National Recognition for Serbs from the Diaspora, July 2011

Minister of Faith and Diaspora Srđan Srećković and Patriarch Irinej today presented national awards in Belgrade to distinguished citizens of Serbia from the diaspora and called for strengthening ties between the homeland and the diaspora.

National awards are presented in seven fields and bear the names of the most significant Serbian creators who lived and worked in the diaspora; as of this year, a new award, "Mother Serbia," has been established.

Patriarch Irinej called on Serbs in the diaspora to preserve their faith and language, strengthen their ties with the homeland, visit more often, and instill in their children a connection to "the beautiful country from which they come."

He recalled that one of the Church's tasks has been to bring the Serbian people together, and that it has accomplished much in this regard.

"The Church has done a great deal to preserve what is essential to our people — faith, language, and culture — and that is what makes every person distinct," the Patriarch said, adding that there is no reason for anyone to be ashamed of their name.

Minister of Faith and Diaspora Srđan Srećković called on the most highly skilled segment of the diaspora to work continuously toward the modernization and democratization of Serbia.

"We are aware that the intellectual diaspora has the potential to be an important asset for us toward Europe and the world, an irreplaceable bridge representing a synthesis of European values rooted in tradition," Srećković said.

According to Srećković, the diaspora is therefore one of the more important pillars of Serbia's progress toward its desired position as a regional leader and a full-fledged member of the EU, as well as a country with the strength to protect its state and national interests.

The "Mihajlo Pupin" award in information and communication technologies was presented to Branimir Ilić Glavaški from the USA.

The "Miloš Crnjanski" award for literature went to Branko Anđić from Argentina.

The "Nikola Tesla" award for science and invention was presented to Maja Matarić, who lives and works in California.

The "Slobodan Jovanović" award in politics was presented to Peter Vladiković from Vancouver.

The award for contribution to education, "Dositej Obradović," went to Predrag Mandić from Hungary.

The "Vuk Karadžić" award for the preservation of the Serbian language and script was presented to Archpriest Srboljub Miletić, who was nominated by the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of St. Archdeacon Stefan in Sydney.

The "Mother Serbia" award went to Dušan Vidaković from Germany, who for the past two decades has been publishing the daily newspaper "Frankfurt News," and who was nominated by the Bishop of the Central European Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

As of this year, this award is presented for overall work and contribution to advancing relations between the homeland and the diaspora.