Hundreds of thousands of Serbs are expected to join a rally in Belgrade to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence over the weekend.
Schools are closed for the day and the rail network is providing free travel.
A large stage has been erected outside parliament for an address by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica.
Organisers are hoping the rally will be peaceful, following riots in the capital on Sunday and attacks by Kosovo Serbs on two border posts.
Prayers
Most Serbs bitterly oppose losing the province, which they consider their religious and cultural heartland.
Mr Kostunica called the new country a "false state", and Russia also opposed the move.
The rally is due to start at 1700 (1600 GMT) in central Belgrade.
It will a chance for Serbs to show how much they oppose the independence of Kosovo, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in the Serbian capital.
Tennis star Novak Djokovic and film director Emir Kusturica are expected to attend, AFP news agency reported.
After a series of speeches, the crowd will march to the city's biggest church, the Temple of Saint Sava, where prayers for Kosovo will be said by Serbian Orthodox archbishops.
The US, the UK, Germany and Italy have all recognised Kosovo.
In the coming weeks, an almost 2,000-strong EU mission will be deployed to help the country develop its police force and judiciary.
(BBC)
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