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Josip Broz Tito
The proud shout “We are Tito’s, Tito is ours” resounded every May 25 at the Yugoslav People’s Army stadium in Belgrade, tens of thousands of young people cheered for the most beloved son of the former Yugoslavia, and hot palms applauded as part of his birthday. After that, the song “Comrade Tito, we swear to you” was sung in the stadium, and the audience was in a trance. The marshal was also happy, who greeted the participants of the magnificent gathering. There were also songs like “Comrade Tito, white violets”, “Tito is going through Romania”, “Comrades, let’s plant flowers”, “Along with Marshal Tito”, “Your friend Tito is beautiful”.
After that, the most deserving young man, student or worker ran to the stadium and handed over the baton to Tito as a symbol of brotherhood and unity and endless respect for the marshal.
The idea of the once most popular event in the former Yugoslavia originated in 1945 in Kragujevac, and everything was designed as a mass youth relay that will pass throughout Yugoslavia, by the running of the most successful young people who will carry it.
The first manifestation was attended by 12,500 young people, who ran the 9,000-kilometer route to Tito and handed over the first nine baton sticks and the Blue Book with 15,000 signatures of the youth of Šumadija. It was not until 1957 that the baton became a relay of youth.
By the way, Tito himself suggested that May 25 should not be just a celebration of his birthday, but Youth Day. The celebration thus became more massive and popular, and Tito closer to the masses. Since then, only one, federal relay has been carried. The first one started, as it should, from Kumrovec, the marshal’s birthplace. Instead of attending the ceremony in front of the White Palace, Tito has since received a baton at the crowded JNA stadium, at the final point of the landing, whose performers, about 8,000 of them, were young people from all over the then federal state. The deliverer was only one, and not, as before, a dozen of them.
On the 3,500-kilometer-long road, the relay passed through all the republics, through many villages and cities, and was solemnly welcomed everywhere with a rich cultural and artistic program. The honor of solemnly handing over the first baton of youth to Josip Broz Tito belonged to Miki Tripal, a law graduate and president of the Central Committee of the People’s Youth of Yugoslavia, and that baton was made by sculptor Vladeta Petrić and graphic artist Boško Karanović. Every year the relay started from another place and from another republic, and this was strictly taken into account. Everyone had to be equal, so the key to nations was respected.
The Central Diary followed the step of the relay bearers. From year to year, the ceremony at the JNA stadium became more and more grandiose. The music was performed live, with the presence of the best orchestras and leading music stars.
Historian Predrag Markovic states that Tito was a communist leader who enjoyed popularity in the West.
– The British loved him because of his anti-fascist struggle during the Second World War, many because of his resistance to Stalin, and his people because of the high standard of living and the possibility of free travel – said historian Markovic.
The incredible mass presence of the most prominent personalities of that time at his funeral, on May 8, 1980, also testifies to Tito’s historical role. 700,000 people and more than 200 prominent personalities and statesmen from all over the world came to the funeral in Belgrade, among whom were Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, Leonid Brezhnev and others. It was the most visited funeral of a statesman in the 20th century.
Only the best at the landing
If someone asked today’s youth what a rally is, it is certain that only a few would know the answer. The rally is a sports event in which a large number of athletes participate, but the rally is also the popular name of the once largest May event, which was organized in every small or large place on the occasion of May 25, Youth Day and Tito’s birthday. Participation in the rally was a big part, and only the best athletes, pupils, students, workers, soldiers participated.
And Cerar among the bearers
Among the bearers of the relay were the famous Yugoslav and Slovenian gymnast Miroslav – Miro Cerar, winner of numerous medals at European and world championships and Olympic Games, and the father of the former Prime Minister of Slovenia, who is also called Miroslav Cerar. Cerar handed over the baton back in 1965.
Unique and unique
The relays were mostly made of wood, but also of other different materials. Each was different and unique in its own way. In their design, among other details, they always contained a five-pointed star, and even a torch at the very top, as an established symbol of Yugoslavia. Artists from all over the country were given the opportunity to design its appearance. The relays are kept in the Museum of the History of Yugoslavia.
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