Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić commented on today’s commemorative gathering in Novi Sad, stating that she was “glad the event passed peacefully and with dignity,” but also expressed disapproval of certain memorial rituals performed during the ceremony.
Speaking for Pink TV, Brnabić described the day as “a sad one for Serbia”, emphasizing that it was a time for unity and dialogue, as proposed by President Aleksandar Vučić in his Friday evening address.
According to Brnabić, Vučić’s decision not to make public statements or respond to criticism was meant to demonstrate “respect for the victims and their families.”
Official estimates cited by her claimed that around 39,000 people gathered in Novi Sad, coming from “all parts of Serbia” to pay tribute to the 16 victims of the canopy collapse at the city’s railway station last year.
However, Brnabić’s remarks drew criticism after she questioned the symbolic rituals performed by the students and citizens — including the release of wreaths into the river and sixteen minutes of silence for the victims.
“I don’t understand some of their rituals, such as lowering wreaths into the river or sixteen minutes of silence,” Brnabić said. “These have nothing to do with Orthodox customs or our traditions. It seemed more like a performance, which I think is not appropriate for honoring the victims.”
Critics and student organizers have called Brnabić’s statement deeply disrespectful, accusing her of belittling a peaceful act of collective mourning. Many view it as part of a broader attempt by Vučić’s regime to delegitimize the student movement and control the public narrative surrounding the tragedy.
Independent investigations have already linked the canopy collapse to systemic negligence and corruption within state-controlled construction companies, yet neither Brnabić nor Vučić have accepted responsibility or offered an official apology.
“Instead of empathy, we get contempt,” said one student at the memorial. “They still call our grief a performance — but the real performance is their attempt to hide the truth.”
