I woke up one morning, looked at myself, 54 years old. I still have to work 11 years until retirement and, like, then I should be happy: Aco is now the only Serb in this village under Šar-planina!

I woke up one morning, looked at myself, 54 years old. I still have to work 11 years until retirement and, like, then I should be happy: Aco is now the only Serb in this village under Šar-planina! Aleksandar Krstić Aco, at 54, decided to retire early and return to his ancestral village of Lokvica, becoming its only Serbian resident. He observes the decline of the Serbian community, the abandonment of homes, and the diminished state of the local cultural center and school. Despite these challenges, he is dedicated to renovating his family home and preserving the village’s history, particularly its churches.

• Aleksandar Krstić Aco retired at 54 and returned to his ancestral village of Lokvica, becoming its sole Serbian resident.
• The village has experienced a significant decline in its Serbian population since 1999, with many homes abandoned or sold to Albanians.
• The local cultural center and school are largely empty, reflecting the depopulation of the village.
• Aco is actively involved in renovating his family home and contributing to the restoration of local churches, including the 13th-century Church of St. Elijah.
• Despite difficulties and a lack of Serbian schools and healthcare nearby, Aco hopes for the revival of Serbian life in Lokvica.
• The article highlights the historical significance of Lokvica with mentions of multiple churches and a large past Serbian population.