IN MEMORY OF DEJAN MEDAKOVIĆ

Dejan Medaković, PhD (president of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts) and Reverend Niš Bishop Mr. Irinej
Symposium "Niš and Byzantium I" Opening, Niš University Hall, June 3, 2002

Academician Dejan Medaković, worldwide known art historian went into history.

Professor Dejan Medaković, at that time the president of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, visionarly considered the significance of the symposium "Niš and Byzantium" idea and in the very beginning, when many were distrustful, he fully believing supported the concept of eminent byzantologists gathering in Niš. The authority of professor Medaković stood behind the Organisation Board, while as a member of the Redaction of "Niš and Byzantium"Proceedings he was a firm guarantee to the high scientific level of the Proceedings. Believing in the future of the scientific symposium "Niš and Byzantium" he opened the first meeting of byzantologists in Niš in 2002. On that occasion, pointing up the significance of Niš historical and art heritage, as well as the necesity of their revealing and researching in the frame of byzantine world and contemporary historical moment, professor Medakovic said: "And now, allow me to say a few words about your scientific symposium "Niš and Byzantium"It is beyond any doubt that the thematics of the symposium is well chosen, as well as the intention to make these meetings regular. It would be an admmision the theme itself which comprises all forms of political and spiritual life not only of the city of Niš, but of the whole region. And there is something more. If this event acquired continuity, there would be a great possibility to make up at least a part of the long decade of discontinuity, oblivion, and even complete rejection of the own root. With calm conscience we can say that our archeological science, copmared to prehistory, had focused with less power on the antique world studying, thus acting like we have not been its legitime inheritors. Just lately there have emerged new discoveries from the antique world, Felix Romuliana, findings from Sirmium, Kostolac, Caričin grad, Sarengrad and Mediana, and already now the found results have changed the impression about some provincial art, arisen out of the frame of far metropole's great happenings. Finally the fact that in our area we had two imperial cities, Niš and Mitrovica, as well as in the wider territory of the former country - two imperial palces, Felix Romuliana and Dioclecian Palace in Split, will be settled in our minds, rightfully we can expect. The fact that Emperor Constantine was born in Niš cannot avoid the attention of early christian historians, to what also testifies the revealed graves from IV century in Niš, which are undobtable testimony on other archeological possibilities. The symposium which will scientifically affirm all those ancient relations connecting this modern developing city to that from the antique period, only can contribute and promote the overall cultural image of this city. So,the revelation of own roots is not sentimental and nostalgic running back to the past. On the contrary, such meetings and the simmilar that can also follow, should act insentivelly and indicate the future. It would be inccorect if someone concluded that they would inspire negative aspirations leading to some local patriotism. On the contrary! The versatility which use to radiate by a progressive imperial city once upon its time, has been embeded into our vision of modern Niš. And we have just started to make our spiritual effort to reveal it to the end and love it."

Professor Medaković's presentation at the opening of the first scientific meeting "Niš and Byzantium I" comprised the guidelines that have been used by the organisers as leading instructions for the symposium organization. It is certainly the main reason why the scientific symposium "Niš and Byzantium" has been lasting all these years.

We thank to professor Medaković for everything, and it is up to us to preserve the symposium "Niš and Byzantium" in which future he truely believed, for future genarations.

Let him be glourious forever.