Srbija - nacionalna revija - broj 55 - engleski - niska rezolucija

R A D S I G N
it really turns out tu be like that. From the
ethno-village they donated to the neighbors
some cattle, about a hunderd, and in turn,
when the need arises, these they should deliver
their products such as kajmak, cheese,
eggs, fresh and dried meat, vegetables, fruit,
wheat or corn flour, mushrooms... and it is
good for everyone, there is even more than
enough.
For this reason they built a dryer, refrigerator,
plant for the production and bottling
of exceptional fruit rakias, primarily plum
rakia, and for honey ... and many more wonders.
Today these are little factories unified
under the same name “Grab”, after the creek.
So, when a guest takes any such”souvenir”
from Serbia, it will truly reminiscent of
Koštunići, the hosts, and the time they spent
here, at the foot of Suvobor.
– Once I got a visit from Ljuba Jovković,
an old friend who lives in Marseille, where
he runs a decent family hotel – Jovan says seriously.
- He heard, he says, that we produce
organic foods, and as the French are crazy
about it, he decided to offer them something
“made in Serbia”, to boast how we also
know how to make something right. But,
when he tried, he almost had a stroke, and
he insisted that we make a business deal. We
barely restrained him, and that only when
we explained that this is intended primarily
for the local guests. But if his French people
really care so muc, they can stop by, they
wwill get an original of everything, at the
very source.
When he was goingt back, they packed
for him a bit of everything. He called a day or
two later to boast that what he had brought
was gone immediately, and that everything
was bought by the French, right befor ethe
noses of the local Serbs. He cried that they
sent more of that. It may be the case, but if
things develop the waay they planned.
VILLAGE DIPLOMACY
Roughly, Koštunići lake with its beach
could accommodate at least two thousand
swimmers, while there are about six hundred
people living in the village, half of
whom would not dare to jump into water
even at gunpoint, not even to moisten their
feet. But they have not miscalculated. This
benefit is primarily intended for guests of
the Center, then the residents of Koštunići
and the surrounding villages, and finally
those from Čačak and Milanovac, for whom
this is a substitute for the increasingly remote
sea. Admission is free for guests, and
the rest paid symbolically, only to cover the
cost of water and electricity. And, as the
prices at the restaurant are far below those
in the town, it is sometimes difficult to get
hold of free space on the beach, let alone in
the restaurant.
It is interesting that this village was
somehow discovered by foreigners, and
they often drop by. Recently, a large group
of young Swedes stayed here for a month:
they encamped in Koštunići, and from there
they cruised around Serbia studying our
folklor. Tey didn’t want to leave at the end,
they fell in love so much with village, nature
and the people.
So, people in Koštunići came to an unusual
idea. They offered to several foreign
diplomats as a gift, land up above the Centre,
to build houses there in their national style
to go there on vacation and bring guests.
All of them have accepted the gift with enthusiasm,
and with gratitude, and will soon
a true “diplomatic settlement” will be built
here. It remains for the friendly villagers to
learn a few words in English or Russian, and
they will be ready to embark on the “International
Relations”. And generally – there is
no better diplomacy than Serbian chastity
and cordiality, local food and drinks, and
this much beauty that God has given to us.
When asked why he engaged in this,
rather uncertain adventure, the host was
thoughtful for a moment, then uttered almost
emarassingly:
– In my working life, I earned enough, I
do not need more. But just because of that
I feel an obligation to repay to this people.
That’s why some time ago I established the
Association of Serbian Hosts, which gathers
under its wing truly reputable hosts
and businessmen from the country and
the Diaspora who have that same need to
repay their motherland... and to help hiter.
Not everyone can be compared with Ilija
Milosavlјević, Luka Ćelović, Nikola Spasić,
Vlajko Kalenić, Sima Andrejević or Miša
Anastasijević, with people who restored
and improved Serbia in the past century
and century before that, but if each of us
contributes a little, as much as e can, everything
would start getting better. because, as
Nikola Spasić described it long ago, wealth
is not measured by how it is acquired, but
by how it is used. If it benefits the people,
for sure you will not go wrong.
22 SRBIJA • BROJ 55 • 2016.