SERBIAN ARMED FORCES GS

JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND

PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS CENTER

NATO/PfP Logistics Officers Course

2009
-NATO/PfP LOC 09-

WELCOME PACKAGE

Belgrade, September 14th – 25 th 2009

 INDEX
PART I
PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS CENTER
1. Background
2. Language
3. Non-Attribution Policy
Attendance
4. Plagiarism
5. Access to Internet

PART II
ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL INFORMATION
6. Arrival
7. Non-Academic Matters
8. Finance
9. Access to school building
10.Fraud
11.Copy Services
12.Refreshments During Breaks
13.Distribution Boxes
14.Uniform and Dress Policy
15.Meals
16.Mail Services
17.Security
18.Personal Responsibility
19.Services
20.Telephone
21.Emergency Medical Care
22.Public Transportation

PART III
RESIDENCE BUILDING OPERATION PROCEDURES
23.General
24.Room Key
25.Syndicate Rooms
26.Rest rooms
27.Cleaning Service
28.Room Problems
29.Laundry Facilities
30.Animals/Pets
31. Accommodation Building Visitation
32.Social Events
33.Care and Maintenance of Facilities and Equipment
34.Open Flame Devices and Combustibles
35.Quit Hours
36.Video cassette/CD players

ANNEXES

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 PART I
SERBIAN ARMED FORCES PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS CENTER

1. Background
The PKOC was established in 2003, 14 October, upon the order of Minister of
defence of Serbia and Montenegro. It was the result of renewal of
participation of SMAF personnel in PKOs, which occurred in 2002, after 10
years absence.
After decision of Republic of Montenegro to obtain a full sovereignty, since
June 2006, PKOC becomes the Serbian Armed Forces PKOC.

2. Language Policy
Course working language is English. No translation is provided. All documents
will be published in English. Please be advised that it is expected that
students (primarily from Serbia) will not communicate in their national
languages during educational program and activities, especially when other
international students are involved in common work.

3. Non-Attribution Policy
In order to encourage free and open discussion, the PKOC adheres to a strict
practice of "non-attribution". All speeches, presentations, remarks and
discussions made here - whether by the members of the Instructors Team,
visitors or students - are strictly speakers own and are assumed to represent
his or her institution or government. It is forbidden to attribute remarks to the
speaker. In other words, "what is said at the PKOC stays at the
PKOC".

4. Attendance
Attendance is mandatory for all events scheduled on the weekly calendar. If
you are not able to attend the lecture or any other activity because of
illness, you must tell the course staff. Long absence due to illness will be
discussed with the National Authorities. If you want to have an excused
absence for personal reasons other than illness, you must receive approval in
advance from the Course Director. Please make a request through your
National Senior who will act on your behalf. Attendance is imperative and an
unexcused absence may result in a student being removed from the course
and returned to his nation.

5. Plagiarism
Plagiarism can result immediate removal of the participant from the course
and return to his/her nation.

6. Access to Internet
Students will be provided free Internet access after the lectures in the
syndicate rooms during working time and 24 hours access in
accommodation building.

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 PART II
ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL INFORMATION

7. Arrival
The PKOC is located in the General Staff barracks in Belgrade, part called
Banjica (phonetically: Baniza).

8. Non Academic Matters

The local points for all non-academic matters during working hours are the
Course Director Capt Saša Vujčić (mob.phone +381648329455).

9. Finance
Each country shall, in accordance with national regulations pay salaries,
daily allowances and travel costs of instructors and students sent by
her.

10. Access to the school building

All students will be able to access the PKOC only at certain times:
MON-FRI 08.00 - 19.00 hrs the students are able to enter the building only
through the back door.

11. Fraud
Fraud against the PKOC shall be dealt with as a serious offence that is not
condoned. The PKOC abhors any form of dishonesty and any wilful intent to
deceive can result in severe penalties, including formal dismissal from the
institution.

12. Copy Service

For any copying please contact the Course Admin Officer.

13. Refreshments during breaks

During the morning break, students will be provided with coffee, soft drinks
and mineral water, and during the afternoon break, with coffee all free of
charge. For any other beverages students can use the vending machine in
the PKOC hall.

14. Distribution boxes

Each student is assigned an individual distribution box, which is used to
disseminate course schedules, mail, course readings and general information
on a wide range of activities. Please check your distribution boxes daily. They
are located in the PKOC hall next to the conference room. Many administrative
announcements are distributed to the students via distribution boxes. Notes

4
and memos from the course staff, instructors or fellow students are also
routed through the distribution boxes.

15. Uniform and dress policy

During this course the following outfit will be needed:

− Reporting to PKOC. Civilian clothing.

− Classroom activities. Military combat / battle dress uniform (temperate

climate).

− Outdoor activities and sightseeing of the Belgrade. Warm civilian clothing

should be worn for all outdoor visits and activities. The weather in the
Serbia can be inclement at times; warm outdoor clothing and shower
proof jackets are therefore strongly recommended.

− Welcome & Farewell dinner. Smart casual.

− Sport activities. As there are good gym facilities available near the PKOC,
sports kit is also recommended for those who wish to take part in
physical activity.

16. Meals
We will do our best to provide everybody with satisfactory food. Some of you
may find the food bland while the others may find it to spicy, please be
tolerant and treat the meals as another form of intercultural exchange.
Students with specific nutritional needs will be provided by appropriate
meals. Please report any unsatisfactory conditions or poor service at the
dining facility directly to Course Director.

Breakfast: 07.10 - 07.40

Lunch: 13.30- 14.30
Dinner: 18.35 - 19.15

17. Mail service

Since PKOC is located in Belgrade the students can use the country's postal
system. Mail should be addressed as follows:
Rank, Name
Centar za mirovne operacije Združene operativne komande GŠ VS
Neznakog junaka 38
11000 Beograd
Serbia

18. Security
General
Temporary ID cards will be provided to all participants. The ID card should be
worn and be visible at all times. The participants do not have access to

5
restricted areas. No weapons and/or ammunition are allowed in the Barracks.
No cameras are allowed in the barracks. The security of the perimeter is the
responsibility of the guard’s force.
Site safety
Jogging on site is not permitted. For jogging use the areas out of the
barracks. Light colour or reflective material is encouraged during periods of
limited visibility. Running should be in the direction of the oncoming traffic.
Horseplay such as pushing and shoving on stairs and running in halls, which
may cause injury, is prohibited. Climbing any structure in the barracks is
forbidden. Rewiring or tampering with any electrical outlets, smoke
detectors, fire alarm systems, lights and heaters is a serious offence, and
will be reported for investigation.

19. Personal responsibility

Security within the barracks

The PKOC is located in a closed military installation. Still we strongly

recommend that you never leave valuables or personal items unattended at
any time.
Protect your personal property - thinks PREVENTION. Close and lock all
windows when you leave your room. Report missing or stolen items
immediately to the Course Director.

Theft
It is understood that all students will respect the property of the others. They
will not steal.
Shopping
When shopping in Serbia, you must be careful not to pass the check out
register area with the merchandise you have not yet paid. Do not throw
away the cash register ticket; keep it until you come back to the PKOC. Do
not put items in your pockets until you have paid for them. Do not take items
from one section of the store to another, this can be considered as
shoplifting. In some stores you must pay for the items in the section where
you have found the item. Do not give the money to the cashier until the bill is
totalled. All financial transactions are in Serbian dinars. Exchange offices or
banks are very common in the city and there are no significant differences
in rates among different exchange offices.
Sexual harassment
Proper behaviours toward the opposite sex is fundamental to all cultures
represented at the PKOC. The PKOC follows accepted statutes that govern
the standards of acceptable behaviours between the sexes.
These statutes specifically forbid such unacceptable behaviours as: lewd
and suggestive language, unwanted physical contact and actions of similar
nature. We ask that each student be especially mindful of the sensitive
subject.
Improper behaviours toward members of the opposite sex will not be
tolerated. Misconduct could result in dismissal from the PKOC and referral
to Serbian/national authorities for possible prosecution. All possible
measures will be taken to maintain to confidentiality.

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Disciplinary action
The Serbian Police will notify PKOC if a student is detained for suspicion of
crime. If Serbian Police or the Military Police detains you, please cooperate
with them and identify yourself as a PKOC student. Ask the police to call one
of the emergency phones listed on the card you have been given, or ask them
to allow you to call. What we will not do: We will not presume quilt. We will
not take any action without clear evidence of innocence or guilt. What we
will do: We will cooperate with the authorities and request that any
investigation be completed without delay. If the result determines that one of
our students is guilty, we will end the students stay here, drop them from the
course and send them home. If the investigation is not complete before
graduation, we will withhold the student evaluation. If the local authorities
determine that the student was guilty, we will include that information in the
student evaluation that is sent to the student's government. If one of us
breaks the law, it brings discredit on us all and the mutual mission of
international goodwill we promote here. We consider all our students to
be future leaders of their countries.

Tobacco and alcohol

Tobacco:The only smoking area inside the PKOC is the PKOC central hall (in
the corner) and in the front of accommodation facility, smoking in the
rooms is strictly FORBIDDEN. Smoking outside is allowed only beside the
trash bin.

Alcohol:
There will be no drinking of alcohol in PKOC. The only exception is if the CO
allows celebrations with some alcohol. Nobody can be coerced into drinking.
It is forbidden to drink or to store alcohol in the accommodation or the PKOC.

20. Services
Bank facilities
Banks can be found all around Belgrade. The closest are 800m to the left of
the PKOC. ATM machines are also everywhere around the town.
Religious service
Serbian armed forces do not have any religious facilities inside of the barracks.
Physical Training
The gym in the Military Academy can be used daily after working hours
through Course administration. The fitness room with different equipment,
e.g. exercise cycles, a treadmill, and rowing equipments can be found on the
ground floor of the accommodation building, too.

21. Telephone
Official Telephone and Faxes
Only limited access for international calls is given at the PKOC. To make
international official duty call or send an official fax you can do that through
the deputy Course Director.

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Room telephones
Telephones in the rooms can be used for receiving calls from outside only
(+381 11 3958***), outgoing calls are limited only for inside of barracks use or
for local calls (Belgrade 011 postal code area - after dialling 0).

Pay telephones
Pay phones are not provided in PKOC, but you can find them throughout town.

22. Emergency medical care

In case of emergency medical help contact the Course Staff. Please notify
Course Staff in case of illness so that prior arrangements can be made.

23. Public transport

The easiest way to get to the centre of city is to take trolley No.41. The cost
of the ticket is, if bought on any newspaper stand, 42 dinars . If bought on the
bus or trolley is 50 dinars. Taxi from the PKOC to the town canter is approx.
400 din, (1 Euro= aprox. 95 dinars).
Visas and passports
The sending Nations are responsible for the travel arrangements of their
student officers to Belgrade, Serbia, including the passports and visas.
Graduation and departure
If a special guest from your country (ambassador, minister, etc.) plans to
attend the graduation, please notify the Course Admin Officer in advance.

PART III
ACCOMMODATION BUILDING OPERATING PROCEDURES

24. General
During your stay you will be accommodated in the "Mali Internat", in
single bedrooms. Accommodation is free of charge.

25. Room key

Room key is the student’s own responsibility and should be held all the time
with you. The PKOC cannot take any responsibility for the security of your
room.

26. Syndicate rooms

Syndicate rooms are available for student’s group working and rehearsal.

27. Rest Rooms

Rest room is provided for student leisure time.

28. Cleaning

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Our cleaning personnel do cleaning of bathrooms and corridors. Cleaning
personnel is not allowed in your rooms so that means you are responsible for
maintaining your rooms.

29. Room problems

Any problems with the rooms should be reported to the Course Admin Officer.

30. Laundry facilities

Clothing service is available in the accommodation building on the ground
floor (the washers and a dryers). Students don't have to provide their own
washing detergent, fabric softener etc. Irons and ironing boards are also
available for students' use in the laundry room. Please leave the laundry
room clean and be considerate of others using the facilities. Report any
problems immediately to the reception desk. Do not try to fix the problem
yourself or force the machines to work! Personal hygiene items can be
bought at the GS Officers Mess.

31. Animals/pets
Do not bring animals and pets into the residence building.

32. Accommodation building visitation

Overnight guest are not permitted in the accommodation building under any
circumstances. This prohibition includes family members. The PKOC is unable
to assist participants in such matters as securing visas, finding
accommodation, etc.

33. Social events

Welcome dinner

Welcome dinner will be held in one Belgrade restaurant on 14th

September 2009.
Recreational trips
On 20 th September 2009 there will be a guided tour of the Belgrade city.

34. Care and maintenance of facilities and equipment

All faults with working or living conditions should be reported to DCD
immediately. It is in occupant’s responsibility to ensure that the
accommodation stays in good order. If you make any damage to your
room, you may have to pay for the damage. We will ensure prompt repair
of all faulty items.

35. Open flame devices and combustibles

Please do not use any open flame devices such as candles, gas cookers,
and lanterns in the residence building. Similarly, use of combustible
chemicals, fuels or cleaning fluids is also prohibited.

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 36. Quiet hours
To respect every ones privacy and to ensure all residents are afforded
the opportunity for a full nights rest, the following policies are in effect:
from 23.00-06.30 (MON-FRI) and from 23.45-08.00 (SAT-SUN) the volume
of all TV, radios and stereos will be turned down so as not to disturb other
residents. The definition of disturbance is a single complaint. If a second
complaint is received, all electronic equipment will be shut of for the
duration of the night. A third complaint will result in all violators being
reported to their national representative or National Authorities.

37. Video cassette/CD players.

Since VCR or CD players are not provided to the students by PKOC,
students are allowed to bring their own and use them according to the
regulations.

PART IV
Serbia at a glance

Flag Coat of Arms

Anthem: Bože Pravde

Capital Belgrade
44°48’N 20°28’E
Largest City Belgrade
Official language(s) Serbian1
Government Republic
President Boris Tadić
Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica
Formation and Independence
Formation of Serbia 850
Formation of the Serbian Empire 1345
Independence from the Ottoman Empire July 13, 1878
Formation of Yugoslavia December 1, 1918
Serbia and Montenegro union dissolved June 5, 2006
Area 88,361 km2(111th)
Total 34,116 sq mi

1 I
n Vojvodina, the following languages are also official: Romanian, Rusyn, Hungarian, Slovak, and Croatian; in
Kosovo-Metohia also: Albanian.

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Water(%) N/A
Population 9,400,000(83rd)
2005 est. 9,396,411
2002 census 106.34/km2(70th)
Density 275/sq mi
GDP(PPP) 2005 estimate
Total $43.46 billion (82nd)
Per capita $5,203 102nd)
Currency Dinar2 (CSD)
Time Zone CET (UTC+1)
-Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Internet TLD .yu(.cs reserved)
Calling code +381

Serbia, officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: Република Србија or

Republika Srbija), is a landlocked country in central and south-eastern
Europe, covering the central part of the Balkan Peninsula and the southern
part of the Pannonian Plain. The capital is Belgrade. Serbia borders Hungary
to the north; Romania and Bulgaria to the east; the Republic of Macedonia and
Albania to the south; and Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to
the west.
HISTORY
The roots of the Serbian state date back to the 7th century and the House
of Vlastimirović. A Serbian kingdom (centered around Duklja) was
established in the 11th century. It lasted until the end of the 12th century.
The medieval Serbian state was re-formed in the Raška region in the 12th
century by the Serbian Grand Župan Stefan Nemanja. In 1220, under Stefan
the First Crowned, Serbia became a kingdom, and in 1346, Stefan Dušan
established the Serbian Empire. The Empire was disintegrated and fell to the
Ottoman Turks after the historic Battle of Kosovo in 1389. The northern
Serbian territories (the Serbian Despotate) were totally conquered in 1459
when Smederevo fell. Bosnia fell a few years after Smederevo, and
Herzegovina in 1482.
2
The Euro is used in Kosovo-Metohia.

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Between 1459 and 1804, Serbia was under the rule of the Ottoman Empire,
despite three Austrian invasions and numerous rebellions.
The First Serbian Uprising of 1804-1813, led by Đorđe Petrović (also known
as Karađorđe or "Black George"), and the Second Serbian Uprising of 1815
resulted in the establishment of the Principality of Serbia. As it was semi-
independent from the Ottoman Empire, it is considered to be the precursor of
the formation of modern Serbia.
From 1815 to 1903, the House of Obrenović ruled the Serbian state, except
from 1842 to 1858, when Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević ruled Serbia. In
1903, the House of Karađorđević, who was descendants of Đorđe Petrović,
replaced the House of Obrenović.
The struggle for a modern society, human rights and a nation-state lasted
almost three decades and was completed with the adoption of the
constitution on 15th February 1835. In 1876, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia
declared war against the Ottoman Empire and proclaimed their unification.
However, the Treaty of Berlin of 1878, which was signed at the Congress of
Berlin by the Great Powers, granted complete independence only to Serbia
and Montenegro, leaving Bosnia and Raška to Austria-Hungary, who blocked
their unification until the Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 and WW I.
The June 28, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria at
Sarajevo in Austria-Hungary by Gavrilo Princip, a South Slav unionist, Austrian
subject and member of ‘’The Young Bosnia’’,

served as a pretext for Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia. Russia

started to mobilise its troops in defence of its ally Serbia, which resulted in
Germany declaring war on Russia in support of its ally Austria-Hungary.
However, as German military planners wished to avoid a war on two fronts
against both Russia and France, they attacked France first. This eventually
culminated in all the major European Powers being drawn into the war. The
Serbian Army won several major victories against Austria-Hungary during
World War I, but the joint forces of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria
finally overpowered it. In World War I, Serbia had 1,264,000 casualties - 28%
of its total population, and 58% of its male population.
After 1918, Serbia, along with Montenegro, was a founding member of the
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later known as the Kingdom of
Yugoslavia. During World War II, Serbia was a German-occupied puppet state
that included present-day Central Serbia and Banat, popularly called Nedić's
Serbia. The occupying powers committed numerous crimes against the
civilian population, especially against Serbs and Jews. In 1945, Serbia was
established as one of the federal units of the second Yugoslavia, the Socialist
Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, led by Josip Broz Tito until his death in
1980. After the collapse of the second Yugoslavia in 1992 until the year 2003,
Serbia, together with Montenegro, was part of the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia. Despite the civil wars in neighbouring Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Serbia remained peaceful until 1998.
Between 1998 and 1999, continued clashes in Kosovo-Metohija between
Serbian and Yugoslav security forces and the “K.L.A” prompted a NATO aerial
bombardment, which lasted for 78 days. The attacks were stopped when
Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević agreed to remove all security forces,

12
including the military and the police, and have them replaced by a body of
international police and coalition troops of the UN and NATO.
From 2003 to 2006, Serbia was part of the State Union of Serbia and
Montenegro, into which the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia had been
transformed. On May 21, 2006, Montenegro held a referendum to determine
whether or not to end the union with Serbia. The next day, state-certified
results showed 55.5% of voters in favour of independence, which was just
above the 55% required by the referendum. On June 3, the Parliament of
Montenegro declared Montenegro independent of the State Union and on
June 5, the National Assembly of Serbia declared Serbia the successor to the
State Union.

GEOGRAPHY
Serbia is located in the Balkans (a historically and geographically distinct
region of south-eastern Europe) and in the Pannonian Plain (a region of
central Europe). It shares borders with Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, the Republic of Macedonia, and
Romania. Serbia is landlocked, although the Danube River provides shipping
access to inland Europe and the Black Sea.
Serbia's terrain ranges from the rich, fertile plains of the northern Vojvodina
region, limestone ranges and basins in the east, and, in the southeast,
ancient mountains and hills. The Danube River dominates the north. A
tributary, the Morava River, flows through the more mountainous southern
regions.
The Serbian climate varies between a continental climate in the north, with
cold winters, and hot, humid summers with well distributed rainfall patterns,
and a more Adriatic climate in the south with hot, dry summers and autumns
and relatively cold winters with heavy inland snowfall.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISIONS

13
 Political map of Serbia

Serbia is divided into 29 districts (5 of which are in Kosovo-Metohija, outside

of central government administration) and the city of Belgrade. The districts
are further divided into 108 municipalities. It has two autonomous provinces:
Kosovo and Metohija in the south (with 30 municipalities), which is presently
under the administration of the United Nations, and Vojvodina in the north
(with 46 municipalities).
The part of Serbia that is neither in Kosovo and Metohija nor in Vojvodina is
called Central Serbia. Central Serbia is not an administrative division (unlike
the two autonomous provinces), and it has no regional government of its
own. In English this region is often called "Serbia proper" to denote "the part
of the Republic of Serbia not including the provinces of Vojvodina and
Kosovo". This usage was also employed in Serbo-Croatian during the Yugoslav
era (in the form of "uža Srbija" literally: narrower Serbia). Its use in English is
purely geographical without any particular political meaning being implied.
POLITICS
On 4 February 2003 the parliament of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
agreed to a weaker form of cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro
within a commonwealth called Serbia and Montenegro.
After the ousting of Slobodan Milošević on 5 October 2000, the country was
governed by the Democratic Opposition of Serbia. Tensions gradually
increased within the coalition until the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS)
left the government, leaving the Democratic Party (DS) in overall control.
Nevertheless, in 2004 the DSS gathered enough support to form the new
Government of Serbia, together with G17 Plus and coalition SPO-NS, and
the support of the Socialist Party of Serbia. The Prime Minister of Serbia is
Vojislav Koštunica, leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia.
The current President of Serbia is Boris Tadić, leader of the Democratic Party
(DS). He was elected with 53% of the vote in the second round of the Serbian
presidential election held on 27 June 2004, following several unsuccessful
elections since 2002.

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The current Prime Minister of the Government of Serbia, as of March
2004, is the former Yugoslav president, Vojislav Koštunica, who replaced
Slobodan Milošević as Yugoslav president in October of 2000.
ECONOMY
The following economic data from the IMF and CIA apply to the former state
union of Serbia and Montenegro (SCG). For future GDP (purchasing power
parity) and GDP (official exchange rate) of Serbia, the current SCG figures may
be reduced by approximately 6% - the average proportion of Montenegro's
GDP within the total for SCG between 2003 and 2006.
TRANSPORTATION
Serbia, in particular the valley of the Morava, is often described as "the
crossroads between East and West", which is one of the primary reasons for
its turbulent history. The Morava valley route, which avoids mountainous
regions, is by far the easiest way of travelling overland from continental
Europe to Greece and Asia Minor.
European routes E65, E70, E75 and E80, as well as the E662, E761, E762,
E763, E771, and E851 pass through the country. The E70 westwards from
Belgrade and most of the E75 are modern highways of motorway / autobahn
standard or close to that.
The Danube River, central Europe's connection to the Black Sea, flows through
Serbia.
There are three international airports in Serbia: Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport,
Niš Constantine the Great Airport, and Priština International Airport (last one
is located in the Serbian province of Kosovo-Metohija).
The national carrier is Jat Airways and the railway system is operated by
Beovoz in Belgrade and by ZTP Yugoslavia on the national level.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Mostly Serbs populate Serbia. Significant minorities include Albanians (who
are a majority in the province of Kosovo-Metohia), Hungarians, Bosniaks,
Roma, Croats, Slovaks, Bulgarians, Romanians, etc. Serbia consists of three
territories: the province of Kosovo and Metohia, the province of Vojvodina
and Central Serbia (Serbian Cyrillic: Централна Србија, Serbian Latin:
Centralna Srbija, English: Central Serbia. Note: The English language
sometimes uses the varieties such are "Serbia proper" or "Narrower Serbia").
The two provinces are ethnically diverse, which originates in the fact, that the
country has been organised from parts ruled by the former Muslim Ottoman
Empire in the south and parts ruled by the former Catholic Habsburg Empire
in the north.
The northern province of Vojvodina is the most developed part of the country
in terms of economic strength. Together with the former Yugoslav republics
of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vojvodina was under the
administration of Austria-Hungary before the First World War. Vojvodina is
one of the most ethnically diverse territories in Europe, with more than 25
different national communities. According to the last completed census
(2002), the province has a population of about 2 million, of which: Serbs
65%, Hungarians 14.3%, Slovaks 2.79%, Croats 2.78%, undeclared 2.71%,
Yugoslavs 2.45%, Montenegrins 1.75%, Romanians 1.50%, Roma 1.43%,
Bunjevci 0.97%, Ruthenians 0.77%, Macedonians 0.58%, regional affiliation

15
0.50%, Ukrainians 0.23%, others (Albanians, Slovenians, Germans, Poles,
Chinese etc). Population statistics of Serbia (Estimate May 2005)
Serbia (total): 9,396,411
Vojvodina: 2,116,725
Central Serbia: 5,479,686
Kosovo and Metohija: 1,800,000

CULTURE
Serbia is one of Europe's most culturally diverse countries. The borders
between large empires ran through the territory of today's Serbia for long
periods in history: between the Eastern and Western halves of the Roman
Empire; and between the Ottoman Empire and the Austrian Empire (later
Austria Hungary). As a result, while the north is culturally Central European,
the south is rather more Oriental. Of course, both regions have influenced
each other, and so the distinction between north and south is artificial to
some extent.
The Byzantine Empire's influence on Serbia was perhaps the greatest. Serbs
are Orthodox Christians, not Roman Catholics, with their own national church -
the Serb Orthodox Church. They also use the Cyrillic alphabet, although in the
past century the Roman alphabet has gained ground enormously. The
monasteries of Serbia, built largely in the Middle Ages, are one of the most
valuable and visible traces of medieval Serbia's association with the
Byzantium.

SERBIAN HOLIDAYS

Date Name Notes

January 1/2 New Year's Day
January 7 Orthodox Christmas
National Holiday "Српска Нова Година"
January 14
(Orthodox New Year) "Srpska Nova Godina"
January 27 Saint Sava's feast Day Day of Spirituality
Serbian National Day,
February 15 Sretenje
Armed Forces Day
April 17 Orthodox Good Friday
April 19 Orthodox Easter
May 1/2 Labour Day
May 9 Victory Day
In memory of soldiers
June 28 Vidovdan (Martyr's Day) fallen at the Battle of
Kosovo 1389

BELGRADE

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Belgrade (Beograd) is the capital of Serbia, having about 1,6 million
inhabitants. It is located in the southeast of Europe, in the Balkan Peninsula,
at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. It is one of the oldest cities
in Europe and since ancient times it has been an important traffic focal point,
an intersection of the roads of Eastern and Western Europe.
Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education, science and economy.
As a result of its tumultuous history, many nations live in Belgrade for
centuries, and the majority of the populations make Serbs (86%) of Orthodox
persuasion. The official language is Serbian, while foreigners are
recommended to use English in communication.

Belgrade is situated at the place where the Sava joins the Danube.
Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe and, beside Athens, the greatest
urban whole of the Balkan Peninsula. The oldest archaeological artifacts from
Belgrade area date back to the fifth millennium B.C. The members of a Celtic
tribe founded Singidunum in the III century B.C., while the first record of the
name Belgrade dates back to 878 A.D. During its long and tumultuous
history, 40 armies have conquered Belgrade, and 38 times it has been raised
up from the ashes.

In the field of traffic and transport, it is a city of the highest importance as a

road and railway canter, as a port for river and air traffic, and as a
telecommunication canter. It spreads over 3.6% of the territory of Serbia,
and 15.8% of Serbian population lives in this city. Also, 31.2% of all employed
workers in Serbia work in Belgrade.

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Important economic and agricultural capacities are developed in
Belgrade, especially metallurgy, metalworking industry and electronic
industry, then commerce and banking. The free trade zone is located in the
wider area of Belgrade, Smederevo and Pancevo, on the banks of the Danube
river, covering 2,000 sqm of business space. Also, 30% of the national
product of Serbia is made in Belgrade.
Belgrade is the capital of Serbian culture, education and science. It has
the greatest concentration of institutions of national importance in the field of
science and art. There is the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts,
established in 1886 as the Serbian Royal Academy: the National Library of
Serbia, established in 1832; the National Museum, established in 1841 and
the National Theatre, established in 1869. The city is also the seat of the
Belgrade University, founded in 1808 as the Great School, and the seat of
the University of Art.
Belgrade has the status of a separate territorial unit in Serbia, having its
own autonomous city government. Its territory is divided into 17
municipalities, having their own local governmental bodies.
"The sky above Belgrade is wide and high, unstable but always beautiful;
even during winter serenities with their icy splendour; even during summer
storms when the whole of it turns into a single gloomy cloud which, driven
by the mad wind, carries the rain mixed with the dust of panonian plain;
even in spring when it seems that it also blooms, along with the ground; even
in autumn when it grows heavy with the autumn stars in swarms. Always
beautiful and rich, as a compensation to this strange town for everything that
isn't there, and a consolation because of everything that shouldn't be there.
But the greatest splendour of that sky above Belgrade, that are the sunsets.
In autumn and in summer, they are broad and bright like desert mirages, and
in winter murky clouds and dark red hazes smother them. And in every time
of year frequently come the days when the flame of that sun setting in the
plain, between the rivers beneath Belgrade, gets reflected way up in the high
celestial dome, and it breaks there and pours down over the scattered town.
Then, for a moment, the reddish tint of the sun paints even the remotest
corners of Belgrade and reflects into the windows, even of those houses it
otherwise poorly illuminates." Written about Belgrade by: Ivo Andrić,
Serbian Nobel Prize laureate.

HISTORY

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Belgrade, a city of very tumultuous history, is one of the oldest cities in
Europe. Its history lasts full 7,000 years. The area around two great rivers,
the Sava and the Danube has been inhabited as early as Palaeolithic period.
Remains of human bones and skulls of Neanderthals found in the stone-pit
near Leštane, in a cave in Čukarica and near the Bajloni market, date back to
the early Stone Age.
Remains of the late Stone Age culture have been found in Vinčia, Žarkovo
and in Upper Town, above the Sava and Dunav confluence. It indicates that
the area of Belgrade has been continually inhabited and that the intensity of
the settling has been getting higher and higher. Many of today's settlements
in Belgrade surroundings lie on cultural layers of earlier prehistoric
settlements.
Vinča near Belgrade comes among the most important settlements and
cultural sites of the prehistoric period. The presence of Illyrians is
characteristic for the Bronze Age. The archaeological excavations at Rospi
Ćuprija, Upper Town, Karaburma, Zemun and Vinča confirm hypotheses that
the Belgrade area has been intensively inhabited and that its population has
been engaged in plough agriculture and other supporting economic activities.
Necropolises of the Bronze and Metal Ages as well as the evidence of different
cultural influences have been discovered at these locations.

SIGHTS

There are spots in Belgrade you must definitely see and feel. Streets,
squares, monuments, parks, drinking fountains, archaeological sites... and
other sights that deserve recommendation. Many of them have been given
the status of cultural assets.

CULTURE AND ART

Belgrade is the centre of culture and art of Serbia and Montenegro. It is

Belgrade where our most notable artists create, where over 9.000 theatrical
performances, exhibitions, concerts, performance events, and other artistic
programs are presented and where prominent authors in the world of art are

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hosted. Belgrade is the centre of the highest state and national institutions of
culture and art: Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National
Library of Serbia, the National Museum, the National Theatre and the
University of Arts.

It is Belgrade where the most significant works of architecture are located,

with Kalemegdan accommodating Belgrade Fortress, cultural
monuments and other immovable cultural treasures, numerous
archaeological sites with remnants of developed civilization and culture on
Belgrade territory from prehistory until this day.
The City of Belgrade is the founder of 34 cultural institutions (10
theatres, 8 institutions for protection of cultural values, 4 libraries, 12
cultural centers and galleries) and the supporter of 2 public companies, at
the same time the contributor in the implementation of schedules and
scheduled attractions of 101 institutions and artistic associations.
The City of Belgrade is the founder of 9 cultural events (FEST, BITEF,
BEMUS, BELEF, International Competition of Music Youth, Festival of
Documentary and Short film, October Salon, Joy of Europe, Belgrade Book
Fair), and also the supporter of 38 events in the field of culture performed
in Belgrade.
The Secretariat of Culture within the City Administration is in charge of
culture and art.

WHY BELGRADE?

Come to a city where you will feel at home.

This is not a tourist slogan but the truth. We are not bearing in mind the
well know Serbian hospitality that seems to grow with the number of
kilometres our guest has made to come to Belgrade. Belgrade is an unusual
mosaic built up by centuries of overlapping civilizations in which everyone
finds at least something that reminds him of home, obviously wrapped up in
the inimitable Belgrade charm.
There is no place in the world with such a natural combination of oriental
passion and European finesse. Having stood on the path of many conquests
going both from the East and from the West, Belgrade has been repeatedly
destroyed and rebuilt, and has not the continuity of style and the elegance
of similar European big cities. On the other hand, it has abundant vitality,
sense of humour, curiosity. That's why you will never get bored in Belgrade!
Here are six convincing reasons for you to visit Belgrade as soon as possible:

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Belgrade Centuries - history of one of the oldest European cities
Belgrade Spirit - Belgraders seen through art, sport, bohemianism and
politics
Belgrade Sights - what you just must see
Religious Belgrade - Orthodox and other temples
Green Belgrade - two rivers and a lot of green
Belgrade Events - calendar of cultural, entertainment, sports and fair
events

BELGRADE THROUGH CENTURIES

The
first

settlements on the territory of present day Belgrade date back to the fourth
millennium B.C. Vinča is a prehistoric location on the very bank of the
Danube, with remains of material culture of prehistoric man (Neolithic
plastics). The first settlers didn't choose this area by accident. Two big rivers -
the Danube and the Sava, the fertile plain and a rich hinterland, a natural
crossroad of river and land trails were a temptation for all peoples that
roamed the region in ancient times. This is testified by a nearly Ancient
sources provide the oldest known name for Belgrade - Singidunum.
Seemingly, this is a compound word made of the name of the Dacian tribe
called Singi and the Celtic word dunum witch means fortress, i.e. town. This
interpretation indicates the existence of two ethnic roots and is based on the
belief that the earlier inhabitants were Singis, and that the name of the
settlement came about when the Celts migrated here and finally mixed with
the indigenous population. 6000 years long history - and the first written
documents date back to the 3rd century B.C.

The name of the settlement was preserved throughout the Roman rule. With
the division of the Roman Empire in 395, Singidunum passed over to the
Eastern Empire, i.e. Byzantium, and the name of the city gained a Greek
sound: Singidunum became Singidon.

Favored by the weaknesses in the defence of the Byzantine border, Slavs

started frequently crossing the Danube in the 6th century and gradually
settled in the area. The stone built fortress rising above the rivers was dubbed
Beli Grad (white city). The name Beograd is officially mentioned for the first
time in an epistle dated April 16th 878. sent by Pope John VIII to prince Boris
of Bulgaria.

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Belgrade is mentioned in several Slavic manuscripts written between 11th
and 15th century. The most relevant remarks are found in the St. Clement of
Ohrid hagiography written at the end of 11th or at the beginning of 12th
century. The manuscript reveals that in 886, Belgrade hosted two fugitives
from Moravia - promoters of Slavic literacy: St. Cyril and St. Method. Between
the 16th and 19th century Belgrade is referred to with various names in
different languages: Alba Graeca, Alba Bulgarica, Bello grado, Nandor Alba,
Griechisch Weissenburg, Castelbianco... However, all these names are
translations of the Slavic word Beograd.

BELGRADE SITIES

Kalemegdan
Belgrade Fortress
Old Belgrade
City center
"Skadarliia"
Slavija and the surrounding zone
Zemun

Some of the important city streets have been traced nearly a dozen centuries
ago. Strolling around the canter of the city you will be taking a walk through
history one can breathe and feel in many places. Find your favourite place in
Belgrade. Don't just follow the recommendations of your hosts -Belgraders are
often unaware of the many wonderful, peaceful corners in their city. They've
grown accustomed to them, since they see them every day!

RELIGIOUS BELGRADE

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I cometh and found the noblest burgh from ancient times, the grand town of
Belgrade, by sorry fate destroyed and nearly void. Having rebuilt it, I
consecrated it to the Holy Mother of God. (Despot Stefan Lazarević)
Along with Constantinople, Belgrade is one of the two towns in the world
consecrated to the Holy Mother of God. Despot Stefan Lazarević has
consecrated it in 1403 with a special charter, quoted by the despot's
biographer Constantine the Philosopher in his works.

Ever since the town feast Belgrade celebrates is Ascension Day, symbolizing
the resurrection of the city from ashes. It is one of the ten holy feasts
dedicated to Christ, always celebrated on a Thursday - forty days after Easter
and ten days before Pentecost. On that day, there is a traditional religious
procession along the main city streets in which many Belgraders take part.
Belgrade is one of the spiritual center of the Balkans. The dominant religion in
this area is Christian Orthodox. The blending of Orthodox Christianity,
Byzantine culture and Slav soul is easily felt even in the smallest churches if
one glances at the frescoes of rulers and saints, painted over the centuries.

Patrijaršija Srpske pravoslavne crkve

(Patriarchate of the Serbian Orthodox church)
It was built in 1935, on the ground were once stood the metropolitan's
residence in 1847-49. The Russian architect Viktor Lukomski designed the
building. The Patriarchate is the residence of the Head of the Serbian
Orthodox Church, and it also serves as a library and a museum.
Muzej Srpske pravoslavne crkve (Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church)
The Museum was founded in 1954, and its exhibits from the cultural history of
Serbia make it one of the richest in the country. Particularly valuable are the
King Milutin's Shroud from 14th century, the prince Lazar's mantle and the
chalice of Ivan the Terrible - the 1st czar of Russia.

GREEN BELGRADE

When you feel like going outdoors in Belgrade, the biggest problem is deciding
where to go first:
The Danube and the Sava, Ada Ciganlija island, Mt. Avala,
Kosutnjak Hill, Toptider Park. In the forests in the outskirts of Belgrade
dozens of rare bird species live, along with other exceptional flora and
fauna. In fact, 182 trees in Belgrade have been listed as natural monuments
and protected by the law. The Belgrade green treasure covers an area of over
4000 hectares.
In particular, the following environments and sites enjoy special protection and
status:

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-The "Jevremovac" Botanical Garden with over 250 species of trees 300
herbaceous species.
-Banjička suma (Banjica Forest) - and ornithological reservation for
migratory birds
-Veliko ratno ostrvo (Major War Island) - a reservation for migratory
ornitho-fauna
-Pionirski park (Pioneers' Park) - a protected environment around the
Stari Dvor (Old Court) monument
-Kalemegdan - protected environment around the Belgrade Fortress and the
ZOO.
-Topčider Park and Kosutnjak Hill - as a cultural-historical heritage
environment.
-Zemunski City Park - as a protected cultural monuments environment.

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