THE INVALUABLE WEALTH OF THE MILJANOVIĆ FAMILY – THREE GENERATIONS, FOUR CHILDREN, AND A HEART FULL OF LOVE

In the seven-member household of the Miljanović family from Ugljevička Obrijež, three generations live under one roof. The family's greatest wealth lies in their four children. Alongside daily agricultural work, the deep passion shared by all family members—young and old—is their love for horses.

PHOTO: InfoBijeljina

Božidar “Boban” Miljanović gladly hitches up the horses to take his large family for a ride in their carriage. Wherever they go, they become a local attraction.

"I take them for a ride to the church, to thank God for everything—our wheat and corn, and most of all for my children being healthy and alive. No one else here has horses, and I always look for a child to give a ride, to bring some joy, to draw a smile. I drive newlyweds, children to baptisms, I even picked up my own child from the hospital. We deliver gift packages to kids. I’ve driven in minus 5, even minus 10 degrees, frozen, with frost on my face. I’ve suffered in life, so I know what it means to have nothing and how much a kind word or gesture can mean. I’ll help anyone I can," says this kind-hearted and humble host.

He adds that his love for horses began in childhood when he used to visit his grandfather and ride a mare. Later, he joined his grandfather on carriage rides.

"My grandfather would go to Bijeljina every Tuesday and Friday, and it was something special—people waving and greeting us. That’s when I fell in love with it. Before he passed away, he entrusted me with his mare Bojka, who lived for 32 years and died last year. My children loved her too. I later got a carriage to bring them joy. I don’t long for riches; I just want my children to be healthy—health is everything," says Boban with a smile. He’s now planning to register an equestrian club and open a riding school, welcoming even children with developmental difficulties.

His daughter Sunčica is a passionate horse lover and already knows how to ride.

"I love horses so much—Dad taught me to ride. My favorite horses are Bojka, Mica, Zvezda, and Beba. I feed them hay and oats," says Sunčica, while her brother Rade shyly adds that he also helps their father on the farm—feeding horses and doing other chores.

The family has always worked hard. Despite having a full-time job at the Ugljevik Coal Mine and Thermal Power Plant, Boban never neglected the family farm. He cultivates 150 dunums (approx. 15 hectares) of land, focusing mainly on crop farming.

"I manage about 150 dunums—wheat, barley, oats, some corn, and grass. This year we prepared about 100 round hay bales, which is a lot. Thank God we were able to get that done. When I got my job at the mine, I invested in better equipment. I bought everything I could new—because without proper tools, you can’t work. Farm labor no longer exists here; you can’t even find someone to pay for a day’s work. I received 60% in subsidies for a new tractor and also applied for smaller machines—mulchers, sprayers, tillers—that helps a lot," explains this hardworking farmer.

In his barns, he keeps Alpine goats, sheep, and pigs—enough to support his family and sell a bit on the side. He and his wife share the responsibilities of caring for the animals.

"You can’t just let the land go wild—either sell it or take care of it. And when you maintain it, you feel proud. A job is something else—it’s secure, you have a salary. But this—this is love. You can’t put a price on it; you have to truly love it. I get up at five, do the chores, go to work, then it’s kids, kindergarten, school—it’s all love," says Boban.

His wife Zlata has many duties of her own but says she would never trade village life for the city.

"You’re on your feet all day—taking care of the livestock, the kids, school, kindergartens—but it all works out as long as everyone’s healthy. Life in the village is beautiful. We have our animals and so much for the children to enjoy," Zlata told InfoBijeljina.