“Unknown Familiars” exhibition opened in Vienna, 80 artworks by Serbian artists exhibited in the Leopold Museum
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, an exhibition entitled as “Unknown Familiars” was opened on May 7th at the prestigious Leopold Museum in Vienna, featuring certain parts from the art collections of Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) and Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein. With fifty insurance companies in thirty countries, this leading insurance group in Central and Eastern Europe has a total of six corporate art collections that are coming together for the first time in this exhibition with their different focal points and history of development. In this respect, they are unknown familiars – related, but who have never met before.
The exhibition presents the collections of the companies Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, Wiener Städtische Versicherung, Donau Versicherung, Czech Kooperative, Serbian Wiener Städtische Osiguranje, as well as Latvian BTA Baltic.
At the opening of the exhibition, the director of the Leopold Museum Hans Peter Wipplinger, the president of the Executive Board of the Wiener Städtische Wechselseitige Robert Lasshofer, the curators of the exhibition Philippe Batka and Vanessa Joan Muller greeted the attendees. The member of the executive board of “Wiener Städtische osiguranje” Svetlana Smiljanić was present also.
The setting occupies the entire floor around the Lower Atrium, encompassing over 200 works of different genres from different periods. Young contemporary art meets the modernism of the interwar period; the avant-garde of the 1970s meets important positions of the Austrian present. Starting with the collection of the Czech company Kooperativa, which is represented by a selection of artworks from the period from 1900s to 1950s, a network of thematic and stylistic references is being developed, which continues in dialogue and selective overlap with artworks from other collections. Together with the BTA Baltic collection, Austrian collections cover a wide range from classical modernism to current contemporary practices. The Wiener Städtische Versicherung collection includes the artworks of Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoschka, representatives of their time, which the Leopold Museum also preserves, and also extends through the 20th century to the recent works of younger artists living in Vienna.
The Wiener Städtische Osiguranje from Serbia collection reflects primarily on the events of the Yugoslav avant-garde scene in the second half of the 20th century. 80 exhibited artworks from the Serbian Wiener Art collection of contemporary art incorporate paintings, installations, photographs, video works and sculptures – true masterpieces of the domestic scene, which did not fall behind from the world trends, but, in some cases, went ahead of them. We mean of the artworks of 15 artists such as Vladan Radovanović, group Dei Leči from Novi Sad (Bora Vitorac and Dragan Pavlov), representatives of the Belgrade conceptual scene – Dragoljub Raša Todosijević, Zoran Popović, Neša Paripović, Radomir Damjanović Damjan, Zoran Naskovski, but also female artists such as Mira Brtka, Milena Čubraković, Ana Bešlić.
Even if individual artworks in an exhibition can be classified as historical surrealism in a strict meaning, surreal can be found in a number of objects in the exhibition, regardless of when they were created. Surrealism is also the invisible prism of the exhibition, which allows very different collections to appear in unexpected groups in artistic-historical periods and media.
Supported by an associative designed exhibition route, the exhibition is organized in a circular manner and can be explored from the central Lower Atrium through each of the four halls in equal measure.
The exhibition Unknown Familiars will be open until October 6th this year, and is curated by Philippe Batka and Vanessa Joan Müller.
“Active today, healthier tomorrow”: Wiener Städtische osiguranje is a new partner of the Youth Sports Games and sponsor of the handball competition
Wiener Städtische osiguranje, together with the parent company Vienna Insurance Group, is a proud partner of the Youth Sports Games, the largest manifestation of amateur sports for children and youth in Europe, since this year. In order to promote an active and healthy lifestyle and encourage equal opportunities for all children and young people, the company is sponsoring the handball competition in 2025, which has a new name – Wiener Städtische KUP.
Nela Bojović, head of the marketing department at Wiener Städtische osiguranje, said on this occasion that the company, within the framework of broader community support and disease prevention, focuses special attention on young people and the promotion of an active lifestyle.
“At Wiener Städtische osiguranje, we pay attention to the prevention of diseases, and we place a special focus on young people and the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle. Since sports in youth play a significant role in creating lifelong habits of physical activity, as well as long-term risk prevention, we decided to become a proud partner of the Youth Sports Games and a sponsor of the handball part of the competition, which from this year is called the Wiener Städtische KUP. As a team sport, handball provides children with the opportunity to develop communication, cooperation and togetherness and encourages adopting a permanent value such as responsibility towards health,” Bojović pointed out.
Marija Mihajlović, president of Plasma Youth Sports Games in Serbia, pointed out that this year the Games in Serbia are celebrating their twelfth season, with the aim of promoting sports, friendship and a healthy lifestyle among elementary and high school students.
“During last year’s season in Serbia, we gathered close to 120,000 participants from more than 50 municipalities and cities across the country. We believe that this twelfth season will surpass the numbers from last year and gather an even greater number of small athletes. I want to thank the Wiener Städtische osiguranje for recognizing the importance of this event and contributing to the promotion of this sport among children and young people by supporting handball tournaments, as well as building a more beautiful and healthy future,” said Marija Mihajlović, President of Plasma Youth Sports Games in Serbia.
Handball Wiener Städtische KUP is held in cities all over Serbia and so far seven tournaments have been played out of the planned 12, including the cities of Šabac, Ćuprija, Apatin, Leskovac, Mladenovac, Kikinda and Priboj. In Priboj, as one of the handball centers of Serbia with a long tradition, a record tournament was held so far with more than 350 participants, including 22 men’s and 16 women’s teams from Western Serbia.
Wiener Städtische osiguranje and Vienna Insurance Group, proud sponsors of the Youth Sports Games in Serbia in the 2025 season, apart from youth care, which is part of long-term corporate giving, recognize the importance of sports and teamwork in early development. Through this project of exceptional social importance, they want to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity, not only for healthy development, but also for the prevention of health risks. 
“Global Finance“ Magazine Awarded Raiffeisen Banka the Title “Best Private Bank in Serbia“
Raiffeisen banka has received the prestigious award in the annual “World’s Best Private Banks Awards for 2022, organized by the renowned international financial magazine „Global Finance“.
The Private Banking service was introduced by the bank mid-2020, under the name „Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen“ (FWR), with the idea to offer exclusive banking service to its clients in accordance with the best current global standards. In a little more than a year of business activities, FWR Private Banking achieved notable results and confirmed a leading position in its segment in the local market.
“Awards such as this one are very important to us. All the more so, because we are receiving it for a new service introduced in the year of the pandemic, for a segment of clients with advanced banking needs, but also demanding a comprehensive and highly professional service. This award is proof that we succeeded in our basic mission – to establish long-term relationships with our clients and to make sure they are satisfied through an individual approach, using modern digital technologies. At the same time, by following the most contemporary trends in the financial market, we are making sure that our offer of products and services is unique and adjusted to the needs of sophisticated Private Banking clients“, Petar Jovanović, Deputy Chairman of the Managing Board, stated on this occasion.
This is the second award in 2021 received by the FWR Private Banking segment in contests of the best banks, organized by renowned international financial magazines. The first award „Best Bank in the Private Banking Segment“ was awarded by EMEA Finance magazine in April this year.
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Raiffeisen banka a.d. Beograd is a member of Raiffeisen Bank International, one of the leading banking groups in Central and Eastern Europe. It began its business activities in Serbia in 2001, and is now developing its activities in three segments: retail banking, corporate banking, treasury and investment banking. For all additional information, please contact the Marketing & PR Department of Raiffeisen banka at the phone No. 011/2207-306.
“Parallel flows” – a display of Serbian avant-garde and experimental art
The exhibition Parallel flows, Wiener Art Collection, opened last night in the Art Gallery of the Kruševac National Museum and presents 50 carefully selected works of art that range from classical painting, objects, photography, video work and sculpture, covering the period of dynamic artistic development from the 50s to the first decade of the new millennium.
In his address to the audience, the host of the exhibition, Nikola Pantelić, director of the Kruševac National Museum, emphasized the importance of corporate collections for encouraging artistic production and new artistic practices, and expressed his satisfaction for the cooperation on this exceptional exhibition.
The wide time span of creativity covered by the exhibition was chosen with the intention of showing the richness of alternative thinking about art and its boundaries, through the key works in which these thinking were first articulated.
“Having appeared on the domestic art scene as a parallel flow, in the complex fabric of the Serbian art scene, this expression of Serbian avant-garde, radical and experimental art, not only did not lag behind the most avant-garde trends in Western art, but in some cases even went ahead of them,” said Saša Janjić, curator of the exhibition.
All works form an important part of the Wiener Art collection of contemporary Serbian art, which the company Wiener Städtische osiguranje began to form in 2011 and which, with over 600 works, as it counts today, represents one of the most representative collections of recent art in our country and a rare collection from this area that systematically and consistently collects and preserves works of art of contemporary Serbian art.
“Most of the works collected at the Parallel Streams exhibition were presented to the Austrian audience at the exhibition “Unknown Familiars” in the prestigious Leopold Museum in Vienna in the period May-October 2024. Immediately after returning to Serbia, our audience has the opportunity to get acquainted with the true masterpieces of the local art scene, which reflect the spirit of their time, while at the same time moving ahead of established social, political and artistic practices at the time of their creation,” said Nela Bojović, marketing manager of Wiener Städtische osiguranje.
The works of artists – Vladan Radovanović, the Novi Sad group Dei Leči (Bora Vitorac and Dragoljub Pavlov), Mrđan Bajić, Gergelj Urkom, Srđan Apostolović, as well as representatives of the Belgrade conceptual scene – Dragoljub Raša Todosijević, Zoran Popović, Neša Paripović, Radomir Damjanović Damjan, as well as the artists Mira Brtka, Milena Čubraković and Ana Bešlić, Kruševac residents and guests of this city will be able to see during the exhibition until May 10. After Kruševac, the exhibition travels to Pirot and other cities in Serbia with the aim of enriching the cultural offer, whereby Wiener Städtische osiguranje strives to contribute to increasing the availability and variety of cultural content in different environments.
Works and oeuvre of the artist are available on the website: art.wiener.co.rs
Ana Bešlić “Dvobojna skulptura”
Raša Teodosijević “Sitnosopstvenička umetnost”
A1 Serbia starts from you
As of April 7, Vip mobile has executed its previously announced rebranding and now appears under the A1 brand, which is strongly established in the CEE region. A1 will provide users with a unique digital experience by offering convincing services and solutions for life, work and entertainment in the digital age. This step is part of the broader strategy of the A1 Telekom Austria Group, a leader in digital services and communication solutions in the CEE region, to underpin its strong position in the European market by operating under one single brand across its footprint.
As part of a large multinational Group, A1 Serbia will offer customers well-proven products and services from other markets. As of today, the mobile phones portfolio is richer for two new models – A1 Alpha 20 and A1 Aplha 20+, which are evaluated in other A1 markets through an excellent price-quality ratio. All existing and new users can enjoy a free usage of add ons of their choice every month until the end of 2021, which they can activate through the My A1 app.
The the company also announced significant improvements in network infrastructure, expansion of 4G network capacity and even greater improvement of data services. Additional infrastructural expansions are planned throughout the country, especially in the area of Belgrade and Vojvodina, which will improve the user experience to as much as 70 percent of the network.
“Digital technology offers fascinating new possibilities, enriches our daily life, but makes it more complex as well. As A1 Serbia, we will continue to be a responsible and reliable partner to our customers and offer them the best technological solutions, a strong and stable infrastructure that can support the growing data consumption, as well as advanced user experience at all levels. We want to empower people’s digital lives, enabling them to care for their loved ones, develop their business nurture businesses and make positive changes in the society they are a part of ” stated Dejan Turk, CEO of A1 Serbia and A1 Slovenia.
‘We are proud that A1 Serbia has now completed the A1 brand family – kudos to the local A1 team for the successful rebranding during such challenging times. This is a special moment for both A1 Telekom Austria Group and Serbia. As of today, we are officially operating under one consistent, powerful brand in all our seven core markets. The A1 brand is perceived as preferable and particularly trustworthy partner in unleashing the full potential of digitalization for businesses, consumers, and the public sector. With our continuous investments in digital infrastructure, we are building the foundation for future economic growth and prosperity in the region. In addition, the A1 brand is explicitly linked to our commitment to actively assume ecological and social responsibility and to be a central driver of a sustainable digital transformation in Serbia and the entire A1 Group footprint.’ said Thomas Arnoldner, CEO of A1 Telekom Austria Group.
‘Our operations in Serbia have undergone dynamic development in recent years. I´m happy that as of today, they also represent the final step in the successful execution of our Group-wide one-brand strategy journey, which we initiated in late 2017. Started in 2007 as the country’s largest greenfield investment, the company as A1 Serbia will offer an even more compelling digital customer experience by providing convincing services and solutions for life, work and entertainment in the digital age. Our common brand A1 is much more than just a logo – it covers all the crucial aspects of digitalization.’ added Alejandro Plater, COO of the A1 Telekom Austria Group.
As announced, A1 Serbia will make a big step forward in the field of integrated business solutions and digital platforms in all business segments – from smart home solutions and games to M2M, cloud and cyber security solutions for business users.
The company will continue to actively develop and launch projects dedicated to people and society as a whole, contributing to the overall development of local communities and the preservation of the environment.
Changing the name of the company in no way affects the existing contracts of users and business partners.
A1 Serbia
A1 Serbia is a member of the International Telekom Austria Group and a mobile operator which strives to improve the telecommunications market, creating the best possible user experience in the new digital era. Nearly 1,500 employees are dedicated to creating innovative solutions and services, enabling 2.4 million users to choose and make the best use of the opportunities offered by digitalization, in accordance with their needs.
A1 Telekom Austria Group is a leader in digital services and communication solutions in the region of Southeast Europe, which provides services to about 25 million users in seven countries and employs close to 18,000 people. The group is a European unit of América Móvil, one of the world’s largest telecommunications service providers.
For further information please visit www.a1.rs and www.A1.group
BELGRADE NIKOLA TESLA AIRPORT RECEIVES 2020 AIRPORT SERVICE QUALITY (ASQ) AWARDS FROM ACI
Belgrade, March 1, 2021 – Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport – operated by VINCI Airports – has been recognized by Airports Council International (ACI) in the 2020 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award program as the best airport in Europe in two categories: one of the Best Airport by Size and Region (5 to 15 million passengers per year) and Best hygiene measures by Region (Europe). The Hygiene award is a new award and the airport was recognised along with several other European airports in this new category (link).
Belgrade airport is one of the seven airports from VINCI Airports network that were recognized by their customers for their exceptional experience in 2020 and were awarded by the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) program. The latest is the world’s leading airport passenger satisfaction benchmark, representing their voice worldwide, with close to 400 airports participating across 95 countries. These awards represent the highest possible accolades for airport operators and are an opportunity to celebrate the commitment of airports worldwide to continuously improve passenger experience.
”Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Airport Nikola Tesla has managed to collect two quartile ASQ surveys from our customers. These awards confirm our commitment to listening to our customers and maintaining quality service and safe operations especially during these trying circumstances. Improving airport and service experience will remain our focus for our passengers and all airport customers.” said Belgrade Airport CEO Francois Berisot.
Safety and passenger experience are indeed at the heart of Belgrade airport’s commitment, which benefits from VINCI Airports’ global network and expertise in keeping up to the highest international standards, as well as dedicated, hardworking and highly adaptable local teams.
As such, Belgrade Airport was recently awarded by ACI on health and environmental issues with the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) and the first level of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA). Additionally, Belgrade Airport has successfully completed the recertification process in accordance with ISO 9001: 2015 – Quality Management System and ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System, and has, for the first time, been certified according to ISO 45001: 2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management System, thus recognizing the commitment to the high level of quality services, continuous improvement of environmental protection and dedication to providing a safe and efficient working environment.
About VINCI Airports
VINCI Airports, the leading private airport operator in the world, manages 45 airports in 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. We harness our expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, while leveraging our investment capability and expertise in optimising operational performance, modernising infrastructure and driving environmental transition. VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to start rolling out an international environmental strategy, in 2016, with a view to achieving net zero emissions throughout its network by 2050.
More information:
www.vinci-airports.com
@VINCIAirports
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinci-airports/
Bicycle Repair Station in Bajina Bašta – Supporting Sustainable Urban Mobility
Thanks to a donation from Wiener Städtische osiguranje, the municipality of Bajina Bašta has received a bicycle repair station installed in a high-traffic area accessible to all cyclists—right in front of the “Bajina Bašta” Sports Hall. Equipped with a pump and a set of tools for basic bicycle repairs, the station is now available for free use by all cycling enthusiasts.
The handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the municipality and the donor: Dragana Ivanović, Head/Inspector for Environmental Protection in the Bajina Bašta Municipal Administration; Vesna Filipović, Manager of the “Bajina Bašta” Sports Hall; Miloš Lazić, Head of the Užice Branch, and Vesna Ilijašević, Non-Life Insurance Sales Agent in Bajina Bašta, representing Wiener Städtische osiguranje.
“Sustainable mobility is a cornerstone of community development and contributes to improving the quality of life for citizens. Bajina Bašta has demonstrated through initiatives like pedestrian zones and designated parking spaces for cyclists how innovative solutions can help preserve the environment and enhance the quality of life,” said Miloš Lazić, adding that this award aims to inspire other cities to take steps toward a sustainable future.
At the “Eco-Municipality 2024” competition organized by the French Embassy, Bajina Bašta was awarded in the “Sustainable Urban Mobility” category. One of the prizes was provided by Wiener Städtische osiguranje as part of its commitment to environmental responsibility and the development of green solutions in urban areas.
This collaborative effort improves the local environment and raises awareness of ecological challenges, encouraging new initiatives that will contribute towards healthier, safer, and more environmentally responsible cities.
Bojan Mijailović – the new President of the Executive Board at Sava osiguranje
Bojan Mijailović has been appointed as the President of the Executive Board of Sava osiguranje starting from 1st January 2021.
He has acquired vast experience in the financial sector, in management positions in insurance companies, the banking sector, as well as the National Bank of Serbia. During the previous executive term, he managed the Sava životno osiguranje that has achieved significant growth in the insurance market, improved its business operations and gained recognition due to its digital and innovative services offered to the existing and new clients.
Bojan Mijailović graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics, he is married and has three children.
CRH in Serbia is changing its name to Moravacem
Popovac, April 5, 2021 – The company CRH in Serbia, based in Popovac, changed its name and logo. The new name is Moravacem, and it will be officially valid from April 5.
With a new name and brand, the company remains a member of CRH Group, the leading building material business in the world.
Choosing the name Moravacem speaks of our respect for domestic values, laws, business ethics, but also educated, professional and diligent people from Serbia.
We are proud of our roots and the history of the Popovac cement plant for more than 100 years. We value our past and accept it as a solid foundation for building a great future.
On the other hand, CRH is the name of our parent company, headquartered in Ireland. We will take the opportunity to be part of a very successful global family to share our knowledge, innovations, experiences and good practices with it.
By changing the company name and logo, we do not change our top priorities: providing exceptional products and services to our customers, providing great career opportunities for our people, providing the highest standards of responsible health, safety and environmental protection, and making a positive contribution to our local communities.
Also, changing the name and logo of the company does not change our cooperation with key partners, as well as the business that continues to take place on a regular basis.
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About CRH:
CRH is a leading international group in the field of construction materials, employing close to 80,000 people at over 3,000 operating locations in 31 countries around the world. With a market capitalization of EUR 26.8 billion (2018), CRH is the largest company in the building materials industry in North America and second in the world. The Group has a leading position in Europe, as well as an established strategic position in emerging markets in Asia and South America.
CRH is committed to improving living space through the delivery of premium materials and products for the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, residential and commercial projects. CRH is on the Fortune 500 list and is a constituent member of the FTSE 100 index and ISEQ 20.
About Moravacem:
Moravacem cement plant is located in central Serbia, in the village of Popovac, near Paracin, 160 km south of Belgrade. The annual capacity of the cement plant is 1,350,000 tons of cement and binders.
With three concrete factories near Belgrade, in Krnjača, Dobanovci and Zemun, Moravacem is also present on the ready-mixed concrete market.
A special sector in our company has many years of experience in the treatment and production of alternative fuels from sorted municipal waste, and our experts offer solutions for environmental protection in the petrochemical industry and the tire industry.
Moravacem has been an active member of several business associations in Serbia for many years, the most important of which are: Foreign Investors Council (FIC), National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), Cement Industry of Serbia (CIS), Forum for Responsible Business.
The company is very active in the areas of socially responsible business and sustainable development. She is the winner of many local and regional awards, but also the most important national CSR award “Virtus”, in 2007, 2011, 2019.
You can find more details about the company, management and our activities on our website: www.moravacem.rs
Employees of Wiener Städtische insurance planted tall deciduous seedlings
The company Wiener Städtische insurance today carried out the campaign of planting 50 tall deciduous trees in Belgrade’s Ušće park and thus drew attention to the importance of strengthening environmental awareness and preserving green city areas.
Over 80 volunteers – employees of the Company, planted black ash, acacia, and Siberian elm trees in order to contribute to a healthier natural environment and the creation of a green oasis for current and future generations of Belgraders. The company is firmly committed to the well-being of the community and carries out a large part of its socially responsible activities in the field of sustainable development, ecology, and environmental protection.
“We were happy to join the traditional action of donor planting, with the desire to contribute to the increase of the green fund and the better appearance of our city. I thank Zelenilo-Belgrade for the cooperation during the implementation of the action, which, I believe, will contribute to raising awareness of the importance of caring for green areas and the culture of living in our city,” said Svetlana Smiljanić, member of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische insurance.
This is the first eco-action of the Wiener Städtische insurance this year, whose volunteers last year conducted as many as 15 actions throughout Serbia, showing their commitment to environmental protection. To be a good partner and friend of the community in which it operates, the company has been implementing the employee volunteering program – Chain of Kindness for 13 years, and together with partners in numerous areas, it affects the improvement of citizens’ living conditions, implements environmental actions and helps socially sensitive population groups.