The Holy Royal Serbian Lavra of Hilandar Monastery was formally presented with the First-Class Sretenje Order during a ceremony held on June 17  in

Posle protesta održanog na Sretenje u Kragujevcu, novi protest najavljuju i studenti iz Niša za 1. mart.

On Serbia’s Statehood Day, known as Sretenje and celebrated on 16 February, President Aleksandar Vučić once again presided over a ceremonial presentation of the nation’s highest honors. The recipients include far-right Austrian politicians, a Hungarian minister known for pursuing restrictive policies toward minorities, a Chinese entrepreneur recognized for investments in the country, and the grieving father of a young woman killed in the tragic collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad. Broadcast live in prime time on state television, the event unfolded in the grand setting of Belgrade’s Palace of Serbia, where high Orthodox priests sat alongside politicians in the front row. A choir filled the hall with patriotic songs, while a large screen displayed an AI-generated video tracing Serbia’s history from its founding to the present, emphasizing enduring love for the country. Officially, these decorations- the Order of the Serbian Flag and the Order of the Star of Karadžordje (it is named after Karadžordje Petrović, the founder of the Karadžordjević dynasty and a leader of the First Serbian uprising), are granted for patriotism, courage, or exceptional services to the nation. In recent years, however, the recipient lists have increasingly reflected political symbolism and strategic outreach. Cozy connections with Austrian far-right This year’s awards highlighted Vučić’s ongoing efforts to cultivate closer relations with Austria, particularly figures associated with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). Two Austrians stood out among the honorees: Maximilian Kraus, head of the FPÖ parliamentary group in Vienna, and Michael Takacs, director of the Austrian Federal Police. Both personally traveled to Belgrade to receive the Order of the Serbian Flag, second class. The official citation praised Kraus for actively contributing to better mutual understanding and the promotion of friendly relations between Serbia and Austria. In his own remarks, Kraus attributed the honor to the “constructive dialogue with mutual respect” that the FPÖ Vienna maintains with the Serbian community in the city. He emphasized a shared value base between Austrians and Serbs, rooted in a common Christian foundation, which he contrasted with certain other immigrant groups from Islamic countries. Takacs, who also accepted his medal in person, spoke of his advocacy for strengthened and peaceful cooperation between the two countries but declined to elaborate further when questioned by Profil. The Austrian left-liberal weekly Profil interpreted these awards as evidence that Vučić is intensifying his ties with Austria in general and with FPÖ politicians in particular. The pattern is not new: last year, Vučić bestowed the first-class Order on Harald Vilimski, head of the FPÖ delegation in the European Parliament. Vilimski has long publicized his connections to Serbia and especially to Vučić on social media, including a 2024 post sharing a photo from a visit to Belgrade featuring a “wonderful and cordial exchange of ideas” with Vučić, Dominik Nepp, and Maximilian Kraus. That earlier award drew sharp criticism in Serbia, notably from Borko Stefanović, vice-president of the opposition Party of Freedom and Justice, who called it a disgrace given the FPÖ’s opposition to social rights for the Serbian diaspora in Austria. Other controversial Austrian recipients have included Nobel Literature laureate Peter Handke, honored in 2021 with the Karadžordje Star first class for his pro-Serbian stance during Yugoslavia’s breakup, which drew worldwide scrutiny, and former Austrian Chamber of Commerce president Christoph Leitl, who received a second-class order in 2019. Broader symbolism and domestic context The awards extend beyond Austria, forming part of a wider pattern of symbolic gestures. This year’s list included Hungarian Culture Minister Hanko Balázs, who received the highest Order first class despite facing heavy criticism in Hungary for restrictive policies toward minorities. A Chinese entrepreneur was recognized for investments in Serbia’s economy, while the father of a young woman killed in the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy was also honored. That 1 November 2024, disaster, which claimed 16 lives, ignited widespread outrage over alleged corruption, negligence, and lax construction oversight. What started as silent vigils escalated into sustained mass protests across Serbia, with students occupying universities, organizing nationwide blockades, and hundreds of thousands marching in Belgrade and other cities to demand new elections, anti-corruption reforms, and an end to state clientelism. Through these selections, the Serbian president appears to project alliances with ideologically aligned or economically beneficial figures abroad while addressing select domestic grievances, all amid a backdrop of ongoing public discontent. The ceremony, blending tradition, spectacle, and strategic signaling, underscores how Statehood Day honors have evolved into a platform for broader geopolitical and internal positioning. Sources: Profil.at, BETA, BGNES Caption: President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić at the ceremony of awarding deserving individuals and institutions on the occasion of Sretenje – National Day of Serbia. (Website of the President of the Republic of Serbia)

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