YUGOSLAVIA. On 22 February, the Rusyn Society of Subotica celebrated its first anniversary. The Society has been operating for several years, but was only registered officially on 29 May 2001, after a founding assembly on 17 February.

In the past year, the Society has been active both in Subotica and elsewhere in the Vojvodina. Among the highlights of its first year are a Rusyn preschool led by Maja Đumić, and Rusyn-language classes held at a local elementary school. The Society also sent several local students to the Union of Rusyns and Ukrainians summer school program in Ruski Krstur.

The highlight of the past year, however, was the city authorities’ granting the group office space to serve as its headquarters at the end of December.

For 2002, the Society plans to organize its fourth Rusyn Ball, to organize a social picnic, to participate in the Ruski Krstur Červena Ruža cultural festival, to continue its Rusyn-language classes and work with children, and to continue its cooperation with the local authorities. New for 2002 is a section of the Society devoted to young people. The Society plans to start a music ensemble this year as well.

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