The Legacy of Konstantin Koča Popović and Leposava Lepa Perović

Konstantin Popović Koča (1908-1992), was born in a distinguished Belgrade family of industrialists. Studied in the universities of Belgrade, Swiss and graduated from the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Took active part in the progressive journalist and literary circles. One of the founders of the Yugoslav Surrealism Group. Member of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia since 1933. Volunteered in the Spanish civil war (1937-1939). Participated in the Liberation war in Yugoslavia from the very beginning, 1941. During the Liberation war acted as commander of the First Proleterian brigade,Second Army of the People's Liberation Army and Partisans units of Yugoslavia (NOV and POJ), which participated in the liberation of Belgrade and other parts of Yugoslavia.

During the war times he was elected a member in all people's representative bodies since their foundation. Commander of General Staff of Yugoslav Army (JNA) from 1945 to 1953. Since the liberation of Yugoslavia until 1953 acted as the people's representative in the National Assembly of Serbia and as the representative in the Federal Assembly until 1963. Member of the Federal Executive Council and state secretary for the foreign affairs since January 1953. Signed the Ankara Agreement, concluded among Turkey, Greece and Yugoslavia.

Presided at the regular and extraordinary sessions of the Organization of the United Nations (OUN) in the capacity of the leader of the Yugoslav delegation. Participated in the preparatory session of the Conference of the non-aligned countries in Cairo and in the Belgrade Conference as the member of the Yugoslav delegation. Acted as the vice-president of the Republic, member of the Federal Council, Presidency of the SFRY, Central Committee of the Leage of Communist of Yugoslavia. In 1972 he resigned from all his duties.

The bulk of the legacy consists of the notes of the legator on the events he had taken part in and on the persons he had met as a participant in the Spanish Civil War, in World War II, and then, from 1953 on, as the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The legacy also contains his correspondence with the Belgrade surrealists whose member he had been himself, personal documents, correspondence, numerous awards, photographs, a collection of gramophone records, voluminous library with copies containing dedications, and the legator's study. The documents are arranged, preserved and described in detail.

Valuable collection of the Legacy orders includes the highest domestic and international acknowledgements. Koča Popović was decorated with the Order of Freedom, National Hero Decoration, Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour, National liberation Order, Battle Flag Decoration, Yugoslav flag Order, Partisan star Medal, Оrder of Republic, French Order League of Honour with stripe, Finish White Rose Order of I degree, Norwegian Saint Olav Order, Afghan Sardar Aalla Order.