The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic greeted the participants and opened the conference of the 18th Belgrade Dance Festival, stressing that art must and can defeat the epidemic that has been disrupting our daily lives for a year now, especially the life of our and the world cultural scene.
On this occasion, Dacic pointed out that the Belgrade Dance Festival is one of the most important cultural brands in Belgrade and Serbia.
"This year, in the direst circumstances, it shows that it is vital and is not giving up its mission, that there are no obstacles for it to bring together authors and fans of art from all over the world for the 18th time. I have no doubt that they are all looking forward to the beginning of the Festival, to seeing the latest and best of today's world production live", said National Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic and added that the Republic of Serbia wants to once again confirm its support for the Dance Festival, as one of the most important cultural programs that we host and organise.
The following is the speech of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in its entirety:
"Dear Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Gojkovic,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Ms. Jung,
I am sure you share my satisfaction with the opportunity to continue with this beautiful tradition of launching the newest Belgrade Dance Festival here, at the National Assembly. The satisfaction is even greater because today we show that art must and can overcome the epidemic that has been disrupting our everyday life for a year now, and especially the life of our and the world cultural scene.
The Belgrade Dance Festival is one of the most important cultural brands in Belgrade and Serbia. This year, in the direst circumstances, it shows that it is vital and is not giving up its mission, that there are no obstacles for it to bring together authors and fans of art from all over the world for the 18th time. I have no doubt that they are all looking forward to the beginning of the Festival, to seeing the latest and best of today's world production live.
In this way, Republic of Serbia wants to once again confirm its support for the Dance Festival, as one of the most important cultural programs that we host and organise. In Belgrade and Novi Sad, we will host 17 companies from 11 countries as the crown of this year's Festival, which will also include film and educational programs. But Ms. Jung will tell you more about that.
My role, which I gladly accept, is to wish you a sincere welcome and all the support in the coming months during the Festival and to once again thank all the friends who helped organise this year's Dance Festival - the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the City of Belgrade, embassies of the countries this year’s participants come from. And I owe a special debt of gratitude to my predecessor at this place, Minister Maja Gojkovic, for combining her public engagement with her affinity for the art of dance in the best way and for the establishment of this beautiful tradition of launching a new Belgrade Dance Festival every year from the National Assembly.
I wish you a welcome to the National Assembly, to all the guests and participants welcome to Serbia and, of course, many beautiful and exciting moments during the 18th Belgrade Dance Festival.
Thank you".
