Kruševac was visited by the Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations with the diaspora, Mister Đorđe Milićević. Reception in the Mayor’s Cabinet was held by Mayor Ivan Manojlović, Deputy Mayor Snežana Radojković, and Deputy President of the City Assembly Siniša Maksimović. The representatives of the City and Ministry visited Srboljub Miletić’s household in Ribare, a priest who returned to Serbia after living in Australia for 40 years.
Srboljub Miletić lives with his family on the land of his ancestors, which he established into a tourist household called “Miletića Čardak”, which has become one of the highest-rated rural tourist household in its category. Father Srboljub initially returned to Serbia with his wife, and soon after, his three of four children followed suit. Though their original idea was not to start a hospitality business, his son Danilo expressed the desire to do so, and the idea was accepted by the family.
Minister Milićević highlighted the importance of Serbian families returning from diaspora to Serbia while talking with Srboljub, explaining that it was an important step in strengthening and restoring the demographic, economic, and cultural potentials of our country, as the families who had decided to come back would not only bring experience and knowledge from the foreign country they had been living in but also the deeply-rooted patriotic love and wish to contribute to Serbia’s development.
“Families that decided to come back to Serbia enrich our community with new ideas, contemporary skills, and different perspectives that together contribute to all segments of the Serbian society – from the economy and education to the culture and local communities themselves. Their return could revive the lowly-developed areas in Serbia, start new projects and encourage young generations to stay here or return to their homeland”, stated Minister Milićević.
He has also discussed about the importance of children of Serbian origin who were born in diaspora and graduated from universities and other important educational institutitions, returning to Serbia.
“Their return would represent an enormous potential for our country, as they would bring their knowledge, skills, and perspectives acquired in international surroundings, which could significantly contribute to the development of economy, science, technology, and culture. These children are bridging the gap between Serbia and the rest of the world – having grown up in different surroundings, they could connect two cultures. By connecting, they can further develop our own Serbian society and contry itself on a global level. Their creativity, innovation, and a multitude of skills could help in creating many new initiatives, better living standard and conditions, and creating a more contemporary and competitive society. I believe that returning to them means reestablishing connection with their roots, building careers and lives in the land of their ancestors, and to Serbia, their presence would simply ensure the future and chances to create a stronger and more successful country”, concluded Minister Milićević.
Mayor Ivan Manojlović said that the ways of improving the diaspora relationship had been discussed. “The Miletićs are a good example of a family that decided to return to their homeland, finding an economic interest in the meantime. That would entail using or applying the gained knowledge and experience here in their country of Serbia”.
Father Srboljub left his mark in Australia, as well. Besides priesthood, he has also done a plethora of other philantropic activites: publishing a theology curriculum book, organizing various seminars for Serbian youth in diaspora, publishing an eparchial newspaper, being one of the founders of Saint Sava College in Sidney, among others.
Srboljub Miletić visited every continent but the love for his homeland tipped the scales, as that love is, by his words, the mirror of strength of a people.
