Students in North Mitrovica Hold Vigil to Novi Sad Canopy Collapse Victims, Reject Political Accusations

Izvor
KoSSev
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A silent protest held today outside the Faculty of Philosophy in North Mitrovica once again drew attention to the lingering grief over the November 1 tragedy in Novi Sad, as well as to deepening political tensions surrounding the University of Pristina’s temporary seat in this northern Kosovo town.

At precisely 11:52 a.m.—the exact time when a canopy collapsed last year at the renovated Novi Sad railway station, killing 16 people—students gathered for a “16 Minutes of Silence” action to honor the victims. Citizens joined the students in silence.

Yet the moment of remembrance was marred by loud music coming from a nearby café. Despite appeals from the students and organizers, the volume was not lowered.

The protest was once again monitored by Kosovo Police, who were present in larger numbers than usual but made no interventions.

FOTO: KoSSev

Although today’s gathering was silent and free of speeches, messages nonetheless resonated loudly—this time in written form. Students hung three hand-written banners on the gates of the University Rectorate building, calling for the preservation of education under the Serbian system, demanding a university free of party politics, and denouncing accusations made against them:

„From this rectorate, where representatives of the Republic of Kosovo work, came accusations that students are Kurti’s mercenaries. Do you have no shame or dignity?!“ one banner read.

Earlier this year, reports emerged accusing the student protesters of being politically manipulated or aligned with the government of Albin Kurti. Today’s messages were a pointed rebuttal, underscoring the students’ insistence that their actions are independent and grounded in genuine concern—both for victims of tragedy and for the future of their education.

Since January, students in North Mitrovica have held regular commemorative events for the victims of the Novi Sad canopy collapse. Their efforts have drawn support from student peers across Serbia. The April 15 gathering, for example, saw students from Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy travel to the north to stand in solidarity. In March, a delegation from Novi Pazar made the same journey.

While the University of Pristina (with its temporary seat in North Mitrovica) is not currently under blockade, its students have participated in major student-led actions elsewhere in the country—signaling solidarity even without formal strikes.

Students from central Serbia have repeatedly expressed understanding for their northern colleagues’ position, emphasizing that shared concerns—ranging from educational autonomy to respect for the victims of tragedy.


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