О гласнику Часопис Гласник Етнографског института САНУ објављује оригиналне, претходно необјављене радове: оригинални научни рад, прегледни научни рад, научна критика и полемика, приказ, научна библиографија. Часопис Гласник Етнографског института САНУ доступан је у режиму отвореног приступа. Публиковање у Гласнику Етнографског института САНУ је бесплатно. У часопису Гласник Етнографског института САНУ објављују се радови из области етнологије и антропологије и сродних друштвених и хуманистичких дисциплина. Радови могу бити написани на српском и сродним језицима и на енглеском језику. Радови на српском језику штампају се ћириличним писмом. Гласник Етнографског института САНУ излази минимум два пута годишње. Објављује и специјалне бројеве, са посебном тематиком и гостујућим уредником. Сва издања Гласника Етнографског института САНУ, почевши од првог броја, доступна су на следећој адреси: https://dais.sanu.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4515
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Бој се стара Турчина и млада Србина: турско-српске паремиолошке паралеле
Imagining the Monstrous Other: An Introduction to the Research on the Medicalized Undead
Monsters are liminal subjects, whose ambivalent position challenges culturally established distinctions between the normal and abnormal, the ordered and disordered, and the healthy and unhealthy. They blur the lines between self and other, the familiar and the unfamiliar, and the “us” versus “them.” The indeterminacy of these categories embodies itself in what we term „human monsters” — Individuals transformed into monsters after death. These undead figures display the terrifying consequences of their transformation, primarily through their uncanny appearance and identity characteristics. This paper serves as an introduction to various perspectives on monstrous Others and the medicalization of the undead (mainly zombies). It aims to formulate initial hypotheses for researching the impacts of disease, death, and monstrous transformation, including bodily, identity, and cognitive characteristics that determine and redefine our understanding of monstrosity and humanity.
On the Change of Hodonyms of Sjenica from the Onomastic and Sociolinguistic Aspect
From the onomastic and sociolinguistic aspect, this work examines the way of changing of hodonyms of Sjenica, considering the decision which was made in this city in 2019. which said that each street should have its own name (unlike the previous situation which meant that several different sections of space, that could be called streets, had the same name).The result of that was the increase of hodonyms in Sjenica from 51 to 204. By using on the spot work and analytical statistical method (which included the examination of material obtained on the spot), it was obvious that there were 24 hodonyms left, and on the other hand, 180 of 204 new names were completely new hodonyms. Considering that Sjenica is a multinational environment, it was important to notice the role of Serbian on one and Bosnian-Muslim provenance on the other side. It is very important to say that when we think of the issue from the linguistic point of view, it was examined to what extent the hodonyms of toponymic and anthroponymic origin are represented. It was also examined into which sphere of history and life we can place street names of anthroponymic origin.
Women’s Emancipation and Middlebrow Culture in the Ljubica P. Radoičić’s Novelistic Oeuvre
This paper’s starting point is to examine the evolution of the novelistic oeuvre of Ljubica P. Radoičić (1914–1991), which consists of the novels The Blood Wakes Up (1932), Dana Račić (1938) and One-Storey Houses (1954). Relying on the previous research related to the life and work of the author, and Jelena Milinković’s theoretical explanations of interwar women’s (popular) novels, the paper initially indicates the atypical position of each of the mentioned novels within the current novel production at the time of publication. The paper does this primarily concerning the atypical features of the main character, the uncommon emancipatory (pseudo-feminist) discourse, and, the peculiarity of narrative style built between the spheres of highbrow and popular literature. The paper aims to determine the position of each novel concerning the subgenres that inspired the author: romance, female Bildungsroman, serial adventure novel, and 19th-century naturalistic (family) novel. Based on the given analysis, the concluding thesis of the paper suggests that the most comprehensive methodological approach to the given novelistic oeuvre is possible to find in the frame and analytical concepts of middlebrow literature and middlebrow culture. The three novels’ narrative devices, style, and characterization appear less atypical and more meaningful in this methodological and transnational frame.
Channels of Iranian Pastoral Nomads on the YouTube Network: Video Narratives of the Life of the Lori (Lur) Bakhtiari Tribal People and Ethnic Group
This paper is based on a qualitative analysis of the content of video narratives on YouTube channels of the so-called Iranian nomads from the Lor Bakhtiari ethnic group. The main question underlying the research is what an anthropologist as a viewer and an impartial bystander can learn from these amateur videoformats, which can be included in the genre of domestic folk films about the daily life and customs of the pastoral, partially sedentarized, (semi)nomads in southwest Iran. This way of documenting the daily practices of nomadic families and clans is primarily an alternative way of making money on YouTube, but it is also an ethnocultural promotion of the Lor Bakhtiari ethnic and tribal group and a tourist advertisement of their homeland – mountain villages and seasonal camps in the Zagros region, Lordegan district and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Observing the films of Iranian videographers who themselves belong to the culture of Lor Bakhtiari was the reason for the anthropologist to start getting acquainted with academic ethnology and anthropology in Iran, which belongs to those national traditions of the discipline that are located on the periphery of the world’s main, predominantly Western, centers of socio-cultural anthropology
video channels of Iranian pastoral nomads
ethnocultural representation and touristic self-promotion
Aristotelian Scholia in the Serbian Church-Slavonic Translation of Gregory Palamas’ “Apodictic Treatises on the Procession of the Holy Spirit”
The Serbian Church-Slavonic translation of Gregory Palamas’ “Apodictic Treatises on the Procession of the Holy Spirit” was made around 1360. The autograph of this translation, preserved in Codex 88 of the monastery Dečani, contains significant number of scholia, which help us additionally to follow the process of translating and commenting of Palamas’ basic text. In this paper I will focuss on two of those scholia which reveal the philosophical thread of Palamas’ (theological) argumentation – first of all, the Aristotelian one. After the basic information on the significance of the Serbian Church-Slavonic translation of Palamas’ “Apodictic Treatises” is provided, these scholia are given in the original and translation into Modern Serbian, being also accompanied by our comments and clarifications.
The Greek Shamans, the Scythian Psychonauts and the Spirit of Eranos
The paper provides a critical review of the influential theory on shamanistic elements in the religion of the ancient Greeks of the archaic period. The theory was developed during the first half of the 20th century, mainly through the efforts of classical philologists Karl Meuli and E. R. Dodds, and is based on the thesis that, during the colonization of the Black Sea coast, the Greeks adopted from the Scythians a specific form of ecstatic religiosity that was previously unknown to them. Meuli and Dodds characterized this form of religiosity as shamanistic, recognizing its patterns in a wide range of Greek mythological and legendary figures and historical personalities. By analyzing the theoretical premises and methodological approaches of these scholars, as well as the scientific community’s feedback, I aim to contextualize the thesis of Greek shamanism more closely within the intellectual currents of the twentieth century and earlier periods. My conclusion is that this thesis must be viewed in the broader context of the desacralization of contemporary society, indicating a strong interweaving of personal, non-scientific, and religious beliefs with academic studies of religions.
The following research is based on the existing contributions in the domain of the memory studies and notion of fine difference between processes of memorising, remembering and forgetting. After a brief introduction to the meaning of terms crucial for the cultural memory and their use in the identity construction process, this theoretical frame will be further analysed through the observation of my grandmothers’, Ashkenazi-born Belgradian, family photo album as a particular figure of memory. Realizing that this photo album does not reveal neither one image of Holocaust and tragic memories, while my grandmother did remember these, a contribution to the cultures of memory theory will be offered and explained through the metaphor of caftan. When unaccepted, it seems as we create robes to hide fragments of our identity under the caftan, everything our social surrounding would not like, or aspects about ourselves we do not want to present. Proposing this term to the cultural memory studies, caftanism would refer to the socially constructed oblivion, which is completely different than the real, literal forgetting.
Serbs in the Petrinja district - Historiographical and Ethnographic Overview (part II)
The author in the text, based on archival material, literature and narrator’s testimony, provides information about the elements of the national identity of the Serbs of the Petrinja region. In particular, it deals with the Orthodox religion and the narrator’s memories of everyday life during socialism, the last war (1991-1995) and the nowadays. The text also provides demographic data of Serbs population in the Petrin region.
Folk Dances as a Happening of Coming Together in the Streets of Athens
The focus of this work, based on my long-term field research in Athens, is the use of open urban spaces (parks, parking lots, and streets) as a gathering place for citizens to practice traditional folk dances.1 The research focuses on dance events organized by informal groups of citizens, not by institutions. Results show that there is a significant presence of folk dances in the streets and parks of Athens. The paper gives special attention to the periodic dance gatherings on the occasion of the Klidonas holiday (June 23/24), International Bagpipe Day (March 10) and Tsampounoglenti in honour of Saint Demetrius (October 26). The paper especially analyzes various aspects of these dance activities, their role in the lives of the participants and at the level of the wider social community. The participants themselves emphasize the importance of folk dances in overcoming alienation, establishing interpersonal connections, and strengthening neighborly relations.
Barriers and Trust: Perceptions of the Healthcare System аmong Roma Mothers in Serbia
This research aims to deepen the understanding of the barriers and challenges faced by Roma parents, particularly mothers, in accessing pediatric services in Serbia. The study found that distrust in the healthcare system, alongside cultural norms favoring traditional knowledge over medical advice, are key factors influencing Roma mothers’ healthcare decisions for their children. While pediatric services are generally perceived positively, significant infrastructural obstacles, especially in rural areas, hinder access to healthcare facilities. Special attention is given to the role of trust between healthcare workers and Roma mothers, with pediatricians often seen as crucial allies in safeguarding children’s health. The research highlights the need for improved communication and cultural sensitivity when working with the Roma community to foster greater trust in the healthcare system and enhance health outcomes for Roma families. Additionally, it underscores the importance of addressing structural inequalities that contribute to negative experiences.
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ГЛЄТЬ ар(Ї)стотель. Further Examples of Aristotelian scholia in Serbian Church-Slavonic Translation of Gregory Palamas’ “Apodictic Treatises on the Procession of the Holy Spirit”
The Serbian Church-Slavonic translation of Gregory Palamas’ “Apodictic Treatises on the Procession of the Holy Spirit” contains a large number of scholia. Their main intention is to clarify the Orthodox teaching on the procession of the Holy Spirit. In some of them, the translator, both in terms of content and origin, brings to light certain segments from Aristotle’s philosophy that are only implicitly present in the basic text. In this paper I give some of these scholia in the original and Modern Serbian translation, along with my own comments regarding each of them.
Beyond the Network. A Critical Inquiry into the Limits of the Actor-Network Theory
This article critically examines the limitations and challenges of ActorNetwork Theory (ANT) in contemporary social theory. Originally developed as a response to structuralist and constructivist paradigms, ANT offered a radical methodological alternative, emphasizing actor-relationality and emergent networks over predefined so-called social structures. While this approach has significantly shaped disciplines such as Science and Technology Studies (STS), political sociology, and environmental governance, it has also faced sustained criticism. Critics argue that ANT’s refusal to engage with structural determinants, macro-political constraints, and historical asymmetries limits its explanatory power, particularly in relation to domination, hierarchy, and systemic inequalities. This article explores whether ANT can evolve beyond its descriptive commitments to address these concerns without compromising its core principles. Through an analysis of power asymmetries, digital governance, and ecological crises, the article interrogates whether ANT can reconcile empirical inquiry with critical engagement. Ultimately, it argues that ANT’s future depends on its ability to navigate the tension between methodological openness and theoretical reflexivity, raising broader questions about the limits of a theory that seeks to expand beyond the very epistemological constraints that define it.
Memories from School and the Formation of Identity: The Transformative Role of (Literary) Theory
The focus of this text is on the written “testimonies”, or memories, of several literature students, in which they talk about the formation of identity at school. All students attended the elective course “Literary Terms and the Study of Culture” at the Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade. The course syllabus specifies that one class will cover a chapter from the book Common Schools/Different Identities by Walter Feinberg, an article by Nenad Velicković on the evaluation and selection of textbooks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and an analysis of specific examples from textbooks for the Serbian language and literature published in the first decade of the 21st century. In their recorded memories, the students connected the problems and themes from the aforementioned texts, as well as examples from the textbooks, with specific events that occurred in their schools, as well as outside the classroom. The personal experiences of students represent possible reactions to the dominant ideas and values offered in textbooks and school curricula in general.
Between Ritual and Technology: Social Articulation of Prehistoric Metallurgy from a Cross-cultural Perspective
The present paper explores the relevance of ethnographic data on ritual metallurgy for the understanding of the intersection of ritual and technology in prehistoric metallurgy. Focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, the paper details ritual practices surrounding iron smelting, including gendered roles, the use of “medicines”, and accompanying rituals and taboos. The case study of Chalcolithic copper metallurgy in the Southern Levant is compared to patterns of social articulation of African metallurgy, and it is concluded that the “Transformer pattern”, where technological and ritual roles of the metalworkers are most intertwined, was found to be the most relevant for extractive metallurgy. The study concludes that while direct analogies between ethnographic and archaeological data should be avoided, ethnographic research provides valuable insights into various ways in which prehistoric metalworking could be socially and ritually articulated.
Erasing Boundaries: Researching the Emancipation Process of Roma Women within the Framework of the HEROINES Project
Contemporary societies, both globally and locally, are becoming increasingly aware of the need for inclusiveness and equality, especially when it comes to those social groups that have historically been neglected or marginalized. Women’s empowerment, in a broader context, is becoming one of the key mechanisms in the fight against discrimination and inequality. Its role is particularly significant in cases where women, in addition to gender-based, also face other forms of structural inequality – ethnic, social and economic. This is precisely the situation that characterizes the life contexts of Roma women, whose emancipation, despite the existing history of research, remains insufficiently known, especially in the context of creating deeper and more comprehensive insights into their struggles and achievements. This paper seeks to provide a new perspective on the process of emancipation of Roma women, mapping the paths of the empowerment through the analysis of the obstacles they face, but also the practices of resistance, solidarity and independent actions that build spaces of freedom and subjectivity. The authors do this based on the research conducted within the framework of the HEROINES project, supported by the Centre for the Promotion of Science, and implemented by the Institute of Ethnography of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts in cooperation with the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Belgrade and the Roma Women’s Centre “Bibija”. By applying the participatory methodology of community mapping – relatively new in Serbian social sciences and humanities – Roma women gain an active role in shaping their own stories, thereby destabilizing the traditional, paternalistic epistemological position of researchers.
Invisible Stitch: Ethnography and Women’s Activism at the Beginning of the 20th Century
This paper presents the activist dimension of ethnographic work within Serbian communities in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in the context of women’s emancipation. Central figures are Savka Subotić and Jelica Belović Bernadžikovskа, folk embroidery and ornamentation experts, curators, essayists, and prominent figures in women’s associations. The paper describes their activities: writing essays, organizing and curating local and international exhibitions, presenting lectures, and translation work. Special research attention is paid to the international perspective of their endeavors, which previous research has overlooked in favor of efforts pertaining to the national framework and gender policies. The international networking achieved through ethnographic activism had a transformative impact on the emancipatory discourse in Serbian culture at the beginning of the 20th century. Ethnographic work reflects the transformation of feminist discourse from the struggle for women’s inclusion in paradigmatic national narratives and economic and professional emancipation, to the pursuit of women’s political rights. The cultural mediation by ethnographers provides insight into the diverse strategies employed by activists/feminists for international networking in the early 20th century.
Ethnochoreology at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade – from the folklore paradigm to the discourse of institutional and nationally specific disciplinary orientation in the time of (post)tradition
The founder of ethnochoreology as an academic scholarly discipline in Serbia is ethnologist and ethnochoreologist Dr. Olivera Vasić, whos research and educational approach continued the activities of the Ljubica and Danica Janković. The methodological basis of this scholarly paradigm is grounded on the folkloristically-based idea of collecting and preserving ethnically distinctive traditional dances marked with the expression “narodna igra“ (literally: folk game) in order to construct and maintain nationally distincitive Serbian culture, first by reconstructing old village dances within the field research processes, and then by notation of kinetic and musical components of particular dances and publication of dance ethnographies of individual geographical areas. Academic ethnochoreological education at the Faculty of Music began on the basis of this approach in 1990. After 2000, through developement of the teaching staff consisted of young scholars who started to teach ethnochoreological courses and their indirect education within the international academic and scholarly framework, it began to transform. The key theoretical and methodological turn can be considered the conceptualization of the term “traditional dance“ (see: Rakočević 2011). The use of this expression implies differentiation of dance components (kinetics and music), making sense in the processes of synthetic perception of textual and contextual levels of dance realizations, and at the same time marks the diffuse expansion of folkloristic paradigm of ethnochoreological research from rural “folk games“ from the past to various forms of dance, interpretatively positioned within the ambiguous field of “traditional“ cultural expression. The unique theoretical concepts that arise from this institutionally and nationally specific ethnochoreological discourse have a specific potential within applied scholarly activities, which gives this discipline a distinctive meaning in the era of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. The paper diachronically examines and theoretically interprets the practice of ethnochoreological education at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, with a special focus on the processes of transforming institutionally and nationally specific scholarly paradigms.
”Kosovo cycle” of composed songs by Dragan Nikolić
This paper focuses on the examining of the compositional work of Dragan Nikolić from Pančevo, whose artistic output includes a specific thematic unit referred to as the ”Kosovo Cycle,” inspired by the musical-folkloric heritage of Kosovo and Metohija. Aiming to gain a more comprehensive insight into Nikolić’s work, interactive conversations in the form of semi-structured and freeform interviews were conducted with the author himself, as well as with his friend and lyricist, Ivan Karaklić. Considering that Dragan Nikolić refers to his own work within the ”Kosovo Cycle” as ”ethnomodern”, the scientific interpretation of this artistic concept is based on recognizing elements characteristic of the traditional Kosovo-Metohijan expression. By intertwining ethnographic data with an analysis of the poetic and musical structures within this cycle, and comparing them with previously recorded songs from Kosovo and Metohija, a relationship has been established between (neo)traditional and modern interpretative styles. Within the ”Kosovo Cycle,” the song named ”Kosovo Peonies” stands out, as it largely corresponds with examples recorded in urban areas of Kosovo and Metohija. It has achieved the greatest popularity among the general public and is often referred to as an example of traditional musical heritage. Other analyzed records from this cycle, characterized by elements of contemporary composed folk music and influences from more popular musical genres, have not reached the same level of reception in the public domain. Regardless, by examining the distinctive features of Dragan Nikolić’s compositional work, a need and a desire to “revive” the Kosovo myth through the composed songs/ ethnomodernism, as an important segment of national identity, is readily observed.
Transnational Business Strategies of Serbian Entrepreneurs in Vienna
This paper explores the transnational business strategies of Serbian entrepreneurs in Vienna by analyzing their migration trajectories, social networks, and business models. The study is based on ethnographic research and data collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted with Serbian entrepreneurs in Vienna. By examining the narratives of the respondents, the paper identifies key patterns in their entrepreneurial practices, including reliance on social networks, adaptation to the Austrian business environment, and the maintenance of economic ties with Serbia and other countries where they operate. The main findings suggest that Serbian entrepreneurs in Vienna actively engage in the creation of transnational economic spaces, integrating resources, knowledge, and market strategies across two or more countries.
Transgenerational and/or Transcultural Transformation of the Reality of the Village Community: the Zduhać, the Zmijar or the (Rural) Esoteric
Throughout my years of researching demonological traditions, I have encountered mentions of certain individuals who were believed to possess, or who themselves claimed to have, specific powers. Most commonly, I came across zmijari (snake charmers). Interestingly, some of them were “descendants of zduhaći,” from whom they claimed to have “inherited their power.” Others retained the “powers” of their ancestors but directed their activities beyond their cultural or geographical environment, functioning as a kind of “rural esoterics.” A third group of interlocutors developed their “powers” through non–traditional sources of knowledge, expanding the method, purpose, and scope of their activities beyond the village. In this text, I analyse three (identity) models, each defined by a different source of knowledge or mastery of power, as well as by the method and specific goal of their practice. As I aim to demonstrate, these distinct identities reflect the hybridization of social and cultural reality, shaped by cross–cultural dialogue that in turn forms the habitus—or, in other words, the identities of my interlocutors today. I view these phenomena as a consequence of adaptation to the postmodern or even post–postmodern world, in which communities function as platforms for rethinking reality, the self, and the survival strategies of their members.
A World that Disappears: Ernesto de Martino and Dragoslav Antonijević on the Last Ritual Trance in Europe
This paper will be an attempt at a parallel reading of the theories and texts on ritual trance by the Serbian ethnologist Dragoslav Antonijević and the Italian historian of religion Ernesto De Martino. In other words, the paper will offer an interpretation and understanding of Antonijević’s writing on the rusaljе ritual and De Martino’s writing on tarantism as echoes of the times in which they lived, researched and wrote. This time was characterized by rapid urbanization and modernization that brought dizzying changes, and both of these scholars were aware that this world, the world they were researching, was rapidly disappearing. Although they had different approaches to understanding this world, their reflections on these phenomena are characterized by a deep sense of being on ”quicksand”. On the other hand, the mid-twentieth century opened up key issues in anthropology regarding decolonization, power relations and the very nature of ethnographic work. De Martino openly explored these issues, but they can also be traced in Antonijević’s writing. These issues have not lost their importance and urgency even today. Finally, the paper will point to the potential significance of the writings of these two researchers from the perspective of the revival of ”Mediterranean anthropology”.
REVIEWS · REPORTS · CRITICAL ESSAYS
The Romanian Orthodox Church in Serbia Today: Between History and Modernity
This paper explores the contemporary state of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Serbia, with a particular focus on its role in preserving the religious and cultural identity of the Romanian community. The analysis examines the historical context, demographic and socio-cultural context, and the Church’s influence on the daily lives of its members. The research is based on semi-structured interviews with Romanian Orthodox clergy and an analysis of church press and official sources. The study highlights issues such as demographic decline, language barriers, and decreased interest in the Church, emphasizing its significance in preserving the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Romanian community in modern Serbian society. Keywords: Romanian Orthodox Church, Romanians in Serbian Banat, religiosity, post-communist period
Organ Donation: Certain Perspectives of Serbian Orthodox Church Believers and a Critical Reflection on the Foundation of the Practice
Organ donation has been the subject of diverse discussions and a particularly relevant area of research across various disciplines in recent decades. The rapid development and application of biomedical technologies have allowed for multiple interpretations of this practice. By analyzing the perspectives of our interlocutors who closely identify as Orthodox Christian believers, we explored several pertinent themes reflected in their responses. Forming opinions based on a variety of sources, our interlocutors reveal the contradictions and nuances that characterize the social understanding and implementation of this practice. The analysis of their stories is supplemented with a critical review of the history of transplantation technology, the cultural foundations of its key principles, and the interpretations of relevant actors involved in its practice and the formation of ideas surrounding it at a given time. By focusing primarily on the practice of organ donation rather than experiences of organ recipients, we aimed to broaden the scope of research on this and similar topics within local scholarly practices. Keywords: organ donation, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, bioethics, brain death, bodily integrity, altruism
The Role and Significance of Spiritual Fathers: Narratives of Believers in the Serbian Orthodox Church
This paper explores the conceptualizations of spiritual fathers in Orthodox Christianity, with a focus on the narratives of believers in the Serbian Orthodox Church. It examines the role of spiritual fathers in individual religiosity and their importance in the growth of the Orthodox faithful since the late 20th century. The research is based on ethnographic material collected during the project “Ecclesiastical and Religious Praxes of Christian Orthodox Believers in Serbia: An Anthropological Research” (2021–2023), as well as relevant academic and religious literature. The function of a spiritual father depends on social, historical, and cultural contexts, with spiritual fathers providing stability during times of crisis or serving as educators in periods of relative stability. Today, spiritual fathers integrate traditional roles with new forms of spiritual guidance, ranging from media presence to advising on the integration of religious values into modern life. The narratives of respondents emphasize the personal role of spiritual fathers in their spiritual growth, while contemporary practices point to the adaptation of religious models to meet the demands of modern life. The paper highlights that the concept of a spiritual father is dynamic, reflecting changes in the spiritual and social needs of believers. The research has shown that the role of a spiritual father (духовник) is multifaceted, as it includes sacramental confession, personal spiritual guidance, and, in some cases, the charismatic authority associated with an elder (starets). Keywords: spiritual fathers, elders, Serbian Orthodox Church, Orthodox believers, Serbia
Religious Education in Serbia – Twenty-Four Years After Its Return to the Educational System
The process of revitalizing religion preceded the return of religious education to the Serbian educational system. After half a century of exile, the Serbian Orthodox Church emerged into the public sphere. Confessional religious education was reintroduced in our educational system as an optional subject (2001/02). By the following school year (2002/03), religious and civic education became mandatory elective subjects. Today, after twenty-four years of their presence, debates continue regarding the status these subjects should have, which was further influenced by their rebranding from an elective subject to an elective program in 2017. Following the tragic events at „Vladislav Ribnikar“ Primary School in May 2023, amendments to the Law on the Foundations of the Education System are being announced. These changes will restore the status of religious education as an elective subject, and religion teachers will be able to sign indefinite employment contracts. The second part of the paper presents the results of empirical research on the attitudes of 4th-grade students from two high schools in Belgrade: the Mathematical Grammar School and the Geological and Hydrometeorological School, who attend religious education classes. The research aimed to determine whether students are familiar with and practice religious customs and rituals, what motivated their decision to attend religious education, and whether their expectations from the subject were met. The research was conducted in April 2023 with a random sample of 93 students. The results confirmed our hypothesis that responses would differ by school and gender. Keywords: religious education in schools, Serbian Orthodox Church, religion teachers, attitudes of high school students, Serbia