BELGRADE, Serbia — The streets of Belgrade witnessed a unique cultural phenomenon on Tuesday evening as Serbians gathered to celebrate the Orthodox New Year, an event occurring nearly two weeks after the globally recognized January 1st festivities. This traditional observance follows the ancient Julian calendar, which maintains a 13-day discrepancy from the widely adopted Gregorian system.
The commercial pedestrian zones of central Belgrade remained adorned with holiday decorations as residents participated in the distinctive celebration. While many embraced the tradition with enthusiasm, others expressed skepticism about its modern significance.
Zoran Todorovic, a Belgrade local, embodied the celebratory spirit: “We’re honoring our Serbian New Year with walks through the city, mulled wine, traditional sweets, and ultimately a special family meal. The experience feels genuinely wonderful.”
Contrasting this perspective, fellow resident Jovan Brkic offered a more critical assessment: “I don’t particularly observe the Serbian New Year. It essentially mirrors the commercialized version on January 1st—primarily an economic mechanism encouraging additional spending under the guise of celebration.”
The evening’s official festivities culminated in a midnight fireworks and drone display at a controversial riverside residential complex endorsed by President Aleksandar Vucic. This choice of venue proved significant given the ongoing political context.
Meanwhile, in the central town of Čačak, celebrations turned confrontational as protesters snowballed a folk singer performing at the main square. Regional television network N1 reported that residents were angered by the use of public funds for organized festivities.
These events occurred against a backdrop of sustained anti-government demonstrations throughout 2024. The protest movement gained momentum following a tragic train station disaster in November that claimed 16 lives, with many citizens criticizing President Vucic’s authoritarian leadership style and governance approach.