The event was opened by Jelica Minić, Vice-President of the European Movement in Serbia, on behalf of the European Movement in Serbia and the Center for Regionalism. She underlined the importance of the “Živorad Kovačević” Award, which seeks to recognize and honour individuals dedicated to regional cooperation and reconciliation. She emphasized that the award preserves the memory of people and initiatives showing that dialogue, understanding and cooperation are the only sustainable path for the region. This year’s recipient was selected by previous award winners, who have extensive experience in reconciliation work, together with an expert jury.

Radomir Diklić, President of the European Movement in Serbia, spoke about the legacy of Živorad Kovačević, recalling his work as Mayor of Belgrade, but also as a diplomat marked by calmness, cooperation and the belief that only a connected region can present itself strongly to Europe and the world. He emphasized that Živorad Kovačević left behind a legacy of reason, peace and regional connectivity, which remains an important point of reference for public life today.

On behalf of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Augusta Featherston, Director of the Democratization Department of the OSCE Mission in Belgrade, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, solidarity and European values, as well as Kokan Mladenović’s contribution to reconciliation and democratic principles through his artistic and public work. She noted that art and public engagement play an especially important role in opening space for dialogue, understanding and confronting social divisions.

The explanation for the award was presented by Aleksandar Popov, Director of the Center for Regionalism, who emphasized the importance of Kokan Mladenović’s theatrical, artistic and social engagement in opening space for dialogue, confronting the past and building a culture of remembrance. He underlined that Kokan Mladenović has shown through his work that theatre can be a space of social responsibility, critical thinking and regional understanding.

Accepting the award, Kokan Mladenović highlighted the importance of dialogue and theatre as a space in which we learn to hear ourselves through other people. He stressed that cooperation, as the foundation of theatre and every artistic process, is also the foundation of society, and that empathy must be protected and developed against violence and hatred. “This award is an award for normality; normality is not weakness, but courage. I dedicate this award to the students,” Mladenović said.

Mladenović dedicated the award to the struggle for a minimum of normality in a society in which everything abnormal has become normal, and to the generations that are coming and those that have already arrived, emphasizing that they teach us how to nurture empathy, solidarity and responsibility.

The European Movement in Serbia and the Center for Regionalism thank all participants, speakers and guests whose presence contributed to the ceremony and to preserving the values of regional cooperation.

The award is granted for contribution to the development of good-neighbourly relations of Serbia and regional cooperation, to individuals and initiatives whose work has contributed to reconciliation, dialogue, mutual understanding and regional connectivity.

The event was opened by Jelica Minić, Vice-President of the European Movement in Serbia, on behalf of the European Movement in Serbia and the Center for Regionalism. She underlined the importance of the “Živorad Kovačević” Award, which seeks to recognize and honour individuals dedicated to regional cooperation and reconciliation. She emphasized that the award preserves the memory of people and initiatives showing that dialogue, understanding and cooperation are the only sustainable path for the region. This year’s recipient was selected by previous award winners, who have extensive experience in reconciliation work, together with an expert jury.

Radomir Diklić, President of the European Movement in Serbia, spoke about the legacy of Živorad Kovačević, recalling his work as Mayor of Belgrade, but also as a diplomat marked by calmness, cooperation and the belief that only a connected region can present itself strongly to Europe and the world. He emphasized that Živorad Kovačević left behind a legacy of reason, peace and regional connectivity, which remains an important point of reference for public life today.

On behalf of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Augusta Featherston, Director of the Democratization Department of the OSCE Mission in Belgrade, addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, solidarity and European values, as well as Kokan Mladenović’s contribution to reconciliation and democratic principles through his artistic and public work. She noted that art and public engagement play an especially important role in opening space for dialogue, understanding and confronting social divisions.

The explanation for the award was presented by Aleksandar Popov, Director of the Center for Regionalism, who emphasized the importance of Kokan Mladenović’s theatrical, artistic and social engagement in opening space for dialogue, confronting the past and building a culture of remembrance. He underlined that Kokan Mladenović has shown through his work that theatre can be a space of social responsibility, critical thinking and regional understanding.

Accepting the award, Kokan Mladenović highlighted the importance of dialogue and theatre as a space in which we learn to hear ourselves through other people. He stressed that cooperation, as the foundation of theatre and every artistic process, is also the foundation of society, and that empathy must be protected and developed against violence and hatred. “This award is an award for normality; normality is not weakness, but courage. I dedicate this award to the students,” Mladenović said.

Mladenović dedicated the award to the struggle for a minimum of normality in a society in which everything abnormal has become normal, and to the generations that are coming and those that have already arrived, emphasizing that they teach us how to nurture empathy, solidarity and responsibility.

The European Movement in Serbia and the Center for Regionalism thank all participants, speakers and guests whose presence contributed to the ceremony and to preserving the values of regional cooperation.