'Belgorod Days' in Belgrade

The Rector and his colleagues were back in Belgrade after a trip to Banja Luka, in order to help celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Belgrade Institute for Political Studies (BIPS). The celebration encompassed the launch of the 'Centre for Slavic Studies', which is a joint project with our partner university. The Rector took the opportunity to enthuse about the project to the many guests present at the anniversary, saying that he hoped that this was the beginning of a genuine and continuing deep academic and cultural relationship. Professor Polukhin presented Dr Živojin Đurić, Director of the Institute, with an icon of St Joasaph, the patron saint of Belgorod, as a token of our burgeoning friendship.

Then it was on to the University of Belgrade's Centre for Russian Philology, for a press briefing on cooperation with Russia. The panel consisted of Vasily Galaktionov, Deputy Director of the 'Russia House' Centre for Russian Science and Culture, Dr Zoran Milošević, BIPS' Deputy Director, Dr Siniša Atlagić, of the University of Belgrade's Centre for Russian Studies, and Professor Polukhin. They discussed the future of cooperation between Russian and Serbian universities, and piqued the interest of Serbian media when they mentioned the possibility that 'Belgorod Days' may come to Belgrade in the near future. All parties agreed that events such as this go a long way to dispelling myths and stereotypical opinions of Russians, and strengthen the historical cultural bonds between the two countries. Mr Galaktionov commented that it was time to invest in friendship with vigour and imagination.