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LEGACY
The ethnic radio programmes, periodicals and groups and organizations all are examples of a thriving community, determined to persevere and survive. A significant 70% of second and subsequent generation Serbs in Canada have maintained the Serbian language. Almost all Canadian Serbians have adhered to the Serbian Orthodox Church. Serbian Canadian communities have built an estimated 15 churches and cultural centres across the country. The first Serbian Orthodox Church built in Canada was Svete Trojice in Regina in 1916. Serbian churches in Toronto, Hamilton, Windsor, Niagara Falls, Kitchener and Sudbury are recognizable by their distinctive Byzantine architectural design. Canadian Serbs have also made their presence known through the publication of several newspapers and journals. The first Serbian newspaper in Canada, Kanadski Glasnki (Canadian Herald), was started in 1916 and was published in Welland, Ontario. It was followed by many others. Various publications have also been put out by the Church, congregations, women, youth, students, business-professional groups. Serbian voluntary associations and organizations have been established to ease the economic hardships of new immigrants and to help in the adjustment to Canadian society. Toronto's Serbian Centre for Newcomers is one example. Others include the Serbian Brothers' Help and two organizations of the Serbian National Defence, one of which dates to 1916. The Serbian National Heritage Academy has been active in inviting prominent Serbian writers and historians from Yugoslavia and other countries to Canada for public lectures. Other cultural and historical societies include "Njegos," "Karadjordje" and Tesla Memorial Society. There are also several youth folklore organizations such as the "Oplenac" and "Jajduk Veljko" dance groups in Toronto. The first Serbian Day was held in Canada in 1946, and annual festivals featuring singers and dancers are sponsored by Serbian and other Yugoslav organizations. Many Canadians of Serbian origin who are talented in creative writing have joined other Yugoslavian Canadians in Toronto in the formation of literature appreciation clubs.
Bosnia-Hercegovina:
The International Response, by Vincent Rigby
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The Boatswain's Radovan Gajic has lived in Canada for almost
14 years. He has become known in Toronto's Serbian community for his involvement
with the radio program White Angel, and the periodicals Glasnik,
Istocnik and Novine and through his work with various
community groups.
In
his writing, Radovan Gajic doesn't consider himself a peacemaker or a
preacher for peace. If his writing serves to enlighten people about the
situation in the Balkans then he considers it has had some value. But
more than any other reason, Gajic writes because he still carries a certain
hope. It's a hope common to many immigrants: hope for a better future
for their children. Gajic's daughter Ana was born in Canada in 1992. Ana's
grandparents were pleasantly surprised that she speaks her native language
so well. And Gajic is glad his daughter is growing up in a peaceful climate
and that she can one day become whatever she wants. Despite all the opportunities
allowed to the Yugoslavian community in Canada for regrowth and renewal,
it is the freedom of Ana's future that Radovan appreciates most about
making a home here in Canada.