Topolovnik

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Topolovnik (Тополовник) is a village in the Veliko Gradište municipality, Braničevo District, Serbia. In 2002, 1,098 people lived there. The name comes from the poplar tree. It sits on state road M25.1, about 7 km from Veliko Gradište, 23 km from Požarevac, and 100 km from Belgrade. The land is flat in the south with hills to the north. Many residents work abroad—estimates say about 800 people work in Trieste, with others in Vienna, Switzerland, France, and elsewhere. Locally, people mostly work in farming or private business.

Education: The village has an elementary school, "Ivo Lola Ribar." The school’s history goes back to the 19th century; today it has about 40 students and a kindergarten with around 20 children. In 1957/58 it was attached to the Veliko Gradište primary school and was renovated in 1991–1996. The school grounds include a courtyard with roses and a playground.

Sports: Topolovnik has a football club, Unity (Sloga Topolovnik). The club was founded in 1967 and has spent most of its history in local leagues. The 1990s were its strongest period. In 2001/02 it won the Veliko Gradiste Municipal League and moved up a level; in 2012/13 it dominated the local league and earned promotion, and in 2013/14 played in the Danube regional league. Team colors are yellow-green or black-yellow stripes.

Culture and events: Since 2001, Topolovnik hosts Jepurijada, a rabbit-hunting festival organized with the Hunting Association "Pigeon" of Veliko Gradiste. The event includes rabbit stew cooking, hunting trophies, dog displays, and folk performances, and promotes rural tourism. It takes place on the last Saturday in November.

Hunting and nature: The surrounding hunting area covers about 1,800 acres. Common game includes quail, pheasants, partridges, and rabbits; roe deer are also seen, and wild boar can pass through. Rabbit hunting runs from October 16 to December 31; live rabbits may be caught December 15–31.

Demographics: The village has about 300 households, with roughly six people per household.