Some days stay with you long after they are over because they are filled with simple moments that make you feel connected, to nature, to family, and to yourself. Our visit to the Flower Fair in Belgrade's Manjež park was exactly that kind of day.
On a nice spring day, my mother, my daughter, and I set off for the flower exhibition held in Manjež Park, one of Belgrade's oldest and most beloved green spaces.
As soon as we entered the park, we were surrounded by colors and fragrances. Rows of vibrant flowers stretched in every direction, roses, petunias, geraniums, carnations, and countless other plants competing for attention with their beauty.
Visitors strolled between the stands, gardeners exchanged advice... There is something special about being surrounded by flowers. The world seems a little slower, a little kinder, and a little brighter. I enjoyed all those moments with my dearest ladies.
Manjež park itself adds a unique charm to the experience. Located in the heart of Belgrade, it was created a long time ago on the site of the former Royal Cavalry Guard, which is where its name comes from, the French word manège, meaning riding school. Today, it is known as a cultural and floral oasis, home to beautiful tree-lined paths and monuments dedicated to important figures such as the poet Kosta Abrašević and others.
As we walked through the fair, we admired the flowers but also the traditional crafts on display. There were beautiful clay pots baked in old-fashioned kilns, decorative jugs, rustic vases, and charming fairy-tale figures that looked as if they had stepped out of a storybook.
Each stand had its own personality and invited us to stop and explore. My daughter was especially excited because she likes flowers a lot, she jumped happily and admired everything she saw.
She carefully inspected every flower, asked endless questions, and enthusiastically pointed out the decorations she liked best. Eventually, we chose a few white and pink carnations and a small watering can that she insisted on carrying herself.
The surroundings added even more character to the day. Nearby stand the Faculty of Music, where my husband graduated and the famous Beograđanka tower, once the tallest building in Belgrade and a symbol of the city's modern development and urban life.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the day was sharing it with both my mother and my daughter. Standing between them, I felt grateful. My mother has always loved flowers, and now I could see that same curiosity and affection growing in my daughter. It felt like a small family tradition being passed on naturally.
When evening came, our day was not over. Back home, my daughter and I carried the flowers to the terrace and spent the evening planting them together.
We arranged the pots, cleaned the space, watered the newly planted carnations, basil, mint and transformed the terrace into a colorful little garden. We put pebbles and shells in pots that we collected last summer by the sea in Greece and Croatia. The day could not have ended better.
By the end of the day, our terrace was brighter, our hands were covered in soil, and our hearts felt full.
Thank you for reading.
Jelena