The fifth consecutive year, this time under the slogan “Danube in books – A true European journey”, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia and the EU Info Centre participate in the International Belgrade Book Fair with a selection of books and publications about the EU and Serbia-Union relations.
Opening the EU stand in the Hall 4 of Belgrade Fair, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Oskar Benedikt reminded that 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of the EU Danube Strategy designed to “better connect the region, protect environment and bring about peace and prosperity.“
Emil Vaš/EUIC
Benedikt said the Danube ran through “four beautiful historic capitals – Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade. Some ten days ago we learned good news that Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia, was given the title of 2021 European Capital of Culture. The first city in a candidate country to ever win the title. Well done, Novi Sad, well done Serbia!“ he congratulated.
He touched upon the history of numerous fortresses once built along the Danube for the purposes of warfare. “These fortresses and the Danube itself today represent powerful symbols of European unity and harmony. These romantic places today offer some of the best examples of genuine European cooperation, such Golubac Fortress whose reconstruction has been supported by the EU, or Petrovaradin Fortress which hosts the renowned EXIT Festival. As well as the new bridges in Novi Sad we have built and will continue to build together!“
Benedikt said “the Danube, which connects and unites, is the strength that leads Europe to the future. At the moment, this is only a dream, but I can imagine that some day in a not so distant future we will be travelling along the Danube without having to show our IDs when crossing EU’s internal borders.“
Klaus Kapper Director of Austrian Development Agency in Serbia talked about numerous EU-funded projects, such as the reconstruction of Golubac Fortress, which in the coming days will be the topic of discussion at the EU’s stand.
50 books about the EU – a donation to University Library and academia
Emil Vaš/EUIC
Opening of the EU stand was an opportunity to celebrate the cooperation between the EU Delegation and academic community, that is the University Library Svetozar Markovic. Its Director Aleksandar Jerkov was awarded a certificate for the donation of 50 scholarly books about the EU.
The donation of scientific literature is part of the project “EUTEKA – The EU at your library“ aimed at turning libraries across Serbia into places where citizens could obtain relevant information about Europe and the EU.
While handing the certificate to Professor Aleksandar Jerkov, Oskar Benedikt, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia which donated the books, said he was convinced the books would find their way to students and experts interested in EU policy. Professor Jerkov thanked for the donation and said the University Library Svetozar Markovic was the right place for this kind of literature as it would be at disposal of a large number of students in Belgrade.
Opening ceremony at the EU stand within the 61st International Belgrade Book Fair ended with a cocktail party and a performance by young virtuosos of the string ensemble ArtLink.
Emil Vaš/EUIC
