Little Eli won the hearts of Osečina residents the moment she replaced her first embroidered folk costume with a smile at rehearsals of the local “Braća Nedić” Cultural and Artistic Society. Her family came to this part of Serbia from China for work, but Eli did not remain merely a passerby in Osečina; she became part of the community in every sense of the word.
Instead of being held back by a language or cultural barrier, the girl found a universal language in Serbian folk dancing. With ease and tremendous energy, she mastered demanding steps and dance combinations – from the rhythmic Šumadija dances, through the spirited dances of Leskovac, all the way to the distinctive and passionate dances of Vranje. Local residents and her peers from the cultural and artistic society have long stopped seeing her as a foreigner; to them, Eli is a neighbor and friend who shares the same love for tradition, customs and local cuisine.
Her spirit and genuine attachment to her new surroundings show how culture knows no borders. When asked whether she would represent Serbia after returning to China, Eli confirmed without hesitation that she would – proud of everything she has learned and experienced. Wherever life takes her, one thing is certain: little Eli has found a home in Osečina that she will carry in her heart forever, just as Osečina has gained its most beautiful little ambassador in her.
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Source: Blic TV Foto: Instagram printscreen