Warm welcome in Croatia’s Varazdin for Serbian students running to Brussels

On Monday morning, they continued their journey from Varazdin toward Maribor, Slovenia, and are expected to reach Graz by the evening.

The gathering at the Vaarazdin main square was organized by a civic initiative, with the city of Varazdin responding to their call, as well as to that of local students, by helping coordinate the event and providing accommodation and dinner for the runners.

Sixteen students from Croatia welcomed the marathoners, holding signs bearing the names of the victims who lost their lives in Novi Sad on November 1, when a concrete canopy collapsed at the city’s recently renovated main train station. A large number of citizens attended the event, including many young people and some Croatian MPs. Some in the crowd were moved to tears. The gathering observed 16 minutes of silence in honor of the 16 victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.

“This brave action by young people is a symbol of the fight for dignity and freedom of speech,” read a message from Croatian students, delivered by a student speaker.

“What is happening in Serbia today is a sign that the people are maturing… One world, one struggle,” she added.

“I can’t… It’s too emotional for me. They are fighting for what they believe in, and that gives me so much motivation and hope for the future,” said one young woman at the event, tears in her eyes. She emphasized how inspiring it was to see everyone standing together, sharing the experience.

“It’s time for change, and together we can make it happen. We all face injustice every day, and seeing them take such an active stand is incredibly inspiring,” she told N1.

Varazdin Mayor Neven Bosilj, who also attended the event, remarked that too many people have lost their future by clinging to the past, and that it is time to move on.

“I am here first and foremost as a citizen, not just as the mayor, because Varazdin is an open city. These young people asked us for help—for a place to stay. We’re going to host them in our sports hall, where we’ve set up some beds, and we’ll provide them with dinner,” he said.

“The city of Varazdin is supporting these young people who are striving for a better future. They want what we all want—to live better lives. They want what we already have here in Croatia: to become members of the European Union. I think it’s time we stop looking so much to the past,” he added.

Bosilj repeated that many have lost their future by dwelling in the past and that it is time to change that mindset.

“These young people—none of them were born in 1991 or 1995. They were all born in this century. So we really should stop being stuck in the past and start looking toward the future. They want a better future for themselves and their country, and that is what I wish them.”