2009 SU Update: Excellent Tourist and Cultural Opportunities during SU

During the Universiade, between July 1st and July12th, athletes, delegation members, media people, fans and guests from over 140 countries will have the chance to get acquainted not only with Belgrade, but with Serbian culture, as well.

In order to present the Serbian capital to its guests, company Universiade Belgrade 2009, together with the Tourist Organization of Belgrade has prepared some interesting tourist opportunities. At twenty centers opened in hotels, Universiade Village and around the city, participants, and guests from abroad will find all information about these tourist opportunities.

‘In addition to brochures containing information about what Belgrade has to offer to visitors, Universiade participants will be given Belgrade passports which will allow them to attend all cultural events in the city. Beside tourist information, these brochures will contain time tables of all sports events. During the Universiade in Cika Ljubina Street, sale and exhibition of souvenirs, handicraft products and old crafts will be organized for tourists and guests. Tours of the city by bus starting from the Universiade Village and boat tours will also be on offer. This is the best way for our guest to get to know Belgrade and perhaps return here again in the future’, Jasna Dimitrijevic, Belgrade Tourist Organization Director said.

Jasna Dimitrijevic announced a new fashion accessory for the Summer Universiade in Belgrade. ‘It is a triangular scarf with the printing “Because I love Belgrade”. This fashion accessory can be used as a head scarf during hot summer days in our city, or taken home as a souvenir’, Jasna Dimitrijevic explained.

The beginning of the Universiade coincides with the 9th Belgrade Summer Festival, BELEF. ‘Visitors to Belgrade will enjoy music, theatre and art shows. BELEF will make our city more beautiful and more interesting, because there will be more than 40 programs available to the visitors. We have prepared a special program for Universiade participants. It will be presented to them in the Village on June 23rd. Between June 24th and July 12th cultural and entertainment programs will be available to Village residents every night. There will be other cultural events in Belgrade during the Universiade, such as SOFEST – Summertime Jazz Festival, International Festival of Folklore, Cello Fest, and Choirs among Frescos Festival. Besides providing entertainment, we wish to acquaint our guests with Serbian cultural heritage, as well’, Milena Stojicevic, BELEF Director stated.

During the Universiade, in cooperation with company ‘Universiade Belgrade 2009′, an ‘International Conference of Young Leaders from the Diaspora’ will be organized in Sava Center on July 9thand 10th. ‘The objective of this event is to bring together young Serbs between 18 and 30 years old from 30 countries of the world. The ‘International Conference of Young Leaders from the Diaspora’ is a chance for them to meet, exchange experiences and information and form business partnerships, at the same time strengthening ties between the homeland and the Diaspora. I am very happy to say that among our guests will be: the Minister for Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic, Minister for Youth and Sport Snezana Samardzic Markovic, the Universiade Belgrade 2009 CEO Zoran Jovanovic and the heir to the throne, Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjervic’, Tijana Arnautovic, organizer of the conference said.