« Pumped » from the war in Vietnam: Sixty-five years of Student Bunt at the University of Kragujevac – Life
Universities in Yugoslavia in Serbia were often centers of authoritarian regimes and social injustice, such as the fight against dictatorships, wars or unjust laws (demonstrations in Yugoslavia, as well as the current students of the protests that followed after tragic collapsing Elevators at the train station in Novi Sad, 1. November 2024).
The history of the development of the University of Kragujevac, which marks 50 years of work next year, since the first faculties in Kragujevac, were ready to get involved in social and political struggles, whether it is academic rights, democratization or fight against corruption.
The establishment of the Department of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Kragujevac, 1960. entered a new dynamics into the public scene of the city. Organized by students of this faculty, and with the support of professors and assistants, tribunals have not been topics that were not subject to public dialogue, such as the war in Vietnam and the Middle East, Reforming Education, Nationalism and New Constitution of the Yugoslavia.
Relevant participants, scientists and professors, writers and intellectuals, public figures from integrity, were often guided in these public forums, writers who were often proponents of social change. Significant activities that have brought out the students of the Mechanical Engineering, which marked the social life of the time, is the launch of the Mechanical Faculty of Students in Kragujevac, whose first number came out in March 1967. Years.
The paper processed burning social topics and was awarded unconventional design and graphic attachments, so it became the center of creating and expanding critical thoughts among young people and in the general public. This proved in Student Protests in 1968. years, who were a part of a wider wave of rebellion Which years have been engulfed by many countries in the world.
Kragujevac students, supported by their professors, joined Belgrade counterparts since the first days of protests. These protests were directed against social and economic injustices, bureaucratization of government and inconsistencies in the implementation of socialist ideals.
From the « sixtysmas » to « Resistance »
The protests lasted a few days and were completed after Josip Broz Tito in television address expressed understanding for student requests and promised certain changes. Although some reforms were conducted, essential changes in the system did not follow, and the government soon suppressed further manifestations of critical initiatives. However, rebellious, the brave spirit remained flaming among students.
The « Young Mašinac » leaf was quickly overcome by the Faculty Framework, so the newspaper was grown into the joint newspaper of the students of Kragujevac « Fakk » Faculties of Kragujevac), which was launched on 26. November 1969. The « Fakk » list has a significant role in promoting culture, art, as well as nurturing critical awareness among students.
Next, 1970. The paper initiated activities that preceded the establishment of an international salon anti-war caricature, which indicates his commitment to socially engaged topics and support for artistic expression. The paper regularly published until June 1975. year, when it was a decision that the publisher would be the socialist youth of Kragujevac, the editorial office was disbanded, but the new leaf was not launched.
And leaf « Fakk » continues in the rebellious spirit of its predecessor Photo: Archive of the National Library of the National Library « Vuk Karadzic » Kragujevac
In the wave of civil shifts in the 1990s, the Leaf « Fakk » is at the initiative of the University of Students « Svetozar Markovic » in Kragujevac, renovated. The first number of the renovated student « Fakk » came out in April 1991. year and was published until 1995. years and mostly engaged in political topics and was sent against Slobodan Milosevic’s regime.
Student newspaper « Fakk » (who initiated the establishment of the same name of the same name and television), will remain remembered as an important part of the cultural and academic history of Kragujevac, reflecting the spirit of the time and the needs of the student population of that time. He served as a platform for students to express their views, discuss current topics and promote cultural and social activities, enabling young people to inform, express and actively participate in the shaping of the academic and wider community.
Six years ago in the National Library, « Vuk Karadzic » in Kragujevac was marked half a century since the establishment of a list, which confirmed its importance in the history of student press in Serbia.
University students in Kragujevac, together with the students of other universities in Serbia, participated in all student protests of the Burdurenova in the 1990s. In November 1990. The students of Kragujevac faculties opposed the decision on unrealistic increase in the prices of accommodation and nutrition in student dormitories, made by the Republic Fund for the Studency and Student Standard. At that time, the initiative for greater rights and freedoms at the University were launched, and SKC in Kragujevac was a place of gathering and the focus of the organization of student activities.
Organized by SKC, a joint new year program in the center of Kragujevac was organized, the first Svetosava Academy was organized and tribunes in the field of students for students, as well as guest appearance of representatives of various political ideas.
« Pumped » against each authoritarian government
The students of Kragujevac Faculties gave support to Belgrade students in the rebellion, which occurred in the period from 10. to 14. March 1991. years, with the aim of the brutal police intervention over protesters during large posts of opposition.
Next, 1992. The University of Svetozar Markovic « marked the rebellion of students who opposed the shift of the then Rector of Ilija Rosic, who expressed the views opposite the ruling socialist party. Students gathered around « Fakk », through their representatives in the University Students, designed the obstruction strategy of the University Council.
Student demonstrations against election stealing 1996/97 in Kragujevac Photo: N. Raus
With « resistance » 5. October 2000. Private Milosevic Photo: N. Raus
In the presence of members of the Council, Students and Journalists, in the ground floor of the domestic government, after the official opening of the Session, took the session of the University of Students in Kragujevac and propose the next agenda: 1. Development of an equestrian sport at the University; Zoo and students … « Members of the Council withdrew from the hall, and the students were closed in the Rectorate and the nights in the building of the home of self-governing), in order to deal with the university autonomy. Although the state regime has not applied any repression measures, this student bunt fell silent after several days, given that students did not have their own counterparts from Belgrade, nor citizens.
From 1992. year, students across the country opposed civil wars and represses of Slobodan Milosevic regimes. In 1996/97. A student protest against the election theft came, which were marked by protest walks and blockages in all major university centers in Serbia, which lasted longer than a hundred days.
The students of the University of Kragujevac organized demonstrations, protest walks and boycotts of classes, demanding the recognition of election results and honest democratic processes. The University of Kragujevac was also part of the Student Movement, which was 1998/99. He protested against the new University Law, which was attempted to take full control of universities.
And 5. October 2000 years, under the guidance of the Student Movement « Resistance », students from all universities in Serbia (Belgrade, Kragujevac, played a key role in demolition of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime.
University of Kragujevac, together with other universities in Serbia, remained one of the places of resistance to authoritarian government and the center of critical thinking. Although they were smaller in terms of numbers and an innenzite, as well as media less visible than in Belgrade, Students in Kragujevac areDuring the period of sixty-five years since the establishment of the first faculties in this city, they played an important role in the fight for student rights, improving the quality of education and democratic changes in society.
The author is a sociologist from Kragujevac
The equipment of the text is the editorial
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