Vasilija Radojčić | Origin of Street Names

Vasilija Radojčić (1936 - 2011) was a legendary singer of Serbian folk and traditional music. With her unparalleled interpretations of old Vranje songs and songs from southern Serbia, she became one of the most important custodians of the cultural heritage and folk tradition of these regions.

Born in Kragujevac, Vasilija Radojčić completed elementary school and high school in her hometown before coming to Belgrade to study French language, which she successfully completed.

Although Vasilija's singing talent was noticed during her school days when she dreamed of singing French chansons, the idea that music could become her life's calling emerged after she met the legendary Vlastimir Pavlović Carevac, shortly after which she became part of a folk ensemble under the direction of the famous violinist.

When she recorded her first record in 1961, her career as a French language professor took a back seat.

Throughout her five-decade-long singing career, Vasilija Radojčić became unparalleled in her interpretation of authentic Vranje folk songs, known for their distinctive melody, which earned her the well-deserved title of "icon" of Vranje.

"Zapevala sojka ptica" (The Jay Bird Has Sung), "Mito bekrijo", "Dimitrijo, sine Mitre", "Beše nekad Mitke i Koštana" (Once There Were Mitke and Koštana), "Na Uskrs sam se rodila" (I Was Born on Easter) - these are just some of the folk songs to which Vasilija Radojčić not only provided a tune and melody but also infused them with powerful emotions, refinement, elegance, and the echo of long-gone eras. Hence, her performances were often referred to as interpretations of folk poetry rather than just singing.

Vasilija Radojčić elevated singing to a higher artistic level, as evidenced by the fact that, unlike her colleagues, she never performed in taverns or celebrations. Instead, her appearances were solely in radio and television cultural and artistic shows, festivals, and joint tours with singers from her industry.

Perhaps due to her uniqueness and authenticity, deviating from the typical folk music patterns, Vasilija Radojčić never received a national pension, which was often granted to her contemporaries in the entertainment industry.

Disappointed and living on her husband's pension, Vasilija Radojčić withdrew from the public eye in the last decade of her life. She passed away at the age of 75 and was laid to rest at Belgrade's New Cemetery.

In addition to numerous audio and video recordings, the memory of this entertainer is preserved today through streets named after Vasilija Radojčić in Belgrade, Kragujevac, and Niš.