The Novi Sad suburb of Klis, inhabited by a diverse population, is best known for the Nylon Market, the District Prison and the "traditional" celebration of Christmas Eve. Instead of, for example, in the splendor of the Christmas celebration, which also includes giving gifts, distribute tens of cubic meters of wood to poor fellow citizens, Klisani build a giant bonfire and, with newly composed "patriotic" music, enjoy themselves gathered around a senseless bonfire with a glass of brandy and a case of beer, with which they removes the evening dew from the heart.
In earlier years, the "ecological activity" of burning old car, truck and tractor tires was also performed within the bonfire, which gave this ritual an adequate color and smell. In addition, as - as they say - their ancestors used to do, using advanced pyrotechnic methods, they shoot Klisani and barrels into the air. Supposedly, if the barrel flies high, it will be a birth year, if it flies even higher, the economy will flourish, and if it touches the sky - Serbia will promptly enter the European Union.
Witch-burning woodcutter
This year, at the main bonfire, by decision of the organizers, tires were omitted, so more wood should have been used. The tree-hunting consisted of donations, but also an organized expedition to the few trees in the vicinity of Novi Sad and on Fruška Gora, which remained after the decade-long rule of the Serbian Progressive Party. Not even a barrel was fired, at least not at the central ceremony, but the fire was monumental, the cameras recorded, and people enjoyed themselves in their own Christian way, dancing around it.
No witches were burned at the stake this year either, but don't say that twice: maybe next year some of the unbelievers, who were born from dust - will be returned to dust. Religiologists point out that cremation is not a Christian custom, but a pagan one, but that this one in Klisan is most similar to the medieval burning of witches. For now, figuratively and symbolically, all those who do not fit into the patriotic "narrative" are burning.
Some noted, however, that they still flew barrels, but at other appropriate Christmas celebrations in this settlement. One flew high, as you can see in the video, but there are different estimates as to whether it was enough for Serbia to join the EU.
Kanondaa "peace of God"
However, it would be unfair to say that all this is just a Klisan specialty. Bonfires burned all over the city, even in the ultra-urban, punkish parts of Novi Sad. Fireworks, firecrackers, but also what sounded like the sounds of howitzers, machine guns, rifles and bayonets, echoed from late afternoon until after midnight all around.
Of course, this is also a kind of demonstrative exercise of force, a demonstration of combat readiness. Some believe that it was an oversight by the authorities that they did not sound the air raid sirens at the appropriate moment. Pets are especially scared, and we will find out if any of them were heartbroken this year by the "peace of God" cannonade.
Trucker Christianity
Truck drivers, good old contrite Christians, joined the Christmas celebration again. Today, they will, "traditionally", drive through the streets of Novi Sad in their vehicles decorated with Serbian flags. Their idea, they say, is to create a "cheerful atmosphere". What is our man to you - and he makes truck driving fun!
By the way, on the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church, public lighting of Christmas trees, with hot wine, brandy and heavy artillery, is declared "inappropriate". It is stated that there is also a "canonical prohibition of lighting cultic fires".
"According to the 65th canon of the Council of Trul, any kindling of fire for any ritual purpose is considered a serious offense for Orthodox Christians, for which the perpetrators are subject to severe punishments," states the text signed by a regular professor at the Department of Liturgy of the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade Nenad Milosevic.
