MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR VICTIMS OF APRIL 1941 NIS BOMBING
8.04.2010
Under the auspices of Palilula Municipality, Citizens' Association "Old Nis", the association that takes care of the preservation of tradition and heritage of Nis, held, according to tradition, at the Old Cemetery Nis `Gorica` Memorial service to the victims of bombing of Nis in the Second World War – April 8 1941. On this occasion, Nikola G. Jovanovic, President of "Old Nis, Prof. dr Igor Novakovic, Palilula president and the delegation of the Association of the descendants of soldiers, put flowers and wreaths at the memorial place of the victims of the bombing. The memories of the bombing 69 years ago Nis were also evoked during this occasion. That day, in a destructive actions of fascist Germany, after the heavy bombing of mostly civilians in the ruins the bodies of about 400 killed people were found and more than 500 people were injured.

 "Old Nis Cemetery" covers an area of 8 hectares of the surface and over a 3.4 hectare property was abandoned. Thanks to the projects and actions that Palilula Municipality has realized since 2008, in cooperation with public utility companies and NGOs, this space is now kept and cleaned at least seasonally. In this period  more has been than done than in the last couple of decades`-emphasized Palilula president. `Unfortunately, people continue to negligently destroy the burial places and store waste, from the other side vegetation fast cover the burial places –therefore, the activities of the organization each year go back to the beginning`.

With fencing of  "Old Cemetery", installing lighting, introduction of guardian service or video surveillance and regular maintenance of green areas, according to the project we did in collaboration with the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, said Novakovic, the remaining memorial will be preserved from destruction.  The idea that this complex in several years becomes a memorial park on the pride of all citizens of Niš will be also realized. However, the tombs and monuments are privately owned. In Novakovic opinion, it is important for the descendants of the `old Nis` citizens, who are buried in this area, to join these activities. "What is stated as a" historical monument at the " Old Cemetery ", by the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, Palilula Municipality in cooperation with this Institution will take care of their preservation, the rest is beyond our jurisdiction, recalled Novakovic. It is expected that by 2012, the entire complex of "Old Cemetery" in Gorica, with the support of the City and the donors, according to president Novakovic, gets a whole new look.