Freemasonry in Serbia 1785-2014 exhibition opens in Belgrade

BELGRADE - The Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade, in cooperation with the Regular Grand Lodge of Serbia (RVLS), has put on an exhibition Freemasonry in Serbia 1785-2014, staged to mark the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians "Yugoslavia " (in 1919).

The exhibition shows a long tradition of Freemasonry in Serbia, and it will be open until June 9, the RVLS press office said in a statement on Sunday.

Visitors will be able to get acquainted with the origin and history of Freemasonry and its basic principles.

A considerable part of the exhibition is devoted to renowned Serbian Freemasons of the past, including industrialist Djordje Vajfert, author, philosopher and 'enlightener of the people' Dositej Obradovic, Serbia’s greatest linguist and language reformer Vuk Karadzic, King Petar I, scientist of great historical significance Mihajlo Pupin, King Aleksandar, politician Slobodan Jovanovic, Prince Pavle, Montenegrin ruler and poet Petar Petrovic Njegos and author Branislav Nusic.

The exhibition demonstrates Serbian Freemasons’ achievements and their contribution to the development of the Serbian state and progress of the Serbian nation, the RVLS said in a statement.

The visitors may find a collection of Masonic regalia used in Masonic temples, parts of Masonic equipment (aprons, medals and the like), and a setting representing a Masonic Temple, the space in which Freemasons gather and conduct Masonic works, to be the exhibition’s central attraction.

Special segments of the exhibition feature part of the 1941 Grand Anti-Masonic Exhibition staged in Belgrade during German occupation in World War II and a story of the great persecution of Freemasons...