Serbian Ministry of Culture: Barbaric act of seizing the "Vuk Karadzic" library in North Mitrovica

​​​​​​​The Serbian Ministry of Culture has strongly condemned the seizure of the City Library "Vuk Karadzic" in North Mitrovica, describing it as a continuation of the usurpation of Serbian heritage through the appropriation of Serbian institutions with the aim of erasing Serbian identity in Kosovo.

"The Ministry of Culture strongly condemns the barbaric act of seizing the City Library 'Vuk Karadzic' in North Mitrovica and the continued usurpation of Serbian heritage by taking over Serbian institutions in an effort to erase Serbian identity in this part of the territory of the Republic of Serbia," the statement said.

It emphasized particular concern that, following the destruction, burning, and desecration of Orthodox churches, monasteries, and cemeteries, "an attempt at cultural genocide against Serbs is being carried out as part of fabricating false institutions of the non-existent state of Kosovo."

"It is no coincidence that the Nazis began the bombing of Belgrade by destroying the National Library of Serbia—just as the fabrication of the 'Kosovar nation' entails the destruction of centuries-old cultural monuments and the attempted seizure of cultural institutions, which serve as witnesses and guardians of the truth about the history of Kosovo and Metohija. Just like in all previous historical episodes directed by those who burned and banned books, the fact remains: Kosovo will not become a state through violence, territorial theft, and the expulsion of Serbs, nor can cultural heritage be created by usurping another people’s culture," the Ministry stressed.

Culture, the statement reminds, forms the foundation of nationhood and statehood only through centuries of dedicated and authentic creation, resisting all usurpers, and serving both as the essence and the shield of identity.

The Serbian Ministry of Culture will continue to devote itself to protecting cultural heritage and ensuring the operation of cultural institutions, the statement concludes.

Yesterday, a sticker from the Kosovo Privatization Agency was placed on the City Library "Vuk Karadzic" in North Mitrovica.