On the occasion of the Day of the City, Novi Sad organized an official ceremony in the Serbian National Theater at which Mayor Miloš Vučević handed the February Award to prof. Dragan Popović, PhD. Novi Sad has been celebrating the Day of the City to mark February 1^st, 1748, the date when the city was granted the status of a "free royal city" by the Charter of Empress Maria Theresa.

- Today is the anniversary of the day when the entrepreneurial citizens of Ratzen Stadt bought the status of the "free royal city" from the Habsburg Monarchy. Two hundred and sixty-six years ago, the Charter of Empress Maria Theresa provided the city with the rights and privileges in accordance with laws and privileges of other royal cities. Owing to its privileged status, the proximity of the Petrovaradin Fortress and rich city land, Novi Sad was recognized as a favorable area for settlement, so ethnic diversity, dating back to the 18^th century, is one of the most prominent characteristics of our city. That mix of different cultures, religions and nations created the “spirit of Novi Sad”, founded on the principles of general appreciation and mutual solidarity which have been nurtured to this day – said Mayor Vučević and emphasized the importance of contemporary, comprehensive and efficient education system which inevitably leads to the development of entrepreneurial spirit, while this year’s February Award winner is the best example of a successful blend of these two fields.

Prof. Dragan Popović, PhD, received the greatest city recognition for his significant results in the domain of electroenergetic engineering, achieved through the application of scientific knowledge and engagement of highly educated young experts in the economic society, with which he contributed to the worldwide affirmation of the City of Novi Sad and the Faculty of Technical Sciences. Prof. Popović addressed the attendees, thanking for the important recognition and saying that he would continue his vision and development mission in the IT field in order to make Novi Sad a world-renowned IT center.

A short movie about prof. Dragan Popović, PhD, was presented at the official ceremony, as well as the movie about Novi Sad created by  the third grade students of the Đorđe Natošević Primary School. There were performances of the music band "Frajle", “Državni posao”, children’s choir “Do re mi” and folklore ensemble “14. oktobar” as the present of the City of Kruševac.

Novi Sad, February 1^st, 2014