The Radović Foundation supports and promotes the publication of books that preserve memory, culture and tradition. One such special work is the book “Hodočašće Ilije Ilića” (The Pilgrimage of Ilija Ilić) by Miodrag B. Ilić.

The book tells the true, almost incredible story of the Serbian volunteer Ilija Ilić – the author’s great-grandfather. During the First World War Ilija, who was then working in Romania, could not return to his homeland by the ordinary route. He therefore decided on an extraordinary journey. He covered more than 27,000 kilometres – on foot, by train and by ship – across three continents in order to join the Serbian army on the Salonika front and fight for the freedom of his land and his family. His determination, courage and love for his homeland go beyond the limits of ordinary human experience.

The author, Miodrag B. Ilić, is a descendant of the main protagonist. For years the story of his great-grandfather lived only in family memories. When he finally found an old newspaper article about Ilija, he showed it to his father – who read the text with tears in his eyes. That moment became the impulse to write the book. Miodrag B. Ilić, previously known as the author of “Tradicionalni recepti domaće srpske kuhinje” (Traditional Recipes of Homemade Serbian Cuisine), passionately reconstructed the odyssey of his ancestor, drawing on documents, maps and family accounts.

The book (467 pages) is not only a family story. It is a valuable document of an era in which sacrifice, honour and love of freedom shaped the fate of an entire nation. Thanks to it, one of the many forgotten heroes of the Great War returns to collective memory.

More information about the book can be found on the website:
https://hodocasceilije.com/

The Radović Foundation played only a symbolic role in supporting this publication. All the credit belongs to the author, who with respect and great care saved from oblivion the extraordinary deed of his great-grandfather.

Such books remind us not only who we were – they also show us who we can become.

Radović Foundation – we support culture, tradition and memory.