In addition to Mayor Bakić, the ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Imre Kern, President of the City Assembly Balint Pastor, Assistant Mayors Zagorka Panić, Vesna Bosančić and Žužana Magoši, City Council members Milanka Kostić, Hajnalka Bognar Pastor, Čila Goli, and then Mayor Marija Ušumović Davčik and her deputy Agota Balint, as well as the head of the Mayor’s Office Sava Stambolić and the head of the Service for Assembly Assemblies Viktorija Bogar.

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Apart from the Subotica delegation, the ceremony was also attended by high guests – Pal Nemesi, Commissioner of the Government of Hungary, Aleksandar Farkas, Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Budapest, Simo Salapura, Mayor of Zrenjanin, Gabriela Masleša, Advisor in the Sector for International Cooperation, European Integration and Projects The Ministry of Culture and Information of Serbia, as well as the host, Zoltan Nogardi, the mayor of Morahalom.

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The symbolic key was first handed over to a local self-government during the founding of the Serbian Cultural Center “Kolo” in Morahalom in 2019, when it was taken over by the City of Zrenjanin, which returned it to its host at today’s ceremony, to be immediately handed over to the City of Subotica.

By awarding this kind of recognition, the city of Morahalom enables its holder to present his cultural heritage, organize ceremonies, business and cultural meetings in SKC “Kolo” for the next year, all with the aim of strengthening cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Hungary.

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The award ceremony in the ceremonial hall of the cultural center was preceded by a morning prayer, which was presided over by the proto-deacon Dalibor Milenković, the parish priest of Szeged, in the chapel “Živonosni istočnik”, which is located within the center, and greeted the gathered and wished good cooperation to Subotica and Morahalomu.

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After the chamber orchestra of the Subotica Philharmonic sang the anthems of Serbia and Hungary, a ceremonial program followed. Receiving the key from the host, Mayor Bakić greeted everyone present and reminded that the City of Morahalom intended “the key to the Balkans” for Subotica in 2020, but that the very essence of the recognition, a one-year cultural exchange, could not be achieved due to the corona virus pandemic.

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Having in mind the successes of Serbia and Hungary in curbing the pandemic, the mayor expressed his belief that, by July 2022, many quality Subotica contents will be realized in Morahalom.

– Although Subotica is so close to Morahalom, it really is the “Balkan Gate” for the citizens of the Republic of Hungary. Our urban life, rich in diversity, creates 26 nations. Subotica is a unique blend of Slavic and Hungarian culture, which has shaped it for centuries, along with Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Jewish religious heritage. Our city is also Serbia in a nutshell, where guests from Hungary will be able to feel a hint of everything they can discover about it when they continue further south – Mayor Bakić pointed out.

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He then emphasized the role of the state leadership of Serbia and Hungary in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries:

– The best relations between our two countries, as well as the Serbian and Hungarian people, for which the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, are especially deserving, are bearing precisely these fruits of cooperation. The Hungarian cultural center in Palić and the Serbian one in Morahalom are bridges that will enable additional rapprochement and better acquaintance. When large infrastructure connection projects are added to that, such as the high-speed railway connection between Belgrade and Budapest or Subotica and Szeged, we can say that the potential for additional joint activities is huge. There are no borders for the progress of economic, tourist and cultural exchange between Serbia and Hungary – Bakic said.

The mayor further pointed out that a lot can be learned from the hardworking, dedicated and creative residents of the small but proud Morahalom, and that the quality of life and organization of tourism in this place are really of the highest standards, as well as the hospitality of the hosts.

– Apart from the sandstone, which connects us geographically, Subotica and Morahal are also connected by the same values? to preserve and celebrate the authentic traditions of these areas, with dynamic development and openness to all that can improve and empower our urban and rural communities. On behalf of all the citizens of Subotica, I thank you for the recognition you have given us and the opportunities it opens up. Thank you for this cordial reception and the opportunity to get to know each other and discuss future even better and more meaningful cooperation – concluded Mayor Stevan Bakić.

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At the festive lunch, which was organized after the artistic program performed by the chamber orchestra of the Subotica Philharmonic, Mayors Bakić and Nogradi had an extremely constructive and cordial conversation, in which the great readiness for mutual cooperation was emphasized. On the observation of Mayor Nogradi that Morahalom is the “little brother” of Subotica in bilateral relations between Serbia and Hungary, Mayor Bakic emphasized the full equality of the two cities and stressed that Subotica’s local self-government will do everything to be worthy of the symbolic key given to it and the cooperation it opens. expressing hope that, in the next year, the two cities will become even closer and contribute to the best relations between Serbia and Hungary. The two mayors exchanged invitations to visit Morahal, ie Subotica, emphasizing that they will be cordial hosts to each other.

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The mayor of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, in his speech referred to the year of cooperation of this Banat city with Morahalom. He also spoke about the best relations between the two countries, the role of President Vučić and development infrastructure projects in Zrenjanin, especially the Belgrade-Zrenjanin-Novi Sad highway, which will best connect this city with the north of the country and our Hungarian friends. He wished Subotica a happy and fruitful cooperation with Morahalom, within the “Gate of the Balkans” project.

The representative of the Hungarian government, Mr. Nemesi, in his address singled out Morahal as an example of good practice of maximum use of the state border as a comparative advantage in development, stating that the Hungarian government will continue with projects for development of its southern region and its cooperation with Serbia. demography.

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The Mayor of Morahalom, Zoltan Nogradi, expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador of Serbia, Mr. Todorov, and his associates for monitoring and supporting the construction and opening of SKC “Kolo”. He also thanked the Serbian self-government in Hungary, which is one of the bridges of cooperation. He pointed out that, although we pray and sing differently in different languages, together we take care of this area where we live together. He emphasized the successes in the construction of new border crossings, cultural institutions and other projects that will connect the border regions, in preparation for the time when there will be no more borders in this area, and which we will welcome ready in the best relations. He cordially greeted the mayor of Subotica and handed him the “key to the Balkans”.

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Milinka Hrćan, Assistant Provincial Secretary for National Minorities-National, attended this presentation of the custom of mowing grain near Bunjevac. community, Stevan Bakic, mayor of Subotica, Bojan Shoralov, mayor North Bačka Administrative District, Hajnalka Bognar Pastor, member of the City Council in charge of agriculture and many other guests.

Welcoming the hosts and present guests, the mayor of Subotica, Stevan Bakić, expressed his satisfaction that today, on the lynx, on the property of, as he said, good hosts, he stated that of all the festivities and customs leading to Dužijanca Day, it is certainly the most important.

Strahinja Babovic Stevan Bakic

– By mowing the grain, in the way your ancestors did, you keep the memory of them, nurture the customs, but at the same time we all remember how much effort, diligence and physical strength it took to reap the grain from the endless fields of Bačka – said Mayor Bakic, sending the reapers to the field. The most important thing, the mayor said, is for this custom to remind young people that the lynx was a great obligation.

– While the hosts were mowing, other family members were gathering grain, making sheaves, preparing snacks. They spent the whole day in the fields, working together in the sun, strengthening family together, they invested maximum effort to raise their children and provide for their household. – Bakic reminded.

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I would like to wish you a good lynx, a bountiful harvest and to look forward to meeting Dužijanci Day together, Bakić underlined and added that the City of Subotica, ie the Town of Subatica, will now always be here in the Bunjevac language to support the lynx and all festivities of this type. and the state of Serbia, which is proud of its rich national traditions.

According to Milinka Hrćan, for the Secretariat for Regulations, Administration and National Minorities-National Communities, it is extremely important to hold holidays of national importance.

– That is above all important for preserving the multiethnic character of Vojvodina. The province financially supports such events through competitions that are usually announced at the beginning of the year – said Hrcan.

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Suzana Kujundžić Ostojić thanked Stevan Bakić, Milinka Hrćan, Bojana Šoralova, Hajnalka Bognar Pastor, organizers and participants of this event as well as all those present and expressed satisfaction that the people of Bunjevci welcomed this 2021 to make the lynx exactly as it should be from beginning to end. .

– We try to preserve this custom, and on the other hand to gather people, farmers and to hear what their problems are in the business they are engaged in – said Suzana Kujundzic Ostojic.

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– There are few cities in Serbia with such a spectrum of educational and social institutions as they do in Subotica, and very successfully. The school center with the dormitory “Dositej Obradović” performs an extremely important social mission of rehabilitation, educational and professional training of deaf and hard of hearing persons. This gives this institution an important social dimension, because it has been helping generations of children to lead a better and more independent life for decades. – Bakic pointed out.

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He emphasized that today this noble mission has been extended to children with other disabilities and that this school center makes a great contribution to the quality of specialized education in this city.

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– On this occasion, I would like to emphasize that the City of Subotica, and I personally, highly appreciate the tradition of this institution, as well as everything that is current from the program and activities. The management of this school can rely on us and be convinced that we will always adequately support its work and strive to improve the conditions under which it takes place. Proof of our support is that for 2021, we have allocated 2.63 million dinars for the preparation of project-technical documentation for the reconstruction of this school. This should be done during August, and after the completion of the project-technical documentation, we will do everything to realize that project in the next year. Congratulations once again on School Day – said Mayor Bakić.

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The director of the school center with the dormitory “Dositej Obradović”, Natasa Nimčević, stated that after a long break, the Day of the School is being celebrated again and that it is a privilege to be part of this collective proud that their school is named after an educator and a national teacher.

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– Even more proud because we chose that name ourselves in 2014, when, in line with the inclusive trends of society, we rejected the old name of the institution. Although of a completely different meaning from what Dositej’s Great School was, this one of ours is “great” in many ways. Just as Dositej dedicated his entire work to striving to “open the eyes” of the people, to teach them, to be useful to them, so our school has a similar mission: to teach children with disabilities, to be useful to them, to with everyday “learning” makes life easier “, said Natasa Nimcevic.

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Mihalj Vermeš, the president of the School Board of the School Center with the dormitory “Dositej Obradović”, also addressed the audience.

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The school center is an institution that has a long tradition. It was founded in 1945 in Indjija, as the first Home for deaf children in Vojvodina, and two years later it moved from Indjija to Subotica. He moved to the building where he is now in 1962. As it developed, the school changed its name several times: from the Home and School for Deaf Children, through the School Center for the Upbringing and Education of Hearing Impaired Persons – to the School Center with the Dositej Obradović Student Home.

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On that occasion, Mayor Bakić pointed out that the Free Zone is of strategic importance for the city of Subotica. He reminded that it covers an area of ​​slightly more than 72 hectares, that nine companies operate in the Free Zone regime and that outside the Zone regime, within the “Mali Bajmok” Industrial Zone, the company “Gordon”, popular “Chalcedonia”, still functions.

– We had a conversation with the management of the Freedom Zone, led by the director, we touched on many topics, we specifically raised two topics that we will address in the coming period. – said Mayor Bakić.

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He stated that the tour of the production facilities of the company “Ametek” together with the management of this company was an opportunity to thank each other for the cooperation so far.

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– What I can say on behalf of the city is that the company ‘Ametek’, which currently employs about 450 people with a tendency to expand production, owes great gratitude for everything it has done in the previous period, given the circumstances of the past year and a half. They did not stop production, they worked at a reduced intensity and now they are returning to the situation before the pandemic. We touched on future cooperation and talked about its improvement. I would like to thank once again for the cooperation so far and emphasize that the city doors are wide open not only for ‘Ametek’ but also for all other companies operating within the Free Zone, in the Industrial Zone ‘Mali Bajmok’, emphasized Mayor Bakić.

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Nenad Ivanišević said that the Free Zone is one of the main generators of employment not only in the territory of the city of Subotica, but also in the entire AP of Vojvodina.

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– What is important is the fact that the Free Zone gives almost seven million euros a year to the budget of the city of Subotica, to employ more than 6,400 people and to generate housing development in this city. We got acquainted with the work and plans of the Free Zone and agreed that the departmental assistant for agriculture will be a member of the working group that will, together with the leadership of the Free Zone, develop a new strategy for its future activities and development. From our side, the Free Zone will, as before, because the Provincial Government is partly its founder, have absolute support in future development and in solving all the needs that arise in the future. – Nenad Ivanišević pointed out.

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Expressing gratitude to Mayor Stevan Bakić and Provincial Secretary Nenad Ivanišević for today’s visit, the director of the Subotica Free Zone Management Company, Sasa Gravorac, said that today’s visit was the first step in establishing stronger and lasting cooperation between the City, Province and Subotica Free Zone.

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– This is very important, especially considering the importance of the Free Zone, as the driving force of the economy of the city of Subotica – said Saša Gravorac.

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The celebration began with the Holy Liturgy, which was presided over by Archpriest Miodrag Shipka, the first deputy archbishop of Novi Sad, with the co-service of Subotica, Novi Sad and priests from other cities. The abbot of the ancient monastery Bodjani, the father of Zaharija, also took part in the prayer.

In addition to Mayor Bakić and his wife, the solemn service was attended by councilors in the City Assembly, assistant mayors, members of the City Council, head of the mayor’s office, directors of public institutions, public and public utility companies, city administration secretaries and representatives of local associations, as well as the guardian. Franciscan Monastery in Subotica Zdenko Gruber and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Italy Carmine Taralo.

Shortly after ten o’clock, the liturgy led by the mayor passed through the central city streets, staying in front of the City Hall and at the intersection of Zmaj Jovina and Đure Đakovića Street, where the Gospel was read, with prayers for the health, progress and well-being of all Subotica residents.

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In his speech, the Deputy Archbishop of Subotica, Archpriest Dušan Đukić, thanked Mayor Bakić for his sponsorship and pointed out that the gift of church vestments for priests and deacons, which the godfather presented with his family, is precious for the community, because these are liturgical uniforms the priest needs and which will beautify the Holy Liturgy in the oldest church in the city of Subotica for many years.

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At the evening worship service, Mayor Bakić handed over the pledge of the godfathership to the Rankov family, which will have a large part next year. On that occasion, he thanked for the trust he received and the honors that were made for his election as this year’s godfather, which was decided even before he took office as mayor. He then reminded those present that the Ascension of the Lord has been celebrated in Subotica for almost three centuries, since, in 1726, the vaults of the church dedicated to that holiday were erected.

– Every Serb who came to these parts, whether in the sixteenth, eighteenth and twentieth centuries or today, first took care of his faith. To preserve her, to empower her, to raise and beautify her home. The Church, which brings us all together, both with each other and with those who have left us and those who have not even been born. For decades, this building was in a bad condition, and now it is magnificent, through the work and gifts of the faithful people, but also the support of the city and the state – Mayor Bakić pointed out.

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After these words, he referred to the attitude of Subotica towards the Serbian Orthodox Church and its leaders.

– Subotica had a special relationship with the blessed Patriarch Irinej, and His Holiness Patriarch Porphyry is his worthy successor, when the people of Subotica also know well and with whom the improvement of relations between the Church and the state will continue in the best direction, to the joy of all of us believers – emphasized Mayor Bakić.

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Handing over the godfathership to the Rankov family, he emphasized their contribution to the spirit and hospitality of Subotica and wished them a great honor, health and salvation. Congratulating once again the glory to all those gathered, the mayor emphasized that the City of Subotica and he personally will always be there, both for the Serbian Orthodox Church as a whole, and for the Diocese of Bačka and the Archdiocese of Subotica.

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After the evening service, a cultural and artistic program followed in the gate of the temple, with traditional and spiritual songs performed by the church choir “St. Roman Melod” and many young people from Subotica.

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