Serbia, Told By You – Memories of My Grandmother’s Belmuž

Author: Milica Stanojević (27), teacher from Svrljig

In our household, belmuž was never just food – it was a celebration. Whenever my grandmother Mara would pick up the wooden spoon and place a big copper pot on the hearth, we knew it was going to be a day to remember. I can still recall the smell of melted cheese and flour spreading through the yard, drawing us all together, as if nothing else in the world mattered at that moment.

A Recipe Passed Down for Generations

Grandma used to say that her own mother prepared belmuž early in the morning for shepherds heading out to the pastures. Belmuž was food of strength – made from milk and flour, but full of the warmth of home. Even today, in her eighties, she still makes it the same way she did sixty years ago, stirring with the same steady hand.

As a child, my job was to sit by her side and make sure the fire never faded. In those moments, she would tell me stories about Svrljig, about people who lived simple but happy lives, and about how belmuž was always prepared when there was joy in the house – for weddings, fairs, and even on ordinary Sunday lunches.

Today, whenever I prepare belmuž myself, I feel as if time rewinds. It’s as though my grandmother smiles through every movement of the spoon, and the past and present melt together in one aroma and taste.

If you come to Svrljig, don’t miss the chance to try authentic belmuž. Here’s my advice as a local: Belmužijada Festival in August – the perfect time to taste it prepared live, with music and festivities. The small villages around Svrljig – here you’ll find grandmothers who still cook it the old-fashioned way, in copper pots over open fire. Svrljig Gorge – after enjoying belmuž, take a walk through unspoiled nature and see the landscapes where this dish truly belongs. Conversations with locals – ask someone how they prepare it; you’ll hear different recipes, but also different life stories.

Belmuž is not just a specialty – it’s a memory you will take with you from Svrljig, and perhaps, just like me, keep forever.

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