Mladenovski: Vandalism of "Srpski vez" cultural society premises will not stop us from preserving tradition

The Artistic Director of the Srpski vez Cultural and Artistic Society (KUD) from Kumanovo, Marko Mladenovski, strongly condemned the incident in which the organization's premises were vandalized, with its sign damaged and the graffiti "UCK" sprayed on the building. He stressed that this act would not prevent the society's members from continuing their work to preserve Serbian, Macedonian, and the broader Balkan tradition and culture.

Speaking to Kosovo Online, Mladenovski said that KUD Srpski vez has been active for 13 years and currently brings together nearly 200 members between the ages of five and 50.

"We are dedicated to preserving Serbian tradition and culture, but our activities are not limited to Serbian folklore and traditions. We also work to preserve Macedonian culture, or, as I like to say, the shared Balkan culture of many peoples," Mladenovski said.

He pointed out that throughout its 13 years of existence, the society had never encountered any problems and had participated in festivals organized by members of various ethnic communities.

"During all these years, we have never had any problems. We have always been praised and have always been open to every form of cooperation. We have participated in festivals organized by Albanians, Turks, Macedonians, and Bosniaks alike," Mladenovski said.

He added that cooperation with members of other communities had always been positive, which is why, as he noted, he could not understand what KUD Srpski vez had done to provoke such an incident.

"I strongly condemn this act committed by certain members of the Albanian community, and I do not know what we could possibly have done to deserve it. It is not good, but such acts will not prevent us from continuing our work to preserve traditional Balkan culture," Mladenovski said.

He emphasized that KUD Srpski vez would continue its activities and that the incident would not deter the society from fulfilling its mission.

"We will continue our work. This will not stop us. On the contrary, we will carry on with even greater determination," Mladenovski said.

KUD member Dalibor Kitanovic said that over the past several years the society had become a symbol of preserving Serbian culture, tradition, and everything their ancestors had safeguarded for centuries.

"The society symbolizes the building of good relations with the Macedonian people and all other communities living in Kumanovo and beyond, without discrimination. We have never divided ourselves along religious or ethnic lines. However, what happened a few days ago was not merely an act of vandalism against our premises, but also a quiet attempt to intimidate all of us who are committed to preserving the Serbian identity while building excellent relations with other communities, including the Albanian community," he said.

He assessed that the attack was the result of hysteria among certain segments of the Albanian community and some political structures.

"This is the culmination of what we have been experiencing and represents the peak of attacks with the assault on KUD Srpski vez. We must all condemn it, and nearly all political actors have done so, including the Mayor of Kumanovo. That is how it should be. I hope this is an isolated incident and that it will not take on a broader dimension. We all hope it will soon be behind us, and we also believe that the Macedonian police and the state will respond appropriately. We have received information that the case will soon be resolved," he said.

Kitanovic stressed that the society had always worked for preservation and progress.

"We do not want to return to the past. However, what has happened should serve as a warning to everyone and remind us that the Serbian people in Kumanovo and in Macedonia must be able to live and work freely. This kind of intimidation and vandalism targeting our premises cannot lead to anything good. We will always defend what is ours, and we will not allow this to discourage us. We will continue to build good relations with the Albanian people, the Macedonian people, and all other communities living in Macedonia," Kitanovic concluded.

Earlier, Kumanovo Mayor Maksim Dimitrievski issued his strongest condemnation of the vandalism targeting the premises of KUD Srpski vez and called on the competent investigative authorities to respond swiftly, identify the perpetrators, and sanction them accordingly.

The vandalism was first announced by the Office of the Serbian Government's Minister without Portfolio in charge of coordination with the diaspora. Minister Djordje Milicevic stressed that the attack was not directed only at a single association, but also at the right of an entire community to preserve its language, culture, traditions, and identity.