AROUND 60 HIKERS TAKE PART IN ĐURĐEVDAN MORNING GATHERING ON ROMANIJA

PALE, MAY 2 /SRNA/ – The traditional Đurđevdan morning gathering on Mount Romanija today brought together around 60 hikers from various parts of Republika Srpska, BiH, and Serbia, with many children among the participants.

The hikers set off from the “Stajna” mountain lodge through 14 kilometers of deciduous and coniferous forest to Novak's Cave. Radoje Vojvodić, president of the Romanija Mountaineering and Ecology Society, said that favorable weather allowed strong participation from all generations, from the youngest to the oldest, and that everyone successfully completed the planned route. He pointed out that nature on Romanija is endangered by excessive logging, stating that this destroys roads, water springs, and natural resources. “This is not forest order, but forest disorder,” Vojvodić emphasized, calling on the relevant authorities to protect the springs and natural wealth of the area. Vice president of the society and licensed guide Slavko Bojanić said that, in addition to socializing and spending time in nature, the goal of such hikes is to educate the youngest participants to love the mountains and a healthy lifestyle. According to him, the hikers today completed part of the “Starina Novak” trail, which leads from Novak’s Cave to his former refuge on Romanija. Bojanić recalled that last year the Romanija Mountaineering and Ecology Society and the Tourist Organization of the City of East Sarajevo arranged, marked, and mapped the 20-kilometer trail. “The trail runs from Novak’s Cave, through Veliko Ždrijelo, Hotočko Vrelo, and Zečeva Ice Cave, where there is ice even in the middle of summer, then descends into Stajinsko Ždrijelo and ends at our lodge,” Bojanić said. He stressed that hiking is not reserved only for the experienced, noting that the youngest participant in today’s hike was a seven-year-old girl who successfully completed the trail. “Anyone who loves nature and wants to walk can join us. With good guidance and rest, the trail can be successfully completed,” Bojanić said. Petar Rajda, president of the “Ravničar” Mountaineering Society from Bačka Palanka, said that he has brought several groups of hikers to Romanija, with the first group numbering 50 people. “We have been coming here for many years. We enjoy it and always gladly return to Romanija and all the surrounding mountains,” Rajda said, adding that he would rank Romanija among the top 10 mountains in the region. For centuries, the Đurđevdan morning gathering was the central celebration of Saint George’s Day, the welcoming of spring, and the gathering of hajduks, until it was replaced by May Day celebrations during the communist era.