The ‘Karic Brothers’ Award Laureates in 2009

Mr RADOŠ BAJIĆ, actor, director, scriptwriter

Proud to be the son of a labourer and to come from the countryside, Rados Bajic cherishes the cultural and historical value of the Serbian nation with great dedication, and sees heritage and the contemporary Serbian countryside as source of inspiration. He truly enjoys domesticity. The crowning achievement of his work is the series ‘The village is on fire whilst the old woman is combing her hair’, which consists of 50 episodes; it united all of his talents – acting, scriptwriting, and directing.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“I am very grateful, and as much worried about where we are heading, and what we should do. I am confused and surprised that Karic Foundation has thought of me, and I have great respect for all the previous laureates who were deserving of this award.”

Mr IGOR MANDIĆ, journalist, publicist

For the past half a century, Igor Mandic has been the unmatched arbiter of art and the mass media on the territory of former Yugoslavia. His word and judgement on various subjects were being awaited with fear by many in Belgrade, Zagreb. He is one of the growing numbers of intellectuals who have been trying for decades to bridge the artistic and unity gap between the Serbs and the Croats. He is relentless in his quest for joining attributes of our two nations, which would unite and reconcile them, and create mutual spirituality.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“The commendation conferred upon me this evening, which is on a par with the world standards in its magnitude, particularly when judging by all its previous laureates, by associating it to the name of its founder – the great Karic family, to which I am grateful. It should be demonstrated that Serbia is always ready to open its arms, not only in its tradition of donation, but also as a nation.”

Mr SAVA PEROVIĆ, academician

Academician Sava Perovic has brought together surgical and scientific work and Serbian urology, and elevated it to the top of the world. He has introduced over 200 original and internationally approved surgical techniques in the treatment of the most severe forms of malformations and the urol.-genital tract diseases. The surgical innovations of Savo Perovic have opened a new chapter in world surgery. There are only five such centres in the entire world, and they are located in Barcelona, London, Hamburg, Milan, and Belgrade.
Owing to our laureate, academician Sava Perovic, and based on the results that he has produced, the World Health Organization has declared Belgrade Centre the best and most prestigious in the world.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“To be honoured for your work on your own soil, is considered the greatest success in one’s career. That is why this day is so special for me. I really did not expect to become a laureate of Karic Foundation. I see this award as special because its winners were carefully chosen individuals who promoted Serbia in the world with their accomplishments. I thank the Karic family from the heart, particularly Milanka Karic, who has continued with the tradition of the Karic Brothers Award, which is a great impetus to new triumphs and achievements of all of us who are fighting for the prosperity of our country.”

Mr Prof Dr RADISAV ŠĆEPANOVIĆ, director of Dragiša Mišović CHC

The pioneer work of Prof Dr Radisav Rasa Scepanovic in the field of surgery, medical management, innovative techniques, and work organisation in big medical institutions, has marked the past two decades of the previous century. This has resulted in an unusual and valuable union of qualities of a brilliant doctor and a top medical manager.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“The Karic Brothers Award requires sincerity, and produces emotions. Mrs Milanka, owing to the vision of Bogoljub Karic, founder of this award, as well as your determination, this award will continue to live. What is of greater importance is that this award has continuously evolved. The significance and magnitude it acquired throughout its existence that has now entered the second decade, made it outgrow its family and the foundation that had established it, and transformed into a national Serbian brand.”

Mrs ISIDORA BJELICA, journalist, publicist

With her recognizable straightforwardness and amazing sharp-wittedness that quashes and creates paradoxes in around thirty magazines and newspapers, Isidora swiftly reacts to deceit and all forms of injustice or attempt of misinformation or manipulation of Serbian people.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“The Karic Brothers Award represents a great privilege, so I am grateful to the Karic Foundation for maintaining their tradition in these difficult times, and continuing to support artists, journalists and scientists. They are aware that they will be remembered for their benefaction and investment in art and culture, and not for their personal wealth, which is, regrettably, something that the majority of very rich people in Serbia do not even comprehend.”

Mr MIRKO STAMENKOVIĆ, journalist

He has been interested in politics since young age, and always walked a fine line. He has set the objectives of the Novosti contrary to the advice of his more experienced and mature fellow journalists, and covered subjects such as the Cestna affair in Slovenia, the political disagreement within the political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. He wrote about the meaning of the mass-movement in Croatia at the time when even the highest-ranking members of the Yugoslav Communist Union Central Committee were unaware of which faction would prevail.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“There is no a society in the world where there are no tendencies towards clandestine control of the Press. That has made journalism a trying calling. Therefore, the current generation of journalists that carries this weight should repeat the words said to us by our then senior colleagues, ‘freedom does not come as a gift, it is being fought for’.”

Mrs IVANA ŽIGON, actress

Five years ago, Ivana Zigon has gathered us together into a colourful bouquet. Her eyes brought us sunlight, and her kind words were like water. She taught us how to share our emotions, give a smile, and open our heart to the world. She taught us how to tell in Serbian, Russian and English language about the calamity that our people and peers from Kosovo and Metohija have endured. Supported by Ivana Zigon, Peonies held up their head with pride.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“I thank the Karic Foundation for continuing to support, even in the hardest of times, all those devoted to their work. I thank you Tanjusa, and the Kosovo Peonies, for making me better than I actually am.”

Mr MARTIN LUTHER KING III

Whilst preparing the ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the ‘I have a Dream’ speech, Mr Martin Luther King III is carrying out his five-year long plan of various undertakings aiming to reduce poverty, develop a humane society based on civil rights, and establish world peace without the use of violence.
The peace and progress vision of Martin Luther King III for the 21st century helps the related networks throughout the world to tackle basic problems of their inhabitants, and in so doing contribute to the development of their beloved country and their society as a whole.

Extract from the winner’s speech:
“I am greatly honoured to be chosen as the winner of the Karic Brothers Award. I feel very humble at this moment, bearing in mind all the previous laureates of this award, as well as all the people around the world that do great deeds every single day. I recall the words of my father when he was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1964. He then said that he accepted the award only as a commissioner who receives a commendation on behalf of all people that are devoted to peace and unity. I believe that I have now understood the meaning of his words.”