In the Serbian tradition, an ancient custom of making and burning "lilas" has been preserved on the eve of Petrovdan (St. Peter's Day). Lilas are made from the thin, outer bark of young birch or wild cherry trees. This bark is then inserted into a slit at the top of a fresh stick or wrapped around it.
In the past, lilari (participants) would walk around houses,
livestock pens, and springs three times with the burning lilas, chanting: “Lila
gori, žito rodi” (Burn, lila, grow the crops) or “Veselo nam lile gore, da nam
krave dobro vode” (May our lilas burn brightly, so our cows lead well).
Today, the custom primarily has a competitive aspect. The winner is the one whose fire burns the longest and highest.
This joyful folk custom symbolizes the burning away of all
earthly sins in the heart and soul.
Authorities urge citizens not to burn tires during
Petrovdan, as this endangers the environment. Uncontrolled burning in open
areas can also cause wildfires.