Serbians celebrate New Year in squares

Most Serbians chose to welcome 2008 in the open, in cities' and towns' streets and squares. Several thousand Belgraders were at the plateau in front of the parliament as the clock struck midnight, warming up to music from a pair of Montenegrin pop stars: Vlado Georgijev and Niggor. Serbians celebrate New Year in squares Meantime, at the central Republic Square, UK's Stereo MCs and Bajaga and his band also drew New Year crowds. Some 20,000 residents of Novi Sad were also out to celebrate with veteran Bosnian star Zdravko Colic and a midgnight display of fireworks. Other towns, such as Kraljevo, Nis, Cacak, Leskovac, Sabac, and mountain resorts of Zlatibor and Kopaonik followed the same pattern, with musical variation. Emergency services and police intervened in cases of drunken brawls and other minor disturbances. So far there are no reports of fatalities due to reckless driving or use of firearms. A scene from Belgrade's Republic Square (Tanjug)

Serbians celebrate New Year in squares

Meantime, at the central Republic Square, UK's Stereo MCs and Bajaga and his band also drew New Year crowds.

Some 20,000 residents of Novi Sad were also out to celebrate with veteran Bosnian star Zdravko Čolić and a midgnight display of fireworks.

Other towns, such as Kraljevo, Niš, Čačak, Leskovac, Šabac, and mountain resorts of Zlatibor and Kopaonik followed the same pattern, with musical variation.

Emergency services and police intervened in cases of drunken brawls and other minor disturbances. So far there are no reports of fatalities due to reckless driving or use of firearms.