American’s Share Thanksgiving with Serbia

By: Katarina Jonev
Belgrade, Nov.27 2009 (Serbia Today) – Children in Serbia had an opportunity to celebrate Thanks giving thanks to the people of the American Embassy in Belgrade. Embassy Officials arranged for the delicious, traditional meal at the Children’s Shelter on Krfska (Corfu) Street.
The event was accompanied by American Embassy employees that shared the historical origins of the tradition of Thanksgiving, and the message of hope in expressing gratitude, even in the face of hardship.
"150 years ago president Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a holiday in America. This is very important day for Americans and we wanted not just to show part of American culture to children, but also to share the belief that gratitude is the basis for progress,” said American Embassy Press Attache Brian Stimler.
Embassy officials also arranged for American football players from the local club Blue Dragon, to take some time to show the children a few things about the American football.
Earlier this week in Belgrade, Mr. John Hennessy, Senior Director of Education and Training for FINRA’s International Affairs and Services Department from Boston, visited Belgrade on a U.S. sponsored Speaker Program. Mr. Hennessy participated in the VIII International Conference of the Belgrade Stock Exchange 2009, organized by SEGA and USAID. He will also deliver a lecture at the Belgrade Banking Academy to a group of students and faculty professors, as well as a lecture to the Serbian Securities Commission staff and to the Faculty of Informatics and Management at Singidunum University.
The U.S. Embassy often organizes U.S. Speaker programs in Serbia, inviting experts and scholars to speak on various topics throughout the country.