Slavic dream

23. 10. 2011

This is how it was... On a gloomy autumn Saturday morning whoever could set off from our capital towards Bujačić, a village near Valjevo. From the half way on, we stopped following the signposts, but were drawn by intoxicating smells of the roast ox that was spun from the early dawn in front of the Jelic winery. There we met our host wearing a traditional linen suit, ever beautiful hostess and a cheerful group of employees putting the final touch to the decorating... They were spreading the new banner for the promotion of Slavic dream. My attention was caught by a catchphrase which people who deal with wine in this winery have: “think, speak and do the same”. Such a simple and yet deep thought and point it bears. I decided to embrace it myself.

While we were enjoying intoxicating smell of smoke and freshly roasted meat, with it drinking abundantly Rhine Riesling from 2007, our attention was drawn by rotating lights on the cars, first, second, third...Some people appeared and lost themselves in different parts of the estate. After them came her Excellency Mary, the ambassador of USA in person. We realised that the company was comprised of very distinguished figures, so we anticipated impatiently the upcoming invitees. The Americans were very punctual. While they were exchanging greetings with Milijan and casting glances towards the spit-roasting ox thinking how to taste it, there came a figure through the vineyards, none other than Scotland Yard...I recognised him by his hat, only they have such. I was almost right...It was our academic and, it is said by some, the cleverest Serb there is, Matija Bećković. What an honour! Not long after a group of young men brought a short, almost stooped elder, the father of our Yugoslavia, an ex-president and a great writer, Dobrica Ćosić. Nobody ever could depict our Roots, our wish to rule (The time of ruling), The time of death as he did.

While the guests arrived one after the other, and when not even a patch of grass could be seen under our feet, but only hats and umbrellas spread over the hill under which Morava 2011 ferments, Milijan opened the event with a strong and instructive speech. Something traditional was sang and played, something traditional was sang and played.