At the sitting held on 15 December, under article 14 of the Republic of Serbia Decorations Law and article 44 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure, the Culture and Information Committee decided to launch an initiative that Jozef Nadj, one of the most famous theatrical artists in the world, be awarded the highest decoration of the Serbian state for his exceptional contributions to culture and promotion of Serbian culture in the world.

In addition, the Committee proposed that the Serbian Ministry of Culture secure funding for the Jozef Nadj Regional Creative Atelier programmes in 2011 in a timely manner, as well as secure continued financial support for the institution in the upcoming period.

Committee Chairperson Vesna Marjanovic reminded everybody that a month ago the Committee members visited Kanjiza and held a sitting at the Regional Creative Atelier bearing the name of Jozef Nadj. On the occasion they learned about the artist’s work and the Atelier’s potential for educating young artists, raising the level of cultural activities outside of the capital and connecting with the region.

The Committee members said that Jozef Nadj, born in Kanjiza, has been enjoying a successful career in France for more than 20 years now and was awarded the Order of Culture by the Government of the Republic of France in 2001. They believe that it is time that Serbia shows that it can recognise real values and draw attention to artists who have achieved successful careers abroad.

The sitting was attended by State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture Snezana Stojanovic-Plavsic who endorsed the Committee’s initiative to award the highest state decoration to Jozef Nadj, deeming it to be the inauguration of the idea to award as many people who contribute to culture as possible.