29.10.2024.

“Vasketov juriš” music video premiere

An event dedicated to Sergeant Ivan Vasojević, who died in the Battle of Košare in 1999, was held at the Central Military Club in Belgrade tonight. “Vasketov juriš” (Vaske’s Charge) song video, produced by the Military Film Centre “Zastava Film”, Public Relations Department, Ministry of Defence, honouring Sergeant Vasojević’s sacrifice and heroic deeds, had its premiere tonight.

The music video has been made at the initiative of the association “Srbski svetionik”. In this way, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces have once again paid tribute to Ivan’s courage.

Speaking about the initiative to make the music video, “Zastava Film” Director Col. Goran Ikonić said it had been his honour to produce the music video that “brings back the memory of the famous Jaguar”.

- We have gathered tonight to bring back the memory of Ivan Vasojević and his heroism, but also the great feat he accomplished with his comrades. This video does not only feature a story about heroism, but about love, courage and loyalty to one’s homeland. I would like to thank his parents for raising such a knight, Serbian son, and for instilling the highest values in him, such as the belief that you cannot put a price on freedom, honour and homeland – emphasized Colonel Ikonić.

Sergeant Vasojević’s sister, Biljana Vasojević, says that she has been carrying the sadness all these years with dignity, and at the same time she has felt pride in everything her brother was.

- He was a good son, a good brother, and a good friend worth remembering. He and his 12 soldiers performed a feat that changed the course of the battle aimed at breaking up our homeland. His comrades told me a lot of stories about him, about what he was like on the battlefield, which made me even more proud. He was able to be at the right place at the right time and he feared no one but God - said Sergeant Vasojević's sister.

Milan Čučković, president of the association "Srbski svetionik”, addressed the audience, saying that it was important to remember Sergeant Vasojević’s heroic deeds for the sake of the culture of remembrance that the entire nation must build.

- Ivan and other soldiers went to war consciously, without thinking about whether they would die. Their goal was to defend our holy land, holy Serbia - emphasized Čučković and thanked the Ministry of Defence, the Public Relations Department and the Military Film Centre "Zastava Film" for their understanding and assistance in making the "Vasketov juriš" music video.

Danilo Vasojević also spoke about his late cousin Ivan Vasojević and his life, while Ivan Dražić, Ivan's comrade-in-arms, who defended the homeland with him in 1999, spoke about Vasojević's bravery and heroism.

The event dedicated to Sergeant Vasojević included the performances of the MoD’s Art Ensemble "Stanislav Binički" conducted by Katarina Božić, as well as Milica Dosković and Dragana Nikolić.

Sergeant Ivan Vasojević was 24 years old when he died fighting against Albanian terrorists on April 11, 1999, defending the national border. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit in Defence and Security, 1st Class.