21.04.2018.
Ceremonial March-Pasts of Military Orchestras in Kragujevac and Valjevo
Ceremonial March-Pasts of Military Orchestras in Kragujevac and Valjevo
To mark the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces, the Guard ceremonial orchestra organised a ceremonial march-past to the great joy of the citizens of Valjevo.
The military musicians, performing famous tunes, marched past from the corner of the Knez Miloš Street and Pol Lukina, next to the monument to Field Marshal Živojin Mišić, to the House of Culture, followed by the applauses and looks of pleasantly surprised citizens of Valjevo, who did not spare the compliments for their armed forces.The orchestra, led by conductor Nebojša Stojiljković, masterfully performed the programme that included famous Serbian marches some of them being “Miloš Obrenović”, “Na Drinu”, “Miloš Veliki” and the March of the King’s Guard.
The conductor says that generally, wherever the orchestra performs, the people greet the military musicians warmly since they do not have the opportunity to see them often.
- The Guard military orchestra is one of the three military ensembles in Serbia; there are not a lot of us, but the audience usually react the best to “Marš na Drinu” which is one of our best compositions – says Major Stojiljković and confirms the he is “particularly fond” of the March of King’s Guard which they performed twice today in front of the citizens of Valjevo.Lieutenant Colonel Zoran Smiljanić, Commander of the Second Army Training Centre in Valjevo, points out that he is particularly pleased with the warm reception by the citizens of the ceremonial march past that has been organised on the occasion of the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces.
- This is a good opportunity for the promotion of the armed forces in towns of Serbia and a proof that such events are not solely intended for great cities, such as Belgrade and Niš – says Lieutenant Colonel who took the opportunity to congratulate 23rd April – Day of the Serbian Armed Forces to its members and citizens as well.
A citizen of Valjevo Milena Janković enjoyed with her children this unique concert of the military musicians. She says that everything looks magnificent.
- This is the first time that we have attended such an event and I am rather pleased. Her four year old son Marko was also pleased who “marched” next to the military musicians and sent them kisses.
The best friend of Jasmina from Valjevo plays in the ensemble.- It is wonderful, and I feel festive and I believe that this truly is the right opportunity to join in congratulating all the citizens of Serbia on the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces.
A retired serviceman from Valjevo, Cvetko Stojković says that his heart beats like the drum he is listening to in the moment, while he watches the military musicians.
- I am 84 years old and I am glad to attend such marvellous event. We used to celebrate 22nd December, and now it is 23rd April. Whatever the date it is, I am happy that the armed forces have their day when they should show the citizens their most beautiful face – says the pensioner.
Divna Popović from Belgrade, found herself in Valjevo by chance and says that she has not dreamt of being able to attend such a lovely event.
- I am truly exhilarated, although this has not the first time for me to see such march-past. It would be nice if the military musicians played more often in the provinces – says the citizen of Belgrade who extended most cordial congratulations to the members of the Serbian Armed Forces on their holiday.
Nestor, Jovan and Viktor are students of a high school. The sixteen-year-olds are pleasantly surprised with how the military brasses sound alive.
- It looks like the real parade and we have never had an opportunity to attend such an event.
They say that they really like the traditional Serbian music, and marches, and that they can listen to that in their free time, much like they listen to DJs and the music of their time. The photographs were “snapped” as well that will as they point out in a couple of minutes be shared across social networks.
Gordana is a citizen of Valjevo and she says that “her heart jumps like crazy” while she listens to the military musicians.
- We have been following them whole the way, from the fountain. Wherever they go we follow, we just cannot let them go. I get goose bumps when I hear these sounds – she says and ads that she likes the armed forces because of her father who was a serviceman and “everything comes back to her” as she listens to this. She points out that she would have joint the armed forces if they had been opened for women at the time.
The citizens of Kragujevac have also enjoyed today in the sounds of “military music” performed for them by the Military Orchestra of Niš. The pedestrian zone in the centre of the town resounded to the sound of sons and applauses of the gathered audience which did not hide their exhilaration.
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