It has been 30 years since the last ‘slet’ – a spectacular annual event much like the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games that included the presentation of a relay baton that had been carried across each Yugoslav state followed by mass games featuring coordinated gymnastic routines and dances.

The event was part of the former Yugoslavia’s Youth Day celebrations, one of the largest events of the year, and was held every 25 May to celebrate Tito’s official birthday. It was held at the Yugoslav National Army stadium that is now home to Partizan football club.

It was one of the largest events in the former Yugoslavia and became one of the defining expressions of the Yugoslav identity.

Beside the chock-full stadium and large crowds glued to their TVs, participation in the ceremony offered life-long distinction to those who participated, especially to the Yugoslav youth - chosen from a different republic and ethnicity each year - who had the honour of presenting the baton to Tito (or one of the presidents of the federal presidency after Tito’s death in 1980).