Accompanied by Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko and the Head of the Russian House in Belgrade Evgeny Baranov, President Aleksandar Vucic visited the largest Russian library in Eastern and Southern Europe, including its most valuable book, the St. Sava’s Kormchaia Book, and left his own entry in the Book of Honoured Guests: “I am happy that I had the opportunity to visit the Russian House, learn a lot about the culture of our Russian friends and confirm the traditional strong friendship between the peoples of Serbia and Russia. I am sure that we will have the strength to build even better relations in the future. I wish you success in your work.
Evgeny Baranov presented the President with the publications of the Russian Scientific Institute, which was revived with the support of the Russian House, and also handed him an honorary library card №1, which the Serbian leader promised to use. He said that he had grown up with Russian culture, mentioning that as a child he often came to the Russian House to watch the world’s best cartoons. The President emphasised the global significance of Russian culture and noted that he considers Fyodor Dostoevsky to be the absolute pinnacle of world literature and especially loves “The Brothers Karamazov” and “The House of the Dead”.
In addition, the President said that he follows with great interest the projects of the Russian House in Belgrade, with special mention of the popular travel documentary series “Kulturist in Russia” by the Kozarski brothers, whose four seasons in 2022-2023 were filmed with the support of the Russian House in Belgrade. At the same time, Aleksandar Vucic was already waiting for a surprise – Bosko Kozarski with a video presentation of the series’ highlights.
At the end of the meeting, Evgeny Baranov presented Aleksandar Vucic with a painting “Russian House” by Anatoly Ivakin, a well-known Russian artist in Serbia. In turn, the president promised that this painting will take an honourable place in the presidential palace. “I already know where we will hang it. Believe me, you will see it the next time you come to see me”, the Serbian leader said in farewell.