Remembrance Day for destruction of Serbian National Library

BELGRADE - A ceremony was held on Sunday at the site of the former National Library of Serbia in Belgrade downtown, marking 73 years since the Nazi bombing of the Serbian capital, in which this invaluable cultural institution was destroyed.

Acting Director of the National Library of Serbia Svetlana Jancic noted that, apart from a large number of victims and massive destruction of the city, the 1941 Nazi bombing of Belgrade took away the precious national scientific and cultural heritage that was kept in the National Library since its foundation in 1832.

The bombs destroyed over 1,300 medieval manuscripts and documents on parchment and paper, over 300,000 books from the first Serbian printing companies from 15th-18th century, newspapers and magazines from 18th, 19th and 20th century, around 2,000 letters by writers and distinguished figures of the Serbian and other South Slavic peoples, rich collections of maps and music works, complete documentation, all inventories and catalogues.

Despite the total demolition, the new National Library, rebuilt thanks to the state, but also love and dedication of numerous individuals and donors, has grown into a modern library of the 21st century, she said.
"The destruction of the National Library is one of the biggest crimes committed against the movable cultural heritage in Europe during World War II," said Serbian Minister of Culture Ivan Tasovac, adding that the demolition of the Library transcended the national borders and became a universal symbol of the attempt to destroy and obliterate culture, art and science.
"At the same time, this crater beside which we are standing is a symbol of our own negligence and an indicator of the historical indifference that we as a society show in...