"Zadušnice"

Today was a celebration in Serbia called Zadušnice, during which families visit the graves of their predecessors, similar to the way All Soul's Day is celebrated in Sweden. Many families even bring food and picnic "with" their ancestors. The tradition of Zadušnice is one that has transcended religious barriers and a changing political climate, for centuries.

Walking through the graveyard you can see markers of the country's history. Graves with communist stars rest next to ones with Orthodox or Catholic crosses; at times there are graves with both a political and religious icon. Portraits and engravings on headstones tell stories of people who came to Serbia as immigrants as far back as the 1800s.

Me pointing to a Communist star on top of a metal mausoleum.

Present day immigrants, however, were amidst the masses in the crowded cemetery. Some selling candles and flowers, others offering to clean the graves or mausoleums in return for a tip. This picture below is of a family who had just given 300 dinars (the equivalent of just under $3) and a sandwich to the woman (donned in a hijab) who was willing to clean the family's grave before they set out their meal and flowers.

When I asked Nadja, the blonde woman in the picture, why she had given the woman a sandwich in addition to the money, her answer struck a chord with me. It was simple, yet verbalized human kindness: "Under different circumstances, that could have been me."