In a display of solidarity and remembrance, students of the University of Pristina temporarily based in North Mitrovica organized another 15-minute silent protest in honor of the victims of the recent tragedy at the Novi Sad Railway Station. This marks the third such gathering in the city.
Held in front of the Faculty of Philosophy, the demonstration attracted around a hundred attendees, including students, citizens, representatives of Serbian NGOs in Kosovo, and, for the first time, a group of professors from the university.
Professors Join the Cause
One of the most vocal supporters was Valentina Pitulić, a professor of Serbian literature and language.
„It is truly cowardly for us to watch our students standing in silence for 15 minutes in the cold while we hide behind windows, afraid to support them,“ Pitulić stated. „Today, I stand with them because they are advocating for what is right, for what is just, for what builds a strong nation. We are all, in a sense, under some kind of metaphorical shelter.“
Dismissing allegations that students are being manipulated or funded by external forces, Pitulić insisted that their motivations are pure.
„These are young, honest individuals raising their voices against injustices unworthy of a civilized society. They are not foreign mercenaries, nor are they driven by personal gain. This is the voice of youth, the same youth that sang the national anthem and patriotic songs in Belgrade,“ she asserted.
She also called upon students in Novi Sad and Belgrade to acknowledge their peers from Kosovo in their demands, particularly in the ongoing fight to retain Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia.
Similarly, Danijela Kulić, a professor of English, stressed the importance of solidarity, justice, and upholding long-standing moral values.
„Today, more of us are standing together. We believe in the necessity of demonstrating goodwill and solidarity. We must send a message from this sacred land that justice must prevail and that fundamental values, cherished since the times of Ancient Greece and Rome, must be upheld,“ she said.
She highlighted that students are acutely aware of their circumstances and are eager for change.
„They yearn for a system where they can work and live with dignity. We, their elders, stand firmly behind them,“ Kulić concluded.
Branka Petković, a professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, acknowledged the growing student activism but noted that it does not come as a surprise.
„This has been building for years. However, fear still lingers—fear of speaking out, fear of expressing opinions. It is crucial that we move toward breaking free from this fear, not just among students but among older generations as well,“ she remarked.
The Voice of the Students
For students, the message was clear: numbers are not as important as making their voices heard.
„Even if only five of us show up, that is enough. What matters is the message we send,“ said Aleksandra Ničić, a student at the university. „We are here to honor the 15 lives lost and to stand with our fellow students.“
She also highlighted the desire for greater recognition of their struggles.
„We want our voices to be heard. We cannot physically join the protests in Serbia, but we can support them because their fight will ultimately benefit us all. We want to stay here, we want a better future,“ she said.
Support from the Community
Among the attendees was Ljiljana Dražević, a local resident, who encouraged the students to remain steadfast.
„As the old Serbian saying goes, ‘The world belongs to the youth.’ In my heart, I am still a student. Stay strong, children,“ she urged.
Another protest participant echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of backing the next generation.
„These are the people who will build and shape our society. They need our support, especially in moments of tragedy,“ she said. „This disaster could have been prevented—perhaps due to negligence, corruption, or incompetence. I stand with the students in their fight for accountability.“
Overcoming Fear and Moving Forward
Miodrag Marinković from the NGO Casa, also participated in the silent protest, viewing the student movement as an act of patriotism.
„There is no greater act of patriotism than supporting student protests in Serbia because they are fighting for a country governed by the rule of law,“ he said. „That is the essence of their struggle, and it is the purest form of patriotism.“
He noted an increase in turnout for each protest, reflecting a growing willingness among citizens to overcome fear and take a stand.
„If this trend continues, we will see more and more people taking to the streets,“ he observed.
However, he acknowledged that the political climate in Kosovo adds another layer of complexity.
„Serbs in Kosovo are burdened by the ongoing ethnic conflict with Albanians. Many are uncertain whether joining these protests might inadvertently undermine Serbia’s interests in the region, particularly during an election period,“ he explained.
Despite these concerns, he encouraged people to participate.
„We must do this for ourselves and for our future in Kosovo. It is crucial that students succeed in their demands, and we must support them in that,“ Marinković concluded.
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