Participants of the World Harmony Run relay carried the torch of harmony and peace through Serbia. On their way they were joined by numerous locals of all ages with one desire – to touch the torch that was held by millions of people around the world and to join their dreams of a better world.
The international team of the World Harmony Run arrived to Serbia on August 7th, where they were joined by the Serbian team on the border crossing between Serbia and Montenegro.
Upon entering Serbia, they were welcomed with ovations and manifestations in Prijepolje and Nova Varoš, as well as on Mt. Zlatibor, and a large number of local children joined the runners and had the opportunity to carry the torch through their home towns.
“We were pleasantly welcomed upon arrival in Serbia with traditional Serbian music. It was worth seeing this spectacular sight of high Montenegrin mountains transforming into woody Šumadian surroundings “, commented for Serbia.com Mladen Vujaklija, a participant from Croatia who joined the European team in Portugal and is planning to keep on running till the very end of the relay.
The fist break for runners in Serbia was in the town of Užice as the night caught up with the runners.
In the morning they continued carrying the World Harmony Run torch to Požega and Čačak where they were welcomed according to old Serbian tradition – with pogača (a kind of traditional bread) and salt, and folklore troupes performed traditional folk dances in their honor.
Age, nationality, faith or skin color are of no importance on this journey and numerous runners crossed almost the entire Europe, and what they found most appealing in our country are people, nature and Serbian food.
“I’ve arossed the entire European section of the run alongside the international team, we were welcomed in many countries: Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, Scandinavian countries, Central Europe, Russia that made a particular impression on me, Southern Europe, but here in Serbia it truly felt like home. Temperament of local people is very much alike ours“. Sandro Zincarini said for Serbia.com.
The second day of the World Harmony Run through our country finished in Ljig.
After a night spent in an ethno house, on August 9th the evidently cheerful team of runners from around the world continued the run towards the nation’s capital with one desire – that their idea and energy touch the hearts of people in Serbia.
Serbian runners joined the international team in Belgrade, in front of the St. Marko Church. They were greeted by numerous Belgraders with loud applauses.
Runners then took the torch to the Serbian parliament that hosted them and honored this noble idea that was this year supported by our country among all the others.
After the reception, the participants of the World Harmony Run continued towards Šabac and Loznica and near the town of Mali Zvornik they entered Bosnia and Hercegovina.
Serbia.com team couldn’t join the run, but we did pass on our best wishes for harmonic world and tolerance by symbolically touching the torch.
Its flame will be lit till the end of the run on October 7th in Vienna.
Running since 1987.
World Harmony Run was founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987 promoting love, harmony and unity with one desire to improve friendship among people.
It travels through over 100 nations around the globe and it is joined by sportsmen and women, recreationists, citizens, children and all those who would like to carry the torch thus joining the good will and love of all nations of the world that have carried the torch.
This year the torch was lit on January 1st in Hawaii, continuing towards Northern America.
Europeans joined the run on February 23rd in the Portuguese town of Figueira da Foz, and its finish should be on October 7th in Vienna.
Photo 1: www.worldharmonyrun.org/serbia
Photo 2: www.worldharmonyrun.org/serbia
Related Articles
