"Space of Silence" in front of 'Ribnikar': Families and citizens pay tribute to the victims; Art exhibition

The commemorative day began at 8:40 a.m. with a minute of silence, after which the victims’ families were the first to pay their respects by lighting candles, laying wreaths and flowers, and signing the book of remembrance. At the entrance to Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, a plaque has been placed with the photographs and names of the victims, along with the date when the tragedy occurred.

Part of King Milutin Street has been closed to traffic and turned into a ‘Space of Silence,’ where citizens can light candles, leave flowers, and sign the book of remembrance throughout the day.

Media outlets in Serbia paused their programming for one minute at 8:41 a.m. in remembrance of those killed in the tragedy, accompanied by the message: ”May 3rd and 4th – Days of Remembrance for the victims of mass killings. We remember”.

For citizens and all those who wish to mark the anniversary of the tragedy, signing the books of remembrance has been made possible throughout the day in front of the entrance to Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, and writing messages dedicated to the victims began early in the morning. At the Mali Tašmajdan area, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., art workshops titled ‘A Trace of Infinity in the Garden of Virtue’ will be organized, open to anyone who wishes to participate.

Additionally, today at Tašmajdan Park, in the area around the monument to Desanka Maksimović, from 8:40 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., a ‘Space of Remembrance’ will be set up—a program and artistic content dedicated to Mara Andjelković, Bojana Asović, Angelina Aćimović, Ana Božović, Adriana Dukić, Ema Kobiljski, Katarina Martinović, Sofija Negić, Andrija Čikić, and Dragan Vlahović.

In this space, the closing program of the commemorative day will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Government of Serbia decided on September 19, 2024, to designate May 3 and 4 as Days of Remembrance for the victims of the mass killings that occurred at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School in Belgrade, as well as in Orašje and Dubona, with these days to be commemorated every year.

In primary and secondary schools across Serbia, the Week of Remembrance and Togetherness is observed from May 4 to 8.

At Mali Tašmajdan, an art workshop is being held today as part of the commemorative day

At Mali Tašmajdan, an art workshop is being held today as part of the commemorative day, titled ‘A Trace of Infinity in the Garden of Virtue,’ focusing on preserving the memory of the victims of the mass shooting at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School on May 3, 2023.

The workshop is located at the site where ten Japanese cherry trees have been planted in honor of those killed, and participants are collectively creating an ‘infinity mosaic’ in remembrance of the victims of the mass shooting.

Children taking part in the creation of the mosaic have gathered at the workshop, along with their parents and a large number of volunteers.

Banners around the park display the names of the victims — Bojana Asović (11), Ana Božović (11), Katarina Martinović (12), Mara Andjelković (13), Ema Kobiljski (13), Sofija Negić (13), Andrija Čikić (14), Adriana Dukić (14), Angelina Aćimović (14), and school guard Dragan Vlahović (53).

”The delicate pink blossoms on these trees represent their virtues: nobility, courage, compassion, honesty, generosity, justice, a sense of humor, modesty, creativity, cheerfulness, curiosity, magnanimity, wisdom, integrity, kindness, gratitude”, reads the text on banners near the art workshop.

Children have the opportunity to assemble the ‘infinity mosaic’ as a collective act of remembrance for the victims until 8:00 p.m. this evening.

The drawing of the ‘trace of infinity’ was initiated by students from schools in Belgrade, Mladenovac, and Dubona, with the intention that this trace of virtue and remembrance will continue endlessly, connecting and linking other places across Serbia, spreading goodness, beauty, and love.

Even after three years, the criminally non-liable K.K. remains in a psychiatric institution, while his parents were initially sentenced to multi-year prison terms, but that verdict was overturned by the Appellate Court in Belgrade, which ordered the Higher Court in Belgrade to conduct a retrial.

On May 3, shortly before 9:00 a.m., at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, which he attended, he first killed the school guard and students on duty, and then entered his classroom where he continued the shooting. Eight students and the guard were killed at the scene, while one girl later died from her injuries. He also wounded five more students and a history teacher.