Formal Academy of the Liberation Day of Kruševac was held in the Theater of Kruševac, in honor of the people who liberated Kruševac in World War I and World War II. The Academy was opened by Mayor Manojlović by addressing the present guests and citizens of Kruševac.
“Today, we should not raise glasses, but our heads. We should not sing with joy, but stay silent out of respect. October 14 is not a holiday, but a day of memory.
Memory of everyone who stood tall before an opposing force in order to defend their name, city, and land. Memory of those who gave their lives in battle so that we can live ours in peace.
We do not celebrate the end of a war, as wars never bring out victors, but wounds that we silently endure and heal, over time. Today, we do not celebrate, we remember, keeping from being forgotten. We remember the courage and deaths, but we remember the hope that survived when everything else desisted. Today, we stand tall in silence, because every word might seem small when placed next to their sacrifice. And our biggest oath to them is to keep peace – with dignity, love, and gratitude.
Throughout the thousands of years of existence, a Serbian has always lit a candle and prayed to his patron saint, every year. However, history tells us that every third candle was lit in times of war. That prayers were muffled by the thundering of cannons, those tribute breads were offered to the patron saints while in trenches, tents, and those patrons saints stayed behind to guard their hearths even when the hearthfires were slowly dying.
The Serbian celebrated his patron saint even in times of plenty and naught, in freedom and captivity. So Patron Saint Day is not just a custom – it is a vow of survival, a sign that we, regardless of war, famine, winter, or sorrow, we stand tall and under God.
With their and our saints and beliefs, they have achieved eternal glory.
Today, centuries after their prayers and battles, our Kruševac stands as proof that sacrifice will never be in vain.
A city was born from the ashes, one that remembers, builds, respects its past, and looks forward to the future.
History was woven in the stone of its walls, as hope and faith in better tomorrow is woven into the eyes of its children.
On the field where one could have heard the thundering of cannons, now footsteps of people who have come to learn, create and leave traces of goodness can be heard.
Freedom is not a gift, it is an obligation. An obligation to be worthy of the ones who had earned it for you. An obligation to keep peace, as they had kept their faith. An obligation to keep our culture, unity, and respect, as they had kept their patriotism.
The power of unity does not solely lie within us. It also lies within those who offered us a brotherly hand. It lies in our twin cities, in friendships that have been created over years. Those limitless relations show us that we are connected by common values and hope in goodness of people. It is the brotherhood among people that deepens the peace and makes the future safer for everyone.
And today, while the memory lives in every street, every rock and lit candle, we do not only look back, we also look forward. Forward, towards the future of Kruševac who has sprouted from the soil of tradition, from a place that molds old and new, holy and mundane into one. A city that knows it is being showered in the light of saints today and forevermore. As long as there is faith in the hearts of men, as long as there is song, prayer and life from Rasina to Morava, from Jastrebac to Bagdala… there will our lovely city stand tall.
Let Kruševac forever stand in its rightful place – in our hearts, above sorrow and doubt, as proof that love for a city can never be snuffed, especially in times when everything else can so easily be.
Long live Kruševac, long live Serbia!”
After the Mayor’s speech, the program continued. The actors told the tales of liberation through song, dance, and spoken word, through mixing art and history, through proof that memory is still being kept, past still being respected, and the future worthy of our ancestors still being held together as our goal, filled with unwavering pride and gratitude.
The following have participated in the performance: Music School “Stevan Hristić”, singing group of Primary School “Nada Popović”, Cultural – Art Association “Čarapani”, Theater of Kruševac actors, and Radio Television Kruševac through its production of a short film.
The Formal Academy was attended by the Metropolitan of Kruševac David, on behalf of the Kruševac Eparchy, guests from Twin Cities Stavros and Râmnicu Vâlcea, representatives of state and city institutions, neighboring municipalities, Serbian Armed Forces, Police, associations, businesses…
