Children from Kosovo and Metohija and North Macedonia at Hilandar Village

From August 4 to 10, the second children’s summer camp was held at Hilandar Village in Sijarinska Banja, under the patronage of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar and organized by the charitable-educational association of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar ‘Teofil 1198’ from Čačak, and by the Hilandar Monastery’s humanitarian organization ‘Teofilos’ from Thessaloniki.

Thirty-six children participated—some from Kosovo and Metohija, others from North Macedonia.

The children from Kosovo and Metohija attended the camp with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan of Raška and Prizren, Teodosije, whilst the children from North Macedonia came from the Association ‘Peace, Unity, and Stability.’

Children’s camps are an essential part of the Hilandar Monastery’s activities, as part of the broader project ‘The Hilandar Lighthouse,’ which is dedicated to working with children and youth.

The goal of the camp was to help young people from all Serbian regions and the diaspora get more closely acquainted with their roots through various spiritual, educational, artistic, and athletic activities and workshops.

During the camp, the children had the opportunity to be active participants in the following workshops:

Religious workshop — Led by Fr. Aleksandar Našpalić

Since the camp was held under the auspices and organization of the Hilandar Monastery, the children also attended catechism classes. They learned about the history of our Church and deepened their understanding of the Orthodox faith.

Visual arts workshop (drawing and calligraphy) — Led by Ana Marija Vasić

Through the visual arts workshop, participants had the opportunity to learn painting, drawing, collage, and calligraphy from an academic painter. These activities introduced the children to Serbian art throughout the centuries, with a special emphasis on the Orthodox artistic tradition.

Sport workshop (swimming, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and football)

Camp participants had the opportunity to be part of a swimming school through a sport workshop—thirteen children learned to swim (!), while others improved their swimming skills. In addition to swimming, the children played basketball, football, volleyball, and more, together with their instructors, educators, and organizers.

Folk dance workshop (traditional dances) — Led by Marta Milutinović (CAS ‘Kopaonik’ from Leposavić)

Through this workshop, the children had the opportunity to become acquainted with the basics of all Serbian traditional dances, as well as to learn about the history of the kolo, Serbian traditional costumes, and to try on original folk costumes from Peć. In addition to learning about the history of the kolo—when it originated, how, and in which part of Serbia—the camp participants learned how to perform the basic steps of most kolos, along with several choreographies created specifically for them.

Music workshop (traditional songs) — Led by Sara Milanović

Through the music workshop, the children learned Serbian traditional songs from various regions. In addition to singing, they explored the origins of these songs, the circumstances in which they were created, and the symbolism they carry.

Each workshop was designed to help the camp participants, through diverse content and active engagement, learn more about Serbian culture, tradition, and the Orthodox faith.