Veličković among immortals – eminent Serbian artist entered French Academy of Arts and received Order of Legion of Honor

(Vladimir Veličković)

Serbian painter Vladimir Veličković was accepted yesterday (June 20, 2007), with full honors, at the French Academy of Arts. Half an hour later, he was presented with the Order of the Legion of Honor in "Peti Ogistin" chapel.

To the sounds of drums, in traditional dark green uniform decorated by golden thread, the kind Voltaire used to wear, reserved only for “immortals” from the time of Napoleon, he came down the stairs of multicolor marble in prestigious building on the bank of the Senna and step into the history.

- I feel great personal pride and I want to share it with my native country Serbia, which has been represented in this prestigious institution for the first time – said Veličković.

All Veličković’s predecessors were accepted at French Academy with the traditional sword, which is, in a way, the symbol of French artistry, but our artist is not like others.

- I refused the sword because of positions and esteem towards my country. I don’t wear arms – said Veličković.

Half an hour later, in the chapel of “Peti Ogistin”, on the grounds of the Academy of Fine Arts where he held lectures for a long time and which he chose himself for this event, Veličković received the Order of the Legion of Honor.

- You refused the sword, so let the Legion of Honor replace it on this occasion – said the President of Academy, Arno Otriv, while awarding him this great recognition.