Rakocevic: The very fact that someone has the right to ban a particular word reveals the essence of our humiliation

Writer Zivojin Rakocevic from Gracanica told Kosovo Online that it is impossible to explain the prohibition of certain words and that the greatest humiliation lies in the fact that the Kosovo Police regard the word "covenant"—featured on a billboard that was scheduled to be erected in Gracanica today—as a security threat.

"It is obvious that, somewhere on the darker side of society in Pristina, there exists a list of prohibited words. When police, social and public structures—whether legitimate or otherwise—decide that a particular word may not be used, then that word effectively ceases to exist. But that word is not merely a word. Through it, they seek to extinguish a feeling, a way of thinking, a perception of the world, a history, and an entire civilization that is expressed through those words. It is completely incomprehensible and impossible to explain how the word covenant can offend someone, how the word Vidovdan can be objectionable, how the word Metohija can be seen as problematic, or how an entire spectrum of words is perceived as a threat by what is both a dark force and an institutional authority. This is the ultimate expression of intolerance, the absence of democracy, and discrimination. It would perhaps be easier for everyone if these institutions simply published an index or a list of banned words, adding on a weekly, daily, or monthly basis every Serbian word they believe must no longer be used," Rakocevic said.

He also stressed that the expression "Vidovdan Covenant" neither promotes hatred nor humiliates anyone.

"This is the ultimate form of humiliation and the ultimate manifestation of a mentality that leads a legalized, dark structure—whether it is the public sphere, the police, or everyday life—to make you, as an individual, bite your tongue before uttering a word in your own language. It leads to a situation in which, in every aspect of your public communication, you begin asking yourself: 'Am I even allowed to use the word covenant?' The Vidovdan Covenant is our national Gospel. The Vidovdan Covenant is our New Testament. It is something universally recognized, not only among Serbs but throughout the world. It represents our fundamental creative, spiritual, national, and state-defining moment, one in which we all recognize ourselves. It harbors no hatred and inspires neither hatred nor the humiliation of anyone else. It is directed toward the New Testament, toward the Resurrection, and toward all the values we uphold. This is something we can discuss, lecture about, and defend before the law as part of our struggle against discrimination. The very fact that someone has the authority to prohibit a particular word encapsulates the full essence of our humiliation and demonstrates how far this has gone. When someone restricts your freedom of speech, they restrict everything else," Rakocevic said.

As reported by Radio KiM, the Kosovo Police initially prevented the installation of a billboard bearing the message "The Vidovdan Covenant," which employees of the Municipality of Gracanica had intended to place near the Cultural Centre ahead of the upcoming major holiday.

However, according to the Municipality of Gracanica, the police and the prosecutor's office subsequently approved the installation of the billboard, and it is expected to be erected tomorrow.