Jovan Ducic Bust Dedication
Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland July 10, 2022
The Serbian Cultural Garden in Cleveland continues to grow. A new bust of Jovan Ducic was dedicated on Sunday July 10th in the Serbian Cultural Garden.
Jovan Ducic Bust
Jovan Ducic (1871 - 1943) was a renowned Serbian poet, academic, diplomat and patriot. He served as Yugoslavia's Ambassador to multiple countries about which he wrote in his poems and travelogues. Following the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia in 1941 Ducic went into exile in the US where he led the Serbian National Defense Council fighting for the interests of the Serbian diaspora.
Jovan Ducic bust
Fr. Dragoslav Kosic and Fr. Neftaria blessed the new bust of Jovan Ducic in the Serbian Cultural Garden in both English and Serbian.
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Blessing the bust of Jovan Ducic
Fr. Dragoslav Kosic blesses the bust of Jovan Ducic
Fr. Neftaria blesses the bust of Jovan Ducic
After the blessing of the new bust of Jovan Ducic, Fr. Dragoslav Kosic shared some personal stories about Ducic. Ducic was one of the most influential Serbian lyricists and modernist poets. Fr. Kosic also marveled about the Serbian Cultural Garden, "the only place in the world" like this.
Fr. Dragoslav Kosic
Alex Machaskee then told about the history of the Serbian Cultural Garden and thanked his son Lex Machaskee for all of his work for and in the Garden. Alex told how there had been a Yugoslav Garden but when Yugoslavia broke up he started the Serbian Cultural Garden. They now have 11 busts of Serbian cultural figures in the Garden.
Fr. Neftaria and Alex Machaskee
Alex thanked Mr. and Mrs. Milosh Rastovic of the Serbian National Federation in Pittsburgh who came in for the dedication.
Mr. and Mrs. Milosh Rastovic
He also congratulated Dorothy and Sam Coso on their 65th wedding anniversary.
Dorothy and Sam Coso
Alex then announced a special treat. Fr. Dragoslav Kosic invited his 3 daughters: Anastasija, Teodora and Andjelina to read some of Ducic's poetry with him and then sing some songs.
Fr. Dragoslav Kosic and daughters
It was a fitting tribute to Jovan Ducic.
Jovan Ducic
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