“EVEN PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW ME ARE TREATING ME”: Serb Fest in Chicago Breaks All Records, Americans Eat Ćevapi, 92-Year-Old Uncle Walter Plays the Violin! (VIDEO)

Last weekend, the largest gathering of the Serbian diaspora in America, the traditional SERB Fest, was held at the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Chicago. According to organizers’ estimates, more than 10,000 people attended this year, a record turnout.

Among them, of course, were mostly Serbs, but also their friends, neighbors, and spouses from American, Mexican, Macedonian, Greek, Russian, and Ukrainian backgrounds.

It was an opportunity for acquaintances and friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time to reunite, as well as for entire families living in different parts of the United States, from the West to the East Coast, from California to New York. Still, the largest number of visitors were locals from Chicago and the surrounding area.

Something for Everyone at Serb Fest

There was something for everyone at Serb Fest…

Adults enjoyed a diverse artistic program, what you might call “from Silvana to Nirvana,” while young people mingled, socialized, flirted, and fell in love. Children found their fun in the entertainment park. Everyone together enjoyed the rich offering of culinary specialties, both savory and sweet, which your reporter could not resist either.

And it wasn’t just about eating and drinking; the festival also promoted a healthy lifestyle, sports, and physical culture, as well as the preservation of the native Serbian language among our children in the diaspora. We discussed this with Stefan Veljović from the Norridge United football club and with Nevena Draganić from the “Sveti Sava” Academy.

“Our school is not just a place where language is taught; a complete education is provided, and I would also say good manners. Our children socialize both in and out of school, they go to church, so they get a complete experience and a chance to grow into good people.”

Festival guests also saw and heard a new, modern form of folklore—a mix of dance, acting, and ballet—performed by “Oko Sokolovo,” the best folk ensemble of the diaspora, led by Milan Andrijanić, the longtime manager of the famous Abrašević KUD from Belgrade.

It was interesting to hear how young Americans perceive the Serbian festival, a topic we discussed with those who were guests… We also met some interesting people, like Mr. Milentije Gavrilović from Valjevo, who lives between Serbia and America, and he gave us an honest, heartfelt comparison of the two worlds and our people on both sides of the Atlantic.

“EVEN PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW ME ARE TREATING ME”: Milentije with Family and Friends

“These Serbs here are incredibly good people and easily decide to buy some of our products, icons, flags. I’ve met a lot of friends here. Everyone approaches and greets me, some I know, some I don’t, but I hug everyone. They order food and drinks for me, and I don’t even know who treated me,” Milentije says.

A few days ago, bad news arrived from Washington that American tariffs on products imported from Serbia would be increased to 35%. This means that our people in America will have to pay more for products that soothe their nostalgia for their homeland. At Serb Fest, we discussed this with those who are most knowledgeable, the importers, specifically Aleksandar Ćućuz from the Božić Imports company…

“I expect products to become about 50% more expensive on average, some less, some more, but I’m concerned that this is still good compared to what could happen after negotiations between Trump and Putin in Alaska, because the US president promised to further punish all countries that cooperate with Russia, and it is known that Serbia is among them,” he says.

He served us ćevapi and burek from the “Moja Domaćica” program and also introduced us to new brandies from the Destilerija Zarić program (Kraljica – 14 years old, and Travaklija).

“The Zarić family always surprises us with something new, exclusive, and high-quality. This time, it’s a brandy made from three of the most famous types of Serbian plums: ranka, požegača, and trnovača, which has aged in oak barrels for a full 14 years. In a month, you’ll be able to buy it in America under the same name ‘Kraljica’ but with a slightly different label. The second brandy is also from plums, enriched with medicinal herbs, which is why it’s called ‘Travaklija.’ Due to its specific preparation method, it has passed all quality controls in Serbia and America,” says Aleksandar from Božić Imports, adding:

“With these two brandies, there’s no better ‘meze’ than our new Novopazarski ćevapi, which are currently the most popular in Serbia due to their specific preparation. They’re spicier, with a little onion and spices added, which is ideal for grilling. Of course, with brandy and ćevapi, the bureks from the ‘Moja Domaćica’ line go perfectly, so whoever likes meat, cheese, or greens can enjoy!” he concludes.

FOR ALL WITH A SWEET TOOTH: Božić Imports’ “Moja Domaćica” Products

And we will conclude our story from the largest event of the Serbian diaspora in the USA with a deserving veteran, artist, musician, Mr. Valter Pravica, who will soon turn 92 but shows no signs of slowing down. He is an indispensable member of the Danube orchestra from Chicago, and his violin still soothes the soul and warms the heart.

Listen and enjoy our video report…

Until the next Serb Fest!