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On 31 January 2013, Mr Greg Hands, MP for Chelsea and Fulham, gave a reception at the Jubilee Room in the House of Commons on the occasion of the formal opening of the exhibition titled The Serbian Medieval Cultural Heritage held in the Upper Waiting Room of the House of Commons. The exhibition’s curators are Ms. Vesna Petković and Mr. Sava Peić. On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in London, Ambassador Dr. Dejan Popović, Mr. Vladimir Dišović, 1st Secretary and Ms. Emilija Marinkov, 2nd Secretary were present at the opening and at the reception.

The Serbian Medieval Cultural Heritage exhibition
Sponsored by Mr Greg Hands MP for Chelsea and Fulham

25 January – 1 February 2013
The Upper Waiting Hall
The House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

This is the first time that one Serbian exhibition was presented in the House of Commons, Westminster. The exhibition presents the history of the Serbian Medieval Kingdom, but also its connections with Byzantium and other medieval powers and smaller countries in the region. The recent war brought more attention to the medieval heritage hidden in Serbia and Kosovo regions, which was less known to the world and for a long time was neglected and unfortunately needed more protection from damage and intolerance. The aim of this showing was to present to the British parliamentarians the Foundation of Medieval Serbia and its development until the Turkish conquer in 1459.

Mr Greg Hands MP welcomed guests and talked about his travel to Serbia where he visited monasteries and admired frescos and architecture created by usually unknown medieval artists. Vesna Petkovic, the curator, said: “There are 1300 churches and monasteries built in medieval time, and though not all of them survived calamitous historic events, the major and the most beautiful monuments are still there and represent the great pride of the Serbian people and our national heritage. UNESCO made a decision to list all Kosovo monasteries along with some of the Serbian monasteries, which were not included earlier, in the World Heritage sites, in order to preserve the original art and architecture of these monasteries and frescos. This means that Serbian spiritual and historic values are protected for generations of people to come as the exceptional monuments of an era, which determined nations identities and when the world was changing hastily to achieve its present form.”

Mr Sava Peic, the other curator, was not present due to his travel abroad, but sent a few words about the project. Mrs Maria Andipa, an icon expert from the Andipa Gallery, said something about the rich art, icons and frescos, which Serbia offered to the world. The Reception was a success, people were served the famous Serbian Sliwovitza as they arrived, and the well presented all organic buffet was provided by the famous Jack’s Restaurant in Walton Street.

The guests included HE Dr Dejan Popovic, Ambassador of Serbia, Rt Hon. Mr John Randal MP, Prince Mohsin Ali Khan, Rv ft. Meliton Oaks, envoy of the Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain, Rev. Milun Kostic from the Serbian Orthodox Church, Mr Shunsuke Nakamura, The First Secretary, Political, Japanese Embassy, The Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham Cllr. Belinda Donovan, Cllr. Frances Stainton, Cllr. Greg Smith, Mr David Wardrop UN Association Westminster branch, Mr and Mrs Spiro from The Sprio Ark, Dr and Mrs Nersessian retired Head of Middle East Collection of The British Library, Mrs Nadja Poderegin Honeyglen Publishing, Milan Grba The British Library, Slavonic Section, Ms Denise Prior, The Royal Geographical Society and many other distinguished guests.

The included photographs are from Mr Nenad Obradovic, who is attending all our events and with “good eye” captures the most interesting moments and people.
The only original exhibited picture was Lana Lopushyna’s print of Sea Angel, used also on our flyer.

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