not like painting, which everyone can see in a museum or gallery whenever they want, because behind the finished performance there must be an impression and a memory that a person will always carry with him.

She added that for her art, there should not be any special knowledge of the theory, but that it is important for every person, be he a cleaner or a president, to feel that energy and emotions.

As she says, it is important that her performance at the MoMA, which attracted 850,000 visitors, more than any other living artist, showed that this type of expression is an important and living part of art.

She also stated that she always says that everything is possible and that everyone can succeed, when she succeeded, and she comes from the Balkans, where everything was difficult at the time when she was growing up.

"Every "no" is a new beginning for me", said Abramović and emphasized that if she sees a wall in front of her, she never stops but goes further and tears it down.

Ambassador Đurić expressed his satisfaction with the gathering, which celebrates both creativity and courage, and emphasized that he believes that these two important qualities are just some of the many that unite the Serbian and American people.

"I am convinced that together we will achieve great things in the years ahead of us", said Đurić and emphasized that together we can tear down the walls in order to create the society and relations we deserve.

The gathering in Hudson Yards, a new, modern, prestigious part of Manhattan, was also attended by Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, Columbia University professor Gordana Vunjak Novaković, New York City officials, and for them, the ambassador organized a gala dinner in honor of Marina Abramović, which Millard also attended.

During the day, a promotional video depicting the ties between Serbia and the United States, created on the occasion of the great jubilee of 140 years of diplomatic relations, was broadcast on Times Square, on one of the two largest billboards rented by the embassy.

The central celebration of the great jubilee in memory of 1881, when the Trade Agreement and the Consular Convention were signed, will be held in early December in Washington.

Đurić: It is an honor to be a Serb in Manhattan

"It is an honor to be a Serb in Manhattan on a day like today", said Ambassador Marko Đurić after the reception on the occasion of 140 years of Serbian-American diplomatic relations, at which one of the most influential artists of today, Marina Abramović, was awarded a gold medal for merit.

At the reception, fantastic sentences in praise of relations with Serbia could be heard from leading people from the American administration.

"It's as if we are on the roof of the world with Serbia tonight here in New York, our advertisement in Times Square, Marina Abramović, world number one in the creative industry at our reception, our guest of honor at the 140th anniversary celebration, one of the leading figures in American diplomacy uttering fantastic sentences in honor of relations with Serbia", said Đurić for Tanjug and RTS after the reception and emphasized that all this shows that the hard work and effort that has been invested over the years to change things in Serbia is starting to reflect on our position in the USA as well.

Advisor to the US Ambassador to the UN, Elisabeth Millard, recalling famous Serbs such as Nikola Tesla and David Vujić, said at the meeting that whenever Serbs and Americans work, create and play together, great things happen.

"We dedicate the anniversary of diplomatic relations to a common history and a bright future", Millard said at the reception and emphasized that Serbia is a key partner of the United States committed to preserving a secure and stable Western Balkans and a partner that is becoming stronger on the world stage.

"And what is even more important, Serbia will be a friend of the United States for the next 140 years as well", she said.

Đurić said that he was proud to see so many successful young and creative people from the Serbian community at the reception organized in honor of Marina Abramović, molecular scientists, IT engineers, doctors of science from Colombia, professors from Harvard.

"These are the people in whom we are looking for support for our future and development", said Đurić, adding that he was personally proud, and as he added, Abramović also spoke about tearing down walls, of the Open Balkans initiative, not only because it tears down walls but because it also builds new bridges of friendship, not only in the United States but also in many other places.

Đurić added that in good and difficult times, he had the opportunity to talk about a fundamental change in the paradigm of politics and society in Serbia and the creation of a society oriented towards progress, work and prosperity.

"In the previous two days, I spoke personally with five members of Congress from the Republican and Democratic ranks, who have serious political weight", said Đurić, emphasizing that he met with four other Congressmen last week, which is important before tomorrow's hearing in the Congress on the situation in the Western Balkans.

"There will be different tones, but there will be fewer of them than usual, until there are more positive tones", he said, emphasizing that it should not be surprising that some people are worried and organize protests in front of the Consulate, because of Serbia’s work and efforts.

"We do not blame anyone, we are working for Serbia to be the country with the highest growth next year as well, which will attract the most foreign investors", said the ambassador.

Đurić added that everyone is welcome, just as the billboard in Times Square says – visit Serbia, dear friends, wherever you come from. In addition to the reception on the occasion of the great jubilee of 140 years of Serbian-American relations, the embassy rented one of the two largest screens in Times Square, where a promotional video about special ties between Serbia and the United States was broadcast.

Source: Tanjug