I am 25 years old, people said this is approximately time when everyone should understand their priorities and step safely on their own path. I get more and more teasing as that famous thirties approaches, though I think in those years a man is freed from all the craziness that teens have, all the impermanence and finding himself in his twenties. Then only the sun shines with full radiance.
This is how Luka Jankovic, a history student from Indjija, introduced himself to us at the beginning of the interview. Life in Novi Sad began after completing the natural-mathematical course in the Grammar School or upon enrollment at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad. He is currently a graduate student and is finishing his studies which gives him time to do some more interesting things in his spare time.
I’m passionate about life, and my biggest passions are literature and music. I also do a little bit of writing and some other little things that fill a person with a creative spirit, because life has to be colored in some peculiar way, lest we disappear in the whirlwind of this time that is too fast and if we lose our inner voice, we lose ourselves, don’t we?
I volunteer at several organizations, and I fill in my free time with training because I am guided by the “Mens sana in corpore sano” floss. in a healthy body and in a healthy spirit. I am also a big fan of epic fiction, gaming and I like to set aside time for places where people hang out and play board games. Indjija is close, but somehow I don’t find the time to visit it that much. Life’s trends have made me feel more like a city in Novi Sad, with enough civility to feel at home, and yet so diverse that it is different from my hometown. It’s always nice to go home, of course, and remember all the pictures in the album of life’s memories.
Luka says that Novi Sad was a logical choice for his studies because of the energy that suited him, his life course. We were interested in what is his most beautiful story about Novi Sad and we found out something very interesting.
Once this city wins you over, you can hardly find another city that plays your soul tones so well. And so time flies, and I’ve been here for five years, with a tendency to stay as long as possible. It’s hard to single out the most beautiful story, I’m a man of fantasy, illusion, words and melody, and this city often leaves me breathless when it comes to things. However, I will tell a sympathetic story from the beginning of my studies that has remained etched in my memory. I love the people who sell books outdoors, play and grin everyday. So I walked once when I was coming back from college and saw a girl with a wide smile playing a guitar. The views met us. At the time, I was trying to stop cigars. I made the “firm” decision to leave, and I didn’t have hell with me. She stopped me and asked me what to play, and in return I gave her a cigar. I told her I wanted to hear but not to have a cigar with me. I went to the nearest traffic station and took the hell we shared, talking about everything and everything, with music. I’ve never seen her again, but this is a city that brings together people of similar affinities and interests in different ways. At least for a short while someone can brighten up your day, and there is always a song around the corner that will suddenly put a smile on your face.
Luka is a member of the Red Ravens Association, which deals with the preservation and nurturing of medieval culture and tradition. They organize a lot of events and collaborate with several organizations. This seems very interesting at the very first mention, and what they are actually doing is explained to us in the continuation of the conversation.
We go to knight festivals, fight, and recently launched a small fencing school project for kids. In addition, we hold lectures from time to time. We all have a great time together, learning new things and working, really a fantastic collective.
The last event we organized was the Medieval Ball. We enjoyed sewing costumes, learning old dances, and sharing it with people who came to see it, and enjoyed the spirit of old times. We honored the whole court ceremony and then danced until time and space had taken us several centuries earlier. We plan on organizing more balls. We would love to have even more visitors to learn, dance and have fun with us. You can follow all the information through our Facebook page.
The question of which place is his favorite in Novi Sad is really not easy to answer. Luke explained it very poetically to us.
I don’t want to be a cliche and say a cathedral. the church of the name of Mary. I love when organ sounds come from it, they give some special makeup to the whole building, but it’s not my favorite. How can you find a favorite spot in this city? I watch the synagogue every day from the terrace and it always stops its breath. From the library in Matica, where I spent a lot of time studying and writing papers, the faculties where I was in various stands and educations, the parks where I read peacefully, the places of different subcultures that I move in… No. There is no favorite place in Novi Sad. If there was it would be in the air, from where I could catch a glimpse of the whole city and its magical atmosphere.
Why would I recommend Novi Sad to someone? I think the answer is extremely clear. If you want to catch a spell of magic that is present in every season, this is the place for you. Now is winter, the magic is even stronger, just listen and you will hear her call.
* The story was created within the project “The most beautiful stories about Novi Sad”, realized by the Remix Association and funded by the Youth Association of the Association “Novi Sad Youth Capital of Europe – OPENS 2019”
