The following article appeared in the Serbian newspaper KURIR, on Saturday, December 13, 2025

The December nights in Balboa Park radiated with the colors of Serbia this year. During the largest holiday festival in California, which is visited by about 350,000 people every year, the folklore group "Avala", a part of the St. Petka church-school congregation in San Marcos, proudly brought the spirit of our homeland.

"Avala", honored and proudly performed in front of a large number of people, as true guardians of tradition. Beneath the stage lights, while the audience's gaze was filled with emotions, the sound of the Serbian opanak rang out - clear, strong and recognizable, like the voice of ancestors which is not lost, neither the distance of oceans or time of generations.

Far from Serbia, but forever tied to it, our young dancers performed for their roots, for their faith, for their Church, their family and for the future. Behind each perfected step, stands the dedicated instructor Aleksandar Stojanovic, group president Sanja Nestorovic and the board of directors of the folklore group "Avala", which conveys love for tradition and pride for its origin to these wonderful young people.

Behind every child are parents - the silent strength of the diaspora, hands that lead them to rehearsals, hearts that tremble before every performance and prayers that accompany their every journey.

“’Avala’ not only travels from city to city, ‘Avala’ travels across America and Canada, taking Serbia with it. There are costumes in the suitcases, roots in the songs, faith in their steps, pride and love for our identity. The church is their second home. A place where language, religion and identity are preserved. A place where children learn who they are, where they come from and where they belong. Everything they showcased on that large stage grew there - among icons, prayer, song and fellowship. That evening in Balboa Park - in front of a sea of ​​people, "Avala" not only danced folklore - "Avala" showcased their identity. They danced the pride of the diaspora, the strength of the family, the love of the instructors, the blessing of the Church and the hope that the most valuable things continue through our children. Because while they are dancing, Serbia is kept alive,” Serbs from the diaspora tell Kurir.