Russian and Austrian artists, Norwegian politician honored

Russian and Austrian artists, Norwegian politician honored

BELGRADE -- Austrian writer Peter Handke, Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhalkov, and Norwegian politician Thorvald Stoltenberg have been named honorary citizens of Belgrade.

All councilors groups in the Serbian capital city's assembly supported the decision, although the Democratic Party (DS) voiced some criticism.

Explaining the proposal earlier on Wednesday, city manager Goran Vesic pointed out that it "in some way represents a precedent and the start a new era in the field of awarding honorary citizen status because so far, the 27 honorary Belgraders have all been politicians and generals."

"This is the first time that this title goes to two artists, and this is why it is a historic decision," said Vesic and added it was high time for Belgrade to honor artists and other prominent public figures who promote the city.

According to him, "the rich political career of Thorvald Stoltenberg started in Belgrade, where he served as secretary of the embassy of the Kingdom of Norway."

"His role in the breakup of Yugoslavia is known to everyone, he did not speak about our people and our country using templates, but instead sought to find a solution and thus deserves the respect of people in Serbia and worldwide," said Vesic.

He then added that by honoring Stoltenberg, Belgrade also honors Norway, which, he said, "perhaps helped Serbia the most in the last 15 years."

When it comes to Nikita Mikhalkov, Vesic noted that he was one of the most important contemporary film directors and emphasized the Russian will become an honorary citizen of Belgrade primarily because of his film Sunstroke which "promotes Belgrade."

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