Stevanovic: Removal of mural a continuation of pressure on Serbs, this time through erasing memories

Radica Stevanovic, the sister of Jovan Milanovic Dzin, a young man who passed away from a serious illness, reacted after unknown persons, with the assistance of the Kosovo police, painted over a mural dedicated to her brother in Leposavic. In a statement to Kosovo Online, Stevanovic said that the removal of the mural is yet another way in which the authorities in Pristina send the message that Serbs are not welcome in these areas—this time by erasing memories.

“That mural bothered no one, and until now there had never been any incidents. The mural of my brother has been painted over. My brother died five years ago from cancer. I have the impression that this is some sort of policy by those people and that, for personal reasons, it somehow bothers them,” she said.

On the wall of the “Sava Decanac” Cultural Center, across from the faculty Jovan attended, there were two murals. One was dedicated to him, painted by his friends in his memory. The other was dedicated to a student who died in a traffic accident.

Stevanovic pointed out that the mural of the student killed in the accident had stood on that wall for nearly a decade, while the one dedicated to her brother was painted five years ago. As she explained, they represented memories that provoked no one.

“The impression is that the officials in Pristina are disturbed, among other things, even by these murals. This is not the only way to show us that we are not welcome here. There have already been many incidents—arrests of young people, detentions for reasons known only to them. Perhaps this should not be overgeneralized, but the impression of Serbs in northern Kosovo is that they are not wanted here, and a series of Pristina’s actions confirms this,” she said.

She added that such actions, following the closure of Serbian institutions, are perceived as a continuation of pressure—this time through erasing memories.

“It is very difficult to witness all of this. That mural was the wish of his friends. Every time I return to Leposavic, it is not the same. The joy is gone. When I meet his friends, it is a memory that hurts,” Stevanovic said.

The mural dedicated to her brother bore the message, “He lives, he is still among us,” which his friends still honor today through a memorial tournament and T-shirts bearing his image.

“For our family, this is not only an insult, but an act that causes additional pain. These murals in no way provoke anyone; they are simply memories of people who are no longer alive,” Radica Stevanovic concluded.