Organized by the National Museum in Niš and the Regular Grand Lodge of Serbia (RGLS), an exhibition by the author B.B.S., “Freemasonry in Serbia 1785-2015”, with the subtitles “Anti-Masonic Exhibition” and “Freemasonry in Niš”, was held in the Synagogue gallery from 4 April to 1 May.
The opening was attended by over 200 visitors and Freemasons, among them the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, the Grand Master of the American-Canadian Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Turkey, as well as many members of Masonic Lodges from England, Belgium, Albania, and so on.
After Nebojša Ranđelović announced the exhibition, excerpts from her paper “The influence of Freemasonry on the development of Serbian statehood” were read by Marica Mišić, a student of the Faculty of Law in Niš. Bro. Aleksandar Nagorni highlighted the significance of the founding of the Masonic Lodge “Nemanja” in Niš in 1892, and mentioned that the works of the founders of this Lodge still live on and have outlived their creators. A letter from Avi Baranes, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel, addressed to the Grand Master of the RGLS Bro. Ranko Vujačić, was also read.
The Mayor of Niš, Prof. Dr Zoran Perišić, opening the exhibition, stressed that it was high time to dispel the “mystery” surrounding who the Freemasons are and what they have done for Serbia in its history, and for the public to recognize their humane activity.
Ranko Vujačić, Grand Master of the RGLS, stressed that such an exhibition establishes a bridge to society and that the exhibition shows that Freemasonry is an integral part of our society.
The exhibition was seen by 1,800 visitors, who showed great interest through questions and comments addressed to the museum curator and the Brethren present. A great many secondary-school history teachers held a kind of history lesson for their pupils in the museum’s premises. Professor Nebojša Ranđelović of the Faculty of Law in Niš gave his students a lecture in the museum, during the exhibition, on “The influence of Freemasonry on the development of Serbian constitutionality”, and Assistant Professor Dr Nenad Stoiljković held a practical history lesson for his students.
Niš followed the exhibition on Freemasonry with exceptional attention; it was fairly covered by the media, with positive comments. The general impression is that this exhibition dispelled many unknowns and “mysteries”, and that Freemasonry, after this exhibition, is viewed with different, “more positive” eyes.
