“Whatever song I sing during my performances, one of my biggest goals is to convey emotion. I put my utmost effort into every song. When I’m alone in my room, there’s no music I don’t listen to, but I especially love the traditional songs from Kosovo and Metohija, and patriotic ones. Whatever happens here, we continue with life.”
This is what Andrej Mihajlović from Gračanica says for Sputnik. A boy in the eighth grade, who is already a star, especially in Kosovo and Metohija.
Audiences across Serbia are getting to know him through charity concerts where he sings for his fellow countrymen from the southern Serbian province:
“I feel satisfied on stage. The mere thought that through my singing, I can contribute to a family living better is a great thing.”
Andrej has been singing since he was five. At a celebration, a microphone was passed to him, and he sang “Pukni zoro” (Break, Dawn), and that’s when his parents discovered his talent. Everyone present was astonished.
“When I started fifth grade, expressive singing began, in choirs, everywhere.”
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Royal Voices from Kosovo and Metohija
In the last few years, our interlocutor has participated in the “Royal Voices” festival, which takes place in Gračanica. This traditional event is dedicated to the legendary performers of folk and traditional songs, Mari Đorđević and Jordan Nikolić. The goal is to promote and preserve Serbian traditional music, especially the folk songs of Kosovo.
A special focus is placed on young talents, vocal soloists from various parts of Kosovo and Metohija, giving them the opportunity to present themselves to a wider audience and showcase the rich musical heritage of the region.
“I’ve performed all over Kosovo and Metohija, been to all four corners, in Mitrovica, Štrpce, Ranilug. In recent years, I’ve participated in the festival, working with Uncle Zlatko Stojanović, who founded it. It’s very nice, we sing old, traditional songs from Kosovo and Metohija. We have a great time, and now in April, we’re going to Belgrade, and then to Zlatibor. Those are beautiful memories.”
A Special Experience in Banjaluka
Andrej has, of course, sung many times in Belgrade, in Jagodina, but one performance stands out for him in the Republic of Srpska, in Banjaluka.
“It was a concert where we, the children from Kosovo, performed, along with local children. The concert was organized by the humanitarian organization ‘Baštionik.’ They are truly good people, and I’m an honorary member of theirs,” he proudly shares.
Andrej sings in the school choir, as well as in a smaller school group that nurtures songs from Kosovo and Metohija.
Calligraphy in Prizren
He started music school in first grade, but it was interrupted by the pandemic. He re-enrolled in the fifth grade.
Life in Kosovo has certain limitations, but Andrej manages to showcase all his talents. For years, he has been attending a calligraphy school at the Monastery of the Holy Archangels in Prizren.
“It’s an unforgettable experience, it’s time spent with other children, and only the best memories stay from it,” he says, adding that he isn’t very good at writing.
The Hymn for Saint King Milutin
But this boy excels at writing literary works and wins awards at competitions. For five years, he has participated in the “I Preserve the Language, I Write Beautifully” workshop. However, for Sputnik, he has an even better and fresher topic:
“We went to Belgrade for a music competition, which is called Triolica. In the end, we won first place with 100 points. While we were on the road, somewhere near Merdare, the teacher told us that soon there would be a competition where someone from the school would write a song, a hymn that would be composed and performed at the school for its 150th anniversary. I immediately got inspired, and by the time we reached Prokuplje, we had written the hymn.”
Andrej’s hymn is dedicated to Saint King Milutin, after whom the school is named. His friend and teacher composed the music. It was first performed at the school’s anniversary celebration on November 12 last year.
Singing in Church – It’s a Must
The young singer is also a cantor, regularly going to church with his mother. He loves the Monastery of Saint Dimitrius in Sušica the most.
“Singing in church, I wouldn’t say it’s an obligation, but it’s something I must do. I’m also a reader in the church in Sušica, where our mother Irina is truly wonderful. During the liturgy, she sings with sister Hristina, and when it’s time for communion, I gather the children who are there, and we sing a spiritual song.”
Asked whether it’s harder to sing in church or on stage, Andrej says:
“I would say it’s harder to sing on stage because there’s also stage fright. For me, not so much, but it does appear. In church, it’s maybe a little more relaxed, but still, we need to stay focused and sing everything beautifully.”
Another Love
Andrej has another love. Two years ago, while in sixth grade, he excelled in physics so much that he was first in the District competition. He received a special invitation to attend the state competition in Požarevac.
“Physics in eighth grade seems very hard, there’s electric current and about thirty other wonders, but I hope everything will be fine, and that I might even win a place in the competitions,” says the boy, whose goal is also to become the student of the year.
He also loves the robotics school in Gračanica. He enjoys the film magic school as well. He attends every school.
He loves basketball but doesn’t have time to train; now he plays recreationally, especially during the holidays.
Continuing Life in Kosovo
He also loves football, and basketball is his recreational sport. In Gračanica, they have good courts. Basketball is not only a sport but also the best summer gathering during the holidays. Andrej says there are a few Albanian families in his surroundings, and there is no politics or bad things involved.
“There is one Albanian I hang out with, he comes to the court. He’s really good. No one, but no one who comes to the court has a problem with it. He plays with us, and during the summer, he’s a regular member of our team. My parents really try not to burden me with any situation, with politics. Life continues here, no matter what happens. I don’t believe there’s anyone who thinks we should move. We continue with life, whatever happens.”
Where Will He Be in Five Years?
Asked where he sees himself in five or ten years with all his talents and loves, Andrej says that he would like to study, but not music, rather informatics, in Belgrade or Novi Sad.
“And music, I wouldn’t forget it, I’d keep it close to my heart, but I wouldn’t make it central. Recently, I’ve been very interested in programming, and I plan to pursue it more in the future. Maybe that’s what I’ll choose. But music will always be there, it will never go away. I’d also like to thank my parents, who always support me, no matter what happens.”
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Source, foto: Sputnik Srbija