Serb Fest in Chicago: The Largest Gathering of the Serbian Diaspora in America

Among them, of course, were mostly Serbs, but also their friends, neighbors, American and Mexican spouses, Macedonians, Greeks, Russians, Ukrainians…

It was an opportunity for acquaintances and friends who had not seen each other in a long time to reconnect, as well as for entire families living in different parts of the United States – from the West to the East Coast, from California to New York. Still, the largest number of visitors came from the local area – Chicago and its surroundings.

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There was something for everyone at Serb Fest. Adults enjoyed a diverse artistic program – “from Silvana to Nirvana,” as the saying goes – young people mingled, socialized, flirted, and fell in love, while children found their own fun in a small amusement park.

Everyone together enjoyed the rich selection of culinary specialties, both savory and sweet – which even your reporter could not resist. After all, life is sometimes bitter, and one must sweeten it…

“It’s great to see such a big turnout and to be doing something useful for our church, as well as to motivate the younger generation to carry this on,” said cook and organizer Tanja Jesic.

To show it wasn’t only about eating and drinking, the festival also promoted healthy living, sports, and the preservation of the Serbian language among our diaspora children.

“It’s wonderful to see so many Serbs in one place, in a foreign country like America,” said soccer player Stefan Veljovic.

Nevena Dragacic of the Saint Sava Academy explained that the school “isn’t just about the language – it’s about keeping the children together.”

Festival guests also had the chance to see and hear some new, modern folklore — a blend of dance and ballet – performed by “Oko sokolovo” (“The Hawk’s Eye”), the best folklore ensemble of the diaspora, led by Milan Andrijanić, longtime director of the renowned cultural society KUD Abrasevic.

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It was also interesting to hear how young Americans perceive a Serbian festival. “It’s crowded, but it’s an opportunity to experience another culture. I was excited to try kifle,” said teenager Yvonne Stevens, while her friend Nikolina Samardzic explained that they didn’t have the same kifle she had previously tried at Yvonne’s place.

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We also met some interesting people who live between Serbia and America and can compare the two worlds and our people on both sides of the Atlantic.

Milentije Gavrilović from Kraljevo, visiting Chicago, said that “Serbs are good people.” “The difference between Serbs in Serbia and those here in America is that people here are quicker to decide to make purchases – probably because they rarely have the opportunity to find Serbian keepsakes,” he noted.

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We conclude our story, deservedly, with a veteran – artist, musician, and gentleman Mr. Walter Pravica, who will soon turn 92 but shows no sign of slowing down. A longtime member of the Danube Orchestra in Chicago, his violin still soothes the soul and warms the heart.

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