The old cemetery in Niš, dating back to the Ottoman occupation, is turning into ruins due to daily acts of vandalism. Over 80 artistic busts and monuments, including works by the renowned sculptor Aleksandar Šakić, have disappeared or been destroyed. Among them was the only monument marking Radojko Anđelković, a recipient of the Karađorđe’s Star with swords, which was recently toppled. Miroslav Veličković, a researcher of the old cemetery, states that in recent years more than 20 monuments have been knocked down. All bronze busts have vanished — stolen — and now marble thefts have begun, likely repurposed for bathroom tiles or other monuments. Igor Novaković, president of the Niš city assembly, announced plans to propose turning the old cemetery into a memorial park under institutional supervision of the Niš City Museum, in cooperation with the Institute for Monument Protection and the Serbian Orthodox Church. This cemetery is not just a resting place but a witness to the rich history of Niš and Serbia, where many heroes and notable figures are buried, including 28 recipients of the Karađorđe’s Star and the first directors of important industries. Destroying this cultural treasure is destroying our identity and roots, and it’s high time to act before it’s too late.
