Today is a sad day for all of Serbia – it marks one year since the collapse of the canopy at the Novi Sad Railway Station, which killed 16 people and severely injured one woman. Since that November 1, 2024, nothing in Serbia has been the same: students soon began blocking universities, protesting in streets in rain and snow, demanding accountability for the victims of the tragedy. Today, they are organizing a large commemorative gathering in this wounded city, dedicated to the innocent victims. Below is a detailed guide to the plan and program of the event.
Students blocking the University of Novi Sad previously announced that they would organize the commemorative gathering in their city on November 1, marking the anniversary of the railway station canopy collapse, which killed 16 people and severely injured one young woman.
Students from across Vojvodina, Belgrade, Niš, Kragujevac, Čačak, Leskovac, Vranje, Novi Pazar, and other cities responded to the call, walking for days, and some for weeks, to reach their destination – Novi Sad.
Today is that large and somber day for the country, and the students are inviting citizens to join them and observe it in peace and silence.
How the gathering will proceed
According to the students’ announcements, the commemorative gathering in Novi Sad begins at 10:00 a.m. with assembly at 16 locations across the city.
Assembly locations:
- University of Novi Sad Campus
- Intersection of Bulevar Oslobođenja and Narodni Front
- Liberty Square
- Fish Market
- Varadin Bridge
- Intersection of Bulevar Kralja Petra I and Kisačka
- Emmezeta
- Roundabout in Klisa
- Novi Sad Fair
- Roundabout of Bulevar Evrope and Kornelija Stankovića
- Intersection of Bulevar Patrijarha Pavla and Futoški put
- Roundabout of Bulevar Evrope and Bulevar Patrijarha Pavla
- Futoški Park
- Sheraton
- Intersection of Kej and Marka Miljanova
After assembling, participants will march from these locations to the Railway Station, the site of the tragedy, where throughout the day a program dedicated to the victims of November 1 will take place.
At 11:52 a.m., there will be 16 minutes of silence, followed immediately by laying of wreaths.
Series “Turning Point”
The main program begins at 1:40 p.m., with the series “Turning Point” scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Students have also prepared a walking exhibition starting at 4:30 p.m. along Kej Oslobođenja, followed by a program at 6:30 p.m. at the same location.
The gathering concludes with 16 minutes of silence at 7:52 p.m.
Detailed schedule:
- 10:30 – Departure from assembly points
- 11:30 – Gathering at the Railway Station
- 11:52 – 16 minutes of silence
- 12:08 – Laying of wreaths
- 13:30 – Main program
- 15:30 – Screening of the series “Turning Point”
- 16:30 – Walk to Kej and exhibition
- 18:30 – Program at Kej
- 19:52 – 16 minutes of silence
Invitation to all faithful citizens
Students invited all faithful citizens to participate peacefully and with dignity in the morning service, Holy Liturgy, and memorial for all victims of the canopy collapse, which will be held at the Cathedral Church in Novi Sad, beginning at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Notice for participants
Students emphasized that they expect the largest commemorative gathering in Serbian history, which will be peaceful, quiet, and dignified. Therefore, no loud instruments or noisemakers are allowed.
“We emphasize that this will be a peaceful gathering with a set program, meaning no whistles, vuvuzelas, or similar loud tools. We will have a special program dedicated to the victims of the tragedy,” they stated, adding that only students will speak at the gathering.
High turnout expected
A large number of students and citizens responded to the call to attend the commemorative gathering.
This is evident from the impressive scenes of young people walking across Serbia to participate.
According to the Public Gatherings Archive, based on footage from October 30, when the column passed through Zemun, around 3,500 students and citizens walked from Belgrade to Novi Sad to mark the anniversary, exceeding the expected 2,000 participants.
Additionally, about 130 students and citizens from Subotica arrived in Novi Sad from Vojvodina.
Students from Novi Sad previously stated that they expect a large turnout, not only of their colleagues but also citizens coming to join the gathering.
“We are not dealing with exact numbers, but we have information from local gatherings that there are several thousand students and citizens. Everyone is welcome, and we thank them for being with us. We know it’s not easy to organize, especially as the regime tries to prevent people from joining. We thank them for every word, every truth, every fight, for everything they do for us, because we are here for them.”
Donations for the gathering
The IT Blockade Association, which brings together members of the IT community, called on its members and all citizens of Serbia to support the organization of the large commemorative gathering in Novi Sad through donations.
“Dear colleagues, we have supported students over all these months with smiles, words of encouragement, and small gestures that meant more than you can imagine. Our support gave them strength to persist and be louder and more confident. Now is the moment to support them with donations—for organizing the commemorative gathering, for logistics and coordination of thousands of students and citizens walking from all over Serbia to Novi Sad, and for all other needs of the student movement. Every donation, no matter how small, helps students continue and achieve what they fight for,” the association stated on social media.
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Source: N1, Foto: N1 Lea Apro