Serbia — A Small Country with a Big Heart

Remembering the tragedy in Novi Sad and the courage of the students who awakened a nation!

Photo by Maja Bogdanović: Serbia — A Small Country with a Big Heart

Friday, November 1st, 2024, at 11:52. At the Railway Station in Novi Sad, a canopy collapsed and forever took 16 lives. In that moment, time stopped.

It was a sunny day. I was sitting in my office when we heard the news. In an instant, the music stopped, and the room was filled only with silence and dread. Later, we all watched the same footage — a concrete structure crashing down on people who were simply waiting for a train.

The next day, I passed by the station. Candles, flowers, left by citizens, and silence. Novi Sad was wrapped in grief. Fear and pain were etched into every street.

The concrete canopy, above the main entrance to the Railway Station, collapsed on November 1st, 2024, at 11:52 AM. Beneath it were children, young people, and the elderly. Fourteen people died on the spot, while two more passed away later in the hospital.

The Railway Station had been renovated by the state, as part of their official project. Reconstruction took place from 2021 to 2024. State officials initially claimed that the entire station had been reconstructed — except for the canopy. However, footage quickly surfaced that contradicted these statements, as well as articles from newspapers confirming that everything had been renovated, which were soon deleted from the internet. But the key fact remained: even after the reconstruction, the station still did not have a permit to operate.

Social networks filled with theories of how this could have happened.

How could the entire canopy structure, suspended by concrete beams, suddenly collapse?! How could all the beams give way at the same time, bringing everything down on the people below?!

For a long time, the public waited for answers from the authorities, to identify those responsible. But a real, evidence-based answer never came.

And then the STUDENTS STOOD UP!

They began a fight for the whole country. They blocked the work of universities, colleges, and academies across Serbia. Professors were prohibited from holding classes and exams. University and school buildings were covered with student artwork symbolizing the collapse of the system.

A red hand, painted in blood, became the symbol of the students’ fight against a system that had failed its people.

Their demands were clear: publish all documentation about the collapse, make institutions do their job, and ensure that the law and constitution apply to EVERYONE!

They asked the right questions and made demands that we, the ADULTS, didn’t dare to!

They set an example for all of Serbia, showing that silence is not an option, that there are no excuses, that WE are the country, not the Government. That every life matters, and that it is worth FIGHTING for!

Photo by Maja Bogdanović: Students will not forget!

The students of Serbia awakened the whole nation!

Farmers, teachers, bar associations, bikers, doctors, and many others began joining them.

Every day at 11:52, streets across Serbia were blocked for 16 minutes in honor of the victims!

Photo by Maja Bogdanović: I think, therefore I block!

I don’t know about other countries, but I do know that the media failed this nation. They do not do their job! They do not present information the right way. Today, anyone can call themselves a “journalist.” Once, it was different. Journalists fought to bring truth to their people. Without bias. They presented facts, the raw truth.

Today, “journalists” are divided into two groups: those “for” and those “against” the Government. Is that journalism?! NO!

A journalist is someone who shows facts, gives accurate and verified information. Their personal bias should never be imposed on the readers. Because what matters to us are FACTS! TRUTH! EVIDENCE!

Thanks to today’s “journalism,” the media, and reality TV stars who have become role models for both the young and the old, our society has been corrupted. Social media, which everyone has today, gave a loud voice to people who are neither informed nor competent. The loudest voices are often the least knowledgeable — but now they have a massive microphone.

Yes, freedom of speech must exist, and everyone has the right to their opinion. But one must also know when something is beyond their expertise. To have an OPINION, a person must read books — not watch reality shows. Sadly, today, the least educated, least informed, and least empathetic people have become the loudest.

People have started turning their backs on those closest to them — family, partners, friends, relatives, neighbors. Once, when someone was in trouble, we helped each other. You could borrow sugar or coffee from your neighbor. Now?

Now we are taught from childhood: “Be quiet, work, and mind your own business!”

Capitalism has overshadowed humanity, which is a deep shame and sorrow for this nation. We once fought and died for others, we stood up against injustice done to others — and now we don’t even fight for ourselves!

But the STUDENTS AWAKENED THIS NATION!

They showed humanity even when cars ran them over, when they were beaten and harassed, even though they were peacefully honoring the victims! Farmers with tractors and bikers with motorcycles came out to protect them!

They walked across the country, through snow and rain, injured and frozen! They crossed long distances on foot. They went through villages, to distant cities. They lifted Serbia to its feet! All in pursuit of JUSTICE!

Photo by Maja Bogdanović: A NEW ERA IS COMING!

Serbia is a small country, but with a big heart! These young people prove it!

In honor of the victims: Nemanja Komar (2007) Anđela Ruman (2004) Đorđe Firić (1971) Valentina Firić (2014) Sara Firić (2018) Milica Adamović (2008) Mileva Karanović (1948) Sanja Arbutina Ćirić (1989) Stefan Hrka (1997) Miloš Milosavljević (2003) Đuro Švonja (1947) Vukašin Raković (1955) Vasko Sazdovski (1979) Goranka Raca (1966) Anja Radonjić (2002) Vukašin Crnčević (2006)

The continuation of our loss and the great courage of the STUDENTS will be shared in the upcoming articles!