Hello everyone and hello to the IYC community. I hope you are all well and living in peace.
This is my entry to the IYC Contest "Symbols and Signs for Peace".
Peace is so much needed, and unfortunately, we are witnessing a time when the human race has not reached the level of development that will stop it from endangering peace.
I live in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. I have experienced two wars and I know very well what peace is. After the wars, I learned to appreciate free breath, free steps, and the absence of fear.
The symbol of peace in my city is the monument "The Victor", located in the Kalemegdan fortress, a popular attraction of historical significance. "Pobednik" translated as "The Victor" was built in 1928 to commemorate Serbia's victory over Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empire during the Balkan Wars and the First World War.
As you can see in the pictures it is a strong male figure in the nude with a falcon in the left hand and a sword in the right. The sword is lowered and it symbolizes peace. And the falcon symbolizes freedom. Peace and freedom are mutually conditioned.
There have been various stories about this monument in the past. The story I read, which was funny to me, was that at the time this monument was built, it was scandalous because of the nude, so there was a suggestion that "The Victor" get dressed. Or that they set it so high that the naked body could be seen as little as possible. 🙂
The monument overlooks the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. And I am there too. I am looking in the same direction. 🙂
The view is fantastic for those who like to relax and look into the distance and I am one of them.
Around "The Victor", you can see a lot of tourists every day. It is the most frequently photographed monument and probably the most popular.
I will never understand the destructive side of human nature and the lack of peace in the world because every war is lost at the beginning. Let's hope for peace.
I invite my friends 
Thank you very much for reading.
The images and writing are original and mine.
Greetings from Belgrade!
Jelena