Serbia

Serbian

There is one small country, bold and brave. Located in a place that many people don't know about, and yet it's somehow distinctly visible. No less land, no greater thorn in the eyes of many. They say that power is measured by the size of the territory and the influence on others. I say it is measured by the soul. Apparently, our soul oftentimes bothered many people. Where the mountains are impassable, the hills bare but durable, the forest green even though it has burned several times. Where the more powerful ones always wanted to get closer but never succeeded until the end. Where evil has always tended to outweigh good. Where they stole, lied, demolished, appropriated. Where they wanted us to disappear, but we grew more. We grew with our distinction, songs, humor and invented reasons for rejoicing. We have managed to create something out of nothing, to make laughter out of tears, to cover suffering with bright smiles and to embrace with love even those who often were hurting us. We learned that when we don't have, we share, when we are in lack, not feel it. When it's all good, we're amazed because we are not used to it. We have learned to be strong because strength was often the only option we had.

They say that Serbs are known as cheerful and witty people. We have a special charisma. It is true, but what many do not know is what this charisma came from. It was created in moments when we understood the true values of life and how fleeting everything is. We often knew to grab onto that good thing, because we didn't know how long it would last, and how many opportunities we would have to enjoy it. With us somehow, nothing lasts, happiness, but we know how to drive away sadness. Then in that, good, we dance, rejoice, raise our glasses, hug each other and continue. When sadness comes, we do the same again. Humor framed by sarcasm is the first thing you notice when you come to Serbia. We survive with it and we were shaped in it. It is our flag and cannot be copied because to learn that, you need to fall as many times as we, and to get up and move on. To cut yourself without crying. To be wounded without anyone seeing. It's really hard to achieve, so you better not try.

Along with sarcastic humor, hugs and love, are what you will always feel when you come to Serbia, because we only offer what could not be taken from us.