President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia has awarded decorations to a range of individuals and institutions in recognition of their contributions, as part of the celebrations for the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and National Flag. This event, held at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, underscores the significance of national pride and Serbia’s international relations.
Among the honorees was Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who received the Order of Serbia on the grand necklace for his exceptional contributions to fostering friendly relations between Serbia and Kazakhstan. In a video message, Tokayev expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s appreciation for the enduring partnership with Serbia.
Scottish actor Angus Macfadyen was awarded the Order of the Serbian Flag III degree for his role in the film “The Harvest,” which depicts the suffering of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. The film’s impact on cultural awareness and historical memory was highlighted through this recognition.
Several Serbian public figures were also honored for their various contributions. Actor Petar Božović, television director Veselin Grozdanić, and academic painter Predrag Đaković received the Order of the Karađorđe’s Star I degree. This recognition was also awarded posthumously to Professor Dr. Milica Bajčetić for her significant contributions.
In the realm of defense and security, the Order of Merit in Defense and Security I degree was conferred upon Luka Čaušić, head of the Emergency Situations Sector of Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Nenad Nedić, commander of the Helicopter Unit of the Ministry. Other recipients included police major Aleksandar Krstić and Vlado Plemić from the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Center in Niš.
The Order of the Karađorđe’s Star II degree was awarded to Veselin Dželetović, author of the book “Serbian Heart Johan’s,” which inspired the film “The Harvest.” Professors Milan Stojičić and Svetlana Popadić from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Medicine, writer and war correspondent Nebojša Jevrić, actress Ivana Žigon, and Tatjana Trajković, a professor in the Department of Serbian Studies at the University of Niš, were also honored.
The Order of the Karađorđe’s Star III degree recognized cultural events and figures, including the Karlovci Grape Harvest Festival, the Film Screenplay Festival in Vrnjačka Banja, opera singer Ivan Tomašev from the National Theatre in Belgrade, and academic painter Zoran Čalija.
The Golden Medal for Merits was awarded to the Central Union of Greek Municipalities and Cities for humanitarian programs, Greek endocrinologist Georgios Mastorakos, nurse Dragana Matijašević, German government envoy to Serbia Jörg Heskens, conductor Ilmas Haris Lapinž, director Petar Stanojlović, para-athlete Nebojša Đurić, Serbia’s jiu-jitsu national team selector Aleksandar Tomić, and young competitor Bogdan Obradović.
Additionally, the Silver Medal for Merits was given to Rade Mladenović, long-time secretary of the Red Cross in Žitorađa, the Red Cross of Čukarica, the Subotica Symphony Orchestra, and the Karate Federation of Belgrade. Several members of fire and rescue units were also recognized for their efforts in extinguishing fires in Deliblatska Peščara and other parts of Serbia.
During the ceremony, President Vučić emphasized the importance of the Day of Serbian Unity, stating that it celebrates not only military victory but also the biological survival of the Serbian people. He expressed gratitude to the leadership of Republika Srpska for jointly marking the occasion and highlighted the unity between Serbia and Republika Srpska.
Vučić’s speech, marking his last as president on this occasion, reflected on the achievements made during his tenure and the fulfillment of promises regarding the celebration of this day. He called on citizens and institutions to display Serbian flags in honor of the holiday, reinforcing the message of unity despite geographical divisions.
The event was attended by key figures, including the President of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Željka Cvijanović, a Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, and ministers from both the Serbian and Republika Srpska governments. The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom, and National Flag has been celebrated since 2020, commemorating the breakthrough of the Thessaloniki Front in World War I on September 15, 1918.
