Ugljare: Life in uncertainty and fear of incidents

The "Ugljare" Elementary School in the village of the same name, near Kosovo Polje, is attended by around 80 students, and this year nine first graders were enrolled. An incident that occurred in mid-May when unknown individuals fired shots near the schoolyard where children were present is not forgotten by the students or their parents.

Vesna Martinovic, the director of the "Ugljare" Elementary School, says that education in the institution is proceeding according to the curriculum. Despite the incident that occurred in May, she adds that the number of students has not decreased.

"Our school is small, with a small number of students, but these are good children who participate in national competitions, have interests in arts and music, and we have outstanding results in all subjects, as well as outstanding teachers. I regret that we have come into the spotlight due to such incidents, rather than the achievements of our students," Martinovic said.

The Kosovo Police characterized the shooting incident that occurred near the school on May 17 as "causing a public danger," and it was found that the shots were fired from a moving vehicle. At that moment, there were three children in the schoolyard, and according to their testimonies, the attacker addressed them in Albanian. Three minors were arrested a few days later in connection with the shooting.

The incident that occurred shows the situation in which Serbs in Kosovo find themselves, Martinovic claims.

"Fear exists, but we have to live. We live normally, everyone moves around, children go out, and they still gather in the schoolyard, but fear still exists among children and parents. Anyone who knows the history of Kosovo knows that there has never been peace here and that the situation has never been stable for living. There have been periods of safety, but there have always been sporadic incidents. So, this area will always be a place where there will be incidents and unfavorable situations on an interethnic basis," Martinovic emphasized.

After the shooting, parents have made it a habit to accompany their children to and from school every day. Marija Jovanovic from the neighboring Bresje, whose children attend the school in Ugljare, points out that fear is present every day.

"Children have to be driven to and from school every day. Of course, they want to play with their peers after school, but we also have to drive them there and back. We are constantly on the phone to check if everything is okay. There is no staying out late in the evening, no later than 10 o'clock," Jovanovic said.

Aleksandar Trajkovic, the President of the Provisional Municipal Assembly of Kosovo Polje, says that no major incidents have been recorded in the village in the meantime. However, the road passing through Ugljare leads to Kosovo Polje, so a large number of Albanians pass through the village, which is why the residents are always vigilant.

"The pressures exerted by the so-called Prime Minister of Kosovo, Kurti, in the north, are felt here too, it is evident. I have to accompany my children to school. It has happened that someone drives by the school at 100 kilometers per hour. Common sense, as well as the law, says that there should be a speed limit near the school, but here, every day, at the time when children finish school, you can see cars passing by at high speeds," Trajkovic said.

Despite the pressure, the residents of Ugljare plan to stay on their ancestral lands.

"How long we will be able to, we don't know, because of the pressures we face from our Albanian neighbors. I hope it will pass as soon as possible so we can live normally, but I doubt it. The pressures they may selectively impose affect us, even though the Republic of Serbia helps us to the maximum," Trajkovic said.

There used to be around 130 Serbian families living in Ugljare, but now there are around a hundred.