November 19, 2005

KiM Info Newsletter 19-11-05

OFFICIAL PROMOTION OF MONOGRAPH ON DECANI MONASTERY HELD IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM IN BELGRADE

Ceremony dedicated to major publishing project

Speaking about the importance of this holy shrine for Kosovo and Metohija, Bishop Artemije added that our times and the suffering in the province have imposed the need to write a spiritual monograph about Decani because its architecture and paintings have a far reaching Christian message that should be expressed. One of the authors of the monograph, Milka Canak-Medic, who addressed the subject of the construction and sculpture, reminded that for centuries Decani has been the object of admiration as an artistic masterpiece. She explained that this monograph is the result of her many years of work on the restoration and repair of Decani.

Bishop Artemije at promotion of Decani monograph with Mirjana Menkovic,

director of Mnemosyne Center, and Vladimir Tomcic, Serbian deputy minister of culture

BELGRADE, November 17, 2005 (Tanjug)

The Decani Monograph, one of the most significant scientific and publishing projects on the subject, including the history of the monastery, its liturgical mission and its social role from its founding to today, was presented this evening in the atrium of the National Museum

The event was attended by Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren who congratulated the group of authors, saying that the history of the monastery of Decani attests to the life of its monks and is interwoven with centuries of suffering in Kosovo and Metohija.

Speaking about the importance of this holy shrine for Kosovo and Metohija, the Bishop added that our times and the suffering in the province have imposed the need to write a spiritual monograph about Decani because its architecture and paintings have a far reaching Christian message that should be expressed.

One of the authors of the monograph, Milka Canak-Medic, who addressed the subject of the construction and sculpture, reminded that for centuries Decani has been the object of admiration as an artistic masterpiece. She explained that this monograph is the result of her many years of work on the restoration and repair of Decani.

According to Branislav Todic, the author of the part of the book covering the construction and founding of the church and the monastery, who explained the philosophy of salvation depicted in the frescoes in a unique way, this monograph is, nevertheless, the work of a group of authors.

Branko Jokic speaks to visitors about monograph on Visoki Decani Monastery

He named and thanked all those who contributed to shedding light on the time in which the monastery lived and especially the time of its founder and endower, St. Stefan of Decani.

He expressed special thanks to photographers Branislav Strugar and Vladimir Popovic for the appearance of the Decani Monograph.

Branko Jokic, the director of the Pristina Museum, spoke on behalf of the publisher, the Museum and the Mnemosyne Center for the Protection of Kosovo and Metohija Heritage, while Serbian deputy minister of culture Vladimir Tomcic spoke in the name of the ministry of culture, which underwrote this edition.

Press Conference on New Decani Monastery Monograph at Serbian Ministry of Culture

Fr. Hilarion, the representative of the Monastery's brootherhood said that the new book and the monastery itself are visible symbols which give strength to our people in Kosovo and Metohija. He said that the book is an important encouragement for the monks and is signifying the way towards better future. "We share Christian optimism that we will persevere in protection of our cultural and spiritual heritage in Kosovo", concluded Fr. Hilarion.

From the press-conference on Decani Monograph in Belgrade, Nov 16
Serbian Minister of Culture Dragan Kojadinovic and Fr. Hilarion Lupulovic from Decani Monastery

KIM Info-service
Belgrade, November 16, 2005.

A new Decani Monastery Monograph was presented at the press-conference in the Serbian Ministry of Culture today. The Monograph was written by Dr. Branislav Todic and Prof. Dr. Milka Canak-Medic. It was published by the Center for preservation of the heritage in Kosovo and Metohija - MNEMOSYNE and Visoki Decani Monastery.

Dragan Kojadinovic, the Serbian Minister of Culture, said that he was proud that such a representative monograph appeared in public particularly now when Decani Monastery was officially inscribed in the List of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Minister Kojadinovic said that Ministry of Culture is making tremendous efforts to protect Serbian cultural heritage and patrimony in Kosovo and Metohija, which is envisaged by UNSCR 1244 and the special agreement between the Serbian Government and UNMIK. "However, he said, we are working in extremely difficult conditions because our heritage has been exposed to destruction in the last 6 years". The Minister confirmed that in the last 20 months the Ministry invested considerable funds for preservation of its heritage in Kosovo. The Ministry has also announced begining of conservation works on some sites which are affected by atmospheric conditions.

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Decani Frescoes - 14th century

In the name of publishers Branko Jokic said that the project of the Monograph was realised in quite a short period of only three years, under very difficult conditions because the monastery of Decani has been living in isolation since June 1999.

"We share Christian optimism that we will persevere in protection of our cultural and spiritual heritage in Kosovo", concluded Fr. Hilarion.

Prof. Milka Canak-Medic, who contributed in the project with her essays on architecture, expressed her satisfaction that the Monograph has been luxuriously illustarated with 500 photographs and drawings. The author of photos is a photographer from Belgrade Mr. Branislav Strugar. She particularlly expressed her gratitude to Bishop Teodosije and Decani Monastery brotherhood for their hospitality and assistance.

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Decani Monastery frescoes - 14th century

Dr. Todic, the author of historical essays and texts on fresco paintings said that he worked on this project with lots of enthusiasm but also with serious concerns for this jewel of medieval art and architecture.

All participants in the press-conference agreed that the international community, Serbian Government and Kosovo authorities must do their best to preserve Visoki Decani and other valuable medieval Christian sites which are part of the European and global cultural heritage.

The Monograph will be soon published in English and other languages, it was confirmed at the press conference.

Visoki Decani Monastery 1327

678 years of history

Visoki Decani Monastery, 14th century

Visoki Decani Monastery is situated in the western part of the UN administered Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohia. It was built between 1327 and 1335 by the Serbian medieval king St. Stephen of Decani and was dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord. The monastery is settled in the picturesque valley of the Bistrica river surrounded by the mountains and forests of the Prokletije mountain range It is the largest and best preserved medieval monastery in Serbia. During its turbulent history the Monastery was an important spiritual centre with developed artistic and intellectual activities. Although the monastery buildings suffered damage from the Turkish occupation, the church has been completely preserved with beautiful 14th century fresco paintings. Today a young brotherhood of 30 brethren lives in the monastery continuing the centuries old tradition of the past. The brotherhood has developed various activities: wood carving, icon painting, book publishing and is also active in the missionary work. The beautiful monastic services are served according to the typicon of Mount Athos.

www.kosovo.net/main.html

The Brotherhood of the Visoki Decani Monastery, November 2002
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From WIKIPEDIA the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decani

Visoki Dečani Monastery is a major Serbian Orthodox monastery, situated in Metohija [Western part of today's Kosovo Province], 12 km south from the town of Pec. Its cathedral is the biggest medieval church in the Balkans which contains the largest preserved monument of Byzantine fresco-painting.

The monastery was established in a chestnut grove by king Stefan Dečanski in 1327. Its original founding charter is dated to 1330, however. Next year the king died and was buried at the monastery, which henceforth became his popular shrine. The construction activities were continued by his son Stefan Dusan until 1335, but the wall-painting was not completed until 1350.

The cathedral, dedicated to Christ Pantocrator and built from blocks of red-purple, light-yellow and onyx marble, was constructed by master-builders under the Franciscan monk Vitus of Kotor. It is distinguished from other contemporary Serbian churches by its imposing dimensions and obvious Romanesque features. Its celebrated frescoes comprise some 1000 portraits and cover all major themes of the New Testament. The cathedral contains original 14th-century wooden iconostasis, hegumen's throne and carved sarcophagus of king Stefan.

In 2004, UNESCO listed the monastery on the World Heritage List, citing its frescoes as "one of the most valued examples of the so-called Palaeologan renaissance in Byzantine painting" and "a valuable record of the life in the 14th century".

Evaluation by the World Heritage Committee
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/724.pdf

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