First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dačić gave a speech at "Dositej's messages" ceremony to mark 10 years of the establishment of "Dositej Obradović" Endowment and 275th birthday anniversary of Dositej Obradović.

"Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very honoured and pleased to welcome this august assembly gathering to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of "Dositej Obradovic" Endowment and 275th birthday of Dositeja Obradovic, the most educated Serb of his time and the founder of modern Serbia.

Since its inception, the Endowment has been dedicated to its activities and has been working with success to achieve its primary objective, to rally us around the messages and values of the creative spirit of the Serbian people. Based on the foundations of the Serbian tradition and culture, it persistently cherishes these values and, looking forward into the future, points to the necessity of constant learning and training in particular of young people, who will, as Dositej did in his time, build modern Serbia in modern Europe. Serbia is still fully committed to this objective which Dositej, as a great visionary, recognized back in the 18th century.

Educated in major European cities of the time, Dositej Obradovic generously passed on his acquired knowledge to his people whom he used to return to and assist in the most difficult historical moments. Upon the completion of the First Serbian Uprising, his knowledge helped him structure the new state. In 1808, he founded the Great School – the future University and the Seminary in 1810. As a member of the Governing Council he was the first Minister of Education in Serbia. He brought Serbia closer to Europe and the world and vice versa.

His life and work has fully confirmed one of his "morals" - Blessed and rich is only the one who works for the wellbeing of the whole society and leaves a good reputation behind.

Thank you".