Commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Serbian army's landing in Bizerte, Tunisia
In the evening, an exhibition entitled "Bizerte 1916-1919: Refuge of Freedom" was opened at the National Military Museum "Palace of Roses" in Tunisia, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Tunisia in cooperation with the Military Museum in Belgrade and the National Military Museum in Tunisia. The ceremony was attended by representatives of Tunisian institutions, ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Tunisian academic community, the media, as well as the Serbian diaspora.
At the beginning of the ceremony, the Carthage Symphony Orchestra choir sang the anthems of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Tunisia, as well as the song "Tamo Daleko". The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Tunisia H.E. Mrs. Dijana Ivančić welcomed the guests and expressed her satisfaction with the organization of this significant event for the history of the Serbian and Tunisian people. The guests were then addressed by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Zoran Antic, who emphasized that Serbian soldiers, thanks to the understanding and humanity of the Tunisian people, were given the opportunity to preserve their strength, dignity and pride, faith and hope in returning to their homeland, Serbia.
"This exhibition speaks not only about historical facts and wartime circumstances, but also about universal values - humanity, compassion and friendship, which connected our peoples in one of the most difficult periods of the 20th century. These values still represent a solid foundation of relations between our two peoples, that is, between Serbia and Tunisia," he emphasized.
He pointed out that this event is given special symbolism by the fact that in 2026, Serbia and Tunisia will mark 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, which testifies to the long-term cooperation, mutual respect and sincere friendship of our countries, which is developing and deepening in numerous fields of interstate cooperation.
On behalf of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army, the guests were addressed by the Acting Assistant Minister for Human Resources H.E. Mr. Siniša Radović, who emphasized that thanks to the hospitality of the Tunisian people, wounded Serbian soldiers were provided with the best conditions for recovery, and healthy recruits for military training.
“In the collective memory of the Serbian people, Tunisia and Bizerte occupy a very special place – a place of honor. Serbs know that in Tunisia, even far away, they have a true friend they can count on in the most difficult times.”
Expressing his belief that this exhibition will be a continuation of the decades-long friendship between Serbia and Tunisia and just one step further in joint activities, he declared the exhibition open.
From the Tunisian side, the guests were welcomed by the Director of the National Military Museum in Tunisia, Colonel Samir Shemi, who pointed out the importance of preserving a culture of remembrance of this common episode in the history of the Serbian and Tunisian people.
The exhibition at the National Military Museum "Palace of Roses" will be open until January 24, 2026.
