OSTAJE ZAGONETKA i izazov budućim generacijama istraživača da rasvetle tajnu odluke Milovana i Sonje da se “privedu k redu i zakonu” baš u Petnici. Među raštrkanim Petničarima kruže legende o mističnim uticajima ovdašnje klime; pominju se i tajanstvene sile koje su okrenule bor pored crkve i raspršile drevni manastir (gde se, naravno, čuvao sveti gral); u mračnim noćima stari Petničari pričaju unucima da su se Sonja i Šuki sapleli o nekakav ludi kamen i propisno ugruvali, pa im od tada pamet skreće malo u stranu... Zli jezici pominju i čudotvorni napitak koji je Sonja smućkala kod Luke u podrumu od sušene šarene žabe i krila slepog miša. No, desilo se što se desilo. Njima očigledno nije odgovarao lep, pošten, sladunjav i izazovan vanbračni zajednički život, pa su se odlučili bućnuti u hirovite bračne vode, bez maske i pojasa za spasavanje.

STANICA je, svakako, podesila Sunce na pravu temperaturu, razgrnula oblake, pročačkala travu koja se već prefarbala u jesenje tonove. Žak se bacio u komponovanje muzike i pisanje svadbarskog jelovnika, pop Dragan je proverio sveže zalihe svete vodice, a valjevska matičarka je ozbiljno sricala šta se ono mora kazati mladencima a da zvuči ozbiljno i primereno vremenu. Lokalne kuce i mace su oprane toplom vodom i šamponom, Savan je provetrio svoju sobu, detlići, koji su u braku još od ranog proleća, brže-bolje su pobegli, jer su znali da je vrag odneo šalu. Ozbiljna vremena. Sve u svemu, svadba je to. Surova stvar, nema zezanja. Mračne misli su dotakle zabrinute lokalne neženje. Petničko društvo mladenaca – sve u svemu pedesetak, mahom slobodnih ali zabrinutih duša okupilo se da vidi boli li to. Prvi utisak je da ne boli. Barem ne mnogo. Ali, da li je to dovoljno ubedljivo? Mladoženja se, dokazujući svoju dušu eksperimentalnog fizičara, pobrinuo za dovoljno helijuma da se pola petničkih polaznika pošalje u jonosferu a ostatak da više dana cvrkuće glasom Paje Patka. Dovukao i tonu suvog leda pa se sve pušilo. Nedostajale su samo rakete, petarde i papirni zmajevi. Fina akustična muzika orkestra prosvetnih radnika savršeno se uklopila u ugodni ambijent poznog leta i pozitivno delovala na apetit prisutnih koji su isprobavali Micine čarolije sve sa namazom od rena i jabuke. Nakon formalnih događaja, mladenci su ostali još par dana u Petnici. Da se odmore. Da još malo džaraju po čarobnoj šumi. Prva bračna noć je prošla u dubokom snu premorenih aktera. Cvrkut petničkih ptica (posebno treniranih da budu milozvučne, romantične i erotične) nije uznemiravao relaksirajuće hrkanje prisutnih. Sada je bidermajer u rukama novih kandidata.

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first petnica wedding.

It remains a puzzle and a challenge to future generations of Petnica researchers to figure out why Milovan and Sonja decided to say their „I do’s“ in Petnica. Some say it’s the mystic effects of the local climate, some say the mysterious forces that live in the tree by the church, whereas some claim that Sonja and Suki stumbled upon a „crazy rock“ so that their walk and mind wanders slightly to one side.

There is even a rumor that Sonja mixed up a magical potion in Luka’s basement, made of dried frog and bat wings. Still, whatever the reasons were, the two of them were not satisfied with mere peaceful, sweet common-law life together, so they have jumped into rapid waters of marriage, no life-raft, no vest.

The Petnica Center made sure everything was in order for that special day: the temperature was set at perfect, the clouds were moved to the side and the grass was shinning a spectacular mix of greens and autumn yellows. Jacque was composing the music and preparing the wedding menu and priest Dragan double checked his supplies of Holy water, while the city registrar prepared a serious and weather appropriate speech for the special day. The local cats and dogs were washed and shampooed and Savan let some fresh air in his room. Serious stuff. It is a wedding after all! Dark thoughts were bothering all the Petnica bachelors and about fifty of them gathered on this special day, worried, waiting to see whether it hurts. And apparently it does not, at least not a lot.

The groom, proving that experimental physics runs in his veins, made sure that enough liquid helium and dry ice was found so that the event was steamy. The only missing things were rockets and paper kites.

An acoustic band perfectly matched the pleasant atmosphere of late summer and boosted guest appetites for Mica’s delicious treats. After the formal events, the newly weds remained in Petnica for a couple of days. To take some relax after all. The wedding night was spent in deep exhaustion induced sleep. The sound of chirping birds wasn’t enough to wake up the snoring crowd. The bouquet is now in the hands of those who will follow in their footsteps.

The groom
Milovan Šuvakov, born in the summer of 1979 in Kula. Grew up reading „Alan Ford“and „Lucky Luke“. His first encounter with Petnica was in 1996 as a sophomore in the Math high school. In three years he went to 15 physics seminars. Later as a physics student he continued with 18 more visits to Petnica as an associate. He graduated, got his Masters and then his PhD in Belgrade. In one of his first applications to Petnica he wrote that he knows how to drive a tractor, wears shoes size 46 and hopes his IQ is bigger than that. He is original, goofy, stubborn and full of imagination. Whether he remains the same as a married man, we shall see...

The bride
Sonja Čučulanović, born on the fall equinox of 1983 in Kladovo. Finished elementary school and high school in Smederevo. Has many interests including turning clovers into a parasitic monster. Since 3rd year of high school has been coming to Petnica to the biochemistry seminar (10 times) and later as a student she visited as an associate another 14 times. She graduated from the Medical faculty in Belgrade where she is now enrolled in doctoral studies. She met the groom in Petnica. In his first application to Petnica she criticized the educational system (rough, and needs serious reform!)