International Women's Day in Gracanica and North Mitrovica: Today every woman should feel loved

Women in Serbian communities in Kosovo tell Kosovo Online that this is a big day for them and they emphasize that today every woman should feel loved and receive some attention, while their fellow citizens hope that flowers will bring smiles to mothers, wives, and sisters and brighten their day.

Bosiljka Dancetovic from Gracanica admitted that she enjoyed the attention she received from her loved ones on Women’s Day.

"This is a day we all love, we love getting attention from our children, husbands, as well as colleagues. I received lovely gifts at work, and I'm satisfied. I advocate for equality, and we work just as much as men. I wish all women a happy Women’s Day," Dancetovic said.

Milica Curcic emphasizes that women are now in a much better position in society and that Women’s Day is a big day for all women.

"I believe that every woman should feel good on this day. Above all, to feel loved, and maybe even receive a small token of appreciation. Of course, now we women are in some leading positions, we are important in the world, compared to some past periods. We have a better position in society, so this is a big day for us," Curcic said.

The Kosovo Online team encountered women from Skopje in front of the Gracanica Monastery, whose company organized a trip as a gift for International Women's Day.

"A nice holiday, to relax, take a walk, to get away from everyday chores. I think we have had equality for a long time now when we can walk alone, work, and live freely," Aleksandra Oparova from Skopje said.

There is a high demand for flowers today in flower shops in Gracanica, mostly roses, which men traditionally give to women. However, among the buyers today are also students who will thank their teachers with flowers as a gift for International Women's Day, thanking them for their effort and attention.

The center of North Mitrovica today is filled with colorful flowers, which citizens could buy for the women in their lives as a small token of appreciation.

Not far from the monument to Prince Lazar, traders set up their stalls early this morning, traditionally offering roses, carnations, orchids, potted plants, various decoupage items, and flowers dipped in chocolate. Prices vary from stall to stall, but for a single rose, it was necessary to pay around 400 dinars, for a carnation 200 dinars, and orchids around 2,000 dinars.

The sunny day in North Mitrovica attracted many fellow citizens to come out and stroll through the city center, as well as to buy gifts for their beloved women - mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and colleagues.

Vendor Zvezdan Pavlicevic took this opportunity to wish all the ladies a happy holiday.

"Most of the merchandise is selling well. Some people have a little more money, and there are younger ones who are buying slightly more expensive items for their girlfriends. There are also young children who are buying gifts for their teachers and educators; they usually opt for slightly cheaper items. Overall, everyone is celebrating this holiday, even though it may not be ours. I also want to take this opportunity to wish all the women of the world a happy Women’s Day," Pavlicevic said.

Miloje Virijevic believes that this year North Mitrovica is best stocked with flowers.

"I am a lover of flowers, and I see that there is a big crowd, people are treating the ladies - mothers and sisters. The weather is nice, people are in a good mood, but also a bit not in a good mood, as you know the situation in the northern part of Mitrovica. These flowers will cheer us up a bit, it will bring a smile to the faces of those mothers, women, and sisters to whom we give flowers, to make them a little happier," Virijevic says.