Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić welcomed 435 young participants in the “Serbia Is Calling You 2026” camp at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, saying they demonstrate that affection for the country can transcend national borders.
The young athletes arrived from countries including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Qatar and South Africa, as well as Montenegro, Republika Srpska, Kosovo and different parts of Serbia.
Vučić said sports create a common language built around passion, friendship and mutual respect. He told participants that Serbia remains their home regardless of where they currently live.
“Distance may separate us geographically, but under this shared sky, we all breathe the same air,” Vučić said. He added that every activity on the field, every Serbian word learned and every new friendship helps participants remain connected to their heritage.
The president also thanked the coaches, teachers and chaperones accompanying the children, saying their work would help participants return home with more than athletic achievements. He said the camp also gives them an opportunity to form lasting friendships and develop a deeper awareness of their roots.
Vučić encouraged the children to preserve their names, family histories and cultural identities, assuring them that Serbia’s doors would always remain open.
The president said this year’s attendance of 435 participants represents a record for the program. The camp, now in its seventh year, was established to strengthen ties between young people from the Serbian diaspora, the surrounding region and Serbia.
Participants are scheduled to visit several prominent Belgrade landmarks, including the Church of Saint Sava, Kalemegdan Fortress and the Belgrade Waterfront development.
Representing the group, participant Isidora Glamočanin presented Vučić with a T-shirt bearing his initials and the camp’s name. The young participants received tablets from the president.
Vučić said organizers hope to expand the program to Niš, Novi Sad and eventually other Serbian cities. He described the initiative as an opportunity for children to socialize, learn more about their ancestral homeland and consider maintaining closer ties with Serbia in the future.
He also expressed gratitude to the participants’ parents for encouraging their children to respect their heritage and continue returning to Serbia.
