Zivic on entry ban for delegations from Montenegro and the Republic of Srpska: An uncivilized decision by Pristina

The Mayor of Gracanica, Novak Zivic, said that the decision to bar a delegation from Montenegro and the Head of the Municipality of Pelagicevo, Slavko Tesic, from entering Kosovo was another in a series of "uncivilized decisions" by the authorities in Pristina, adopted on the eve of Vidovdan, one of the most significant Serbian holidays.

"As we prepare to mark one of our greatest holidays, the Serbian people are once again faced with uncivilized decisions by Pristina and attempts to diminish everything that is Serbian, including the observance of our holidays. A delegation from Montenegro, as well as the Head of the Municipality of Pelagicevo, has been denied entry to Kosovo and Metohija without any meaningful explanation. These are people who have been our guests for many years, who regularly visit Gracanica and our holy sites, and who have now been prevented from doing so by Pristina's unilateral decisions," Zivic told Kosovo Online.

He called on representatives of the international community to influence the leaders of the institutions in Pristina and prevent the adoption of decisions which, he said, do not contribute to easing tensions or to ensuring freedom of movement.

"At the same time, I invite the Serbian people celebrating Vidovdan to come to Gracanica on Sunday so that together we can send the message that such decisions will not intimidate us and that we will continue to gather every year in even greater numbers," Zivic said.

Earlier today, the Kosovo authorities barred the Mayor of Niksic, Marko Kovacevic, and the Head of the Municipality of Pelagicevo, Slavko Tesic, from entering Kosovo.

Entry was also denied to Kovacevic's associates, as well as to a delegation from Berane, which traditionally visits Gracanica for the Vidovdan commemorations.

Yesterday, the Kosovo Police prevented the installation of a billboard bearing the message "Vidovdan Covenant," which employees of the Municipality of Gracanica had intended to place near the local Cultural Center ahead of the upcoming holiday.

According to the Kosovo Police, the word "covenant" on the billboard was deemed objectionable.

Last night, representatives of the Municipality of Gracanica, in the presence of Mayor Novak Zivic, installed a new billboard reading "Vidovdan 2026 – Welcome to Gracanica." In addition to the inscription, the billboard features images of the Gracanica Monastery and the Gazimestan Monument.