By Katarina Jonev
Belgrade, Jan. 06, 2010, (Serbia Today) - Serbian archers triumphantly finished their participation at the 34th "International Championship of Belgrade". On the second day of shooting for "Danube award”, they won four gold and one bronze medal. Andrea Arsovic (22) has triumphed in discipline of air rifle for women in the lot of trades final. She entered in the finals on the first position with 399 laps ( one lap less than the state and world record), but after 8.4 rounds with fifth bullet she fell for three places. However with four good finish centers ( 10,4 - 10,7 - 10,1 – 10,4) she got back in the match and won 0.1 rounds. -”In competition participated shooters from 13 countries and among them were the World, European and Olympic medal winners. In the extremely tough competition, I'm glad that I managed to score this success. Belgrade Trophy Competition lasted two days and on the first day we had not have sports luck. The second day happiness smiled at us, and Serbian archers were much better. I am extremely pleased with winning the first place not only because of the result but with the fact that I continued winning medals and this is a proof that I am making much progress in the training process”.
Have you felt nervous because after long time you were shooting in front of the Belgrade audience? -We had to justify the epithet of the host and the favorite, in order to win medals. I would lie if I say I had not stage fright. Our fans were a little noisy but it is important that we have managed to retain concentration and shoot well.
Andrea has been a member of senior national team for 4 years. During this time, she was engaged in the biggest European and world competitions and was the first reserve to Lidija Mihajlovic for the Beijing Olympics. The year 2009 will stay in beautiful memories for this talented archer.
-In my career I won more than 110 medals and 10 trophies. I first got an invitation for Serbian selection in 2005, and we participated at the European Championship were we won the first place as a team. The same year I was State Champion and Champion of the Balkans. In 2006 on the World Cup as a team, we were third. This year at the Mediterranean Games in Italy I won the gold medal and I broke 2 records. At the European Championship in Prague I took fourth place. I was 6 times Senior State Champion, 4 times Champion of the Balkans and I broke a few records and currently I hold 3 Serbian records.
Several weeks ago, Arsovic was awarded as the most successful Senior of Sport Society Partizan and after that, the most successful Serbian Archery club Partizan celebrated its 50th Birthday.
-I started to train 9 years ago in Partizan. My neighbour started to train and called me once to join him on one training. I accepted the invitation mostly because of curiosity. I liked the sport and first few trainings were very interesting. More than 40 children of my age trained well. After three months I had my first competition in the League in Belgrade and I remember how I was confused and frightened.
Did you from the beginning fire from air rifles?
-Yes. I like that much more than shooting from a pistol.
With you in the Serbian national archery team is also the Jasna Sekaric, our best, most successful female shooter. What is the feeling to train with a living legend of our sport? -It is a real pleasure. Although two of us do not shoot in the same discipline and therefore do not train together but it certainly feels great when an athlete like her is with us. She is always ready to advise us young archers and I appreciate that a lot.
You are one of the biggest favorites to represent Serbia at the Olympic Games in London. Do you therefore feel the pressure? -Olympic Committee of Serbia has declared me one of the main favorites to go to London in 2012. It is on me to justify that trust. Dream of every athlete is to participate in the Olympics and one of my main goals is to be part of the National Team at the biggest planetary competition. Of course, before that, I have to fulfill certain quotas.
Already in January, Arsovic will participate in several competitions. -I started packing for Munich and Slovenia, where I have competitions in January. I expect good results mostly because 2010 is the first year for adding and winning the Olympic quotas, and this will be an excellent preparation for the European Championship, which will be held in Norway.
In the summer, Serbia will be host of the World Cup. Do you think our country can organize perfectly this prestigious competition?
- I think we can. Beside Serbia, the World Cup will take place in 3 more states. We have excellent conditions to provide archers who will come from around the world in the Sports Center “Kovilovo” and we have experience in organizing sports events . I believe that everything will pass at a high level – said Andrea Arsovic at the end of the interview for Serbia Today.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Smederevo will get new trade center "Idea - Jugodrvo"
Smederevo, Jan. 16, 2010, (Serbia Today) - Smederevo will get new trade center "Idea - Jugodrvo" at 4,000 square meters at the end of January. Company "Trimo Engineering" finished the second phase of works on that facility at the beginning of the year, and the deadline for its completion is the end of January 2010.
As "Trimo Engineering" announced, the works on that trade center at 4,000 square meters include reconstruction and expansion of the facility - construction of substructure, facade and roof.
The facade is horizontally covered by standard fireproof "Trimoterm" panels filled with stone wool, while the eaves within the facility are covered by "P line by trimo" panels with solid polyurethane foam filling - it is stated in the announcement by company "Trimo".
As "Trimo Engineering" announced, the works on that trade center at 4,000 square meters include reconstruction and expansion of the facility - construction of substructure, facade and roof.
The facade is horizontally covered by standard fireproof "Trimoterm" panels filled with stone wool, while the eaves within the facility are covered by "P line by trimo" panels with solid polyurethane foam filling - it is stated in the announcement by company "Trimo".
Jaša Tomić now an international border crossing
Belgrade, Jan. 14, 2010, (Serbia Today) - The Government of Serbia has agreed to re-categorize Jaša Tomić from border crossing to international border crossing. Between Romania and Serbia, Jaša Tomić-Fenj is the critical border crossing on the 130km route between Timisoara and Novi Sad. Re-categorization was the result of long term activities by the local self-government of Secanj, supported by the Government of Serbia and the Executive Council of Vojvodina.
“Re-categorization is significant for all of us in Banat, as well as for all of Vojvodina, because the international airport in Timisoara is about 40 km away from the border,” the Mayor of Sečanj, Predrag Milošević, said. Construction on the Romanian side of the border is almost complete and the Serbian side will be ready in early May 2010. “We have already finished major share of the works. We are working at full steam, and what is left for us to do is to build a modern substation for terminals, one kilometer of road from Jaša Tomić to the border, and install light signaling,” said Milošević.
“Re-categorization is significant for all of us in Banat, as well as for all of Vojvodina, because the international airport in Timisoara is about 40 km away from the border,” the Mayor of Sečanj, Predrag Milošević, said. Construction on the Romanian side of the border is almost complete and the Serbian side will be ready in early May 2010. “We have already finished major share of the works. We are working at full steam, and what is left for us to do is to build a modern substation for terminals, one kilometer of road from Jaša Tomić to the border, and install light signaling,” said Milošević.
General Land Use Plan for Niš under public consideration
Nis, Jan. 09 2010 (Serbia Today) - The General Land Use Plan for Niš for 2010-2025 prepared by the "City Planning Institute of Niš” is now on display at the Administration for Planning and Development in Generala Tranijea Street.
A meeting of the Committee for Plans will be held on February 10th, when all who have commented in writing about the plan before January 18th will be able to explain their complaints, suggestions and proposals for changes. After the meeting the Committee will make its report and forward it to the City Assembly of Niš.
A meeting of the Committee for Plans will be held on February 10th, when all who have commented in writing about the plan before January 18th will be able to explain their complaints, suggestions and proposals for changes. After the meeting the Committee will make its report and forward it to the City Assembly of Niš.
The Achievements of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade in 2009
By Jelena Jovanovic
Belgrade, Jan. O9 2010 (Serbia Today) - 2009 was a very successful year for tourism in Belgrade despite the global economic crisis, said Dejan Veselinov of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade (TOB) in an interview with Serbia Today. More people visited Belgrade than in 2008; new sightseeing programs were added or expanded; Belgrade tourism was attractively promoted; and plans were made for emphasizing the Danube in 2010.
The number of foreign visitors in Belgrade in the first 10 months of 2009 increased over the same period in 2008 by 6% to 300,000; the number of tourist days in Belgrade increased by 16 % to 700,000. Most of the tourists were from former Yugoslav Republics, and then from Italy, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, France and Great Britain. The most visited event last year was the Belgrade Beer Fest, followed by the Belgrade Boat Carnival. Extended celebration of the New Year holidays always draws tens of thousands of uncounted visiting friends and relatives.
Veselinov, head of the Public Relations Department of TOB, discussed a number of completely new programs. Especially popular was ‘Coffee with Princess Ljubica,` reenacting family and social life at Konak Knjeginje Ljubice. The one hour tour, presented on Fridays and Saturdays for 30 people at a time, is hosted by the curator of Belgrade City Museum, dressed as a woman during the reign of Princess Ljubica. The “Brandy Tour,” created in the cooperation with the Rakija Bar chain, tells all about brandy: its origination in Serbia, how it is made, the different varieties of brandy, and the customs associated with drinking brandy.
In 2009 TOB encouraged new or better ways for the tourist to travel about Belgrade. “Lasta” introduced sightseeing buses with an open roof, hop on- hop off feature. “PS Tours” provided 70 minute tours in double deck open roof buses, and Belgrade Transport Company offered sightseeing by tram. Walking tours in downtown Belgrade and the Belgrade Fortress, in old Zemun, in Skadarlija and visits to the Royal Palace complex in Dedinje were introduced or expanded.
TOB planned activities for 2009 with residents of Belgrade in mind as well as tourists. Various programs were offered under the slogan ’Because I Love Belgrade’ so Belgraders would learn more about their native town and thus be better able to present it to visitors.
The Danube River is a major gateway to Belgrade for tourists from Germany, the USA, Scandinavia, and France, with 50,000 arriving by boat in 2009. Nautical tourism is a great opportunity for the tourist industry in all of Serbia, and developing this potential will be a priority for TOB in 2010. Working with partners associated with the Danube, primarily the Port of Belgrade, TOB will help to organize and promote programs relating to Belgrade’s rivers, such as environmental programs, nautical regatta, and bicycle trails.
BOT continued to work cooperatively with USAID last year. An attractive article about Belgrade was placed in the magazine Ulysses distributed on Air Italia flights. Belgrade was specially promoted at the Barcelona Tourism Fair last year to foreign travel organizers and journalists. USAID specialists in the promotion of tourism shared their knowledge and contacts with their counterparts at BOT, and will do so again in 2010.
At the end of the interview Veselinov said the Tourist Organization of Belgrade had realized everything planned for 2009, and was quite satisfied. In 2010 TOB will promote new sightseeing tours, conventions, and international events; will open new tourist information centers; will develop new nautical and environmental tourism opportunities; and will generally improve the tourist infrastructure.
Belgrade, Jan. O9 2010 (Serbia Today) - 2009 was a very successful year for tourism in Belgrade despite the global economic crisis, said Dejan Veselinov of the Tourist Organization of Belgrade (TOB) in an interview with Serbia Today. More people visited Belgrade than in 2008; new sightseeing programs were added or expanded; Belgrade tourism was attractively promoted; and plans were made for emphasizing the Danube in 2010.
The number of foreign visitors in Belgrade in the first 10 months of 2009 increased over the same period in 2008 by 6% to 300,000; the number of tourist days in Belgrade increased by 16 % to 700,000. Most of the tourists were from former Yugoslav Republics, and then from Italy, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, France and Great Britain. The most visited event last year was the Belgrade Beer Fest, followed by the Belgrade Boat Carnival. Extended celebration of the New Year holidays always draws tens of thousands of uncounted visiting friends and relatives.
Veselinov, head of the Public Relations Department of TOB, discussed a number of completely new programs. Especially popular was ‘Coffee with Princess Ljubica,` reenacting family and social life at Konak Knjeginje Ljubice. The one hour tour, presented on Fridays and Saturdays for 30 people at a time, is hosted by the curator of Belgrade City Museum, dressed as a woman during the reign of Princess Ljubica. The “Brandy Tour,” created in the cooperation with the Rakija Bar chain, tells all about brandy: its origination in Serbia, how it is made, the different varieties of brandy, and the customs associated with drinking brandy.
In 2009 TOB encouraged new or better ways for the tourist to travel about Belgrade. “Lasta” introduced sightseeing buses with an open roof, hop on- hop off feature. “PS Tours” provided 70 minute tours in double deck open roof buses, and Belgrade Transport Company offered sightseeing by tram. Walking tours in downtown Belgrade and the Belgrade Fortress, in old Zemun, in Skadarlija and visits to the Royal Palace complex in Dedinje were introduced or expanded.
TOB planned activities for 2009 with residents of Belgrade in mind as well as tourists. Various programs were offered under the slogan ’Because I Love Belgrade’ so Belgraders would learn more about their native town and thus be better able to present it to visitors.
The Danube River is a major gateway to Belgrade for tourists from Germany, the USA, Scandinavia, and France, with 50,000 arriving by boat in 2009. Nautical tourism is a great opportunity for the tourist industry in all of Serbia, and developing this potential will be a priority for TOB in 2010. Working with partners associated with the Danube, primarily the Port of Belgrade, TOB will help to organize and promote programs relating to Belgrade’s rivers, such as environmental programs, nautical regatta, and bicycle trails.
BOT continued to work cooperatively with USAID last year. An attractive article about Belgrade was placed in the magazine Ulysses distributed on Air Italia flights. Belgrade was specially promoted at the Barcelona Tourism Fair last year to foreign travel organizers and journalists. USAID specialists in the promotion of tourism shared their knowledge and contacts with their counterparts at BOT, and will do so again in 2010.
At the end of the interview Veselinov said the Tourist Organization of Belgrade had realized everything planned for 2009, and was quite satisfied. In 2010 TOB will promote new sightseeing tours, conventions, and international events; will open new tourist information centers; will develop new nautical and environmental tourism opportunities; and will generally improve the tourist infrastructure.
Coffee – a Serbian Ritual
According to the World health organization data, each day, about one and a half billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world. At least ten million of that number are consumed in Serbia.
Natives of Serbia were introduced to its highness, coffee, by Turkish invaders. The word “kafana“ is of Turkish origin and signifies a house where people drink coffee. Such medieval coffee shops were opened for the first time opened in Constantinople, in the beginning of the 16th century.
While conquering the Balkan peninsula and advancing towards Europe, the Turks were building mosques as well as “kafanas“, small temples dedicated to coffee. As a result, in 1521, in Belgrade, the first coffee shop opened its doors, welcoming all those who wanted to enjoy the taste and the smell of black, Turkish coffee.
One of the oldest coffee shops in Belgrade, is the "?" shop, a charming little place facing the Saborna church.
The “?” kafana (yes, its name is really just the question mark) received its name after making the unfortunate choice of naming itself after the Cathedral across the street, Saborna Cirva. According to famous Serbian writer Momo Kapor, church authorities were enraged and demanded the sign with the name be brought down. When a painter placed a question mark where the name was supposed to be, the name stuck.
Although a bit unorthodox, the question mark seemed like the most natural and appropriate choice. The coffee shop was one of many. Similar establishments sprouted like mushrooms all over Serbia. Drinking coffee became an unavoidable daily ritual.
Today, that black Turkish coffee still tops the charts of Serbian people. Espresso, Nescafé and filter coffee did earn their place in the line up, but, in Serbia, it is the black Turkish coffee that carries the weight of a cultural and social phenomenon. Enjoying coffee is a science, signifying a slow-paced life, a life of order and peace.
What separates black coffee from other coffees is its preparation method and the thick layer of sludgy grounds that is left behind at the bottom of the cup, after the coffee has been consumed. Sugar and milk can be added to the coffee. It is prepared in a “dzezva”, a vessel where the water is boiled. When the water reaches the boiling point a spoonful of coffee powder is added to the water for each cup of coffee. The methods vary, only one should be careful, the coffee doesn’t boil over, although as people say, it indicates a financial windfall.
Despite the popularity of the drink in Serbia children are not allowed to drink it. They are often told that, "If you drink coffee, you will grow a tail," to dissuade them, but the strong taste it probably the real reason.
Therefore, once you have sipped your first coffee you are welcomed into the world of grown ups. But once you decide to have your first Serbian coffee experience in company of locals, you will become a part of a big family.
The kind of coffee you’re drinking is not all that important, should it be black, Turkish, Nescafé, Espresso, it is the feeling of unity and social bonding that matters. Even when you’re sipping it alone, be certain that at the very moment, millions of people around the world are sharing the experience and enjoying the black and divine beverage with you.
Natives of Serbia were introduced to its highness, coffee, by Turkish invaders. The word “kafana“ is of Turkish origin and signifies a house where people drink coffee. Such medieval coffee shops were opened for the first time opened in Constantinople, in the beginning of the 16th century.
While conquering the Balkan peninsula and advancing towards Europe, the Turks were building mosques as well as “kafanas“, small temples dedicated to coffee. As a result, in 1521, in Belgrade, the first coffee shop opened its doors, welcoming all those who wanted to enjoy the taste and the smell of black, Turkish coffee.
One of the oldest coffee shops in Belgrade, is the "?" shop, a charming little place facing the Saborna church.
The “?” kafana (yes, its name is really just the question mark) received its name after making the unfortunate choice of naming itself after the Cathedral across the street, Saborna Cirva. According to famous Serbian writer Momo Kapor, church authorities were enraged and demanded the sign with the name be brought down. When a painter placed a question mark where the name was supposed to be, the name stuck.
Although a bit unorthodox, the question mark seemed like the most natural and appropriate choice. The coffee shop was one of many. Similar establishments sprouted like mushrooms all over Serbia. Drinking coffee became an unavoidable daily ritual.
Today, that black Turkish coffee still tops the charts of Serbian people. Espresso, Nescafé and filter coffee did earn their place in the line up, but, in Serbia, it is the black Turkish coffee that carries the weight of a cultural and social phenomenon. Enjoying coffee is a science, signifying a slow-paced life, a life of order and peace.
What separates black coffee from other coffees is its preparation method and the thick layer of sludgy grounds that is left behind at the bottom of the cup, after the coffee has been consumed. Sugar and milk can be added to the coffee. It is prepared in a “dzezva”, a vessel where the water is boiled. When the water reaches the boiling point a spoonful of coffee powder is added to the water for each cup of coffee. The methods vary, only one should be careful, the coffee doesn’t boil over, although as people say, it indicates a financial windfall.
Despite the popularity of the drink in Serbia children are not allowed to drink it. They are often told that, "If you drink coffee, you will grow a tail," to dissuade them, but the strong taste it probably the real reason.
Therefore, once you have sipped your first coffee you are welcomed into the world of grown ups. But once you decide to have your first Serbian coffee experience in company of locals, you will become a part of a big family.
The kind of coffee you’re drinking is not all that important, should it be black, Turkish, Nescafé, Espresso, it is the feeling of unity and social bonding that matters. Even when you’re sipping it alone, be certain that at the very moment, millions of people around the world are sharing the experience and enjoying the black and divine beverage with you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Nadja Higl – best athlete in the selection of the magazine"Sport"
By:Katarina Jonev
Belgrade, Dec. 28, 2009 (Serbia Today)-Swimmer Nadja Higl was selected as the best Serbian athlete in 2009 according to the 53rd traditional election of sports daily newspaper "Sport". The jury, made up of winners who won this recognition in the last few years, decided that the world champion winner in the 200 meters breaststroke deserves the most to win this remarkable award. At the ceremony held on Thursday, Dec. 24, in the Hotel Continental in Belgrade, Higl was awarded a traditional award - Golden badge "Sport." Beside Higl in competition for the best athlete for 2009 were swimmer Milorad Cavic, athlete Biljana Topic, water-polo player Filip Filipovic, tennis players Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic, rowers Nikola - Goran Jagar, and basketball player Novica Velickovic.
Traditionally, for the 15th time "Sport” also proclaimed the best young athlete of our country. The title was given to Tatjana Jelača, junior champion of Europe in the javelin throw.
Member of Serbian national team in swimming, Nadia Higl said that 2009 was the most successful year in her life, and also that she plans to improve her results next year.
Higl has achieved this year excellent results - she won the gold medal at the World Championship in Rome in the discipline of 200 meters breaststroke (result 2:21,62), and silver medal at the European Championship in small pools in Istanbul two weeks ago. Higl also won two silver medals at the Universiade in Belgrade this summer and has triumphed twice at the World Cup.
Because of good results in 2009, Higl was also declared the most successful athlete in the selection of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
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