NOVI SAD MARKS 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE INFAMOUS POGROMS

Member of the City Council in charge for Culture Mr. Vanja Vučenović, together with the President of the Novi Sad Razzia Anniversary Organization Committee Mr. Miroslav Ilić, President of the Jewish Municipality Mr. Goran Levi, and the Parish Secretary Mr. Miloš Stojanović, was present at the press conference announcing the program of the Novi Sad Razzia Commemoration.

- Seventy-three years ago, a great number of our fellow citizens perished in one of the largest pogroms and acts of extermination ever committed during the WWII in this region. It is this year as well, that the City of Novi Sad, together with the Serbian Orthodox Church, i. e. the Bačka Diocese, and the Jewish Municipality, marks with reverence and dignity its important historical anniversary. Apart from the central event to be held at the Razzia Victims Square next to the Memorial “Family”, as well as numerous programs organized by the Novi Sad Cultural Center, this year we will set up a memorial plaque which commemorates the Čura Family, whose 16 members were shot. In this way we express our reverence to this, as well as to other innocent families who perished during the Novi Sad Razzia. – said Mr. Vanja Vučenović.

Revealing of the plaque dedicated to the Čura Family, whose members perished in Novi Sad and Čurug Razzia in 1942, will take place on Friday, January 23rd, at 11:00, at 1 Kralja Aleksandra St. This event is organized by the City of Novi Sad, following the initiative of the Association for Serbian Culture and Art Improvement and International Exchange “Adligat”.

Central event will be held on Friday, January 23rd, at 12:00 o'clock noon, at the Razzia Victims Square next to the Memorial “Family”. The program starts with the address by the Mayor of Novi Sad Mr. Miloš Vučević, followed by the Chief Rabbi of Serbia Mr. Isak Asiel who will perform a service for the Jewish Community. A Serbian Orthodox Church service will be performed by His Reverence the Bishop of Bačka Dr Irinej.

President of the Novi Sad Razzia Anniversary Organization Committee Mr. Miroslav Ilić pointed out that the program cherishes the culture of remembrance.
- I invite all fellow citizens of Novi Sad to come to the events and commemorative programs and light a candle for all the innocent victims. I am very happy that the City, this year as well, organized the commemoration alongside the Bačka Diocese and the Jewish Municipality of Novi Sad. – emphasized Mr. Ilić.

President of the Jewish Municipality of Novi Sad Mr. Goran Levi agreed that it is very important that the City, Jewish Municipality of Novi Sad and the Bačka Diocese have for years organized the Novi Sad Razzia Commemoration successfully, and also added that the citizens who have been coming to commemorations in large numbers to show their reverence for the victims, have showed their awareness for the importance of ideals such as peace and freedom. What Mr. Levi also urged for, was that the truth of the Novi Sad Razzia should be bequeathed to future generations, so that such crimes would never be repeated again.

Novi Sad Church Parish Secretary Mr. Miloš Stojanović called upon the citizens of Novi Sad to gather tomorrow at 14:00 at the Novi Sad City Beach “Štrand”, where the Serbian Orthodox Church clergy will hold a service and the prayer.

In Novi Sad, January 22nd 2015