WHERE PETAR AND MILKA KOČIĆ SECRETLY MARRIED 122 YEARS AGO

Marking 122 years since the wedding of renowned Serbian writer Petar Kočić and his wife Milka, the traditional cultural event “Ideš li, rode?” was held near the wooden Church of St. Nicholas in Romanovci, near Gradiška.

PHOTO: SRNA

It was at this very place that Petar and Milka Kočić secretly married on September 18, 1904. More than a century later, the event continues to preserve the memory of their love story, as well as the literary legacy of one of the most prominent Serbian writers.

YOUNG WRITERS HONORED

As part of the event, awards were presented to primary school students from the Gradiška area for the best entries in the literary competition “Ideš li, rode?”.

The first prize, “Kočićeva tkanica”, went to Andreja Babić from Vasa Čubrilović Primary School for “The Beauty of My Home”. Jovana Ranisavić from Petar Kočić Primary School in Nova Topola won second prize for “We Will Meet Again in a Dream”, while third prize went to Dragana Janjetović from Mladen Stojanović Primary School in Gornji Podgradci for “Autumn Has Arrived in My Village”.

Jury president Dario Gvozden said the competition received many high-quality entries and emphasized the importance of the event in preserving the memory and legacy of Petar Kočić.

A MEMORY THAT LIVES ON

Serbian language and literature teacher Ranka Šeatović spoke about the life and work of Petar Kočić.

The cultural and artistic program featured students from Petar Kočić Primary School, music school students and members of the Slavko Mandić Cultural and Artistic Society from Laktaši.

The “Ideš li, rode?” event is organized by the City of Gradiška, the Romanovci Local Community, the Romanovci-Mašići Serbian Orthodox Church Parish and Petar Kočić Primary School in Nova Topola.