In Paris at the beginning of the Olympic Games, the “Serbian House” was officially opened as part of the 2024 Olympic Games
The opening ceremony was attended by Aleksandar Vučić, Milorad Dodik, French Minister of Foreign Trade Frank Rister, Minister of Sports Zoran Gajić, high-ranking French officials, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
The “Serbian House,” located in La Villette Park, which will be named “Park of Nations” during the Olympics due to the presence of 15 national houses, will serve as a unique centre offering visitors a rich and interactive experience of Serbian culture, history, sports, and gastronomy.
This multifunctional pavilion is designed as a place where tradition meets modernity, featuring innovative multimedia presentations and cultural events. The centrepiece of the “Serbian House” will be the “Roots” art installation, standing 6.5 meters tall, symbolising the “Tree of Life,” representing the deep roots of the Serbian people and their traditions, culture, and history.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see animations inspired by Serbian athletes and the works of Nadežda Petrović through advanced technological algorithms. Additionally, they will learn about prominent Serbian scientists and innovators like Nikola Tesla and Milutin Milanković.
Furthermore, the “Serbian House” will showcase a rich collection of documentary photo material from the Yugoslav Archives, being exhibited to the public for the first time. This material includes thousands of artefacts related to Serbia’s participation in previous Olympic Games.
The gastronomic section of the pavilion will allow visitors to enjoy traditional Serbian dishes prepared in a modern way by the most talented young chefs from Serbia’s Junior Chefs Club. The pavilion will also highlight Serbian tourism, an economy based on modern technologies, scientific innovations, and plans for EXPO 2027.
In addition to cultural and gastronomic events, a rich supporting program is planned, including performances by renowned Serbian artists. The “Serbian House” will be open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, with free admission for all visitors.
Serbia has actively participated in spreading the idea of Olympism since the very beginning
The “Serbian House” project is led by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. Key partners are the Serbian Embassy in Paris, the Serbian Tourism Organization, and the Serbian Olympic Committee.
Day before the opening of Serbian House, minister Zoran Gajić, together with Serbian Olympic Committee President Božidar Maljković, and Olympic boxer Sara Ćirković opened the exhibition ‘The Path of True Values.’ in Serbian Cultural Centre in Paris.
At the opening of the exhibition, Minister of Sports Zoran Gajić addressed the visitors, expressing that great efforts have been made to present Serbia in Paris in a modern, creative, and original way. He stated that this will be an opportunity to showcase the most important event for our country in the sports world, which is EXPO 2027. The minister also inaugurated an exhibition titled “The Path of True Values.”
“When we talk about the history of Olympism in Serbia, we must say that Serbia has actively participated in spreading the idea of Olympism since the very beginning, starting from April 5, 1896, when the first Olympic Games were held in Athens. At those first Olympic Games of the modern era, the Serbian King Aleksandar Obrenović was present, and he was the only head of a foreign state among the guests at the Olympic Stadium in Athens,” said the minister.
He reminded me that even today, in 2024, the state of Serbia shares the true values of the Olympic movement and the International Olympic Committee with the same desire and enthusiasm, actively participating in the development and promotion of Olympism in general.
Today’s exhibition is primarily educational and aims to acquaint the wider public with the history of the Olympic movement in Serbia from the period of the Kingdom of Serbia up to the present day. Serbian athletes debuted at the Olympic Games in 1912, and over a history spanning 112 years, they have achieved significant results and represented our country with dignity at the Summer Olympic Games. As a symbol of this, Serbia will be represented by 112 athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris.
The minister invited all gathered visitors to tour the exhibition “The Path of True Values,” where they will have the opportunity to see exhibits from the Olympic Museum’s collection, ranging from the founding of the Serbian Olympic Club in 1910, initiated by General Svetomir Đukić, to the latest successes of our athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Serbian athletes debuted at the Olympic Games in 1912, and over a history spanning 112 years, they have achieved significant results
Among the exhibited items, he particularly highlighted the first medal in athletics by Ivan Gubijan from the London 1948 Olympic Games, the silver medal in wrestling by Branislav Martinović from Rome 1960, a letter from Novak Djoković and Viktor Troicki from Rio 2016, as well as many other exhibits such as authentic photographs, sports equipment, and various documents.
“Today’s exhibition represents our history, what has happened, but also announces the future, where our Serbian Olympic team will shine in Paris. Our athletes will give 100% of their current capacities to achieve their dreams and will make our nation proud with their successes,” the minister emphasized.