Serbs from Vienna return to Kosovo: We feel we naturally belong here

Serbs from Vienna, who in recent days visited several churches and monasteries in Kosovo and marked the patron saint's day at the hermitage of Saint Peter of Korisa, describe it as a unique experience. According to Nikola Osmokrovic, creative director of the traditional Saint Sava Ball in Vienna, a visit to the Dimic family in Mogila is also planned, and their house is set to be renovated in the coming period.

This is not the first time this group of Serbs has visited Kosovo. They come twice a year to visit families they support through humanitarian activities organized in Vienna.

"This time as well we came, but with a special honor, because on Thursday we had the opportunity to visit the hermitage of Saint Peter of Korisa in Korisa and celebrate its patron saint's day, the eight of us. We witnessed a unique moment, in those natural surroundings where, despite the incredible conditions, the frescoes still survive. Several of us prepared the ceremonial bread, brought the traditional wine and, of course, celebrated the feast and recited the Lord's Prayer. At that moment, the hermitage came to life again, and it was a very beautiful and moving experience," Osmokrovic told Kosovo Online.

He said that yesterday they visited the Patriarchate of Pec and Visoki Decani, while today they plan to visit the Dimic family in Mogila.

"This is the family for whom funds were raised at the last Saint Sava Ball in Vienna, and together with the Tamara Grujic Foundation we are planning the renovation of their house in Mogila. The works should begin in July, and today we will visit them, so we are looking forward to that meeting," Osmokrovic said.

Osmokrovic noted that although they live in Vienna, they feel connected to Kosovo.

"We keep coming back because it calls to us and because we feel that we naturally belong here. Our goal is always to bring someone with us who has never been to Kosovo before. That was the case this time as well. Bringing our people here who have never visited Kosovo is one of the goals we constantly work on," Osmokrovic emphasized.

He recalled that the Saint Sava Ball has been organized regularly in Vienna since 1998, and for the last four years it has been held at the Hofburg Palace.

"Next year we will have the opportunity to mark it on January 23. Preparations for that Saint Sava Ball are already well underway, and we are working very intensively, aware of the responsibilities that await us until then," Osmokrovic concluded.