11.07.2006.
Belgrade, July 11, 2006
Dear Mr. Chairman of the National Assembly,
Ministers, Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia
and other esteemed guests!
There is a certain symbolism in the fact that today we celebrate the 150th anniversary of birth of Nikola Tesla, man to whose work the entire world and all generations are indebted, here as well, in the new building of the National Bank of Serbia, the institution that from the day of its foundation has been one of the most significant institutions of the Serbian state and which yesterday celebrated its 122nd birthday. If in 1884, the very same year in which the National Bank of Serbia was founded, the young Tesla had not sailed for America in order to be able to implement his projects, a lot would be different now, and quite possibly we would now not be able to call this beautiful building we have here a “smart building” in which technology and electronics “think” and work instead of man to a large degree.
However captivated with science and engrossed in his visionary ideas, Tesla always thought about mankind and he never forgot his Serbian origin. When he visited Belgrade for the first and only time as far back as 1892, he revealed his hopes and his guiding motivation to the enthusiastic citizens of Belgrade who had gathered to welcome him; among other things, he said: “… If I am lucky enough to realize at least some of my ideals, this will be to the benefit of the entire mankind. If these hopes I have materialize, for me the most gratifying thought will be that it is the work of a Serb.” And mankind really got its benefactor, whose work is the milestone of the contemporary epoch.
But, how much did we think about Tesla, and how aware were we of his greatness that forms part of our cultural and historical heritage? Judging by the money featuring Tesla’s portrait as its principal motif – a lot, as Tesla’s is beyond doubt the most frequently featured portrait on National Bank’s banknotes used in the second half of the twentieth century. It could even be said that in this way Tesla shared our destiny, through the ups and downs of the dinar.
The 500-dinar banknote, issued in 1970, featured the monument to Nikola Tesla in front of the Faculty of Electric Engineering in Belgrade, which is identical to the monument that used to stand next to the Niagara Falls hydro power plant. In the period of hyperinflation, when both banknotes of the National Bank of Yugoslavia and their values changed at giddy speeds, Tesla’s portrait was featured on as many as 7 banknotes; unfortunately, it was also the principal motif on the 10 billion-dinar banknote from 1993. “The new dinar” in 1994 marked an attempt at monetary reform that stopped halfway, and in the same year, a banknote of 5 new dinars with Tesla’s portrait was placed into circulation. In the year 2000, the first post-October 5 banknote issued in December that year, in the nominal value of 100 dinars, again featured the portrait of Nikola Tesla, whereas its back contained the depiction of the prototype of his induction motor. Similarly, the first banknote issued by the National Bank of Serbia in its modern history contained Tesla’s portrait, and was placed into circulation in July 2003, exactly 119 years after the first banknote of the Privileged National Bank of the Kingdom of Serbia, worth 100 dinars in gold at that time, was placed into circulation.
The National Bank of Serbia contributed to the celebration of Tesla’s anniversary, designated by the Serbian Government as an event of general significance for the Republic of Serbia, by preparing and issuing a series of commemorative gold and silver coins, as well as placing into circulation 20-dinar coins featuring Tesla’s portrait.
Each one of us present here today has a “Tesla” in our wallet, and we no longer have to fear that zeros will start multiplying on our money. The dinar is valuable again; what is more, in the recent days the National Bank of Serbia has been told it is even too strong relative to the euro. We pay in dinars, we increasingly save in dinars, we would like to have more and more of them in our pay envelopes. This is what we have achieved, having developed in five years, from a completely ruined and bankrupt system, a reformed, stable and financially strong banking system in which ownership transformation has taken place. Also, this is what the National Bank of Serbia will continue to do, uncompromisingly, in order to preserve this stability, in order to lower inflation and ensure long-term sustainable economic growth for Serbia.
If there is one more thing we can learn from Tesla, it is that man, regardless of all obstacles and lack of recognition, by virtue of his inexhaustible energy, hard work and utter dedication to his guiding ideas invariably reaches results and the objective he set for himself. I believe I am right in saying that the National Bank of Serbia, in celebrating its own anniversary today, has learnt that lesson. It does not matter that we are criticized rather than appreciated for what we do, it does not matter that we are not too well understood when we talk about what is necessary for the continuation of transition; what is important is that the institution, that the National Bank of Serbia, within its remit and scope of responsibility, does everything for Serbia not to lose precious time and its chance to progress into its own and European future. As for the recognition, the National Bank will hopefully be luckier than Tesla – it will not have to wait for a hundred years.
Governor`s Office
