Armistice Day in Serbia – Natalie’s Ramonda, the Symbol of Resurrection and Resistance

11. Nov 2025.
On Armistice Day, Serbia commemorates the signing of the armistice in 1918 and honors the immense sacrifices made by the Serbian people during World War I. With nearly one-third of its population lost, Serbia remains the country that suffered the greatest per capita loss in that conflict.

The central motif of this commemoration is the stylized ribbon of the Commemorative Medal for Loyalty to the Fatherland from 1915, popularly known as the Albanian Commemorative Medal, a single-level state military and civilian decoration awarded to all members of the Serbian army who retreated through Albania in the winter of 1915/1916. In its recognizable green and black colors, the ribbon rhythmically stretches along the edges of the space, symbolizing the sacrifice, perseverance, and path of suffering of the Serbian army.

 

 

At the heart of the composition stands the flower of Natalie’s Ramonda, a powerful visual and historical symbol of resurrection and resistance. This plant, which can revive even after complete drying upon contact with water, serves as a metaphor for the renewal of Serbia and the resilience of its warriors. The concept of Natalie’s Ramonda, the symbol of Armistice Day in Serbia, was conceived more than ten years ago by Mr. Marko Đurić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, and Mr. Aleksandar Ristić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Brazil.

 

This symbol bridges past and present, personal and collective memory, tradition and modernity, reminding us that courage, freedom, and perseverance are timeless values that unite the nation and preserve the spirit of Serbia through the ages.