MOWING SCHOOL OPENS AT BALKANA

MRKONJIĆ GRAD, JUNE 13 /SRNA/ - A Mowing School for children aged nine to 12 began today at Balkana near Mrkonjić Grad, where participants will have the opportunity to learn the basic techniques of hand mowing grass with a forged scythe.

The Mowing School is organized by the Agency for Economic Development, whose director, Dijana Eremija, told reporters that this year's traditional event, "Mowing at Balkana – Lazar Laketa Memorial," will introduce a new feature - the first-ever competition in hand mowing for boys.

"In order to compete at Balkana, the boys must first complete the Mowing School. The training will be conducted by our most decorated mower, Milorad Sladojević Đeli, who is also a blacksmith making forged scythes. In this way, we wanted to give children an understanding of mowing and show them how much skill and strength it requires," Eremija stated.

She invited all those who appreciate tradition and mowing to come to Balkana on July 4 and support all participants, including the boys from the Mowing School, who will mow side by side with the most accomplished competitors at the "Mowing at Balkana" event.

Mower Milorad Sladojević said he would teach the boys the basic techniques of grass cutting and assessed that this is the best way to preserve the traditions and customs of the region.

Twelve-year-old Dimitrije Markanović said he was looking forward to taking part in the Mowing School at Balkana and believed he would learn how to mow, while nine-year-old Arsenije Kežić also said he expected to learn a great deal.

The traditional event "Mowing at Balkana – Lazar Laketa Memorial" will begin on July 3 with a Folklore Gathering of Mowers in Serbian Army Square in Mrkonjić Grad. The central event, a traditional grass-mowing competition, will be held on July 4.

The organizer is the Agency for Economic Development, and the patron is the Municipality of Mrkonjić Grad.