Sretenovic: Sretenje gives meaning to Serbia's past; Serbs and Albanians haven't always been enemies

Observing Statehood Day, also known as Sretenje, as the most significant national holiday gives meaning to the past for the citizens of Serbia, marking the struggle of Karadjordje and his rebels as well as the fight of Dimitrije Davidovic, who authored the first Serbian constitution 31 years later, Stanislav Sretenovic, a research fellow at the Institute for Contemporary History, stated in the Kontext podcast on the Kosovo Online portal.

"The fundamental question is whether we today believe that the legacy of Karadjordje and Dimitrije Davidovic is something important to us. And, we believe it is. That date was chosen very well in a difficult historical moment, following bombardments and internal upheavals. Therefore, I think that date gives us meaning to our past," Sretenovic pointed out.

Speaking about the current political crisis in Kosovo and the terror experienced by Serbs following decisions by Pristina authorities, Sretenovic emphasized the need to approach things realistically.

"Sometimes I get the impression that Albanian politicians know Serbs so well that they precisely point fingers, knowing what will hurt them. Therefore, we need to seek interlocutors who have moved beyond such low impulses and desires to provoke others and cause them emotional harm. Things need to be based on real relationships, market relationships, democratic relationships, on the fact that basic democratic principles are being violated today. People need to be reminded that governing municipalities with one percent of the vote is shameful, not only for Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija but also for Europeans who supported such local election choices. There are ways to react, such as by convening emergency sessions, as was done a few days ago. At every step, it is necessary to engage in dialogue and point out the uncivilized actions of the other side," Sretenovic conveyed.

Regarding attempts to rewrite and falsify historical facts in Kosovo, the Kontext interviewee highlighted why such actions were taking place.

"Why, at this moment, do Albanian political elites in Kosovo and Metohija choose to distort facts, and for what purpose they do it, we can explain that. It is clear why this is being done. At this moment, part of the European political elite sees political value in the EU's presence in Kosovo, in the protectorate it implements in Kosovo, as an opportunity to promote its solutions and has the support of the Albanian political elite. What Serbs can do is precisely what is being done at the moment. It is explained that abolishing the Serbian dinar in Kosovo and Metohija is unacceptable because it is not a civilizational achievement. It is explained that relocating monuments is not a civilizational achievement. That is a way to react. Also, it can be reminded that Serbian-Albanian relations are not new. They have a long tradition of ups and downs. Negative attitudes prevail, but there have also been positive moments and alliances in the end. Essad Pasha Toptani was one of Serbia's allies in World War I. Therefore, historical facts need to be explained at every step, and critical thinking needs to be developed, especially among today's European politicians," Sretenovic said, among other things.