In order to promote regional characteristics of various parts of Serbia, and support and encourage the culture of ethnic communities, the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Predrag Markovic, attended ceremonies to mark the opening of the 43^rd Oplenac Harvest, held under the slogan “Harvest in the Heart of Serbia”, and the 33^rd Popular Traditions Fair in Topola.

Opening the Oplenac Harvest in the presence of the chairman of the Topola municipal assembly, Dragan Jovanovic, and the Ministers of Capital Investment and Culture in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Velimir Ilic and Dragan Kojadinovic, Mr Markovic underlined that the chief aim of this region of Serbia should be to preserve its rich traditions, and appealed to the local authorities and the Government to help in the preservation of the Oplenac complex, comprised of former royal residences and a memorial church, not only because it houses a part of Serbian tradition and history, but also because it is a potential tourist destination. Referring to data on the number of visitors to Topola over the past several years, Mr Markovic said that it should be the common task of all to keep visitors in Topola, and not just have them come, visit, and leave. Mr Markovic also stressed that Topola was to be the site of a major infrastructural project that would provide a long-term solution to the problems of the inhabitants. Adding that it was a real pleasure to be able to open the traditional Oplenac Harvest in the heart of Sumadija, he wished the hosts and the guests a successful harvest and an even better one next year.

The 33^rd Popular Traditions Fair was also opened in Topola, at the House of Culture; the event involved a competition between more than 20 groups performing folk dances from all over Serbia. This year’s Oplenac Harvest and the Popular Traditions Fair will be held in Topola from 30 September to 2 October.