While part of the accompanying program was held in Vrbas, the Ceremonial Academy on the occasion of the Rusyn National Holiday was held on January 21 in Vrbas at the “Yugoslavia” Cinema.
The ceremony was opened with the the anthem of the Republic of Serbia „Боже правде” and the solemn song „Браца Русини”. After that, the female ethno-group, prepared by Ahneta Timko Mudri, performed with the song „Нє пий коню воду” accompanied by the orchestra of KPD “Karpati” and KUD “Žetva. After that, a male singing group from Ruski Krstur performed, and then Miroslav Malacko performed „Лїк за мацер”, the lyrics of which were written by Đura Papharhaji.
Darina Mihnjak sang, „Крочаї милого”, a song whose music and lyrics were written by Ahneta Timko-Mudri. The mixed singing group then performed the song „Мила моя мамко”, and after that, the four most beautiful female voices from Kucura – Sanja Divljaković, Mirela Timko, Tanita Hodak and Darina Mihnjak, accompanied by the singing groups KUD – and “Žetva”, together sang „Писня Коцуру”. The text and music were written by Ljubomir Zahorjanski, and the original was performed by Mihal Ivan.
The National Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Miroslav Papa performed several compositions during the program, ending with „З давен давна”. The ceremony was prepared by the Organizing Committee of the Central Ceremonies, the Institute for culture of Vojvodina Ruthenians and the National Council of Ruthenians with the support of the Municipality of Vrbas, KUD “Žetva” and RTV Vojvodina, with the financial support of the Provincial Secretariat for Culture, Public Information and Religious Community Relations. The program was hosted by Dorothea Budinski and Andrej Oros.
