12 Dec The Second day of the LIBERTE, EGALITE, SOLIDARITE forum
The second day of the Liberté, Égalité, Solidarité Forum commenced in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, reflecting the strong sense of community fostered during the prior day’s activities.
The day’s program kicked off with a compelling conversation featuring Vladimir Arsenijević, who shared insights on KROKODIL’s three consecutive humanitarian efforts aimed at supporting individuals in the war-affected regions of Ukraine. He also addressed the feedback these initiatives received from the more hesitant public in Serbia and delved into the reasons for this reluctance. The exchange was deeply emotional, with participants actively engaging in the discussion through questions, observations, and shared opinions.
Following this, Aleksandar Miletić delivered a thought-provoking lecture titled “The Challenges and Prospects of Post-Yugoslav ‘Normalization’ 2000-2024.” He examined the post-conflict dynamics between Serbia and Kosovo, emphasizing that these complexities cannot be directly equated with the current relations between Ukraine and Russia due to their distinct contexts.
In the afternoon, Boris Varga presented a captivating talk titled “Serbia and Ukraine: Democracies Born from ‘Colored Revolutions’.” He explored the thesis that the Ukrainian “Orange Revolution” and Serbia’s “October 5” are significant contemporary linkages between the two countries, both embodying unfinished narratives. While one nation grapples with the realities of war, the other faces the possibility of another Maidan.
Throughout the conversations and lectures, a hallmark of the discussions was their fluid structure, promoting open dialogue in which all attendees wholeheartedly participated.
The evening culminated in a delightful literary and musical program, ‘Café Europa,’ presented by the Borderland Foundation. Poetry was recited in English, Ukrainian, Polish and Serbian, followed by an enchanting performance from the Roma jazz band, Kurina Trio—a perfect finale to the forum’s formal proceedings.
As the event came to a close the following day, participants exchanged heartfelt hugs and warm greetings, leaving with cherished memories from the experience. This reinforces our belief in the significance of initiatives like this forum and fuels our anticipation for the next gathering scheduled for February 2025 in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
Stay tuned for updates on future events and further information on how you can get involved in these meaningful discussions!
photo creds Žofija Serda
