WE LOST OUR STUDENTS, HOW CAN WE GO ON WITHOUT THEM? The shocking words of Professor Ribnikar tear the soul apart

“Vladislav Ribnikar” elementary school has created a special section on its website called “Our Angels” in memory of the victims of the horrific massacre that took place on May 3, 2023. by the boy-killer Kosta Kecmanović. The professors of the “Vladislav Ribnikar” school have decided to remind them in this way of the pain that will last forever, of the youth that was just beginning to blossom and that was suddenly extinguished. The keeper of smiles and secrets, as they called their “uncle Dragan”, was not forgotten either. The sadness that they promised the children that they would save them, and failed to do so, did not stop either.

OUR ANGELS

“When they first came to Ribnikar, as freshmen, they were curious and proud to start school. Then we promised them that we would study and teach them. We promised that we would see them off from Ribnikar as teenagers, safe, free and ready to what awaits them in the future. We have taught them. We did not keep them. Forgive us for not fulfilling the promise.”

Wonderful young people, lost before their time

“Our children, in alphabetical order of their surnames, Mara, Bojana, Angelina, Ana, Adriana, Ema, Katarina, Sofija and Andrija. Our Dragan. We lost them. Our pupils! Different interests, great successes for their too short lives in numerous fields – in music, sport, ballet, school results! Wonderful young people, even to their executioner, innocent victims whose departure, our school and Dragan! but the keeper of our smiles, secrets, jokes, trust – a wonderful man and friend of every child, all employees, all parents and everyone who ever set foot in our school.We lost them in a bloody fairy tale that never happened anywhere, in an inexplicable feast a clouded mind that lasted less than a short school vacation.”

The heroic act of guard Dragan Vlahovic

“And that morning, Dragan came in a good mood, because he spent the May Day holiday working in his garden. He smiled at every child and teacher at the entrance. Our two little girls, Bojana and Ana, came to school dressed up for taking pictures for the school almanac and proud because they for the first time the students on duty at the main entrance. Mara, Angelina, Adriana, Ema, Katarina, Sofija and Andrija arrived for the first class eager to see their friends, as well as Helena, Vladimir, Andrija, Jovan and Veljko of history Tanja Stevanović with a prepared lecture on the Balkan Wars and a few more instructions for our Popket, who was supposed to take part in the National History Competition on Sunday. country, our world. Nothing is the same anymore and never will be.”

A tragic event that changed everything

“And what about now? How about without them? What about us wounded? What about the children who experienced horror that no human being should experience!? We don’t know. We weren’t taught. None of us are trained for this. The only thing we know that we have to. For our children and everyone else. No matter how sad and angry we are, we have to find kindness and love in our hearts. Love and kindness have killed them and only love can save them, to save us! what they were and what they would have become if they had not been stopped too soon in their rise. May they be eternally honored!”

Elementary school “Vladislav Ribnikar” continues to face sadness and loss, but also to celebrate the lives of its “angels” through touching memories and messages of love. Their spirit will continue to live on through the community that loved and remembered them.