24.09.2025.
Minister Gašić attends launch of “Kreće se lađa francuska” book on island of Corfu
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended the launch of Ivan Radovanović’s book titled Kreće se lađa francuska (The French Ship Sets Sail) this evening on the island of Corfu. The book launch commemorated 109 years since the Serbian army landed on the Ionian islands of Corfu and Vido.
Speaking at the event, Minister Gašić emphasized the importance of the book’s subject for both the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Defence, as it draws on Serbian Armed Forces’ archives, which are among the richest in Europe. He said that efforts like these aim to ensure that the memory of three generations of young people is not consigned to oblivion. He noted that during World War I, Serbia lost more than 40 thousand young people aged 15, 16, and 17.- On the other hand, this speaks to our sense of national responsibility – to ensure that something like that never happens again. Like all of us, I hope to see a Serbia that can finally go 100 years without conflict or war, a Serbia where we preserve our youth – said the Minister of Defence, highlighting the importance of national renewal and adding that young people should never again have to set out on a journey, uncertain whether they will ever return, like Aleksa, the central figure in Kreće se francuska lađa.
The Minister of Defence also took the opportunity to thank Serbia’s Greek friends for everything they had done for the hundreds of thousands of Serbian soldiers and civilians.- Thank you for preserving the island of Vido and for ensuring it does not become just another tourist attraction. The largest Serbian military cemetery is located there, and we are deeply grateful that you continue to honour its memory – Minister Gašić emphasized.
Speaking to the author, Minister Gašić expressed hope that this story of the great suffering during World War I would make its way to the big screen, and together with the film Dara iz Jasenovca (Dara of Jasenovac) help portray the tragedies endured by the Serbian people in both world wars.
Author Ivan Radovanović explained that the story behind the book came to him unexpectedly, during a family holiday on the island of Corfu.
- It was during that time that I discovered Željko Popović and his books about World War I, about the Greeks, the Serbs, Corfu, an in one of them, I came across a text by a French author describing the suffering of child cadets. After reading that, there was no turning back, I had to write this book – said Radovanović.Also speaking at the event, Serbian journalist and long-time media correspondent in Greece, Zvonimir Šimunec, emphasized that Corfu was the most suitable place to present this book. He added that despite everything that had happened there more than a century ago, one can still find a glimmer of hope in this story.
- Thanks to all the hardship the author endured digging through archives, uncovering traces and undeniable evidence of senselessness, a lack of empathy, and chaos, and above all, through his portrayal of the endless fields and ravines of death that those boys passed through, I feel that tonight might carry a sense of meaning, because we are approaching a place of clear and undeniable justice – Šimunec said.
The novel Kreće se lađa francuska covers the period of World War I, and the retreat of the Serbian army and civilians across Albania in the period between 1915 and 1916, as well as their rescue by Allied ships bound for Corfu and the island of Vido.The novel blends historical facts, documents and personal testimonies about suffering, offering an insight into the tragedy of war and the human experience of history. The story of the Serbian army’s retreat through Albania and the suffering of children and soldiers during the evacuation to Corfu is told through the destinies of a Serbian boy, Aleksa, and a French sailor.
The event was attended by representatives of the embassies of the Republic of Serbia and the Hellenic Republic, the Serbian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, the publishing house Albion Books, as well as prominent figures from Serbia’s cultural scene and numerous guests.
The launch of Ivan Radovanović’s book Kreće se lađa francuska took place ahead of the upcoming commemorative ceremonies, which will be held in remembrance of the immense suffering endured by civilians and soldiers who, after a long and exhausting retreat, found refuge on the Greek Ionian islands of Corfu and Vido.
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