NOVI SAD CELEBRATES 267TH BIRTHDAY

Special reception was held at the City Hall’s Banquet Room on the occasion of February 1st – Day of the City of Novi Sad. The reception was hosted by the Mayor of Novi Sad Mr. Miloš Vučević and the President of the Novi Sad City Assembly Prof. Siniša Sević, PhD, while the invitees represented our twin and partner cities. The Mayor extended his gratitude to all the guests for coming to Novi Sad, and underlined that such gestures will only contribute to continuous fruitful cooperation and friendship, to our mutual satisfaction.   

On the occasion of February 1st, delegations from 23 cities visited Novi Sad – from Zemun, Kruševac, Kikinda, Gračanica, as well as from Norwich, Pecs, Gomel, Nizhny Novgorod, Budva, etc. The Gala Event has also been attended by the representatives of the Government of Serbia, of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, of Government of Kosovo, of the City Administration, religious communities, as well as by numerous citizens.

The reception at the City Hall was followed by the Gala Event at Serbian National Theater as well as by the February 1st Award Ceremony, during which Mayor Vučević handed the February Award to the laureate Mr. Dušan Kovačević, general manager of the EXIT Festival.

- Exactly 267 years ago, by virtue of our visionary ancestors, Novi Sad gained what we have been proud of ever since: its status, its name, its freedom, as well as a possibility to develop into a modern, progressive, open and well-arranged city. It is our wise predecessors from whom we inherited the sense of love we feel towards our city, but also how to struggle for it. February Award is envisaged for those exceptional individuals whose achievements yield extraordinary and permanent contribution in all the fields our city is particularly proud of, and what we wish to be recognized for in future. This year, the highest City award goes to general manager of the Exit Festival Mr. Dušan Kovačević, for all the affirmation of Novi Sad and its name worldwide, achieved through organization of the festival. Mr. Kovačević has earned this award also through his social activism which contributed to promotion of positive role models, expansion, strengthening and ennobling of cultural awareness and social responsibility of citizens, especially of the young. – underlined Mayor Vučević and extended his wishes for the laureate to remain at least as successful as up to now. 

This year’s laureate, the youngest ever since February Award has been established, thanked the people of Novi Sad, as well as to all those who supported his candidacy, and dedicated it to all his colleagues and associates for the last 15 years. 

- And even if this lectern was swarmed with a whole flock of doves, it would not be enough to share them with all those I wish to share the bronze one I have just received now. I am talking about thousands of special, persistent and very often brave individuals who created together the best European festival. Right here, in Novi Sad. – said Mr. Kovačević, and specially thanked the visitors and artists, as well as all institutions and individuals who contributed to our success: "Were it not for all of you, EXIT would have remained only a pursuit, and with you it became a result”.

Novi Sad marks February 1st 1748, a very special date in city’s history, when Austrian Empress Maria Theresa by her decree granted it Free Royal City Charter.

In Novi Sad, February 1st 2015