Student Cyclists Tell BETA the Goal Was Met even before Reaching Strasbourg

students (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

Serbian university student cyclists who took part in the so-called Tour to Strasbourg, have said that the goal of their effort was to “reignite hope with people and to encourage European media outlets to report” on their cause, adding that they fulfilled their goals even before reaching Strasbourg, their final destination.  

“The trip was a beautiful symbol of our struggle and the energy we want to convey to the world. Even in smaller places in the Alps, there were our people who would take the time to welcome us. They would make banners and go outside their houses with their family members, waving and shouting words of support as we passed. And in big cities, we had red carpets, thousands of people welcoming us, food, warm words, political discussions and the opportunity to spread our story. The media in Europe followed and covered our trip and we made statements at every step. That was exactly our goal,”' student Ivan Pokornik has told BETA.

He added that the official part had also been “unexpectedly well covered and handled.” “We were received by the highest available officials of European institutions and they let us talk. We were those who did the talking, while they were predominantly listening. At the Council of Europe, (Deputy Secretary General) Bjorn Berge listened to us without any media present, promising he would use all means in advocating for our cause. I know from personal sources that after we left, he has initiated the issue with many other politicians,”' Pokornik said.

Slobodan Knezevic, one of the ten cyclists who were not students, but joined them on their tour, has told BETA that the goal of the trip was fulfilled “the moment we left for Strasbourg.” He said that each institution had been provided with a detailed report on “the state captured by the regime and all the events since November 1 until today".

A welcome ceremony for student cyclists is planned for 8 pm on April 22, in Novi Sad. Meanwhile, the protesting students have announced that on April 25, 16 runners will begin an ultramarathon relay race from Novi Sad to Brussels. They plan to arrive in Brussels on May 11, when the European Parliament is scheduled to start a session, during which a Report on Serbia should be adopted.