January 11^th, 2017
139 years ago today, the City of Niš was liberated from the Turks.
On January 11^th, 1878, after almost five hundred years, the Serbian flag fluttered on the ramparts of the Fortress of Nis.
After centuries of slavery, freedom was reached. The Serbian flag on the Stambol gate of the Fortress of Nis was put by Todor Stankovic, a member of the secret Committee for liberation.  At that point, in the struggle for the City of Nis, 120 Serbian soldiers were killed and 791 of them wounded.

The liberator of our city, the Prince Milan Obrenovic proudly said in front of the fortress – “This flag is a sign for us that every citizen, regardless of his religion, can count on the benevolent protection of the Prince. I welcome you as the representative of justice, as the defender of freedom equal for all citizens, of all religions.”
Serbia thus indicated that it would be the pioneer of Balkan democracy and that it would follow the principles of modern European societies, which was later done with the adoption of the ″Candlemas constitution″ (Sretenjski ustav).

Today, the main city street and square rightly bear the name of the famous Serbian Prince, our liberator. Moreover, beyond the main city zone, at almost every corner of our city, a sign of struggle and desire for freedom has remained.
On the occasion of this important historical event for the City of Nis, a ceremonial session of the City Assembly was held, where the highest award of the City of Nis, “11^th January Award” was delivered.
The Mayor of the City of Niš, Mr. Darko Bulatovic and the Chairman of the Assembly of the City of Niš, Mr. Rade Rajkovic delivered the awards to this year’s laureates. The National Library “Stevan Sremac“, the Faculty of Electronic Engineering in Nis, the  Prizren Seminary “St. Cyril and Methodius”, the anthropologist Bojan Jovanovic and the Head of the Penal and Correctional institution in Niš, Mr. Aleksandar Grbović were awarded.

Previously, the highest city officials laid wreaths at the Monument to Liberators of Niš at the central location of the city. The wreaths were also laid by the representatives of the district, the army, the police and associations that cultivate the tradition of Serbian liberation wars.

To the Bishop of Raska-Prizren Theodosius, the clergy and all believers who celebrate the birth of Christ according to the Julian calendar, I extend my most sincere congratulations with the wish for them to spend the most rational Christian holiday with the closest family, in peace and prosperity. Christmas is a symbol of joy and life and it remind us once again about the importance of mutual respect, tolerance and trust. I wish that this celebration of the birth of Christ would bring joy, love and peace into your homes for the holiday of Christ, and that New Year would bring personal and family happiness, health and success.
The Peace of God, Christ is Born.

On a New Year’s Eve, just one minute after the midnight, in 2017, Nis became richer for another inhabitant. Girl named Julia came to the world. During the night the happy mother was visited by Nis City Mayor Darko Bulatovic, the Deputy Mayor Milos Bandjur, Assistant Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović and Nis City Council Member Sasa Zivic. Nis City Mayor Darko Bulatovic presented the gift to the proud mother of the first born baby in 2017 city watch and 50 000 dinars.