"A holiday for the soul" - this is how one of the people gathered describes the blockade of Autokomanda, one of the main intersections in Belgrade, while loudly blowing a whistle.
Students managed to bring tens of thousands of people onto the streets since the early hours of yesterday morning. They intend to block this important road for 24 hours. They say they have decided to radicalize the protest in such a way as to send a message that they will not give up on their demands.
The day was sunny, almost spring-like, with temperatures above ten degrees. A huge number of people were constantly changing and increasing the crowd.
Around 11 am, a noisy group of students arrived from the direction of New Belgrade, accompanied by farmers on tractors. They carried Serbian flags and banners. Soon, bikers, who had stationed themselves in several groups around the intersection, began to create a deafening noise with their revving engines.
The protest, like the previous two months, began with a fifteen-minute silence. It was only disturbed by the occasional barking of dogs and the sounds of car sirens as drivers from the highway provided support to the crowd.
Traffic was blocked for all vehicles from the roundabout on Bulevar Oslobodjenja, towards the Temple of Saint Sava. With the occasional passage of citizens who were constantly arriving, traffic flowed smoothly on the smaller streets towards Slavija.
Solidarity and faith in youth
Under several white awnings, tireless volunteers take turns distributing ready-made meals, bottles of water, chocolate bars, and snacks to the crowd. Several tents have also been set up, where citizens will take turns during the 24-hour blockade.
Students, parents with children, citizens with pets, paraded happily through the streets. "I wouldn't miss this in my lifetime," says one father, holding his little son in his arms.
Kristina (30) also came to the blockade with her one-and-a-half-year-old twins. She says she is "one hundred percent with the students" and that she is on the streets "for the future of her three children."
"I want this government to be replaced. I believe in young people. I am young and I want my children to grow up in the best possible environment," she tells DW.
During this time, a dog with red paws passes through the column of people.
Student security guards from Belgrade's faculties are diligently controlling the situation. They are regulating the crowds that have formed and ensuring the passage of areas where donations of food and drinks have been constantly arriving.
Among them is Anja Zdejković (21), a molecular biology student. She says she believes that everyone gathered during this blockade will be "taken away by the wonderful energy from the streets" and that it will send a message that everyone is "motivated, persistent and ready to fight for change."
"This gathering is a turning point"
Young people spend their time playing board games, volleyball, and throwing Frisbees. Around 13 p.m., a column of high school students joined the gathering. They were welcomed with joy.
Dimitrije Krstajić, a master's student at the Faculty of Law, notes that the current events in the country concern all citizens and believes that it is therefore important for everyone to participate in the blockades.
"Anyone who considers themselves a patriot and truly loves this country should and must support the students' demands. This is not politics, but a matter that concerns all of us. That's why I can't understand people who declare themselves apolitical in such a crisis situation," he told DW.
Ognjen Uzelac, a student at the Academy of Music, describes the situation in a similar way. He believes that this gathering is a "turning point" and that it will show how "the authorities will respond to this blockade."
"I have a feeling that it will be peaceful, that there will be no organized sending, trampling and violence. But there could always be some random incident, as has happened so far," says Uzelac.
Farmers with students
Farmers have stood shoulder to shoulder with the students since the beginning of the blockades. They have cooked for them on several occasions at the student campus in Novi Sad, and now they have joined them with tractors at Autokomanda in Belgrade.
One of them is Zoran Milićević (65) from Vinča. He patiently waited for his sons to join him at the blockade. He says it was because of them that he came today.
"I live badly, like other farmers. The government has eaten us up, we cannot survive. I am here for the youth, the children and the future. That is my obligation to them," says the farmer.
When asked what he expects from this blockade, he replies that it is time "for the government to come to its senses and for changes to happen."
"I wouldn't comment on the people, if we were better we would have changed this a long time ago. But these children deserve better. I have a country, two sons, why would they go abroad to work? They are educated, they graduated from universities, they speak perfect English, but why would they go abroad," says Milićević.
"This whole farce must end"
A large number of drama artists also supported the students. As actor Ivan Jevtović told DW, "every decent person must be here." He also says that it is high time the students' demands were met.
"They are very specific and legally based. This whole farce must end, and those responsible must immediately provide answers when the demands will be met," he says, noting that otherwise "life will come to a complete standstill."
"We had a dress rehearsal of it on Friday during the general strike, today we have this. Soon it will probably turn into blockades for a week or longer. The truth must be told and the world must be told that we live in insecurity. I will be here as long as I can. We have a show tonight, but after it I will return to the blockade," said Jevtović.
Students announced that Autokomanda would be blocked until Tuesday morning.
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