Indian summer is a period of late autumn sunshine and unexpected warmth that often follows the first chills of fall. In our tradition, this phenomenon has always held special significance – a moment to savor the last mild days when the sun’s rays illuminate landscapes already bearing the signs of the approaching winter.
It is named after Saint Michael, whose feast day is celebrated at the beginning of October.
Autumn is known for its rich aromas and nostalgic flavors. In Belgrade, the scent of roasted chestnuts fills the city center, evoking memories of fathers returning home from work with a bag of chestnuts. In rural areas, the air might be filled with the aroma of roasted peppers, colorful gardens, and fresh grape juice. In these places, one can still catch the scent of freshly distilled rakija, reminding us of family gatherings and preserving warmth during the cold days.
Indian summer also brings the scent of coffee in the courtyard, shared with friends, family, or neighbors.
The unique beauty of autumn comes from the fact that the sun sits lower in the sky, creating a specific, warm light and extending the so-called “golden hour.” This light casts a golden glow over the trees and nature, which in autumn is framed in shades ranging from red to yellow-orange.
Indian summer symbolizes transience and serves as a reminder that beautiful moments come and go. That is why it should be cherished when it happens. It often brings a sense of surprise – warmth that appears when we least expect it and when we think it’s time for coats and scarves. It’s also a reminder that life is made up of cycles, of occasional returns to experiences we have known before, but in a new light beautifully, in his hometown of Dimitrovgrad, renowned Serbian documentary photographer Stefan Pavić captured moments of this Indian summer, its warmth, scents, and memories with his camera.
Photo: Stefan Pavić
Text: Anđela Petrovski
Miholjsko leto je period kasnog jesenskog sunca i iznenadnog otopljenja, koje često dolazi nakon prvih jesenjih hladnoća. U našoj tradiciji ovaj fenomen je oduvek imao poseban status – trenutak kada se poslednji put uživa u blagosti, kada zrak sunca obasjava pejzaže koji već nose znake nadolazeće zime.
Ime je dobilo po svetom Mihailu, čiji praznik se obeležava početkom oktobra.
Jesen je poznata po bogatim mirisima i ukusima nostalgije i sećanja. U Beogradu, miris pečenog kestena širi se centrom grada i podseća na vreme kada je tata dolazio sa posla sa kesicom kestenja. Na selima, to može biti miris pečene paprike, šarenih bašti i svežeg soka od grožđa. Na ovakvim mestima se još može osetiti miris sveže pečene rakije, koji podseća na porodična okupljanja i čuvanje topline tokom hladnih dana.
Miholjsko leto donese i miris kafe u dvorištu, sa prijama, porodicom ili komšijama.
Posebna lepota jeseni dolazi od činjenice da se sunce spušta niže na nebu, stvarajući specifičnu, toplu svetlost i produžava takozvani “zlatni čas”. Ova svetlost daje zlatni odsjaj drveću i prirodi, koja se u jesen uokviruje u nijanse od crvene do žuto-narandžaste.
Miholjsko leto je i simbol prolaznosti i podsećanje da lepi trenuci dolaze i prolaze. Zato ga treba ceniti kada se dogodi. Često donosi osećaj iznenađenja – toplina koja se javi kada se najmanje nadamo i kada već mislimo da je vreme kaputa i šalova.
To je i podsećanje da je život sastavljen od ciklusa, od povremenih povrataka nečega što smo već jednom iskusili.
Na predivan i sebi svojstven način, u svom rodnom gradu Dimitrovgradu, srpski dokumentarni fotograf Stefan Pavić je svojom kamerom uhvatio trenutke ovog Miholjskog leta, topline, mirisa i uspomena.
Photo: Stefan Pavić
Text: Anđela Petrovski
Comments