Founding Assembly of Russian Historical Society in Serbia held in Belgrade

The founding assembly of the representative office of the Russian Historical Society in Serbia, whose president is Aleksandar Vulin, was held on Sunday in Belgrade.

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The gathering in the packed MTS conference hall was attended by numerous figures from public and political life.

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, gave his blessing to the work of the Serbian representative office of the Russian Historical Society. Welcoming those gathered on his own behalf but also on behalf of all those who carry in their hearts the centuries-old feelings and experiences of the closeness between Serbia and Russia, Serbian and Russian people, Patriarch Porfirije said that, in a time of horrible historical revisionism which we are all aware of and witnesses to, when facts are simply ignored - the establishment of an institution such as the Russian Historical Society in Serbia is a crucial initiative.

"The ceremonial opening of the institution of the Russian Historical Society in Serbia confirms the continuous mutual spiritual bond between our two peoples who have existed harmoniously and as kinfolk throughout history, which I am sure, God willing, they will continue to do going forward. I firmly believe that the work of this institution will not only improve the existing spiritual, cultural and other ties between our peoples, but also do everything so that the truth is not a slave to the geographical and cultural space that we share with others, but a living testimony of Christ's words, 'The truth will set you free'," Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said.

Addressing the gathering in Belgrade from Moscow, the president of the Russian Historical Society and the director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation, Sergei Naryshkin, greeted the participants by saying that Russia appreciates Serbia's independent course, which is under enormous pressure from Brussels (EU).

"Historical ties between Serbia and Russia, established all the way back during the time of the baptism of Russia, have a rich and long tradition. They are bound by the unity of faith and the closeness of the cultures of our peoples, the fundamental kinship of the traditional values that we share. Despite the fact that the Republic of Serbia today suffers a lot of pressure from the West, the Serbian people remain close to us. In Russia, this is highly valued and the principled independent course followed by Belgrade is appreciated," Naryshkin said, and thanked Aleksander Vulin for his initiative that has led to the founding of the Russian Historical Society in Serbia.

Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Irinej Bulovic of Backa, who is also one of the founders of the representative office, said that what he described as a noble enterprise is dedicated to familiarizing, studying and popularizing the shared history of our two brotherly peoples and our two sister Orthodox Churches.

"We, Russians and Serbians, Serbians more than Russians, often failed the exam of history, the teacher of life. The Russian answer to that history exam is - we failed it at one time, but we passed the next. Our Serbian could be - we failed the exam, but we do not lose hope that we will somehow correct the negative grade," he said.

Recalling the organic ties and the intertwining of Serbians and Russians that originates from ancient times, Metropolitan Irinej concluded his address by quoting the late Patriarch Irinej who stated: "We should sail the turbulent sea of modern times as the small Serbian boat tied to the large Russian ship, while not harboring ill-will towards anyone,  not even our enemies, but distinguishing between those who occupy our land at regular intervals, or at least bomb us, and those who always, in all historical circumstances, provide brotherly help and salvation."

Konstantin Mogilevsky, the secretary of the Russian Historical Society and deputy minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, reminded those present of the historical ties between Serbia and Russia that go back centuries, but also of the alliance between the two countries.

"Our peoples on several occasions had to fight for their civilizational identity, defend their freedom against overwhelming enemy forces. For Russia and Serbia, these events serve as a reminder not only of the shared historical fate of our peoples, but also of the strength of spirit hidden within us, the ability to endure the most difficult circumstances and not retreat under outside pressure," said Mogilevsky, adding that the Russian Historical Society has been cooperating with friends in Serbia for more than ten years.

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, welcoming the founding of the Russian Historical Society in Serbia, said that it is an important political and scientific message and a foundation for our future cooperation in various spheres.

"I hope that the Russian Historical Society will provide an incentive for cooperation between the two nations and states in science, education, culture and other areas. One of the most important tasks in both Russia and Serbia is to strengthen the sovereignty and independence of the people and our states, while without learning and caring about one's history, there can be neither sovereignty nor future," said Botsan-Kharchenko.

Profressor Aleksandar Rakovic, a historian, recalled the facts from our shared history, in particular to the last decade of the 20th century and what he referred to as the Golgotha that the Serbian people went through at that time, and the help from the Russian people and state, and stressed the importance of having a representative office of the Russian Historical Society in Serbia.

"It is also important to maintain and expand scientific cooperation, deepen cooperation between Serbian and Russian historical societies, institutions, universities, institutes, archives, museums," Rakovic said.

(Telegraf.rs)