"TEAR OF EUROPE" CAN NOW BE CARRIED WITH YOU

Pavle Đurić from Gradiška, a student at the Theological Faculty in Foča, has come up with an unusual souvenir, authentic to the Foča region - a beautifully designed bottle filled with water from the Tara River, which he named "Tear of Europe".

The bottle features a logo with an image of the river, along with the message "Let a part of nature be your souvenir", a ribbon, and a seal. Attached to it is a small booklet in which Pavle has written legends about the Tara River in both Serbian and English.

"Tear of Europe is an authentic souvenir inspired by the Tara River, born out of love for nature and with the desire to offer people a piece of natural magic they can take with them. It's not just a souvenir, but a piece of this marvelous river," Pavle explains.

Pavle got acquainted with the Tara River, nicknamed "Tear of Europe" due to its crystal-clear water, when he came to study in Foča. During his first summer, he went rafting and was amazed by the turquoise beauty of the river and its canyon, the largest in Europe.

"The very thought that the river's water can be drunk throughout its length fascinated me. I had heard about Tara before, but I never dreamed it was so beautiful, that nature had arranged everything so magically, and that so many tourists visited," says Pavle.

Thinking about what could be offered to tourists as a memento, and knowing that the Tara River is the largest reservoir of drinking water in Europe, Pavle came up with the idea that tourists could take home the water they had rafted on as a souvenir.

"I use wax to wax the bottle, emboss seals on the back to complete the picture, and the logo is also beautiful with elements of Tara and the surrounding nature. The bottle comes with a booklet attached to it, which is attractive, full of illustrations, and printed in Serbian and English, so that foreign tourists can read it," Pavle describes his souvenir.

He notes that the Tara River is full of legends - from millers to horses emerging from the water, to fairies descending and waiting for horses.

"I thought - why not put some of that on paper, so that tourists can feel the magic of Tara in that way too."

Pavle says that the reactions of people in his immediate surroundings have been extremely positive.

"Everyone has accepted it with enthusiasm, it's innovative because no one had thought before that they could offer tourists as a souvenir exactly what they came for. This souvenir can be the hallmark of this region when it comes to tourism," believes the theology student.

The "Tear of Europe" souvenir is sold at rafting camps in Foča and at the Tourist Organization Info Center.

"Sales are going well, tourists like it and gladly buy it," Pavle is satisfied.

He collects water from the river at Brštanovica, at the starting point for rafting trips. Although Tara is drinkable, Pavle has indicated on the bottle that this souvenir is not for drinking.

"Because I don't have certification or whatever is needed for the water to be drinkable."

This is currently a side activity for him, but over time it may grow into a more serious business.

"In any case, I continue to make souvenirs. The first collection has sold out and now the second one is already in the works," Pavle added.

He emphasizes that Foča is full of natural beauty and that all possibilities should be utilized for their promotion.

He hopes that his "Tear of Europe" in a bottle will be inspiring and will encourage others to come up with an unusual souvenir characteristic of the Foča region.

Source: Radio Foča