Why the Ferrari flag became a symbol of protests in Serbia
*By Slobodan MaricicAt first glance, Ferrari, the iconic Italian manufacturer of luxury cars, could have nothing to do with Serbia, a Balkan nation without a coast often shaken by political instability.But for almost 30 years, one of its flags – yellow, black horse, red background and black and white trim – has been a surprising element in the Serbian demonstrations. The last month, the famous red flag once again waves challenging the wind when hundreds of thousands of people led by students flood Marquesina of a train station that caused 16 deaths, “whenever we protested against injustice, it is there,” says Igor Balmazovic, 54, owner of the flag, in statements to the BBC. “I never thought we would need it again,” he says. “It is devastating. We have been fighting the same injustices for decades, against the same people.” The protests in Serbia have been intense after the collapse in November of Marquesina in the northern city of Novi Sad, and Aleksandar Vucic faces the greatest political crisis since he came to power in 2012, first as a prime minister and then as president. The story of the Ferrari flag in Serbia begins in the winter of 1996, during the protests against the then president Slobodan Milosevic. Opposition victories in local elections caused daily demonstrations throughout Serbia. Protests against then President Slobodan Milosevic in 1996drasko Gagovic/Vremeigor Balmazovic, fond of Formula 1, decided to take his Ferrari flag to the marches, not only as a meeting point for friends, but also as “symbol of power and perseverance. that would help us to meet, ”he recalls, but says he soon acquired greater relevance.“ He was there, in the snow, in the rain, even when the police hit us. People saw her daily and gave them hope. 'These protesters do not surrender, they either,' they thought.. With a car. “It's true,” he says with a smile. But we never did. ” that supports the way of Serbia towards adherence to the European Union, his critics accuse him of authoritarianism, of undermining democratic institutions and promoting corruption. After the collapse of marquesine at the Novi Sad train station, some officials were arrested, including a former construction minister, but many consider that the answer was inadequate. Ferrarigetty flags imagesvucic denies having acted badly, qualifies the protests to destabilize the government and accuse foreign powers of interference. But the protesters remain firm. To the students are added a broad coalition of actors, lawyers, teachers, teachers and farmers. According to a survey of the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), an independent monitoring group, 61% of Serbia citizen Recently, people approached and took photos. Some carry replicas. Balmazovic doesn't care. “They keep the spirit alive,” he says. The godson of Balmazovic, Nikola Boca, sees the Ferrari flag as a symbol of continuity and determinationBBC Mundoahora, literally, the torch is being passed. In April, a group of students undertook a bicycle tour of 1,300 km to Strasbourg, headquarters of the European Parliament, to attract international attention to the Serbia crisis. Between them was Nikola Boca, 21, there of Balmazovic. “My dad told me that my godfather had the original.” With the flag in her backpack, Boca sees her as a symbol of continuity and determination. “Some are skeptical, but I tell them: this is (the original),” he says.Balmavic does not know when the flag can finally rest. Wait for it to be soon. “What matters most is that students have aroused,” he says. “They left behind the screens of their phones and the covers of their books, and realized their strength. It is incredible.” A Ferrari flag appeared even in neighboring Poland in a protest organized by Serbian students in the countrysop From the rule of law. “When that happens, I will hang the flag on the wall and say it is over,” he tells the BBC.BBC Mundoconforme a The criteria of
