The group of Serbian students from Kosovo, participants of "Kosovo Peonies" ensemble was in Smolny 28 August
On August 28, a meeting of Igor Lonsky, First Vice Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St.Petersburg, with the group of Serbian students from Kosovo, members of the Society of Serbian-Russian Friendship and participants of "Kosovo Peonies" ensemble, who with the support of St.Petersburg Government and Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University underwent training in the summer Russian language and culture school in St.Petersburg, was held in Smolny.
Serbian girls expressed gratitude personally and on behalf of Kosovo dwellers to St.Petersburgers who accepted them with sincerity and warmth and also passed a certificate of gratitude addressed to G.S. Poltavchenko, the Governor of St.Petersburg, with reproductions of pictures made by Kosovo children and their impressions about St. Petersburg visit.
During the conversation, parties agreed that it is important to develop such humanitarian contacts.
Reference information:
“Kosovo Peonies” is a Serbian musical band. It was established in 2004 in Kosovo. Art director and organizer – Ivana Zigon, honoured artist of Serbia.
The main objective of the band is to show people all over the world by the art language that only the way of love for your neighbours and people’s solidarity will help them to move further, develop and strengthen spiritually.
Due to the band’s name, there is a legend, according to which on the eve of the battle on the Kosovo field an angel appeared before the holy prince Lazar who lived in XIV century and asked him in which kingdom he would like to be – in earth or heaven. Holy Lazar answered: “If I turn out to be in the earth kingdom, it will be small for me, passing and momentary and the Kingdom of Heaven is eternal”. Prince Lazar died as a martyr. Later his hallows were brought to Ravanica monastery. The legend says that peonies on the Kosovo field were initially white but after the fierce bloody battle they became red – the colour of blood of native land defenders. Since then Kosovo peonies has become a symbol of hope and faith.
“Kosovo Peonies” ensemble is a laureate of the award “Golden Knight”, in 2007 it was awarded with a special prize “Act of courage of the year”. As a result of a close link with the past and present of Russia, Russian national songs were also included in the repertoire of the band apart from Serbian national songs. Afterwards, the band added songs “Victory Day”, “You are My Curly Maple” and “Bird of Happiness”.
In August 2014, “Kosovo Peonies” Serbian band performed with a special programme on the main scene of St.Petersburg International Sea Festival on Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment.