ЈП Пошта Србије

4/5/2024

Exhibition honoring Prince Alexander Karađorđević and jubilee postage stamp

The Serbian Civil Code was adopted on April 6 (March 25 according to the old calendar) in 1844, and it is the first and only comprehensive civil code in Serbia, one of the earliest and most significant modern codifications of civil law enacted in Europe during the 19th century.

The official opening was attended by the Minister of Health in the Government of Serbia, Prof. Danica Grujičić, PhD, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, Nikola Selaković, representatives of Serbian state bodies, numerous ambassadors with other representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the advisory bodies of the Crown, the Princess's sister Mrs. Betty Roumeliotis  with her family, representatives of cultural institutions, as well as many other distinguished guests from the sphere of economy, art, culture and public life of Serbia.

"My great-grandfather HRH Prince Aleksandar, the youngest child of the founder of the royal dynasty, Supreme Leader Karađorđe, was "in the shadow" of our national history for too many years, as his biographer, historian Nebojša Jovanović, noted well. He is not nearly as well remembered as his father, or his descendants, who were all great statesmen, but also great military leaders. Although he did not gain fame on the battlefield like other Karađorđevićs, Prince Aleksandar led a different battle, a battle for the establishment of civil society, progress and modernization of the Principality of Serbia, which was still part of the Ottoman Empire. During his reign, which was the first in our history in which the monarch respected the Constitution, a large number of reforms were initiated and numerous new institutions were established. All this was done in order to overcome the centuries-old lag behind other European countries, encourage the progress of the Serbian state and bring our country closer to modern society. It is important to preserve the memory of our national champions and statesmen, respecting their role in our past, and this exhibition is another contribution to our national culture of remembrance," said the Crown Prince on this occasion.

Zoran Đorđević, Director of the Post of Serbia, presented the issue and spoke about its symbolism and significance. Zoran Đorđević noted: "Our idea was to contribute to marking an exceptional moment in the creation of modern civil Serbia with this unique philatelic project. I am sure that this commemorative postage stamp, envelope and vignette sheet, with its beauty and symbolism, will stand out among the testimonies for the future and remind new generations of an important historical moment and two great men, Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević and Jovan Hadžić, who are responsible for the comprehensive codification of civil legislation and contribution to the general reform of society and the state".

Đorđević thanked the "Svetozar Marković" University Library for the professional cooperation in the realization of the issue and the creators of stamps for the Post of Serbia, Miroslav Nikolić and Nadežda Skočajić, for the artistic realization.

Visitors to the exhibition had a unique opportunity to see the original copy of the Serbian Civil Code, selected portraits, graphics and photographs of Prince Aleksandar, as well as copies of numerous legal acts passed during his reign, as well as pictures of his family members and other exhibits. The authors of the exhibition are Dušan Babac, member of the Crown Council and president of the Crown's advisory bodies, and Uroš Parezanović, head of the public relations and protocol service of the Royal Court.

Milan Parivodić, PhD, a member of the Crown Council, addressed the audience as the author of a text explaining the importance of this legal act: "The Serbian Civil Code is unique in that it is the longest-lasting law in the entire Serbian law, and at the same time it represented and supported the legal pillar of the entire Serbian economy in the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century, when, relative to the time, the fastest modernization of the Serbian economy and the entire society took place. During its duration, the Serbian Civil Code survived the seven constitutions of Serbia and Yugoslavia, but it did not survive the communist coup and the shutdown of the entire legal system of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Adopting the Civil Code was an urgent need of Serbia at the time, which sought to distance itself from the Ottoman legacy and assert itself as a modern European state by rapidly building state and social institutions modelled on developed European countries."

The exhibition "Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević, progenitor of civil Serbia" will be open to visitors on weekdays until April 19 from 11 am to 2 pm, with prior notice to the office of HRH Crown Prince Alexander via phone: +38111 306 4000 or e-mail: kancelarija@dvor.rs. 

The hosts thanked the Post of Serbia for marking this significant anniversary with jubilee stamps. They thanked Dragomir Acović, a member of the Crown Council, as well as the Belgrade Military Museum, the Historical Archive of the City of Belgrade, the Historical Museum of Serbia, the Museum of the City of Belgrade, and the National Museum of Serbia, for their support in the realization of the exhibition.