By Valentina Radulovic
Belgrade, Sept. 14, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Dis Patch festival was founded in 2002 as continuation of the activities of the Belgrade-yard Sound System Collective, an independent organization founded for the promotion of new music tendencies, related art practices and the advancement of the local music and art scene through creating links between Serbian artists and audiences and established artists from around the world.
Emphases is put on music, education, art and design projects (workshops, seminars, installations, lectures, panels, screenings…) walking the thin line between sound and image.
The eighth edition of Dis Patch 2009 will be organized by the team of enthusiasts from October 23rd until November 8th. The organizers of the festival are working hard to bring the audience closer to their own OFF ROAD EPIPHANIES in Belgrade.
There will be numerous special programs, which are going to be held on eight different locations around Belgrade, including Kolarac, Balkan cinema, KC Rex, KC Grad, CZKD (Center for Cultural Decontamination) and Progres Gallery.
Apart from 25 authors and performers from Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Swiss, Norway, Argentina, USA, Ireland and Serbia, the organizers expect the great number of audience from the region and the whole Europe, thanks to the important media partnership with the radio station Last.fm and Resident Advisor, as well as the magazine ‘The Wire’.
The crucial part of the festival is the exclusive and special performance of some guests of Dis Patch. Artist in Focus program will be the special show of the well-known producer from Finland, Vladislav Delay (also known as Luomo), who will perform even five concerts of his projects, in cooperation with other musicians. He will present the premiere of his first sound installation ‘The Only Copy’ to the Serbian audience, which deals with the subjects of perception and consummation of music in the context of today’s availability. Above that, before the final concert of Vladislav Delay Quartet on Kolarac, this group of musicians will be recording their first album in the studios of Radio Belgrade.
On the Residential Program the audience will be able to see the show of video-artist Lillevan Pobjoy from Ireland in cooperation with his Belgrade colleague Incredible Bob, in Progres Gallery. It will be the presentation of brand new project, dedicated to Victor Vasarely, the founder of kinetic and optical art.
During the festival the audience will have a chance to enjoy in Lillevan (IE) as Artist in Residence, Panfonic (FI), Kode 9 & the Space Ape (UK), Byetone (DE), Secondo (CH), Kim Hiorthoy (NO), AM/PM (CH), Kinovida (FI/IE), Incredible Bob (RS), AGF/DLAY (DE/FI), K.O.F.Y. (NG), Felony Flats (RS), SLOXXX (RS), Uusitalo (FI), Mika Vainio (FI), Pictoplasma (DE) and many more artists.
Apart from the electro-music and different kinds of workshops for adults, Dis Patch will also present a special program for the youngest – Kids Patch. This approach is maybe unusual for the festivals of electro and experimental music, but the youngest audience of Dis Patch will see the premiere of the special kind of program with the support of moderators and creators of workshops from Berlin and Belgrade. They will show the children how to make their own, unique instruments, how to use their game-pods for music, and after the workshop they will have the collective presentation. Of course, the workshop will be free of charge and open for the kids between the age of 5 and 12.
This 8th edition of Dis Patch is in the selection of the top ten world festivals for the month October, according to Resident Advisor, magazine specialized for electro music and clubbing culture. The festival is on a high third place, after Unsound from Krakow and Amsterdam Dance Event.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Vlasina Lake – A Possible Touristic Jewel?
By: Miodrag Stosic
Vlasotince, Sept. 14, 2009 (Serbia Today) - One of the main problems of Serbian economy and society is an uneven development of different regions. However, what underdeveloped regions can and do offer is a great potential of natural resources, which is an ideal ground for tourism. Such is southeastern Serbia, an area with numerous natural beauties – mountains, rivers, forests and unpoluted water. Among them, there is a precious jewel – Vlasina Lake.
Vlasina Lake is an artificial lake, situated in Surdulica municipality, close to Serbian-Bulgarian border, at 1213 meters above sea level, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It was built on Vlasina river from 1947 to 1951, and its creation was followed by construction of 4 Vlasina hydroelectric plants. The lake is widely known for its floating islands, made of peat from its shores. An area around the lake consists of several mountains with attractive peaks for climbing. Given it has a high level of biodiversity, with rich flora and fauna, it is protected by Serbian Government, that in 2006 created the national preserve „Vlasina“, covering wide area around the lake, and the lake itself.
There are many possibilities for touristic development in Vlasina region, that are only partialy exploited. Current capacities include hotels „Vlasina“ and „Narcis“, that are rarely full. The biggest number of tourists, although not big enough, is during summer and winter seasons, as well as in periods when sport (especially football) teams perform their preparations beside the lake. The main reason for modest exploitation of touristic potential is a lack of infrastructure. To build shopping centers, winter sports facilities, ski lifts, marinas for boats, better roads, etc. would help. That’s why Serbian Ministry of Tourism recently started to plan an ambitious project for development of tourism on the lake. However, it is obvious that the project is to be realized in many years to come, because Stara planina, another site with a great touristic capacity, is currently a top priority.
Given that touristic potentials are not used enough, economicaly the most successful enterprise in Vlasina area is „Vlasinka“ in Topli Do village, the factory which produces oligomineral drinking water, the famous „Vlasinska Rosa“ („Vlasina Dew“). It is currently owned by „Coca Cola“ company. This kind of production is possible because of numerous mountain springs in the area. Like the whole southeastern Serbia, Vlasina is also rich in drinking water of a high quality. That is one reason more to plan how to develop economic potential of this region and to invest in it – water is a strategic resource of the future.
People in Vlasina villages have modest lives, but they are mostly content. They are engaged in agriculture, especially cattle raising, and it seems that world economic crisis is non-existent to them. But they could surely do much better, if helped by Government and powerful investors. That is why there is still hope for this precious jewel of southeastern Serbia. Its potential will surely be recognized in difficult times to come, but the one who recognizes it now will have a greater right to exploit it.
Vlasotince, Sept. 14, 2009 (Serbia Today) - One of the main problems of Serbian economy and society is an uneven development of different regions. However, what underdeveloped regions can and do offer is a great potential of natural resources, which is an ideal ground for tourism. Such is southeastern Serbia, an area with numerous natural beauties – mountains, rivers, forests and unpoluted water. Among them, there is a precious jewel – Vlasina Lake.
Vlasina Lake is an artificial lake, situated in Surdulica municipality, close to Serbian-Bulgarian border, at 1213 meters above sea level, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It was built on Vlasina river from 1947 to 1951, and its creation was followed by construction of 4 Vlasina hydroelectric plants. The lake is widely known for its floating islands, made of peat from its shores. An area around the lake consists of several mountains with attractive peaks for climbing. Given it has a high level of biodiversity, with rich flora and fauna, it is protected by Serbian Government, that in 2006 created the national preserve „Vlasina“, covering wide area around the lake, and the lake itself.
There are many possibilities for touristic development in Vlasina region, that are only partialy exploited. Current capacities include hotels „Vlasina“ and „Narcis“, that are rarely full. The biggest number of tourists, although not big enough, is during summer and winter seasons, as well as in periods when sport (especially football) teams perform their preparations beside the lake. The main reason for modest exploitation of touristic potential is a lack of infrastructure. To build shopping centers, winter sports facilities, ski lifts, marinas for boats, better roads, etc. would help. That’s why Serbian Ministry of Tourism recently started to plan an ambitious project for development of tourism on the lake. However, it is obvious that the project is to be realized in many years to come, because Stara planina, another site with a great touristic capacity, is currently a top priority.
Given that touristic potentials are not used enough, economicaly the most successful enterprise in Vlasina area is „Vlasinka“ in Topli Do village, the factory which produces oligomineral drinking water, the famous „Vlasinska Rosa“ („Vlasina Dew“). It is currently owned by „Coca Cola“ company. This kind of production is possible because of numerous mountain springs in the area. Like the whole southeastern Serbia, Vlasina is also rich in drinking water of a high quality. That is one reason more to plan how to develop economic potential of this region and to invest in it – water is a strategic resource of the future.
People in Vlasina villages have modest lives, but they are mostly content. They are engaged in agriculture, especially cattle raising, and it seems that world economic crisis is non-existent to them. But they could surely do much better, if helped by Government and powerful investors. That is why there is still hope for this precious jewel of southeastern Serbia. Its potential will surely be recognized in difficult times to come, but the one who recognizes it now will have a greater right to exploit it.
Extreme Sports in Serbia
By Li Novak
Belgrade, Sept. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Those kinds of sports activities have lots of fans in Serbia. Popular extreme sports are: rafting, rock climbing, snowboarding, parachuting, snowboarding, kite surfing, etc.
Rafting is navigating through the fast mountain rivers in rubber boats, which are built in a special manner, for the fast waters. Rafters have special modern equipment – safety belt, special suit and boots from neoprene. The leaders in the boats are skippers, rafters with a lot of experience, who, in most of the cases, have grown up in the river area. The most popular river for rafting activities is Tara. The main sailing road is from the Brstanovica till Bastas, for 21 km. The fast and the slow parts are coming one after another. Tara is a wild river and it is very attractive for the sportsmen. Rafting is always different, depends on level of the river. On the river banks, there are lots of sand beaches, for sunbath and rest.
Snowboarding and skiing, the popular winter sports also have many participants. The best mountains for these sports are: Goc, Old Mountain (Stara Planina), Divcibare, Zlatibor, Golija and Kopaonik. Large number of ski paths and untouched Serbian wild nature offer lots of satisfaction to sportsmen. Snowboard is one of the new generation white sports. For the more extreme snowboarders, best opportunities offer Old Mountain and Kopaonik. Other mountains are more convenient for the beginners.
Rock-Climbing is a very exciting sport, which becomes more and more popular in Serbia. Free climbing could be performed in closed spaces, in special polygons. But the more interesting is climbing in nature, on the real rocks. There are lots of suitable locations for this kind of activity: Kopaonik, Stol, Golija, Tara, Fruska Gora etc.
Parachuting has a long tradition in this area. Period for the jumps with parachute lasts from the early spring till the late autumn. Recently, one may parachute without much effort because there is a possibility of tandem jump. In that manner, one jumps with the instructor, who is an experienced jumper. Even the first jump may be from the height of 3000m which gives the feeling and experience of a free fall.
Belgrade, Sept. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Those kinds of sports activities have lots of fans in Serbia. Popular extreme sports are: rafting, rock climbing, snowboarding, parachuting, snowboarding, kite surfing, etc.
Rafting is navigating through the fast mountain rivers in rubber boats, which are built in a special manner, for the fast waters. Rafters have special modern equipment – safety belt, special suit and boots from neoprene. The leaders in the boats are skippers, rafters with a lot of experience, who, in most of the cases, have grown up in the river area. The most popular river for rafting activities is Tara. The main sailing road is from the Brstanovica till Bastas, for 21 km. The fast and the slow parts are coming one after another. Tara is a wild river and it is very attractive for the sportsmen. Rafting is always different, depends on level of the river. On the river banks, there are lots of sand beaches, for sunbath and rest.
Snowboarding and skiing, the popular winter sports also have many participants. The best mountains for these sports are: Goc, Old Mountain (Stara Planina), Divcibare, Zlatibor, Golija and Kopaonik. Large number of ski paths and untouched Serbian wild nature offer lots of satisfaction to sportsmen. Snowboard is one of the new generation white sports. For the more extreme snowboarders, best opportunities offer Old Mountain and Kopaonik. Other mountains are more convenient for the beginners.
Rock-Climbing is a very exciting sport, which becomes more and more popular in Serbia. Free climbing could be performed in closed spaces, in special polygons. But the more interesting is climbing in nature, on the real rocks. There are lots of suitable locations for this kind of activity: Kopaonik, Stol, Golija, Tara, Fruska Gora etc.
Parachuting has a long tradition in this area. Period for the jumps with parachute lasts from the early spring till the late autumn. Recently, one may parachute without much effort because there is a possibility of tandem jump. In that manner, one jumps with the instructor, who is an experienced jumper. Even the first jump may be from the height of 3000m which gives the feeling and experience of a free fall.
PoPs Project – Ministry of Enviroment Implements Stockholm Convention
By Miodrag Stosic
Belgrade, Sept. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today) - During the last several years, numerous project have been realized in Serbia, aiming to provide life in a healthy envornment to the citizens. Besides many NGOs’ projects, there are also those being implemented by Ministry of environment and space planning. Currently, this ministry works on implementing a plan to realize „PoPs project“, that is to be finished by the end of 2009.
The term „PoPs“ is used for long-lasting, organic, poluting substances, toxic for people and all living species. These substances can easily get into human organism, and they are resistent to every form of organic decomposition. Foetuses and babies are main victims of POPs, due to their weak immunity. All these details point to a global danger that threatens from spreading of these toxic substances, as well as to an urgent need to combat them. With a view to that, in 2004 in Stockholm, a convention was adopted to fight against PoPs chemicals.
Serbia is one of the states which received a donation in order to adopt Stockholm convention and to implement its measures. The project is called „Drawing up a plan for implementing Stockholm convention on long-lasting, organic and poluting substances – PoPs“. Realization of the project has been assigned to Ministry of environment. However, this ministry is only one of the partners in this project, in which several very important organizations participate.
Financial help for this project’s realization has been provided by Global environmental fund (GEF), as well as UN environmental program (UNEP). For supervision of this project’s realization, a body called Coordination committee has been established. It consists of state organs’ apointees, in whose authority is management of the chemicals. The fact that many different actors are included into realization of PoPs project speaks not only of its seriousness, but also of the importance of the problem that should be dealed with.
The first stage of the project’s realization is drawing up National profile for management of chemicals. This profile has been made of preliminary inventories which lays down where the wasted pesticides, as well as their equipment is. Specific problem is identifying toxic waste that has been disposed of without a plan. That is why analysing the presence of dangerous substances can not be completely finished.
After that, the Ministry started the second stage of the project – drawing up National implementation plan. This plan sets the task to make an adequate analysis of a current condition, the perspective, and the term for implementing Stockholm convention. This plan at its beginning contains a list of locations at which the presence of PoPs chemicals is recorded, as well as their inventory and classification. Besides this, National plan contains much more general elements, like geographic and demographic elements of Serbia, political profile, environmental conditions review, as well as an institutional and legislative framework. A particular chapter of the plan is dedicated to the description of history of regulating dangerous substances in Serbia, as well as to the appearance of new PoPs chemicals. The wideness of this plan speaks of seriousness with which solving this problem has been approached to. This plan envisages the strategies of implementation, as well as the means of their realization.
Activities of the state in this field up to date can be assessed as very serious and responsible. By implementing this plan, Serbia stands along with neighboring countries, who are also the signatories of Stockholm convention, and becomes a part of a global front for a healthier life.
Belgrade, Sept. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today) - During the last several years, numerous project have been realized in Serbia, aiming to provide life in a healthy envornment to the citizens. Besides many NGOs’ projects, there are also those being implemented by Ministry of environment and space planning. Currently, this ministry works on implementing a plan to realize „PoPs project“, that is to be finished by the end of 2009.
The term „PoPs“ is used for long-lasting, organic, poluting substances, toxic for people and all living species. These substances can easily get into human organism, and they are resistent to every form of organic decomposition. Foetuses and babies are main victims of POPs, due to their weak immunity. All these details point to a global danger that threatens from spreading of these toxic substances, as well as to an urgent need to combat them. With a view to that, in 2004 in Stockholm, a convention was adopted to fight against PoPs chemicals.
Serbia is one of the states which received a donation in order to adopt Stockholm convention and to implement its measures. The project is called „Drawing up a plan for implementing Stockholm convention on long-lasting, organic and poluting substances – PoPs“. Realization of the project has been assigned to Ministry of environment. However, this ministry is only one of the partners in this project, in which several very important organizations participate.
Financial help for this project’s realization has been provided by Global environmental fund (GEF), as well as UN environmental program (UNEP). For supervision of this project’s realization, a body called Coordination committee has been established. It consists of state organs’ apointees, in whose authority is management of the chemicals. The fact that many different actors are included into realization of PoPs project speaks not only of its seriousness, but also of the importance of the problem that should be dealed with.
The first stage of the project’s realization is drawing up National profile for management of chemicals. This profile has been made of preliminary inventories which lays down where the wasted pesticides, as well as their equipment is. Specific problem is identifying toxic waste that has been disposed of without a plan. That is why analysing the presence of dangerous substances can not be completely finished.
After that, the Ministry started the second stage of the project – drawing up National implementation plan. This plan sets the task to make an adequate analysis of a current condition, the perspective, and the term for implementing Stockholm convention. This plan at its beginning contains a list of locations at which the presence of PoPs chemicals is recorded, as well as their inventory and classification. Besides this, National plan contains much more general elements, like geographic and demographic elements of Serbia, political profile, environmental conditions review, as well as an institutional and legislative framework. A particular chapter of the plan is dedicated to the description of history of regulating dangerous substances in Serbia, as well as to the appearance of new PoPs chemicals. The wideness of this plan speaks of seriousness with which solving this problem has been approached to. This plan envisages the strategies of implementation, as well as the means of their realization.
Activities of the state in this field up to date can be assessed as very serious and responsible. By implementing this plan, Serbia stands along with neighboring countries, who are also the signatories of Stockholm convention, and becomes a part of a global front for a healthier life.
"Kafici" in Belgrade
By: Una Zabunov
Belgrade, Aug.11, 2009 (Serbia Today) - At any time of day or night, some of the Belgrade coffee shops and espresso bars are open . It is fascinating that coffee bars are full even when people are supposed to be at their work places. This is because it is a tradition in Serbia that contracts and business or private deals are best resolved in the café bar. Each bar in the Serbian capital has unique ambience and its own story. For example, if you want peacefully to drink coffee in the city center, one of the interesting cafes is “The Library”. While you can have a book to read, you can drink your favorite coffee. “The Library” is open from 7.30 am-midnight, as are many cafes in Belgrade.
If you want to know how the room of the famous painter Dali was designed, you have to walk to Hilandarska street. In this street is situated a bar "Salvador Dali". DJ Bojan Gajic a.k.a. Ladno Lule, DJ Mekon and DJ Dushan Jankovic play the music. On Friday evenings, national fruit brandies are served here.
If you want to try the taste of fruit brandy and listen to the sounds of tambourines, Skadarlija is the right place for you. Skadarska street was a gathering place for actors and artists who lived here at the end of 19th century and walked by the old cobble street. Because of their lifestyle, Skadarlija was also called a Bohemian quarter. After the end of performances from the nearby National Theater, the actors would have come here, and with food and drinks they sat until late into the night. This steep, winding street in the middle of Belgrade reflects the spirit of our people, who like to relax with music, quality strong food and drink.
For nostalgic people „Korčagin“ is the right coffee shop. Everything in this place is reminiscent of the time of socialist regime, old Yugoslavia and Tito. Guests of this coffee shop bring memories from that period, but guests who drink sometimes too much, take home what they like as souvenirs.
Pub in which men can not enter without at least one woman and which only girls are allowed to do everything, such as to climb on the table or to break glass, is called “Ona, a ne neka druga “("She, and not another one."). This pub is located in Zemun.
The rafts on the Sava and Danube river offer live music, cocktails and fun until the morning hours. A large number of clubs in the city work the entire night. It does not matter what is the day of the week. Entertainment must go on.
Belgrade, Aug.11, 2009 (Serbia Today) - At any time of day or night, some of the Belgrade coffee shops and espresso bars are open . It is fascinating that coffee bars are full even when people are supposed to be at their work places. This is because it is a tradition in Serbia that contracts and business or private deals are best resolved in the café bar. Each bar in the Serbian capital has unique ambience and its own story. For example, if you want peacefully to drink coffee in the city center, one of the interesting cafes is “The Library”. While you can have a book to read, you can drink your favorite coffee. “The Library” is open from 7.30 am-midnight, as are many cafes in Belgrade.
If you want to know how the room of the famous painter Dali was designed, you have to walk to Hilandarska street. In this street is situated a bar "Salvador Dali". DJ Bojan Gajic a.k.a. Ladno Lule, DJ Mekon and DJ Dushan Jankovic play the music. On Friday evenings, national fruit brandies are served here.
If you want to try the taste of fruit brandy and listen to the sounds of tambourines, Skadarlija is the right place for you. Skadarska street was a gathering place for actors and artists who lived here at the end of 19th century and walked by the old cobble street. Because of their lifestyle, Skadarlija was also called a Bohemian quarter. After the end of performances from the nearby National Theater, the actors would have come here, and with food and drinks they sat until late into the night. This steep, winding street in the middle of Belgrade reflects the spirit of our people, who like to relax with music, quality strong food and drink.
For nostalgic people „Korčagin“ is the right coffee shop. Everything in this place is reminiscent of the time of socialist regime, old Yugoslavia and Tito. Guests of this coffee shop bring memories from that period, but guests who drink sometimes too much, take home what they like as souvenirs.
Pub in which men can not enter without at least one woman and which only girls are allowed to do everything, such as to climb on the table or to break glass, is called “Ona, a ne neka druga “("She, and not another one."). This pub is located in Zemun.
The rafts on the Sava and Danube river offer live music, cocktails and fun until the morning hours. A large number of clubs in the city work the entire night. It does not matter what is the day of the week. Entertainment must go on.
Petrovaradin Fortress
By: Rina Mihajlovic
Novi Sad, Sept. 14, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Petrovaradin is a fortress in the city Novi Sad( province of Vojvodina), on the bank of Danube river. The corner of the present southern part of the fortress was laid in October, 1692 by Prince Croy.
At the present location of the fortress there used to be a medieval fortress built between 1247 and 1252. According to the latest evidence of the archaeological research, the traces of human life on the fortress date back to Paleolithic period dating from 19,000 to 15,000 BC. It states that there has been a continuous settlement at this site from the Paleolithic age to the present.
At the beginning of the 1st century BC the area of Petrovaradin was inhabited by Celts, only to be replaced 2 centuries later by the Romans who raised their fortress under the name of Cusum somewhere between present Petrovaradin and Sremski Karlovci.
They built the fortress that was a part of the fortified borders along the Danube.
The turning point in the history was in 1235 when King Bela IV of Hungary brought a group of the Order of Cistercians from France. This order of Monks built the monastery Belakut on the remains of the Roman Fortress of Cusum. The walls of the monastery were built between 1247 and 1252 and represent the fortifications at this site during the Middle Ages.
The new fortress was mentioned in written documents in 1347 for the first time as the residence of various commanders. In 1526 the Turks occupied it under the leadership of Suleiman II the Magnificent. While in the war with Austria, the Turks left the fortress several times returned later on when it had a Lower and Upper town. There was also one Suleiman-han mosque as well as Muslim suburbs besides one Christian suburb.
The Turks ruled the medieval Petrovaradin Fortress for 161 years continually from 1526 until 1689.
First phase of building the most modern border fortress in Hapsburg Monarchy, took several decades, from 1692 to 1726. It was built on 112 hectares with an arsenal of 400 artillery pieces various caliber and many underground tunnels (16km of underground countermine system). In the time of Revolution 1848-49 Hungarian Army bombed counter revolution Army in Novi Sad. The counter Army pulled back and the city was almost totally destroyed.
During the 20th century Petrovaradin Fortress run through several critical moments. After Second World War, the fortress was protected as historical monument and to this very day most objects from 18th century are preserved. During mid 19th century there were plans to drill the Petrovaradin rock in order to make tunnel for Subotica-Zemun railway. At the same time the first permanent bridge between Novi Sad and Petrovaradin was built.
Today, Petrovaradin Fortress is historical, cultural and artistic center with numerous studios of local artists. There is Novi Sad city Museum, Historical Archives of Novi Sad, Academy of Arts, Astronomical observatory, several galleries, equestrian club, archery club, hotel, restaurants, pubs and clubs also located on the fortress.
EXIT, the biggest music event in Southern Europe, takes place on Petrovaradin Fortress every year from 2001. During the festival 50.000 people visit the fortress every day and not only during the EXIT, the fortress is being visited by tourists and locals on daily basis.
Novi Sad, Sept. 14, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Petrovaradin is a fortress in the city Novi Sad( province of Vojvodina), on the bank of Danube river. The corner of the present southern part of the fortress was laid in October, 1692 by Prince Croy.
At the present location of the fortress there used to be a medieval fortress built between 1247 and 1252. According to the latest evidence of the archaeological research, the traces of human life on the fortress date back to Paleolithic period dating from 19,000 to 15,000 BC. It states that there has been a continuous settlement at this site from the Paleolithic age to the present.
At the beginning of the 1st century BC the area of Petrovaradin was inhabited by Celts, only to be replaced 2 centuries later by the Romans who raised their fortress under the name of Cusum somewhere between present Petrovaradin and Sremski Karlovci.
They built the fortress that was a part of the fortified borders along the Danube.
The turning point in the history was in 1235 when King Bela IV of Hungary brought a group of the Order of Cistercians from France. This order of Monks built the monastery Belakut on the remains of the Roman Fortress of Cusum. The walls of the monastery were built between 1247 and 1252 and represent the fortifications at this site during the Middle Ages.
The new fortress was mentioned in written documents in 1347 for the first time as the residence of various commanders. In 1526 the Turks occupied it under the leadership of Suleiman II the Magnificent. While in the war with Austria, the Turks left the fortress several times returned later on when it had a Lower and Upper town. There was also one Suleiman-han mosque as well as Muslim suburbs besides one Christian suburb.
The Turks ruled the medieval Petrovaradin Fortress for 161 years continually from 1526 until 1689.
First phase of building the most modern border fortress in Hapsburg Monarchy, took several decades, from 1692 to 1726. It was built on 112 hectares with an arsenal of 400 artillery pieces various caliber and many underground tunnels (16km of underground countermine system). In the time of Revolution 1848-49 Hungarian Army bombed counter revolution Army in Novi Sad. The counter Army pulled back and the city was almost totally destroyed.
During the 20th century Petrovaradin Fortress run through several critical moments. After Second World War, the fortress was protected as historical monument and to this very day most objects from 18th century are preserved. During mid 19th century there were plans to drill the Petrovaradin rock in order to make tunnel for Subotica-Zemun railway. At the same time the first permanent bridge between Novi Sad and Petrovaradin was built.
Today, Petrovaradin Fortress is historical, cultural and artistic center with numerous studios of local artists. There is Novi Sad city Museum, Historical Archives of Novi Sad, Academy of Arts, Astronomical observatory, several galleries, equestrian club, archery club, hotel, restaurants, pubs and clubs also located on the fortress.
EXIT, the biggest music event in Southern Europe, takes place on Petrovaradin Fortress every year from 2001. During the festival 50.000 people visit the fortress every day and not only during the EXIT, the fortress is being visited by tourists and locals on daily basis.
Difficult Times for JAT
By: Rina Mihajlovic
Novi Sad, Sept. 18, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Serbia’s troubled national airplane company JAT Airways is looking at losses between 20 and 25 million euros by the end of this year ($29.1 million - $36.4 million). This is a worst-case scenario that could happen, finishing last year 29 million euros in the red. The loss will remain if nothing positive happens these 4 last months of the year 2009.
JAT General Director Srdjan Radovanovic said “Unless we break even by January 11, 2011, we will be in a big trouble”. The company is facing difficult times and is in a situation from which it is very hard to come out.
Last year JAT transported 1.3 million passengers compared to 1.1 million that was expected this year.
In July JAT transported 118,300 passengers which is 15.9 % fewer than previous years and 540,900 passengers in the first seven months, 19 % less from the previous years. Right now the occupancy is 60 percent which is the weakest result among the companies.
The reason for the poor performance is JAT’s outmoded business model that dates back 25 years. It is a model made on the model of the seventies and eighties of the last century. While all other companies improved their way of doing business and their equipment it seems that JAT stayed a quarter of a century back.
Another issue is the price. The tickets are rather pricey and not affordable at all and not to mention that for that specific price the customers don’t get adequate service. Moreover, the service is not that good in quality, there is no good promotion and the company doesn’t leave a good impression on passengers and other consumers.
Radovanovic said that JAT will manage to transport about 1.5million passengers next year counting on visa abolishment from next January that has been announced recently. White Shengen will make it possible for more people to travel more easily and the ones who didn’t travel because of visa difficulties will not be facing the same problem again. Also, JAT is planning to modernize itself because it is the only way to keep up with the rest of the world.
The main goal of the company will be to increase the number of passengers on their flights, to improve their services, keep the air hostesses smiling and become more competitive. Other companies such as German wings are becoming more aggressive and JAT has to see to it.
Radovanovic also said that JAT is dealing hard with the situation and handling the crisis with difficulty. The company profit declined by 20 percent and the last year’s loss had a huge negative impact on the company as well. Also, JAT took on a 10 million euro loan from the government in February this year for salaries and investment.
JAT is supposed to present its business plan this week to the government. It is something unexpected not only for the public but also for many directors within the company and Board of directors who had no idea that the business policy is about to change. What company has on its mind will be revealed soon and many suspect that one of the goals will be to upgrade its planes, to modernize everything.
Novi Sad, Sept. 18, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Serbia’s troubled national airplane company JAT Airways is looking at losses between 20 and 25 million euros by the end of this year ($29.1 million - $36.4 million). This is a worst-case scenario that could happen, finishing last year 29 million euros in the red. The loss will remain if nothing positive happens these 4 last months of the year 2009.
JAT General Director Srdjan Radovanovic said “Unless we break even by January 11, 2011, we will be in a big trouble”. The company is facing difficult times and is in a situation from which it is very hard to come out.
Last year JAT transported 1.3 million passengers compared to 1.1 million that was expected this year.
In July JAT transported 118,300 passengers which is 15.9 % fewer than previous years and 540,900 passengers in the first seven months, 19 % less from the previous years. Right now the occupancy is 60 percent which is the weakest result among the companies.
The reason for the poor performance is JAT’s outmoded business model that dates back 25 years. It is a model made on the model of the seventies and eighties of the last century. While all other companies improved their way of doing business and their equipment it seems that JAT stayed a quarter of a century back.
Another issue is the price. The tickets are rather pricey and not affordable at all and not to mention that for that specific price the customers don’t get adequate service. Moreover, the service is not that good in quality, there is no good promotion and the company doesn’t leave a good impression on passengers and other consumers.
Radovanovic said that JAT will manage to transport about 1.5million passengers next year counting on visa abolishment from next January that has been announced recently. White Shengen will make it possible for more people to travel more easily and the ones who didn’t travel because of visa difficulties will not be facing the same problem again. Also, JAT is planning to modernize itself because it is the only way to keep up with the rest of the world.
The main goal of the company will be to increase the number of passengers on their flights, to improve their services, keep the air hostesses smiling and become more competitive. Other companies such as German wings are becoming more aggressive and JAT has to see to it.
Radovanovic also said that JAT is dealing hard with the situation and handling the crisis with difficulty. The company profit declined by 20 percent and the last year’s loss had a huge negative impact on the company as well. Also, JAT took on a 10 million euro loan from the government in February this year for salaries and investment.
JAT is supposed to present its business plan this week to the government. It is something unexpected not only for the public but also for many directors within the company and Board of directors who had no idea that the business policy is about to change. What company has on its mind will be revealed soon and many suspect that one of the goals will be to upgrade its planes, to modernize everything.
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