Students go to European Parliament, 500 kilometers to Brussels – BBC News in Serbian
The three million and eight hundred thousand steps need to cross the road from Novi Sad to Brussels.
Provided that you have ever thought that you are moving half Europe, these two cities are about 1,900 kilometers away.
Students from Serbia, dissatisfied with the response of the authorities to their six-month protests, they are in good way to run this path – on shifting – to reach the seat of the European Union.
In this campaign from Novi Sad. April, 21 of all universities in Serbia, took over European parliament, in the country with the country’s socio-political situation during the session of the European Parliament.
« We want to open our eyes to Europe and the world, we want to go into what happens in Serbia and hopefully their support, » says Marko Stankovic, one of the runners’ students, for the BBC in Serbian.
To the finish line, the capital of Belgium, 18 days run in relay – one group over five to 15 kilometers, and rests, and the route takes over another.
Visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg
Like their predecessors, students who drove bikes to Strasbourg, so a group of runners will visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
They were 7. Maja in the evening greeted Serbs from the diaspora, but also the French living in Strasbourg.
On the way to Brussels, the Marathonians have so far past Croatian, Slovenia, Austria and Germany.
After France, they pass through Luxembourg to Belgian Brussels.
Students months led by protestswho have become massive anti-government gatherings across the country where social reforms are demanded.
The trigger was the decline in the canopy of the train station in Novi Sad when 16 people were killed.
European Union From the beginning of the protest, he advertised several times, but mostly sturo and diplomatic, with the mention of the right to freedom of gathering and calls for dialogue.
Diplomatic conflict between Belgrade and Vienna
In Vienna, 30. April, among others, was welcomed by the Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Menl-Rajzinger.
What « Serbian students wants is the same as the European Union will, » Menl-Rajzinger said.
On Tuesday, the Minister was in the official visit to Belgrade, where she also spoke to the head of Serbian diplomacy by Marko Đurić, which later condemned it for « coarse mixing » in political relations in Serbia by participating in « Vienna. ».
« Only the day after (The Austrian Minister) was welcomed with a cordial and spirit of traditional friendship between our countries, such appearances, in disagreement with diplomatic principles and with direct interference in internal political relations in Serbia, causes great concern. »
Then, two ministers heard on the phone, and Austrian said that « active participation of civil society was a valuable part of democracy. »
« The goal was to emphasize that the future of Serbia lies in the European Union and that Austria will continue to support Serbia on that road, » she wrote Austrian Foreign Minister on Social Network IX.
« You know, as I said in the previous days, what you wanted is, and what the European Union wants, the result, democracy, rule of law and perspective, » Menl-Rajzinger wrote.
And the President of the Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabic criticized the Austrian Minister.
As « Austria roughly intervened in the internal issues of Serbia » is a smaller problem that will be solved at the institutional level, but is a more important « position of blocker to its country », ie « extremely disrespectful to the homeland », She wrote on the IX.
Welcome in Croatia
Interethnic tensions of official Zagreb and Belgrade exist from the bloody disintegration of Yugoslavia, and they were intensified in the last months when Serbia expelled during the protest of Serbia More Croatian citizens.
However, the marathonians from Serbia is a cordial welcome everywhere.
In three Croatian cities, they made breaks for rest and accommodation.
The first evening slept in Osijek, others in Virovitica where they were greeted with the banner ‘one world – one struggle.’
Among the gathered was the Croatian singer of Severina.
In Varaždin, in the north of the country, the third evening, colleagues of students and locals, and the city authorities provided them accommodation in the sports hall and dinner.
They welcomed them and mayor With the message that it is necessary to « turn to the future, not the past » and that « students just want a better future ».
At the main town square, food and drink guests are served, and transparents in Latin and Cyrillic, like a message, « Thank you for bringing us back! ».
Watch the video from the start of the student ultramaron to Brussels
Running is not the first European hike of Serb students.
At the beginning of April, 80 Youth Youth She crossed between bicycles more than 1,300 kilometers to Strasbourg, where there is a seat of some European institutions.
And then they asked for Europe support, in order to, others, others like the country they are fighting for.
They preceded them numerous mass and smaller gatherings across the country, and almost half a year, Students block faculties in Serbia Asking first of all to determine the criminal responsibility for Novi Sad Tragedy.
Authorities in Serbia repeat that they are All requirements Filled, but the students denies these claims.
The beginning of the marathon: ‘Yes and the rest of Europe hears for us’
« We went through the whole of Serbia, woke people, it’s time for Europe to hear about us, » says Dunja Stanojkovic, a student of the Veterinary Medicine, for the BBC in Serbian.
Two days ahead of departure, parents made her farewell in the courtyard of the family house in Pancevo, 20 kilometers from Belgrade.
« I had the impression that they were making me fare in the army, not to follow me on the road, » he says with a smile.
In her luggage are spare sneakers, but also all the necessary rungs for running: several Helanka, spare shirts, socks, sweatshirts.
He also packed a plush bear, a gift from the boyfriend, and her necklace, sister gift.
On hand bracelet with the built-in word – students.
In front of the endeavor, around the door of the student, Uroš Obradović I noticed the Golden Krstić.
« The amulet. I don’t separate from her, » he said, catching me look.
They knew that he expects great effort and challenge, but they are, they say, they are much more important to achieve the goal – that Europe hears them.
« Let’s go as a team, we will be aware, we are aware of what we are going on, » Obradovic told me.
In the rare endeavor, group students started from the center of Belgrade to Novi Sad.
‘Nobody is tired, run to Brussels, « they shouted, and gathered in front of the main building of Radio and Television of Serbia, where is Danima lasted a student blockadethey made them a chance and cheered them.
‘Let’s go for freedom’, she threw one of the Marathonke’s journalists.
In Novi Sad, a 16-minute post office was held to the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy near the accident site, and then the runners started to Race towards Brussels.
« We don’t want to suffer injustice and nepotism.
« I expect our voice to be heard in this session there are more stories about events in Serbia and be a reaction from Europe, » said the student of the Medical Faculty of Aleksa Dimitrijević before the road to the BBC.
See photos from Novi Sad
What is the relay run?
Everyone runs a certain part of the route, mostly in a smaller group.
When one finishes the section, the other group continues, explains Ivan Radenković, who trains runners for 15 years.
The endeavor of students is difficult, but feasible, adds.
« Organism, especially young people, can handle effort.
« But if the day after day, the body does not arrive to rest, one of the main challenges before the students, » explains for the BBC in Serbian.
To stay in fitness and prevented or mitigated muscle inflammation should be entered enough carbohydrates and protein, but also fresh fruits and vegetables of rich enzymes and minerals.
Stretching exercises, but also showering with cold water are also important for relaxing muscles.
The coach points out and that the feet should always be dry, and the sneakers should change every other day.
Brussels runs at the concrete, which has advantages and disadvantages, says Radenković.
Since the substrate is flat and hard, it is much easier for it than the ground, grass or sand.
But running per concrete creates more pressure on the joints, which can be relieved to the appropriate sneakers, explains.
Modern messenger
Featuring running has a long history – the messengers have been announced like this before the phone and the Internet.
« In ancient and middle ages, messages were transmitted precisely.
« Running postman runs one section, handed a letter to another and so until the finish line, » Radenkovic concludes.
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Watch the video: Cycling campaign to Strasbourg
