On Saturday, 13th September 2025, in the garden of “Vuk Karadžić” Library, the first Parent and Child Festival was held within ZelenGrad programme – a collaborative project between “Vuk Karadžić” Library and “Contra Margum” Citizen Association from Kovin. The project is part of “The Europe Challenge”, selected among 338 applications from all over Europe. Out of 60 selected projects, Kovin is the only town from Serbia that participates.
From 11 am to 2 pm, in the library garden with festive decorations, in a sunny day and special atmosphere, parents and children, neighbours, members of “Contra Margum” Citizen Association and library staff joined together in the activities. During the opening, project coordinators Vesna Dragojević and Jovana Vujović Krivošić, as well as the Library Director Ivana Jovanov addressed the participants. They presented the aims of ZelenGrad: thinking together and building a future in which biodiversity, protecting the greenery, as well as strengthening the community are the focal points. Vladimir Krivošić, the Chairman of the Board of “Contra Margum” Citizens’ Association addressed the attendees.
Visitors could participate in various workshops:
- Celtic tree “horoscope” and textile art – Children were drawing illustrations of ZelenGrad while adults could discover “their tree” in celtic horoscope and paint on a T-shirt;
- Tailor’s corner – Families learnt how to sew back a button and the basic clothes repairing skills and were encouraged to make their own recycled toys with their parents;
- Planting spices – Children were decorating glasses, planting seeds and talking to their parents about using these plants in everyday life;
- “Green-ologist/ Zelenolog” – Guided conversation with the participants “through green-coloured glasses” where they shared their vision of the future of the town and provided suggestions for a more sustainable Kovin.
Workshops guided by: Vesna Dragojević, Maša Vuletić, Jovana Vujović Krivošić, Bratislav Dragojević and Boban Dinić. The event was well attended and it brought valuable ideas that will find their purpose in developing minor green projects. The festival showed that art, learning and common activities can be a strong foundation for developing awareness of sustainability and empowering community.