Serbia protests

A general recommendation is to always read a destination's security and safety section of the UK ministry's travel advice. (Link to foreign travel advice for Serbia).

Normally I also recommend the travel and security section of German ministry for foreign affairs but this is only offered in German language.

UK and Germany ministries are normally very good and actual informed about European countries because they have the most traveling inhabitants within Europe.

I just forwarded an article about the protests in Serbia to a friend who is considering visiting Belgrade. When. the photos of the thousands of protesters appeared, . I got the impression this is a situation that could quickly go off the rails.

This has been going on since November, and it hasn't always been peaceful. Actually its been going on since 2023. Even their legislature got in on the act: https://youtu.be/_d9D6xrn9e4?si=AdNLkQMmIVM5l8JJ

I’ve only been to Belgrade. I had to lay over there, so I stayed for a few days. Come to think of it I lay over again in May. I wasn’t terribly impressed with Belgrade. The airport works well though. “Interesting” is the best I can say for my stay. Not a very warm and fuzzy place.

In the beginning stages it was violent with the government using more violence to shut them down.
But according to the news it is well organized and peaceful now. And yes, that could change at any time.
You should watch some videos of their parliament meetings. It looks more like an afternoon at a soccer game than the meeting of the government.

I haven’t been to Belgrade but my husband has gone to visit friends and see Tito’s resting place. He too said there isn’t much to see. It’s not high on my list and they definitely do not embrace Americans.

It's weird how this story isn't getting more coverage. The students are really sticking with it. Thanks for your post Barbara on how it may or may not affect travel.

It's weird that it didn't get coverage months ago. The protests in Georgia don't get much coverage either. Then the Bosnian terrorist camps with only a foot note in the news. Slovakia little coverage, Croatia new leadership little coverage, Austria's battle with the right, little coverage. Europe has a lot going on getting little coverage at least in US news. The world is too small for this.

I only reason I know about what’s going on is because my husband reads the Croatian newspaper everyday online and watches various YouTube’s videos. He’s my source.

Barbara, I understand. I only know because I read a lot of European news sources. A little frightening that Americans are so ill informed. Maybe if they had known about the 2014 invasion, the world would be different today.

Well I'll be in Belgrade for the month of August, if it's still going on it'll just add to the experience. I've been in or around protests in France (three times), the Philippines, Cyprus and a few wars. Life goes on.

@ Mr E...."...little coverage at least in US news." How true. That's exactly why one does not rely on merely the US news, even PBS. One needs to read the foreign press, regardless.

You had the distinct opportunity while visiting Belgrade to see Novi Sad, the "Gibraltar of the Danube." and its corresponding museum at the site. I envy you.

And heating up some more

https://crd.org/2025/03/12/record-breaking-demonstrations-expected-in-serbia-on-saturday-serbias-future-as-a-free-country-is-at-stake/

It will be interesting to see how this turns out. A Serb friends of ours is going to Belgrade in 2 weeks to visit family. They will be there for 2 months, we should be able to get first hand info from them.

The pictures today, its a mess and the police are apparently using some sort of high frequency sound gadget to disperse the crowds. Judging by the videos, it works too. But looks sort of brutal. https://youtu.be/N2XmKPNBLps?si=Z0l82NQQjdRcRAsv

https://youtu.be/xopzDc5tQaQ?si=x9xFFM-xHJfULNal

I am amazed about these protests in response to a collapse of an awning. Thye want the president to step down. Meanwhile back here at the ranch we have all sorts of things happening such that we wish it was only an awning collapse. And our protests, are minimal.

This has been brewing for a long time. The collapse was just the last straw. It's about much larger issues. Would be nice if we could look at this as travel related, "a good time to visit?" and leave US politics out of it. Unless you want the travel information deleted?

Yes, please don’t compare to the US. There is no comparison.
Serbia has many issues since the war ended which were never addressed. The students and people want a corruption free government and answers to many questions.

I just posted the info in case people were traveling there since these protests aren’t getting US coverage.

And Barbara you did good. The forum should be a good place for travel updates like this. We had tens of thousands protesting here Saturday. That didnt make the US news either. Fortunately here things like that are short lived, orderly and peaceful. The did it with a government permit. I knew it was coming but I didnt warn anyone who might be visiting because i just knew it would turn political.

Why the politics cant stay out of it, I dont know.