Professor of the Faculty of Political Science received the honorary Membership of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), granted by Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty’s Ambassador Denis Keefe presented Professor Slobodan G Markovich, of the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade, with the insignia accompanying the honorary Membership of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), granted by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of Professor Markovich’s efforts to strengthen relations between Serbia and the United Kingdom.

In the speech he delivered in Serbian, Ambassador Keefe mentioned highlights from Markovich’s biography and assessed him as “a versatile intellectual, a man with many interests, someone who is very devoted to the well-being of his community and to the development of good and friendly relations between Serbia and Britain.” Ambassador Keefe also emphasised that there are “few persons who have done more to promote scholarly and academic co-operation between our states than Professor Markovich.” The ambassador mentioned that the awarding of a decoration from the Queen has not taken place in Belgrade since 2007.

In his address, Professor Markovich spoke of the symbolism of the award, since this year marked the 100^th anniversary of the British-Serbian alliance in the Great War. Professor Markovich stressed the significant humanitarian contribution Britain made to help alleviate the sufferings of the population of war-torn Serbia. He then mentioned the work of outstanding Anglophile intellectuals in Serbia, starting with Dositej Obradovic, Vladimir Jovanovic and Cedomilj Mijatovic, and carrying on through the times of Pavle and Bogdan Popovic and Slobodan Jovanovic. He emphasised the significant tradition of scholarly and educational work at the University of Belgrade in such fields as teaching English, studying Shakespeare, and researching British-Serbian cultural and historical links. Professor Markovich also spoke of the significance of the annual International Summer School for Democracy in promoting academic co-operation between Great Britain and Serbia.

The ceremony awarding the honorary MBE took place on 12 December 2014, at the British Ambassador’s residence in Belgrade. The ceremony was attended by many professors of the University of Belgrade and members of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, by members of the diplomatic corps, by Prince Alexander and Princess Katherine, and by other prominent persons from Belgrade’s cultural and social circles.

For other photos see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ukinserbia/sets/72157649348309069/