The Days of Lilac event was held in Belgrade on Sunday to mark the 765th anniversary of the arrival of the French princess Helen of Anjou in Serbia and her marriage to King Uros I.

The event, traditionally held in Kraljevo, the hub of the Serbian state of Rascia in the 11th century, had its premiere in the Serbian capital this time around.

The ceremonial procession featured members of culture and art associations and pupils of Kraljevo primary schools, who portrayed to Belgraders the spirit of mediaeval Serbia with special court costumes, chariots and gowns like those once worn by knights.

The procession, which included French Ambassador Christine Moro and top city officials of Belgrade and Kraljevo, walked the stretch from the Old Palace to Kalemegdan, where lilacs were planted in celebration of the centuries-old friendship between the Serbs and the French.

The event cherishes the memory of Helen of Anjou, a French princess, Serbian queen and saintess, for whom, out of love, King Uros Nemanjic planted lilacs in the valley of the River Ibar.

Legend has it that he did this to tame the valley slopes and make them more pleasing to the eye, and remind the future Serbian queen of her native Provence.