Join us in Nis, for an hour, for the day or the whole way!
The Civil March for Aleppo has been received with great support and enthusiasm by Serbians. People can relate closely to the horrors Syrians have to face, because the memories of the wars of their recent past seem to be very vivid still and therefore citizens have also demonstrated solidarity with Syrian refugees passing through Serbia. Even though the country is already the host of hundreds of thousands of refugees from previous wars, it keeps its borders open, in contrast to other countries, such as Hungary, which has fortified its border to keep refugees out.
After having received international recognition for its important role as a transit country, Serbia has been also increasingly facing criticism. The agreement between Turkey and the EU as well as closure of the Balkan route has not brought the flow of refugees into Serbia to a halt. Instead of passing through, many refugees are now staying in the country. According to the International Rescue Committee, between March 2016 and February 2017, there has been an increase of 280% in the number of refugees and, consequently, camps have become heavily overcrowded. Several thousands of refugees in Serbia do not stay in official camps, at all. Besides the lack of capacity of the camps, another reason is that refugees fear that they will not be able to continue on their way into the European Union if they register at such a formal camp. In any case, these refugees live in dire conditions in the North of Serbia and on the streets of Belgrade.
How does Serbia intend to approach this changed situation? What needs to be done to improve the situation of refugees? What role can a city like Nis play in this improvement?
These are just some of the questions the Civil March for Aleppo will explore during its visit to Nis. Join us for the following program:
13 April 2017
08.00 Start of the March from Vrtiste
11.30 Guided tour through Crveni Krst Concentration Camp
13.00 Lunch break in the Fortress Park
14.15 Push-Ups for Peace at Trg Kralja Milana
14.45 Theatrical performance "Open the Border" on the main pedestrian street Obrenovi?eva
15.00 March through the city of Nis (Dusanova, Sindjelicev Trg, Kralja Stefana Prvovencanog, Kej 29. Decembra)
16.00 Welcome greetings to the March, Musical performance, Presentation of the Civil March for Aleppo, 5 minutes of silence for the victims of the war in Syria, Panel Discussion "Refugees in Serbia: From passersby to long-term guests?" (Location: Oficirski dom)
18.00 Chairs in Pairs at Kalca Square
19.00 Laying down candles at Kalca Square
19.30 End of Events
14 April 2017
13.00 Visit to the Migration Center in Divljana (40 km from Nis)
