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