Tamara Vucic – First Lady of the Republic of Serbia

She was a journalist. She became the first lady of Serbia and is regarded as one of the most popular women. Tamara Vucic is a person who creates a brighter tomorrow for everyone by being incredibly active, resourceful, and elegant with a very personal aesthetic, as well as having particularly high emotional intelligence and acute perception.

Interview: Ada Iliopoulou

You were a journalist. If you could make a question to yourself which could be?
Nice question to start with. Let’s say… Describe your vision of perfect happiness and share a specific moment or period in your life that came closest to fulfilling this ideal.

How difficult or easy was it for you to pass from journalism to the position of the First Lady? How did your work help you in your new position?
I believe that everything we do in our lives, and each person we meet, leaves a certain mark in our lives, impacting thus our personality. I was fortunate, I’d say from this distance, to have a hobby when I was younger, but also later in my life -first acting and then journalism. Each of these activities has its role in the creation of my personality. That is why I so eagerly advocate today and encourage young people to have hobbies, something that makes them whole, outside of their school obligations. Through active acting and numerous theatrical plays, I took part in, I learned a lot and managed, to some extent, to mitigate my natural timidity, while journalism brought a completely different view of the world. I learned how to make the difference between relevant and irrelevant, to pass the message in a concise and clear way, and always try to provide some conclusion or advice, if my experience allows me to do so. Graduating from the Faculty of Philology helped me to become a part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Somehow, I was lucky enough that the two professional roles that I currently have- and I hereby refer to my duties as a public servant and as the spouse of the President- are compatible and it makes organizing and preparing much easier for me. Particularly when it comes to international activities.

If you could change something about Serbian society for the better, what would it be?
This is a difficult question because it can be observed from several angles. Observed from the outside, I’d like, let’s say if we did better in self-promotion and marketing. We are a people who love justice, but due to a lack of skill in promoting our country and values, we suffered often throughout history. On the other hand, there is something, I’d say, in common for mankind in this phase of development that should be changed. The lack of understanding and simple kindness, as well as irresponsible use of words, has become particularly visible in the social network era. I believe in the importance of words and that is why I use them with the deepest respect. I believe in the power of a smile and that is why kindness is always my starting point.

When in your life have you needed courage?
You need the most courage once it is the hardest for you. When you fall down, you need courage to get up and start over. There were moments like that, and you forget most of them… The most difficult situation for me was lost pregnancies. It takes courage to start over the challenging journey without guarantees for a happy ending. Thanks God, my prayers were heard, because I gave birth to a healthy and wonderful, today six years old boy. Once you go through all that, you see how strong you are.

You are involved in many charity projects. Which is the most important for you?
One says that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Starting from the importance of early development, we have initiated a unique project in Serbia, I dare say, a pioneer one, which is the Center for Early Childhood Development and Inclusion. Finalization of the Center’s construction is planned for the end of this year. It will be a place that will cherish a comprehensive approach to the most sensitive and the most important period in the development of each individual, and a meeting point for experts and parents, as well as the place for all their questions, doubts, fears…

What was the most exciting experience for you this year?
Business-wise, the most important event was that Belgrade was chosen to host Specialized EXPO 2027. Since I was a part of the team that represented our creative candidacy in Paris, but also through long meetings and diplomatic contacts, I see this common success as the big success of Serbia, but also as a personal dream come true. EXPO is the biggest development chance for the entire Serbia. Big projects are planned for 2027, when we expect your readers in Serbia, as well.

During your position as a First Lady, you met many First Ladies. Can you tell us your opinion about Brigitte Macron, Michelle Obama, Melania Trump, or others?
I must say that all the First Ladies you have mentioned are more charming and spontaneous, and thereby prettier, in private conversations than a TV screen or photograph can show. On the other hand, they are all ladies who have the same or similar doubts, uncertainties, and fears as the ladies who are not public personalities. Finally, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, all individuals, once they meet their basic physiological needs, and safety, strive to belong; what comes next is esteem, and at the very top is self-actualization. Those are our common strivings, regardless of what we do and where we come from. That is why I believe that the fuss should be only about achievements, never about personalities.

You love fashion. Tell us about the Fashion in Serbia.
I like fashion expression, but I‘m far from someone who blindly follows trends in anything. Most often I don’t take chances. I know clearly and accurately what fits into my style and how something would fit me. The fashion offer of Serbian brands is really rich, diverse, quality, and creative. I can wholeheartedly praise them and recommend them. I, myself, have wonderful cooperation with them and I most gladly chose designs of national fashion designers. If you allow me, I’d mention some of them: Stefan Djoković, Maridruna, Aleksandar Zabunović, Biljana Tipsarević, Igor Todorović, Mihano Momosa….

In a few months, we will celebrate International Women’s Day. At what level is the emancipation of women in Serbia?
Women are very successful in leading positions, due to, I’d say, natural talent for organization. The women realized that it is important, even necessary, to be financially independent, because it is one of the basic elements of real independence.
Reaching gender equality, with respect to mutual differences, is a process. In that process, I see education as one of the most important components. That is why I would like to see more attention in the media paid to such examples, and to have more discussions on the successes of our ladies in science, arts, sports, and entrepreneurship. Women in Serbia are strong and stable, wise, and responsible.

Do you like poetry? What is your favorite verse that became a source of inspiration for you?
Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history, Plato said. I just love poetry. One of the verses that I have remembered longest is a verse that I found in my mother’s notebooks a long time ago: “I’m begging you, be always a child, innocent and pure as a flower. And let an old nurse watch over your holy tenderness” …Since I have been remembering it for so long, it is my constant inspiration, no doubt.

You have visited Greece. What did you like most about our country?
You have one of the most beautiful costs in the world, no doubt. Since Serbia is a landlocked country, our people spend their summer holidays precisely in Greece. We like Greek mentality, food…. We have a lot of similarities as nations. We know how to enjoy ourselves, making thus balance between business obligations and leisure. I must admit, I feel at home in Greece.

If we did a joint event Greeks and Serbs in which area would it be?
I think that we would have a problem choosing from plenty of ideas. An area of my interest, and the one I am particularly committed to is cultural heritage. We have a nice festival, dedicated precisely to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, and I’d like to see Greece as a country in focus one year.

A quote that changed your life.
There are several. I’ll choose one wonderful message from our Nobel Prize Winner Ivo Andric: “All of us, both men and women, should take more care of what we say because one never knows how long and with what consequences each our word can live in another human being.” I’d add one more thing, and that is, when you go to bed in the evening, the most important thing is the purity of your reputation and the clarity of your thoughts because only that determines your peace and quality of your sleep. And eventually your life.

Thank you very much!