Association of Societies for the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge “Nikola Tesla”

The “Nikola Tesla” Society was founded 48 years ago, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Nikola Tesla’s birth. The Society’s basic task was the study of the life and the popularization of the creative work of this brilliant researcher, whose discoveries were of immeasurable importance for the development of modern science and the progress of humanity. During the occupation the Society was inactive.

After the war the “Nikola Tesla” Society resumed its work, but, in accordance with the socialist development of the country, it broadened its aims and programme, orienting itself increasingly toward the popularization of science and technology as a whole. Following this orientation, in 1954 the “Nikola Tesla” Society became the Yugoslav Society for the Spread of Scientific Knowledge “Nikola Tesla”, which in effect constitutes a general Yugoslav movement for the advancement of scientific and technical culture.

In carrying out its aims the Society gathers a wide circle of scientific, professional and social workers. It initiates and organizes the examination of current questions in the development of modern science and its application; it follows and popularly reports on scientific achievements and currents; it initiates and organizes various actions for the dissemination of scientific knowledge; and it seeks out new and improves existing methods and means of popularizing science and technology. A special place in the Society’s activity is occupied by the popularization of the work and personality of Nikola Tesla and of other great figures of Yugoslav science, the education of younger generations by their example, and the encouragement of youth creativity and a creative attitude toward work.

Among the numerous activities the Society has carried out and continues to carry out, the most significant and effective are the following:

• The action “Science for the Working Man”, which arose from the Society’s endeavour to bring science closer to the working man, above all the producer, and to help him master and apply scientific-technical achievements. In addition to assembling a large number of Yugoslav scientists, economists and social workers, the action included numerous meetings of scientists with workers in production, popular lectures accompanied by the showing of films on scientific-technical achievements both in our country and abroad, and their application in practice.
• The International Festival of Scientific-Technical Film, which the Society has organized for 25 years and in which 20 to 25 countries from all over the world regularly take part with 150–200 films. Besides Belgrade, the Festival is held in the principal cities of the republics and provinces and in larger industrial centres. Thematically complete programmes of films from the Festival are shown in schools, faculties, various institutions and workers’ organizations. The Festival and its special events are well attended.
• “Assembly of Science” and other conferences on the popularization of science and technology.
• Scientific forums active in Belgrade and other centres, which closely follow developments connected with the advancement of science and its application in production and in other spheres of social life.
• Actions for the popularization of Nikola Tesla’s work, organized on significant dates in his life. Especially important was the Society’s activity in connection with the celebrations of the 100th, 120th and 125th anniversaries of Tesla’s birth, for it undoubtedly contributed to these anniversaries being appropriately marked on an international scale and to the celebrations in the country acquiring a mass character. The Society was the initiator of the founding of the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, which preserves Tesla’s legacy.

The “Nikola Tesla” Society carries out its tasks and then achieves remarkable cooperation with all interested social organizations, scientific, educational, cultural and informational institutions, economic organizations and the Yugoslav People’s Army.

In the dissemination of scientific knowledge the Yugoslav Society “Nikola Tesla”, following the principles of the international policy of our country, exchanges and enriches its experience in cooperation with related organizations in other countries (exchanges of scientists, study delegations, publications).

Organizationally, the work of the Yugoslav Society “Nikola Tesla” is conducted through the republican and provincial “Nikola Tesla” societies.

The long and fruitful activity of the Yugoslav Society “Nikola Tesla” has received many recognitions, among which the “Boris Kidrič” gold plaque and the “Lomonosov” medal are particularly significant.