First time in a castle

Close to 100 migrant parents and children from Iraq and Afghanistan, accommodated in reception centres in Kikinda and Subotica, visited the Fantast Castle near Becej today.

The field trip was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) within the EU Support to Municipalities Hosting Migrants. Children had the chance to visit the room of the castle owner, Bogdan Dundjerski, and play the piano from the period when the castle was built, from 1919 to 1923.

Ziba (17) from Afghanistan came to Serbia with her parents and brother. She told the agency “Beta” that she enjoyed the visit of the castle.

“I want to go to England and go to school to become a doctor. But my parents want me to go to Germany, because my sister is there,” said Ziba.

Abuza (37) from Iran has been two years in Serbia, and it was the first time he saw the Fantast castle.

“Thank you IOM for bringing us here. I am happy to see other people and learn about a new culture. This is something new for me, I saw a 100-year-old building,” said Abuza.

Guide Zvonko Trajković told the Beta Agency that the castle has been open for visits since 1983, and that it was the first time they hosted migrants.

“Children from all parts of Serbia are coming here, foreigners are coming for their vacations. Having migrant children here is an interesting experience for us, I was surprised they knew Serbian”, said Mr Trajkovic.