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Press Release
Mayor Eric Adams declared February 26th as Serbian Heritage Day in the city of New York New York, February 26, 2024 At the flag-raising ceremony, on behalf of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, February 26, 2024, has been declared Serbian Heritage Day. This event signifies the first of its kind in the history of Serbian-American relations within the City of New York. Mayor Adams' proclamation signifies a profound respect for Serbian-American relations and acknowledges the historical contributions of Serbian communities to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of New York City. The ceremony was held in the very center of New York - Bowling Green Park, a place of significant historical events for the USA and the city of New York. This is the first event of this kind in New York in the history of Serbian-American relations. During the ceremony, the flags of Serbia and the USA were symbolically raised together with the anthems of the two countries being sung. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the City of New York, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the diplomatic corps, and the Serbian diaspora. Notable speakers at the ceremony included Consul General V. Božović, City Commissioners Edward Mermelstein and Manuel Castro, and Gordana Vunjak Novaković, a Columbia University professor and recipient of the Sretenje Medal. Commissioners Mermelstein and Castro highlighted the significant role American Serbs have played in the development and progress of New York City, expressing confidence in their continued contributions to the city's prosperity and fostering stronger relations between New York and the U. S. with Serbia. They reiterated their appreciation for Serbia's proud heritage and the historically close ties between the two countries. Consul General V. Božović expressed gratitude to Mayor Adams for proclaiming February 26 as Serbian Heritage Day. He pointed out that just two weeks earlier, on February 15, Serbia and the Serbs around the world marked the anniversary of the beginning of the Serbian Revolution (1804) and the adoption of the Sretenje Constitution (1835), the first supreme legal document of the Serbian modern state. These historic dates have firmly established Serbia as a proud member of the league of free nations and a steadfast ally to all who champion the cause of liberty and human dignity.
Consul General Bozovic also emphasized that throughout history, throughout history, Serbs were part of the immigrant waves that reached American shores. From Djordje Šagić, known as George Fisher, a hero of the Texas Revolution, Mihailo Pupin, a luminary at Columbia University, Nikola Tesla, the visionary inventor, to Mladen Sekulovic known as Karl Malden, legendary actor, Charles Simic renowned American poet to Marina Abramovic, global icon of the art of performance, the Serbian community has left its notable mark across various chapters in the history of the United States and New York City. Consul General Bozovic particularly underlined that today's ceremony was a touching display of the deep respect of Mayor Adams and his team for the Serbian flag and all the sacrifices made in its honor. The declaration of the Day of Serbian Heritage on February 26 has additional symbolism, considering that on the same day, the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Saint Simeon or Stefan Nemanja, the progenitor of the holy line of Nemanjić, the Serbian medieval dynastic family. In closing, Consul General Božović expressed his optimism for further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Serbia and the City of New York, echoing the support received from the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the Serbian Government. The ceremony, led by Lazar Paroški, President of the American branch of the Organization of Serbian Students Abroad, featured performances of traditional Serbian songs and dances by the Serbian folklore society "Opančići." Additionally, on this occasion, the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia proudly announced the permanent placement of the Serbian flag on the building of the Consulate General in Manhattan. At the flag raising ceremony R. Serbia, on behalf of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, February 26, 2024 has been declared Serbian Heritage Day. This is the first event of this kind in the City of New York in the history of Serbian-American relations The proclamation by Mayor Adams is an expression of deep respect for Serbian-American relations and recognition of the historical contribution of Serbian communities to the overall social, economic and cultural identity of the city of New York. The ceremony was held in the very center of New York - Bowling Green Park, a place of significant historical events for the USA and the city of New York. This is the first event of this kind in New York in the history of Serbian-American relations. During the ceremony, the flags of Serbia and the USA were symbolically raised together with the anthems of the two countries being sung.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the City of New York, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the diplomatic corps and the Serbian diaspora. In addition to the general consul V. Božović, city commissioners Edward Mermelstein ane Manuel Castro, as well as Gordana Vunjak Novaković, professor at Columbia University and recipient of the Sretenje Medal, addressed the audience. In their respective speeches, commissioners Mermelstein and Castro emphasized that American Serbs have always played a significant role in the built-up and progress of New York. They expressed their conviction that the Serbian New Yorkers will continue to provide their recognizable contribution to the prosperity of this city and even stronger relations , of New York and the USA with Serbia. In this context, they re-emphasized their appreciation of the proud heritage of Serbia and historically close relations between the USA and Serbia.
Consul General V. Božović emphasized his plaseure and grattitude Mayor Adams, for the fact that Mayor Adams,in recognition of Serbia and the Serbian community in New York, proclaimed February 26 as Serbian Heritage Day. He pointed out that just two weeks earlier, on February 15, Serbia and the Serbs around the world marked the anniversary of the beginning of the Serbian Revolution in the 1804 and the adoption of the Sretenje Constitution, the first supreme legal document of the Serbian modern state. These historic dates have firmly established Serbia as a proud member of the league of free nations and a steadfast ally to all who champion the cause of liberty and human dignity.
Consul General Bozovic also emphasizedthat throughout history, throughout history, Serbs were part of the immigrant waves that reached American shores. From Djordje Šagić, known as George Fisher, a hero of the Texas Revolution, Mihailo Pupin, a luminary at Columbia University, Nikola Tesla, the visionary inventor, to Mladen Sekulovic known as Karl Malden, legendary actor, Charles Simic renowned American poet to Marina Abramovic, global icon of the art of performance, the Serbian community has left its notable mark across various chapters in the history of the United States and New York City. He particularly pointed out that today's ceremony is a touching display of the deep respect of Mayor Adams and his team for the Serbian flag and all the sacrifices made in its honor. The declaration of the Day of Serbian Heritage on February 26 has additional symbolism, considering that on the same day the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of Saint Simeon or Stefan Nemanja, the progenitor of the holy line of Nemanjić, the Serbian medieval dynastic family. At the end, Consul General Bozovic his own enthusiasm and optimism regarding the contribution to the further development of relations between the two countries and cooperation with the city of New York, in line with the strong mandate and support he has received form the president of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian Government. The ceremony was led by Lazar Paroški, president of the American branch of the Organization of Serbian Students Abroad. On this occasion Serbian folklore society "Opančići" performed traditional Serbian songs and dances. Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia also is proud to share that for the first time in more than twenty years, for marking “Sretenje” as the national day of Serbia this year, a flag was placed on the building of the Consulate General of the RS on 45th Street in the center of Manhattan.
Consulate General of Republic of Serbia in New York
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(Marija Nikolic, +1 212 596-4241, officecgnyc@mfa.rs) |