The "Vremena" reporter went with the students on a protest march from Belgrade to Novi Sad. Together with their colleagues from Novi Sad, they will block three bridges there on February 1. "My faith in love and people has returned," student Dea Jovanović told Vreme upon entering the capital of Vojvodina.
31. January
End of protest march
21.55
Tears.
This is what followed the students along the entire route from Belgrade to the final destination - the train station in Novi Sad.
There were tears here too, many tears shed from November 1 until today, with 15 minutes of thunderous silence.
Many cried walking through the streets of Novi Sad, because they reached the goal - the place where 15 people died.
They are leaving here for universities, and tomorrow for the bridge blockade.
They achieved one goal - they reached Novi Sad on foot from Belgrade, but with it, they say, they achieved much more - they started thousands of others.
Here, in the place where it all began, their two-day story ends.
Until tomorrow, new blockades.
"We wouldn't succeed without people"
21.43
After entering Novi Sad, student Dea Jovanović told Vreme: "My faith in love and people has returned. They are phenomenal and we couldn't do anything without them. This is not any politics, these are just people who want a better future".
He adds that this trip to Novi Sad led them to a united community that works hard and will stand up for a better tomorrow.
Wreaths laid for the victims
21.29
Upon arrival at the railway station in Novi Sad, the students laid 15 wreaths for the victims of the fall of the canopy.
Together with colleagues from Novi Sad and citizens, students from Belgrade observed 15 minutes of silence for the victims.
Medals for students
20:49
Upon arrival in Novi Sad, citizens gave the students medals from old running competitions, marathons and half-marathons.
Students go to the Railway Station
20:31
Several thousand people welcomed the students with tears. From the Varadin bridge all the way to the center, a column of people applauds and awaits the youth.
The students are going to the railway station where, together with their colleagues from Novi Sad, they will pay their respects to the victims of the fall of the canopy with a fifteen-minute silence.
Students arrived in Novi Sad
20.07
The students arrived in Novi Sad and in the first row they carry the flag of Belgrade and the University.
Then, behind them is a line of guards carrying 15 wreaths of white roses. And then, a big banner that says, "Some new kids."
In the fourth row are the faculty flags.
A welcome to the students was heard from the megaphone.
"The feeling is unreal. This support was really unimaginable in the beginning. I am very glad that with our initiative we have motivated the others and that we will continue to inspire them, just like their support for us," student Katarina, who is walking from Belgrade, tells "Vreme".
He adds that it was not that difficult.
"With this kind of support, atmosphere and people, you don't feel tired."
A student from Novi Sad on a protest march
19.35
Relja Stanojević is a student from Novi Sad and he came to Belgrade yesterday to return home on foot today.
He found the broom at the Autokomanda roadblock. He helps him a little while walking, he is very tired, but also amazed by everything he has experienced in the past two days.
Students go to the center of Novi Sad
19.29
With the display of the faculty flag at the beginning of the column, students descend from Petrovaradin towards the center of Novi Sad.
The gathered people of Novi Sad greeted them with applause and shouted: "Bravo, bravo, bravo!".
Students arrived at Petrovaradin
19.23
A large number of citizens gathered in Petrovaradin to welcome the students. There are young, old and children. They share food, applaud, cry and greet students.
The atmosphere is quite heated. It was cold until a while ago, but now everything is kind of warm.
Entrance to Petrovaradin
18.59
A large number of people joined the march after passing through Sremske Karlovci.
Brothers Uroš and Luka
18.46
The brothers Uroš and Luka climb up the hill.
Uroš carries a large banner, Luka can barely walk, leaning on a stick and his brother.
Someone passes by and asks Luka how his banner is doing. He answers: "Never better, he didn't sleep in the tent last night, but now I'm taking care of him."
"Now it is important for me to save the banner and for my brother to reach Novi Sad."
"My legs fell apart," says the younger brother.
They were helped by medical professionals, but they say they took this venture lightly.
Leaving Sremski Karlovci
18.22
On the way out of Sremski Karlovac, I meet Sofia again, the "student grandmother". You met her yesterday in one of the first posts. She is tired, but the crowd is leading her.
Now she is here with three friends, also pensioners.
"My legs hurt a little, but I'll be sorry tomorrow when this walk doesn't happen," he tells me.
Last night their hips hurt, but today there is no such pain. "The grandmothers have worked it out," he says, laughing.
She often smiled during these two days, but she also says that there were moments when she couldn't stop the tears - not because of the pain, but because of the enthusiasm that the students give her.
She asks me if I had transportation on any part of the trail, and to my negative answer, I get her: "Well done!" and a big smile.
I think, if she can do it, I believe she is twice my age, why can't I. I don't tell her that, but I say that it wouldn't be fair and authentic if I wasn't in the group.
It's getting dark, we're leaving Sremski Karlovac. Here the group is joined by the locals of the town where the famous movie "Barking at the Stars" was filmed.
It's cloudy, so there are no stars in the sky tonight. But I believe that these students are the stars that Novi Sad welcomes tonight.
Another train passes by us. Another "Falcon" whose driver is "lying" on the horn. The students and all who follow them greet with applause.
There are still ten kilometers left to Novi Sad.
Parish students on their way to Novi Sad
18.03
– How are you?
"Excellent, there is a bit of fatigue, but the energy is wonderful." You feel empathy and togetherness, so the fatigue is on the side," student Una Milić tells "Vreme" and adds that her legs and shoulders hurt a little.
Student Pavle Gašić adds for "Vreme" that people's hospitality heals them.
"When we see elderly people who come and applaud, cry and greet us, it means a lot to us." It kind of helps us overcome those physical pains."
On the news that they are candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize, Gašić says that they are glad that they recognized the students' cry for peace and normal values.
"The message of love is at the heart of all these protests."
Milić hopes that this path (which is on foot) leads to a better future.
At the end of the conversation, they invited citizens to tomorrow's protest in Novi Sad.
Last route
17.47
We were in Sremski Karlovci for a short time and now we are moving on.
"Come on, one more hill and we're there," is heard from the megaphone.
Entering Karlovci
17.32
The students arrived in Sremske Karlovce. Initially, it was planned to go through the center, but during the day it was reported to the stewards that the route was being moved to the parking lot.
The locals said that it would be much nicer if it was in the center, that they had already prepared everything there, but that the organizers said that there was not enough space.
"It would be much nicer in the center, there people would go out the windows and onto the streets," says an elderly resident of Sremski Karlovac.
Applause, "Bravo, children", can be heard from all sides as the residents of Sremski Karlovac greet the students.
Food, tea and coffee are served.
Students complain more and more about blisters, but only the last stage remains.
Cyclists are also arriving.
17.14
At the entrance to Sremske Karlovce, pedestrians were also overtaken by cyclists.
Today they left Belgrade for Novi Sad.
With greetings and mutual cheering "Bravo, bravo", "All the best, people", cyclists and pedestrians greeted each other.
Cyclists had to move on, so as not to create a crowd.
Cyclists arrive in groups, which is why pedestrians have been waiting for almost an hour.
"We are very nervous," throw some pedestrians with the argument that they could split up and go in one lane, leaving the other lane for cyclists.
The candidacy has arrived.
16.41
At one point, the latest news was heard over the public address system - the students are candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize.
"I don't believe we will get it, but it is a very big step that we have been nominated for this prestigious award." The peace we create with this scope is a reward in itself", says one of the students.
Ljubica Vlahović from FON says that this information did not seem realistic to her.
"I thought someone was joking." We are very surprised in a positive sense and if this continues until the end, the students deserve such recognition", she adds.
The Danube ahead of us
16.23
The cyclist is still missing, even though it has been announced for more than half an hour that they are about to. Finally, we filled both lanes, as before.
"They passed so quickly that we didn't see them," said someone in the column.
"They should also eat something," added someone else.
Before us are the Danube and Sremski Karlovci.
Virtuous Novi Sad
15.40
Students and other pedestrians from Čortanovac went on. Novi Sad can be seen in the distance.
"People, that's a good Novi Sad," says one guy.
But Novi Sad is not that close. There are more than 20 kilometers ahead of the group, when the news arrives - cyclists are coming.
They released the tape for them.
Fatigue and pain seem to be catching up with the pedestrians.
"I've walked miles and miles in my life, but never this far," says a boy in a black and white sweatshirt to a colleague he's walking with.
"This, brother, is a march, just like in the army, and I was not in the army", he answers while the group has been going downhill for some time.
Moments later, someone complains of a blister.
Nizbrica will still be ahead of us. The sun is slowly setting, and together with it the air temperature is dropping.
Another 25 kilometers to Novi Sad
14.20
Lunch break in Čortanovci. The internet is weak, but that's why we received wonderful service here. Hay bales are spread out so that we can sit on them.
Why did India sleep in tents?
13.25
The man in the black jacket, evidently from Inđija, I conclude based on the conversation he has with a security guard, says that it is a shame for Inđija and the mayor of the municipality that he did not allow the students to sleep in the hall, so most of them spent the night on the football field.
He tells the girl he is dating that he was not at the protests on October 5, 2000, but that he had to go out today. She, it seems, was not even born then.
A little ahead of them, three students are talking about today's venture.
"I will tell my sons that I walked to Novi Sad, and my grandchildren that I walked to Batajnica," says one of them.
They pass me by in an instant, so I fail to get an explanation for such a futuristic plan.
"Their resignations are in vain"
13.00
Two guys are wearing shacks on their heads. They headed towards Novi Sad, demanding responsibility for the horror that happened on November 1 at the railway station.
"Resignations are for nothing, if there is no responsibility for the deed", they say, referring to the resignation of Prime Minister Vučević and two ministers. They can resign, they will only be dragged from one place to another.
Their journey is not tiring, and their legs don't hurt either. Even if it hurts, the goal is clear, they say.
"I came from Novi Sad, where I study, to Belgrade, and now I'm going back," says Matija Obrenović, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad.
The air temperature is 13 degrees, the sun and clouds pass by, so, he says, the sajkača comes in handy.
Considering the large number of people they saw along the way, it seems to them that a large group of young people is conducting "civic work" against the officials who are in power.
"I slept in the tent for a solid 6-7 hours - my goodness." This is a beautiful experience, I can be tired, but this is the easiest way to reach the goal," says Mattia.
Let's move on.
"I'm not anxious here"
12.15
The break in Maradik is over and the group is moving on to Čortanovci.
Before leaving, several students talk about how difficult it is for them to take breaks.
"It's easier for me to walk than to stand," says a tall guy in a white T-shirt.
We covered about a third of today's route - a little less than 10 kilometers.
One girl says she doesn't like crowds because she often feels anxious.
"Here, however, I'm not anxious," says the other.
Maradik
Students thank the lady behind one of the stalls.
"Thank you for going instead of us," he replies.
He says that she has "small" children and that tomorrow she will go to Novi Sad, to the bridges.
Saša Stanić and Igor Stanojčić from Šabac came to Maradik by car and from here they set off for Novi Sad to follow the group, but by car.
"We are here for freedom, we lack freedom and good vibes that are lacking in this country." This path leads to a better tomorrow", says Stanić.
At the crossroads towards Maradik, the students waited until 11:52. They stood in silence for 15 minutes.
11.30
When a drop overflows the glass
Matija Vemić, a student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, is walking with a new acquaintance.
They met on this route.
This is not the first protest for Matthias, but the earlier gatherings did not seem serious to him, but "were too political and party-oriented".
"And for the protest after the fall of the canopy, I thought it was the same thing." However, when I saw that they are not affiliated with any political party, it made me very happy because I saw that they are sincere and because I want all the demands that the students are asking to be met. So many times, terrible things have happened, but at some point, the last straw and responsibility needs to be taken. I think that by visiting the surrounding places and showing how many of us there are and how persistent we are, we raise people's morale. As we were welcomed everywhere, I can see that people are gathering the courage to say what they think", says Matija.
Earlier, he says, there was pressure, so people who were against the regime did not want to talk about it or they had some kind of benefit, so they spoke positively about the regime.
And this road now leads to Novi Sad, but figuratively further than that.
"The situation in the country is so chaotic that it can lead anywhere." Either everything will be the same, or it will be better, or it will get worse, we cannot know that", says the student of the Faculty of Philosophy.
"I hope that it will lead to those who need to take responsibility and that there will be more resignations of high officials."
Dušan Matijević walks step by step with Matija on the asphalt from Inđija to Novi Sad.
Before I joined them in the conversation, they were talking about Canadian former Prime Minister Trudeau.
I find out that Dušan lives in Canada and is visiting his relatives in Batajnica.
"When I saw the group yesterday in Batajnica, I could not sit down. I joined. I have been doubting this government for years and I felt a responsibility to join," says Dušan.
He adds that he thinks the time is fertile for change and hopes that this is the path towards it.
11.25
The Milicevic sisters again
10.40
I also meet the Milićević sisters again. Tonight they froze, but also rested.
Parents called them and said that they follow this blog and find out where their children are from it.
"They tell us they see more there than they hear from us."
They are smiling and do not show even a trace of fatigue.
They are volleyball players and run, so this endeavor is not difficult for them.
They are not the only ones with whom my path crosses from the start.
Economic tiger
10.13
The "economic tiger" is also on its way.
It is worn by Maša, a student at the Faculty of Economics.
She spent the night in a tent.
Her friend Tara slept at a local discotheque. Last night, he says, the owner of the discotheque came to the football club's field and invited the students to sleep there.
There was room for about 150 people, but only ten accepted the invitation, Tara recounts.
Departure from Inđija
09.45
"People, we have crossed three hundred meters," is heard from the beginning of the column. From the background comes a loud: "Yeeee!"
The departure from Indjija was a bit slow. It stopped twice in the space of 300 meters, so that everyone could get together and, led by tractors and the police, continue on.
About thirty kilometers on the agenda.
"Six times for five kilometers," I hear someone to my left say.
They also talk about the blockade in Vršac.
I notice that there are people who walk with difficulty.
"A big shout out to the gentleman on the left," comes the megaphone.
The crowd shouts "Eeee" and a lot of people raise their hands.
The man on the left says hello.
09.24
Five tons of apples for a happy trip
With five tons of apples from Slankamen, the students and everyone else who joined them on the walk are heading towards Novi Sad.
It's also about an hour late this morning.
It is sunny and we will see how it will be by the end of the day.
07.40
Continuation of the journey
While the sun rises over the cool Indjija, the students also rise, ready for a new day.
It is four degrees outside, and the cold is "killed" with campfires, hot coffee and tea.
The night was cold, but the people who slept in tents, some say that it was not cold and that they were constantly visited, covered by guards.
I managed to find accommodation, so I didn't spend the night in an improvised camp.
Sofia, the "student grandmother" we met yesterday, is drinking coffee by the campfire.
She slept, she says, as much as she could, but she doesn't give up. It moves on towards Novi Sad.
The ambulance was on the field all the time and they say that they had several interventions - due to blisters, temperature, pain.
The twins we talked to are a bit frozen, and pensioner Milovan is suffering from blisters. Now he is no longer sure whether he will continue on foot.
Tonight, a birthday was celebrated in the improvised camp, I would say a cake with candles.
The tents are slowly packed, breakfast is served and the "company" soon moves on.
Maja, Teodora and Tatiana spent the night in the tent. They had an offer for accommodation, but they didn't go, because they like to camp. They ask me where they can follow the blog - is it on Instagram?
Ivana and Nevena, now old acquaintances of mine, did not sleep in the camp. Their legs hurt, but at least they slept in a warm place.
Milan continues to Novi Sad. He didn't sleep well, because he works in security, so normally he doesn't sleep at night.
"The people are angry, it was smoldering, it's not just a canopy, it's a volcano after the canopy," says Milovan.
I met Aleksa and Dimitri again.
Their friend Anastasija says she froze while sleeping on Styrofoam.
"It was also cold. At times it's okay, and then all of a sudden it's chaos."
It's crowded this morning at the makeshift pharmacy. Painkillers, magnesium and hanzaplasts are the most sought after.
We were supposed to leave at 8:30, but it will be a little late this morning as well. The tents must be packed first.
30. January
22.57
See you tomorrow.
At 22.45:XNUMX we arrived at today's destination - the stadium, where most will spend the night.
Food, drinks, pieces of styrofoam to insulate the tent, there are also tents that need to be set up, sleeping bags were waiting for us.
Medicines for pain are also offered.
Today ends here, with 60000 steps taken.
See you tomorrow and on the way to Novi Sad.
22.18
Welcome in Inđija
Several thousand people gathered in Indjija to welcome the convoy.
One of them is Mara Aćimović.
"Welcome, students." This is our history, I think we will drive the bear out of the hole," she told Vreme.
21.58
Sisters Milićević: We are holding on well
In Inđija, I meet ETF students Lenka and Đurđa, with whom I spoke early this morning. They say they feel great.
"We are still very impressed, we don't feel any pain and we are holding up well. We will see how the situation will be tomorrow. So far we're great."
Upon entering Indjija, we also met a pensioner.
"Well done youth, I'm with you to the last drop of blood," he says.
21.37
We arrive in Inđija.
At 21.30:XNUMX p.m., as planned, we arrived in Indjija, at least as far as the sign at the entrance to this place.
We still have a twenty-minute walk to the city center, and, according to social networks, a lot of people have gathered there.
20.47
Fatigue is coming.
We have walked more than 40000 steps so far, and my legs are already feeling it. I've covered more mileage than this twice in one day. Not very soon, and I hardly walked any longer.
As far as mental crises are concerned, there are none. I guess I am "driven" to report on this.
Tiredness has arrived, it seems, and the others. The column dispersed. Those all the way forward walk faster, while a good part lags behind.
In front of the column are tractors and police. They are the first to lead the column from Nova Pazova, the police are there from the start. On several occasions the first group stops and waits for the people behind.
Beside me, one boy explains to another how to lean to walk differently, so that his feet hurt less. He accepts the advice, but is afraid of what will happen tomorrow.
My feet don't hurt. There is a slight pain in the quadriceps and spine.
It is dark everywhere, there is no lighting, and the only thing that breaks the darkness is the rotation of police vehicles.
19.55
We are heading towards Inđija.
With shouts of "Thank you for your support" and "Stara Pazova" that can be heard thunderously and the response of the inhabitants of Stara Pazova "Thank you, children", "Students, students", the column slowly moves to the last stage - to Inđija.
We are followed by great applause, and the students sing "We walk all day and night".
19.25
Touching support from locals
Sara, a student at the Metropolitan University, takes one panadol from me, because her legs are "falling off".
She is visibly tired, like most of us already. The main question they ask each other is "How are you doing?" and "How are the legs?"
In Stara Pazova, we were welcomed "homely", with beans, roast, barbecue, various savory pastries, hot soup, goulash, and there are also pancakes baked on the spot, as well as vegan food.
I helped myself to the soup.
I'm tired too - I admit it, but I'm still "driven" by the energy of all these people - both the participants of the walk and, perhaps more, the energy of the locals who welcome the students from place to place with increasing enthusiasm. Or because of the fatigue it seems that the ardor is greater.
A white-haired woman approaches me and with a wide smile says "Your honor" - I guess she recognizes that I am not from her place, but that I am today's visitor.
She is delighted, she is here with her grandson and says that she is always for youth and what young people think. As we talk, I feel a slight chill as I hear the hope in her voice for what the students are doing.
We're taking a long break here.
18.55
Warm welcome
Many inhabitants of Stara Pazova welcomed a group of lit phones in the square. There is a lot of food.
The temperature has dropped to nine degrees, but the impression is that it is still warm. These people make everything even hotter - soup, cakes, rolls, pancakes, donuts and many other specialties awaited us.
18.33
We arrive in Stara Pazova.
And at the entrance to Stara Pazova, the crowd greets the column.
We are moving towards the center of Stara Pazova, where we will take a longer break.
Welcome to Stara Pazova!
Welcome to Stara Pazova! pic.twitter.com/JcvPFTjgm4— Mladen Mrdalj (@mladen_mrdalj) January 30, 2025
18.18
A monk walks with students.
It got dark. There are still fifteen kilometers left to Indjija, today's final destination. We have crossed more than 25.
Next to me is a monk, he started from Belgrade, he carries a cross in his right hand and I hear him saying a prayer.
Just a few steps in front of him, a group of students sings a song by the band MVP whose lyrics read: "Tell me what you've done if your life is spent in nervousness."
I would say that their prayers are linguistically different, but their wishes are the same. I watch them all. I can already hear some people complaining about the pain and asking when it will end.
"Tomorrow will be easier, when everything is numb," says one young man.
17.56
Farmers greeted the students
Between Nova and Stara Pazova, at the turn to Vojka, a dozen farmers on tractors welcome the students. They greet each other, and several tractor drivers on vehicles join the column.
There was also a group of people with lit lamps, who also came to welcome the students.
17.32
People are joining.
More people joined the group from Nova Pazova. I walk and think about all these people who welcomed the group, who cried on the sidelines, who walked at least part of the route.
I can't estimate how many people there are. I was at the head of the column when we stopped to wait for them to eventually catch up with us. I stopped there when the group started. People walked by for five minutes with not very slow steps.
17.14
Wool is the law.
"It's easier in woolen socks." "I messed up, first I put on regular ones, but woolen ones are the law," says student Luka.
17.07
Welcome in front of Elementary School "Rastko Nemanjić - Sveti Sava"
There are also educators.
"We are all with you and we will always be with you," says one of the students on the megaphone.
"Good evening, great people! Thank you for waking us up and showing us how we can do something as individuals, that we can stop and silently show that someone should leave and know about the shame. We stand here and remain silent. We will continue to stand and be silent," says one of the teachers at the "Rastko Nemanjić - Sveti Sava" primary school.
Photo: Time
16.45
Students arrive in Nova Pazova
We entered Nova Pazova. Here, too, the locals greet the group, and the crowd says: "Thank you for your support."
"Do we follow the hourly rate?", one student asks a friend.
"Let me see... We're good, we're half an hour late," he answered.
Three students have been talking in front of me for some time, I can't hear what they're talking about from the whistles, but in the end I realize that they didn't know each other until today, as they extend their hands to each other and say their names.
People in Nova Pazova also welcome the convoy, often in tears.
Apart from food, applause and whistles, Nova Pazova also welcomed the students with a torch.
We're taking a short break here.
16.28
Pensioner Milovan walking with students
Milovan, a retired builder, also left Belgrade with the students.
"I'm going to Indjija, so we'll see further." I am old, when I was younger, I hiked a lot", he tells me. He doesn't seem tired at all to me, though.
"I saw everyone off, and I will see this one off as well." "It's better to walk for a year than to take a rifle," he adds.
He has a big backpack on his back, water, a whistle and a tangerine in his hands.
Our conversation is interrupted by the sound of a train, about a hundred meters to our left. He seems to be greeting us.
16.20
"We are not asking for resignations"
"I don't think there's been an atmosphere like this in the country since the hippies protested in the sixties," commented one student.
He talks about politics with the other. He says that this is the best way to change something. "We are not asking for resignations, we are asking for respect for the law."
They also comment on the personality of President Aleksandar Vučić. They say it has been usurping everything for years.
"If he was a real chess player, he would have retired on time," says one of them.
"Only if we stay calm like this," his friend replies.
16.12
"It's nice to see this sight"
At the end of the column there are ten policemen, there is no music, but they are walking happily.
They say that they are doing Sisyphean work, but that everything is in the best order.
"It's nice to see this scene, these people, we didn't expect it to be like this."
Estimates of the number of people are coming from the column again. Now they say the minimum is 700.
Some joined the group in Batajnica.
Lives, stories, real photos are recorded.
16.00
Music and whistles for Vučić
The sun is slowly setting, and it seems to me that the atmosphere is getting better. With a slight delay, we walk towards Novi Banovci, with the sound of the guitar going from one student to another and everyone playing a song. The repertoire includes: "Hit the road Jack", "I believe, I don't believe", the hits of EKV, Azra...
The music is overshadowed by the noise as the motorcade passes by the billboard with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.
15.33
"They're great, great!"
Two retired female educators greet the students. They say that they waited and that their legs fell off, but that their hearts are full.
"They're great, great!"
15.13
After the break, the road to Inđija
We didn't expect Batajnica to be this long, the students tell me jokingly. They are not tired, but they are rooting for it to go as soon as possible.
"The longer we sit, the harder it will be afterwards", they say.
"And we got full...uh," they added.
Last night, the residents of Batajnica agreed to organize a reception. And they welcomed the guests with a lot of food.
They tell me that not all of Batajnica has woken up, but that people are slowly waking up.
A little more than 20 kilometers remained to Indjija. Satisfied, we move on to Indjija.
There, most students will sleep in the stadium. Some brought sleeping bags and tents.
The two students I talk to don't have them, but they say they will manage.
"We have nothing, we only have good energy."
Let's move on.
14.48
"We encouraged ourselves to cry"
In Batajnica, some of the residents start crying when they see the students. One lady tells me: "These are our children, these are emotions", and another adds - "We have encouraged ourselves to cry".
Students are welcomed here by a large stall full of fruit, various cakes, water and juices.
What attracted attention was that many women were offering trays of freshly made pancakes and soft drinks. They came out of their kitchens.
14.23
"Everything that can walk in Batajnica, went outside"
"This shook people so much." How people react when they see us gives me strength to continue to the end. I'm not in shape, but I'm not giving up. People are crying and I wanted to hug the first few," says student Anastasia for "Vreme".
They prepared grandmother's cakes and various pies for the students from the kitchens of the people of Batajnica, distributed water, fruit, and sweets.
One woman, pushing a bag full of various snacks to the girl, jokingly tells her: "Take it, don't fight."
Two female educators joined the group in Batajnica. The school where they work is not suspended, but one of them is an hour and a half late for class. She says she shouldn't have missed this.
People in Batajnica greet the convoy en masse.
One student says: "Everything that can walk in Batajnica, went outside." His friend says: "Literally".
Photo: Time
14.24
Booing Vučić
Students whistle and shout: "Wow", as they pass under the banner "Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia must not stop".
14.17
Batajnica is with the students.
Students who walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad enter Batajnica, where the citizens greet them tumultuously.
Students were welcomed en masse in Batajnica with bags of food, sweets, juices and fruit.
Apples, bananas, chocolates for energy are offered everywhere...
"I can't eat this in 10 days," says one of the students.
And there is no doubt, the young people from the column have become seriously burdened with sweets, so it is difficult for them to carry everything. That's why they started handing them out to children they meet with their parents along the way.
14.09
Chanting and walking
"Thank you for your support," shouts one guy, as people around him applaud.
A minute later, she says to her friend: "Yo, I'm more tired from chanting than from walking."
The other two started talking about proper treading. One says: "Brother, it is very important that you tread correctly, otherwise, you will see, you will be covered in blisters."
14.05
Retirement greetings
To greet the students, Kosta Predić (78) also came out of the yard and started waving to them along the way.
Students shouted thank you for your support, and one of them ran from the column to hug him.
"Oh, I'm an old man", says Costa for "Vreme", and adds: "Otherwise I would continue with them".
14.00
"My legs are holding up well so far, but the hunger is slowly awakening"
"Grandpa, we love you," was heard in front of Batajnica while an elderly gentleman was waving from the yard.
Sofia, an older lady, carries the "Student Grandma" banner. She is not tired, she says, and she does not remove the smile from her face, which is also contributed by the people gathered on the streets cheering the group on. She will continue to Novi Sad on foot.
It seems that in this group, at least for now, there are no tired ones.
"Waffle, wafer, a little more, then it's gone" is heard in the crowd, while the boy is carrying a box of this dessert.
As we pass through the industrial zone in Batajnica, students, as they pass a factory, shout the name of that company, greeting the employees who are on their way.
"Which one of them is going to hire us?", a tall student asks a friend.
We are somewhere between 10 and 15 kilometers.
The girl behind me tells the other that she is just afraid that her foot will start cramping.
Sweets arrive from all sides, and the boxes go on, from hand to hand.
Two older mountaineers with backpacks on their backs in full gear set off to the end - Novi Sad.
They say that they are not tired yet, but that the fatigue will start somewhere around 20 kilometers - that's what their experience tells them.
My legs are holding up well so far. Hunger is slowly awakening, so it's the right time for a banana.
Students Ana and Vanja set out to support the students, and the support of people from the outside is incredible.
I am driven by their strength and their enthusiasm, which is incredible.
At the beginning of the walk, I managed to secure a place for my backpack in one of the cars, so my spine doesn't break.
13.49
Are the students tired?
The girl and guy from the Faculty of Mathematics slowed their pace slightly as the walk entered the 10th kilometer.
"We got a little tired, nothing terrible, but I'm continuing," the guy says to "Vreme", and the girl adds: "Write that for him, I'm not tired."
The guys from ETF offer to carry anyone who gets tired, they say with a laugh: "We are carried by the spirit, and when we stop tonight - who knows what will happen to the body".
13.17
Students covered a quarter of the planned daily route
Students who walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad are on Batajnički Road.
Almost three hours have passed since the start.
As they state, their pedometers and kilometers are different from each other, but it is certain that they traveled more than 10 kilometers, a quarter of today's planned journey.
Once in my life, I ran that length, from Marathon to Athens, the route along which, according to legend, Pheidippides took the news of the victory in the battle. Students and other walkers today do not carry the news of the victory, but they go to the blockades of Novi Sad's bridges.
Those gathered along the Batajnica Road share water, sweets and fruit.
12.31
Students traveled seven kilometers
The students who started this morning from Novi Belgrade on foot to Novi Sad have so far covered seven kilometers.
They are excited, the atmosphere is nice, everyone is still walking full of enthusiasm on a sunny day.
They exclaim: "Silence is enough, the first on three bridges".
11.52
15 minutes of silence
Zemun. Fifteen minutes of silence in memory of those killed at the train station in Novi Sad.
11.42
First break for walkers and 15 minutes of silence
The first break for students heading to Novi Sad was made at the Zemun Gate, where there will be 11 minutes of silence at 52:15.
The participants of the walk were welcomed here by a group of citizens.
11.20
Applause in Zemun
After the first hour of walking, a group of students is in Cara Dušana Street in Zemun.
Along the main street of Zemun, people greeted the walkers with applause and carried "Thank you, children" banners. The "children" replied: "Thank you for your support!"
People on the sidelines are applauding and crying.
The group continued its journey towards Batajnica.
10.44
Sisters Milićević: We hope to stay until the end
Students Đurđa and Lenka Milićević from ETF think that the atmosphere is very good and point out that they did not expect so many people in the column.
"Although I am not among those chosen to walk at my university, I see that a lot of citizens have joined, so I started too." I really like all this and I hope to stay until the end", says Đurđa.
Speaking about the citizens who greet them from the windows in New Belgrade, Lenka Milićević pointed out that this gives them extra energy to persevere.
They too will sleep on the soccer field in Indjija, and for that occasion they have brought a tent.
10.37
New Belgraders greet students
10.29
Maričić: I already walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad in 1996 and 1997
Draženka Maričić is a citizen who went on a walk with students and says she plans to walk the entire route.
"I will try, as long as I can stand it physically." I think I'm ready for something like that. By the way, I am one of those who also walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad in 1996 and 1997, but then as a student of FPN. I'm not a student today, but I'm here to support them."
10.23
Machines against machinery
At the head of the column are the students of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering carrying the banner: "Machinists against machinery".
There are several hundred students in the column towards Novi Sad.
10.22
The gathered citizens greet the students who set off on foot towards Novi Sad
10.19
Start of the student march
The student column from Novi Belgrade set off on foot towards Novi Sad.
10.17.
"We are ready for a whole day's walk"
Aleksa, a student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Dimitrije from the Faculty of Media and Communications, assessed just before the start of the student march that they were ready for today's walk.
"As ready as we can be, yes we are." By the way, I have a similar experience when I hiked all day, and after that I had to recover for a week", said Alexa.
Dimitrije adds that they plan to sleep tonight on the soccer field in Indjija, as well as to camp there.
10.10
A police vehicle at the head of the convoy
At the head of the convoy is a police patrol vehicle that will move in front of the convoy of students to Novi Sad.
09.46
More than 100 kilometers of road
Several hundred gathered students ready to set off on a journey that is slightly more than 100 kilometers long.
09.27
Vans for transporting water and food
Those who do not have someone to transport their belongings can place them in the special vans that are provided. Insertion of water and food packaging is in progress.
09.20
"Where everyone goes, we go too"
Nevena Zečević and Ivana Ćirić from the Faculty of Philology did not register for the walk, because they did not know about registration. However, they headed for Novi Sad. They did not provide accommodation in Indjija, but they brought sleeping bags, so they will manage.
"Where everyone is, there we are," they say for "Vreme".
09.14
Everything is ready to start the walk
Students are ready to start the walk.
09.09
DIF students at the head of the column, medics also present
At the head of the column will be DIF students.
Among the medics are two doctors who will be with the students in the middle of the group.
09.08
Support from parents of children with disabilities
Parents of children with developmental disabilities who came to support the students put their children's problems aside and came to thank the students for creating a "country for all of us" through this act.
The mother of a child with autism, Tamara Marković, says that the parents will walk part of the way with the students.
09.07
Citizens with students
The beginning of the march is also attended by citizens who came to support and encourage the students.
Photo: Time / Katarina Stevanović
Photo: Time / Katarina Stevanović
09.05
Hiking equipment and sleeping bags
Students preparing for this long walk have brought backpacks and sleeping bags.
Cars passing students greet them with sirens.
09.00
Student gathering has begun.
In front of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, a gathering of students who are preparing to walk to Novi Sad has begun.
The pardon procedure implies the appropriate role of the Minister of Justice, who should initiate the procedure or submit an opinion on the pardon, says prosecutor Radovan Lazić.
Phone numbers 064 876 85 05 and 011 2068 100 will be available 24/7 for reports and addresses to citizens, and the possibility of direct addresses at the premises of the Protector of Citizens is also provided.
NUNS demands an urgent investigation due to the threats sent to two Radar journalists who wrote about the Sky correspondence in which Aleksandar Vučić is mentioned. The association states that the threats also mention violence against children of journalists and warns of impunity
For the first time in almost two years, the opposition in Venezuela took to the streets across the country to demand elections by July 2027. The government organized its own march in the same square on the same day
France is preparing for Saturday's protests with a series of bans on gatherings and an increased police and military presence. The courts have already overturned one ban in Paris, and unions and students are calling for peaceful demonstrations
There is, literally, no difference between the one who claims it is day in the middle of the night, or the one who claims to be a giraffe, from the claims we read on billboards: that Vučić is working to unify Serbs and that Serbia is doing better and better day by day.
The pre-election arrests due to the alleged "overthrow of the state" testify to the regime's panic. The bad news for them is - they can't arrest the whole people who decided to defend themselves from progressive beatings and election theft
The ring that tightens around Ćaciland Student list is getting narrower. Because there are more and more spoiled people who see the false prophet for what he is: a street obscener who is fighting Serbia
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