By Vuk Jeremić
January 17, 2013
U ponedeljak, 14. januara, na prvi dan tradicionalne pravoslavne nove godine, održan je nezaboravni koncert u Generalnoj skupštini Ujedinjenih nacija, u čast njenog 67. zasedanja.
Neposredno nakon koncerta, u javnost su iznesene određene skandalozne tvrdnje. Maliciozna tumačenja pesme koja je izvedena na bis: „Marš na Drinu“, tiču se njene navodne zloupotrebe tokom ratova na prostoru bivše Jugoslavije. Uz dužno poštovanje prema svim žrtvama tih tragičnih konflikta, ovi napadi predstavljaju žalosne pokušaje da se izvrne značenje muzičkog dara koji smo ponudili svetu prošlog ponedeljka i predstavljaju duboku uvredu za srpski narod.
Napisana pre jednog veka, „Marš na Drinu“ je pesma koja zauzima središnje mesto u našem sećanju na odbranu od agresora u Prvom svetskom ratu, tokom koga je Srbija izgubila trećinu svog muskog stanovnistva u brojnim bitkama u kojima smo se borili na strani Saveznika.
Izuzetno smo ponosni na „Marš na Drinu“, koji je izvođen nebrojeno puta u proteklim decenijama, ne samo na Balkanu, već i širom sveta, od strane poznatih umetnika poput Klifa Ricardsa i Ceta Atkinsa. Pozitivan utisak koji je ostavio na probranu međunarodnu publiku na koncertu u ponedeljak, samo je još jedno svedočanstvo veličine ovog umetničkog dela.
Odlučili smo da podelimo ovu pesmu sa celim svetom, uz jasnu propratnu poruku mira upucenu sadašnjim I budućim generacijama.
U Evropi postoji ustaljena tradicija da se novogodišnji koncerti završavaju popularnim marševima, pretvorenim u poruke mira. To je slučaj sa Štrausovim „Radeckim maršom“ na kraju bečkih koncerata, a tako je bilo i sa „Maršom na Drinu“ prošlog ponedeljka u Njujorku.
Uprkos ovim neutemeljenim napadima, nastavićemo sa nasim iskrenim naporima, usmerenim na postizanje suštinskog pomirenja na Balkanu i širom sveta.
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On Monday, January 14th, 2013, the first day of the traditional Orthodox New Year, a memorable concert was held in the Plenary Hall of the UN General Assembly, in celebration of our 67th session.
In its wake, some outrageous claims have been put forward. With solemn respect for all the victims of the wars in former Yugoslavia, these malicious misinterpretations of the song performed as an encore - "Marš na Drinu" ["Drina March"] - focus on its alleged misuses during the tragic conflicts. They represent regrettable attempts at twisting the meaning of our musical gift offered to the world last Monday, and are deeply offensive to the Serbian people.
Written around a century ago, "Marš na Drinu" is a song that takes a central place in our memory of defending our freedom from aggressors in World War I, during which Serbia lost around 1/3 of its male population in the many battles fought on the side of the allies.
We are very proud of "Marš na Drinu", which has been performed countless times over many decades not only in the Balkans, but also worldwide, by prominent musicians such as Cliff Richards and Chet Atkins. Its positive effect on the distinguished international audience this past Monday is yet another testament of its artistic greatness.
We decided to share this song with the world, with a clearly stated accompanying message of reconciliation for present and future generations.
In Europe, there is a tradition of finishing New Year's concerts with popular marches, transformed into a message of peace. It is the case with the Radetsky March at the end of Vienna concerts, and so was it in New York with the "Marš na Drinu" last Monday.
Despite this unfounded attack, we will continue with our heartfelt efforts to promote reconciliation in the Balkans and throughout the world.
Vuk Jeremic
President of the United Nations General Assembly
https://m.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=473769149348484
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If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at heroesofserbia@yahoo.com
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