Serbia's National Day - Dan Drzavnosti

While for the rest of the world mid-February means chocolate, candies, big red hearts and bouquets of red roses for Valentine's Day, ever since 2007, on February 15 Serbia celebrates their national day (Dan Drzavnosti).
This date has, however, other meanings too.
It was first and foremost a religious celebration called Sretenje (The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple). Traditions on this day include divinations about up-coming weather conditions - if the day of Sretenje is cloudy, the winter will end quickly and warmer weather is just around the corner....if this day is sunny and nice, then winter will linger still, with snowfalls and cold winds ahead.

Icon of "Sretenje"feast - source: www.pravoslavlje.net

Then, in 1804 it was on this very day that the first up-rising against the Turks took place, under the leadership of George Petrovic, nick-named Karadjordjevic. Ultimately this revolution resulted in the recognition of Serbia's statehood by the Ottoman Empire (de facto in 1817, de jure in 1830).
Note: to visit the memorial house of George Petrovic and the mausoleum church of the royal family Karadjordjevic, whose line he founded you can take our day trip to Topola and Oplenac).

Picture of George Petrovic Karadjordje by Vladimir Borovikovsky - source: Wikipedia

Another event commemorated is the promulgation, in 1835 in Kragujevac (central Serbia), of modern Serbia's first democratic constitution.

Kragujevac

And, none the less, February 15th is also considered the Day of the Army - and sometimes parades and other events are held in the capital city.

Serbian army and flag

All in all, a lot to celebrate - and this year the government has made sure Serbs can do so with a mini-vacation. Monday and Tuesday are school free days and many state institutions will also be closed or will work shorter hours.
If in Serbia, avoid the ski resorts of Kopaonik and Zlatibor, which are packed!

Pljeskavica or Big Mac?

For a country with their own "hamburger"-like menu item (the famous "pljeskavica", sold in every restaurant, fast food or even street corner at very affordable prices), where being a vegetarian is still rare ("A vegetarian? Really? And you don't even eat chicken?") and fasting before major Christian holidays is the only concievable reason why anyone in their right mind and their right health should ever go without a nice juicy piece of roast pork or lamb on the spit, it is surprising that McDonalds survives and even thrives in select locations...

In March of 1988, Belgrade - then the capital of Yugoslavia, became the first city in the communist world to open a McDonald’s restaurant. And its success story continues ever since.

Whether it is the desire of the locals to get a taste of the Western world, even in this "culinary" form, whether it is the young generation, always in need of free wi-fi to continuously access their favourite social networks, whether it is the ex-pats and travelers who loath the thought of dining in this fast food while at home, yet strangely flock in the overseas venues for fear of trying the local food or the nostalgia of the US-way, it would seem that the McDonalds restaurants are always popular with young and old alike, always have the busies counters in shopping malls and seem to be always increasing in number with new locations opening every year...

Next time you visit Belgrade, do not miss trying out a true Serbian dish, the pljeskavica...but also check out this Mcdonalds restaurant in Slavija Square, house in a historical, turn of the century building - close to shopping (King Milan's street) and sightseeing (St Sava temple, Nikola Tesla Museum)...Contact us at www.tours2serbia.com and let us know how you're loving it :) !!!