Announcement Announcement In response to publicly presented initiatives concerning the search for an appropriate solution for naming cultural institutions in Nova Varos, the Board of Directors of the "Petar Mandic" Endowment issues the following Press Release The "Petar Mandic" Endowment, as a charitable institution dedicated to preserving the culture of remembrance, is deeply interested in contributing to the resolution of the issue regarding the appropriate naming of cultural institutions in Nova Varos. We wholeheartedly support the initiatives aimed at ensuring that all deserving citizens of Nova Varos are commemorated in a dignified manner within the town. In this regard, the Endowment has already made its modest contribution, bearing the name of Petar Mandic, a doyen of the cultural scene in Nova Varos, while its official annual literary competition is named after Borivoje Jelic, a distinguished literature professor from Nova Varos. In line with the previous two points, we support the position expressed by Mr. Milorad Misko Stevovic on March 21, 2025, during the promotion of the Stari Vlah chronicle, regarding the fact that it is logically unsustainable for both the City Library and the Cultural Center to bear the name of Academician Jovan Tomic - one of the most prominent citizens of Nova Varos in the fields of science and culture. With regard to Point 3, we support the general position of Mr. Dragoljub Gagricic, published on March 27, 2025, in an article titled "Don’t Change the Library’s Name," in which this esteemed publicist from Nova Varos advocates for initiating a broad public debate on the appropriate naming of cultural institutions in Nova Varos. He emphasizes the importance of involving all relevant and credible institutions, as well as local intellectuals, in this process. With regard to Point 4, the Board of Directors of the Endowment will wait for the public debate on the mentioned topic to be formally initiated, after which it will actively participate through its delegated members. At the conclusion of this process, the Endowment will present its official proposal in the form of a document approved by its Board of Directors. In principle, we believe that deserving individuals from Nova Varos should be recognized as such when it comes to the naming of public institutions, streets, squares, and similar places. We especially emphasize that activities in this area should be free from any form of ideological or other bias, and conducted in accordance with the procedures and frameworks of public dialogue, so that the final decisions are acknowledged and accepted as authentic by the broader community of Nova Varos. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the "Petar Mandic" Endowment Nikola Puric, Chairman of the Board In Belgrade, April 3, 2025.