People

An exciting story

     Most of the population of Serbia is of South Slavic origin. Slavic tribes entered the region from the north during the 5th to 7th century AD, encountering Illyrian-speaking peoples. Although the Slavs acculturated large numbers of Illyrians, many of the latter retained their distinctive language and customs in the complex hills and valleys of present-day Albania. Cleavages between southern Slav tribes developed over time, particularly after the establishment in the 4th century ad of the north-south “Theodosian Line” demarcating the eastern and western segments of the Roman Empire. Organization of the Christian church subsequently was based on this division.

Where can you find the Serbs?

     The majority of Serbs live in Serbia, Montenegro and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Republic of Serbia is the nation-state of the Serb people. In Serbia, 6.2 million Serbs constitute about 62% (83% excluding Kosovo) of the population, including Kosovo, which has declared itself independent from Serbia in February 17, 2008. Another 1,6 million live in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 200,000 in Croatia (580,000 prior to the war), with another 250,000 in Montenegro following its independence. Abroad, Vienna is said to be home to the largest Serb population followed by Chicago with Toronto and Southern Ontario coming in third. Los Angeles and Indianopolis are known to have a sizable Serbian community, but so does Berlin, Paris, Moscow, Istanbul and Sydney. The number of Serbs in the diaspora is unknown but it is estimated to be up to 5.5 million.

Serbian hospitality

     The Serbs are warm, friendly, honest and extremely hospitable people. The Serbs believe beyond limits in their ability to compete with the achievements of the most powerful nations of the world. Many great writers and travellers have had the chance to discover that. The English writer R.G.D. Lafan was writing in 1917 : ,, The Serbs love their trees as the Swiss love their mountains as well as the Danes love the sea. Green curtain of folliage and branches spreads above the heads of the children playing. A branch has set its roots and if it is let to develop, it will grow daringly as one of the first royal trees of Europe’’.