The Drina River, a natural but partly also administrative border between Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia, flows through the municipality of Bratunac for one-fifth of its total course. This opens up numerous possibilities for organizing various events on this temperamental river, attracting a large number of visitors, especially during these hot days when people are looking for some refreshment from the high temperatures.
“Drina Slalom” becomes “Rajski Spust” (Paradise Descent)
These terms have nothing to do with skiing but are names for boat rides or the popular regatta on the Drina in Bratunac. For 17 years, during the first week of August, the regatta was held under the name “Drina Slalom”; the tradition continues this year for the 18th time, but under the name “Rajski Spust,” along a slightly shorter route and with a slightly modified program.
The organizer of yesterday’s regatta was the Eco-Rafting Club “Rajska Plaza,” whose President Davor Mladjenovic says:
“This year, the section the regatta sails has been shortened by a few kilometers. We sail from Tegare to Rajska Plaza, the most beautiful beach on the Drina, about 19 kilometers over 4-5 hours depending on the water level. After arriving at Rajska Plaza, a shared lunch was prepared for all participants, followed by continued socializing with music. Since this is the first time we are organizing it, I’m more than satisfied with the turnout and attendance. We have participants from various places in Serbia – from Sabac, Bajina Basta, Ljubovija, our people from Bratunac and Srebrenica, and we also have a few participants from Bijeljina, Brcko, Sarajevo, Tuzla, as well as guests from Germany and Hungary.”
The captain of the regatta yesterday was Radovan Lukic. Due to nervousness, because, as he said, it was the first time he was speaking to the media, he only said this:
“Great fun, the conditions for sailing were ideal. We did everything well and on time, especially paying attention to safety, and I hope for twice as many participants next year because N1 can be seen and read from afar,” said Radovan.
One event at the same time in two towns and two countries
In the coming days of August, Bratunac will host several water or near-water events, interesting for the local population, regional visitors, and tourists alike.
“We started August with the first ‘Rajski Spust’, and already today, the Drina Sports Fishing Society is organizing a fishing competition called the ‘Cup of Drina Towns’. It’s a team competition in float fishing, with teams coming from surrounding towns and the wider region. Next weekend, from August 8th to 11th, over four days in two towns and two countries, we’ll have the Comic Book Festival, which is being organized in Bratunac for the seventh time, but one part will this year also be held in neighboring Ljubovija in Serbia. That same weekend is the traditional ‘Skobaljijada’, a well-known fishing competition where we expect 130 to 150 participants from the region and abroad,” says Ranko Jakovljevic, Director of the Bratunac Tourist Organization, and emphasizes: “To our great satisfaction, perhaps even luck, all these events that gather a large number of participants and visitors in Bratunac pass without the slightest incident, especially none that would be motivated by political issues or on any national basis. We hope it stays that way in the future.”
No talk of politics
This kind of tourism promotion for the municipality is successful, confirmed by the fact that yesterday’s regatta brought together participants from the countries of the former Yugoslavia, as well as some from Hungary and Germany.
Kornel Berkec is a Hungarian from the area around Pecs.
“My impressions are good, nice. Everything is interesting and I feel good here. I especially like the nature, these hills and rivers in Bosnia. I think BiH and Austria have the most beautiful rivers in Europe,” says Kornel.
Arpad Molnar is also Hungarian, lives in Zrenjanin, and this is his fourth time coming to Bratunac.
“I like this event. In Vojvodina, we don’t have anything like this. The water is clean, the air is clean, and the forest is clean. I have many friends here with whom I spend all day on the water, on the Drina, and the most important thing is to relax and enjoy these beautiful moments because there’s no talk of politics,” said Arpad Molnar.
Kosovka Sumajko comes from Sombor. She says she grew up next to the Danube, but also likes the Drina.
“This is my second time here, and after the Danube, the Drina is one of the most beautiful rivers. I think this event attracts me because the people here are kind, well-intentioned, hospitable, and the Drina is a clean, preserved river. Everything passed with good fun and in the best order without a single problem,” said Kosovka.
At yesterday’s regatta, around 300 participants gathered in about fifty boats, and they were provided with free bus transport from Bratunac to the starting point of the regatta in Tegare, the second most important beach for Bratunac. For a symbolic registration fee, they received a T-shirt and lunch at Rajska Plaza, N1 writes.
