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2007
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'I always go to Serbian Day';
Annual cultural festival draws close to 10,000 to church grounds
MELISSA CHURLY
Local News - Monday, July 02, 2007 Updated @ 6:33:41 AM
Susan Mirkovic has lots of memories of going to the annual Serbian Picnic when
she was a child. This year, she brought her own children.
The Oakville mother of two marked Serbian Day with her family at the 62nd
annual Serbian Day Picnic Sunday. The celebrations, held at the Saints George
and Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church grounds on Montrose Road,
coincided with Canada Day and attracted Serbians from all over North America.
Organizers expected the picnic, which started Friday and went into last night,
to attract close to 10,000 people.
"I'm Canadian as well, Canadian-born, so it's great to be able to celebrate
both events together on the same day," said Mirkovic.
She said she enjoyed watching her children having fun playing with their
friends the way she did when she little.
"Now, I'm bringing my own kids here so it's great to see them experience all
the dancing and music and culture going on here. "
Mirkovic said the picnic is also an opportunity to reunite with family and
friends who live in other cities.
"I get to see family who come from the States or live further away. You see so
many people you don't get to see all the time. It's terrific."
There was plenty of traditional Serbian music and dancing, sports events and
vendors selling all kinds of merchandise including CDs, jewelry, shoes and
food.
Acin Mandres took the opportunity to play music with some of the visiting
Serbian musicians.
Mandres and Milorad Kukic played the frula, a small wooden instrument that
resembles a flute. Kukic is part of a folk dancing group who travelled from
Novi Sad, Serbia for the weekend's events.
"I've been playing since I was six years old," said Mandres. "It was really
nice to play with them."
Besides the music and dancing, there were several guest speakers who helped
kick off the celebrations Sunday including Mayor Ted Salci and MPP Rob
Nicholson.
"When my staff was putting together my schedule for today, they said
'Unfortunately your schedule is not going to allow you to be at Serbian Day.' I
told them, 'I don't think so. I always go to Serbian Day,' and we had another
look at that schedule" said Nicholson.
Nicholson said celebrating with the Serbian community is important to him and
although he had to leave early to attend other Canada Day events, he told
picnickers that he appreciated their contributions and supports them.
"I know the struggles that you have been in and I know the struggle must
continue."
Another keynote speaker was former Canadian ambassador to Yugoslavia, James
Bissett. He told the crowd about his recent trip to Israel and Italy.
"We had some very successful meetings there. We found in Israel a very deep
understanding of what is going on in the Balkans."
He condemned American politicians who are supporting the Muslims in Kosovo,
pushing hard to take away 15 per cent of Serbia's territory and give it to the
Albanians.
"There is civil war, violence and bloodshed so why is the American government
doing this?" he asked.
Bissett also talked about his visit to Kosovo in December.
"I saw for myself the dreadful situation of your Serbian compatriots in Kosovo.
They are living in ghettos - and living in ghettos in the 21st century is
shameful," he said.
Bissett's speech received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Canadian military journalist, author and occasional Review columnist Scott
Taylor and artist Les Drysdale made speeches as well.
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