Negotin - famous people

Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac
Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac (Serbian Cyrillic: Стеван Стојановић Мокрањац) (January 9, 1856 - 1914) is one of the most famous Serbian composers and music educators of the nineteenth century. His work was essential in bringing the spirit of Serbian unwritten folk poems into organized art.
Biography
He was born in Negotin. From the birthplace of his parents he drew the second last name Mokranjac (literally: resident of Mokranje).
He graduated from the Belgrade gymnasium, and attended the natural science and mathematics section of the Belgrade higher school (contemporary equivalent of a college). In 1879 he travels to Munich where he studies music in the class of J. Reinberg. After a brief break, he continues to study in Rome in the class of Parizzoti, in 1884. Returning to Serbia in 1884 he briefly becomes the conductor of the Kornelije Stanković choir of Belgrade.
From 1885 to 1887 he studies music in Leipzig, Germany. Upon his return to Serbia in 1887 he becomes the conductor for the Belgrade signing society (Belgrade Choir). From 1887 to 1900 he teaches music at the Belgrade gymnasium, and in 1901 transfers to Bogoslovija (Belgrade Divinity College) where he teaches church singing. Together with Stanislav Binički and Cvetko Manojlović, Mokranjac founds the first independent music school in 1899 - Serbian Music School in Belgrade. He remains the director of this school until his death. Today the school bears his name. His work as a melograph bore many transcriptions of thus far unwritten folk songs.
Stevan Mokranjac died in Skoplje, Macedonia, aged 58.
Every year, the town of Negotin organizes a music festival in his honor Mokranjčevi dani (Days of Mokranjac). The town also has a Mokranjac museum.
Works
His life was highly influenced by church and folk songs, and he used these two types of music as inspiration for his work. His most famous pieces are Rukoveti (literally: works of hand) - collections of songs and music based on motives of Bosnian, Serbian, Macedonian and Bulgarian folk music. There are 15 Rukoveti, and the 10th one is considered the most beautiful. His other prominent folk-based works include Coastal songs (Primorski napevi), and Kozar.
A significant number of his works was made for church services. Such are the Magnificent Liturgy (Velelepna liturgija), from which the Heruvian Song (Heruvimska pesma) is most famous. Another two famous religious pieces are I praise You, God (Tebe Boga hvalim) and Glory to St. Sava (Veličanje Sv. Savi).

Hajduk Veljko Petrović
Hajduk Veljko Petrović (Serbian Cyrillic Вељко Петровић) (ca.1780-1813) was the Duke (Војвода/Vojvoda in Serbian) of the First Serbian Uprising rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.
Famous for his bravery, haiduk Veljko entered Serbian epic poetry. Veljko took part in Stanoje Glavaš's army unit. He's known for the liberation of Montenegro in 1807 and the defence of Soko Banja in 1809. Veljko organized the rebellion in eastern Serbia. He died in the battle in the city of Negotin in 1813. He is well known for his saying : "I'll give my head, but I'll not give Krajina (the region of eastern Serbia where he lived)".
Just before the Battle of Negotin, his friend suggested to him that he sends his gold, jewels and other valuables to his family, so they wouldn't fall into Turkish hands. But Veljko refused, believing it wouldn't be proper for a great haiduk and war hero to be slain and found penniless. It was customary at that time to loot your fallen enemies, and Veljko considered his personal reputation and glory more important than mere gold.