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Diplomacy & Commerce / glavni i odgovorni urednik: Dragan Nikolić, 2016, (mart)-.Novi Sad: Color Media Events, 2016 - , -33cm Mesečno ISSN 2466-3808 = Diplomacy & Commerce COBISS.SR-ID 303269895
AMBASSADOR’S INTERVIEW THE CULTURE IS SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS US HISTORICALLY H.E. JAN BONDY
New Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia
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FEATURED INTERVIEW EMPOWERING WOMEN TATJANA MACURA
Minister
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REFUGEE STORIES BY UNHCR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE IN SERBIA BY DRAGAN NIKOLIĆ
30 MEDIA INTERVIEW MEDIA FREEDOM UNDER SIEGE MILAN NEŠIĆ
Journalist for Voice of America
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CULTURAL INTERVIEW A CENTURY OF STORIES, A FUTURE OF TRADITIONS MARKO KRSTIĆ Director of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade
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BUSINESS INTERVIEW THE CRAZE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS PASSED LIDIJA PIROŠKI
Automotive Journalist
50 TRAVELOGUE JOURNEY THROUGH SIBERIA’S FROZEN HEART BY VIKTOR LAZIĆ
My Life in the New York of the Balkans
Returning from Rovinj after the Weekend Media Festival – due to the heavy traffic at the Bajakovo-Batrovci border crossing, we headed towards Ilok. Passing through the half-empty Slavonian villages that were once part of the SAO Eastern Slavonia and Western Srem, I looked at the census statistics for Osijek and Novi Sad. In the 1953 census, Osijek had 66,073 inhabitants, while Novi Sad had only 10,000 more – 76,752. According to the 2021 census, Osijek had 96,313, and Novi Sad in the 2022 census – 368,967, nearly four times more.
The conclusion suggests itself: Croatia has not been able to fill all the territories and cities it captured/liberated in the wars of the 1990s with population, while the Serbs who left the “lost” territories in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo in the 1990s have flowed into Belgrade and particularly Novi Sad, which has quadrupled in size since World War II.
Then came the “third Russian wave,” which has been especially intense in Novi Sad. The first was in 1921, the second in 2008, and the third began in 2014, intensifying in 2022. Between 30,000 and 40,000 Russians and a few hundred Ukrainians arrived in the city. Russian can be heard just as often as Serbian in the city centre, on the train to Belgrade... Dozens of Russian cafés, restaurants, cocktail bars, hair and beauty salons have opened. When Alexei Navalny died (was murdered?), Russians living in Novi Sad placed flowers and candles for days under the monument of Svetozar Miletić in the city centre, and after that, it became clear what those of us who have studied this issue already knew – most of them will not return to their homeland while Putin is in power.
A friend told me that several hundred Cubans are living in Novi Sad, mostly working in the hospitality industry. Of course, there are also Nepalese and Indians working in the HoReCa sector. Although in recent decades, due to the reduced share of national minorities in the city’s demographic structure (partly due to assimilation, partly due to emigration, as most of them hold EU passports), Novi Sad was at risk of becoming a mono-ethnic – purely Serbian city, something it has never been in its history, the last few years have completely changed the situation. In addition to the majority Serbs and minority groups – Hungarians, Croats, Slovaks, Rusyns, Jews, Roma, and others – Russians, Ukrainians, Cubans, Nepalese, and many other people from various parts of the world now live in the city.
In the centre of Novi Sad, where I live, on a Sunday morning, you can hear the bells of five different churches – Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Slovak Evangelical, Hungarian Reformed, and Rusyn Greek Catholic, and nearby is also a synagogue. The city also has a large number of temples for smaller religious communities (Baptists, Nazarenes, Adventists, Methodists...) as well as a Muslim prayer house (without a minaret). Between the two world wars, Belgrade had the only Buddhist pagoda in Europe, built by the Kalmyks, a Central Asian people who arrived in Serbia with the White Russians after the October Revolution. Perhaps the Nepalese in Novi Sad will soon build a pagoda, which would definitively make the city New York of the Balkans.
Robert Čoban
Photo: Robert Čoban
Novosadsko pozorište (Újvidéki Színház) in a shadow of the Slovak Evangelical Church
JEDINA MEDIJSKA KONFERENCIJA U REGIJI
KOGA NEMA, PUNO PROPUŠTA
The Culture is Something that connects us Historically
Strengthening cultural and economic ties is a top priority for the new Czech Ambassador to Serbia
New Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia
In his first interview with Serbian media, the newly appointed Czech Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr Jan Bondy, shares his vision for strengthening the long-standing ties between the two countries. Focusing on enhancing cultural exchange and economic collaboration, the Ambassador outlines his priorities and plans to foster mutual understanding and support as both nations navigate a dynamic regional landscape.
What are your main priorities as the new Czech Ambassador to Serbia, and how do you plan to strengthen the relationship between the two countries?
I am very happy to be in this friendly country. First of all, I must highlight the long-standing tradition of ties between Czechs and Serbs. I am fascinated by how much knowledge ordinary people here have about Czechia, and I hope to foster a similar awareness
tions, and I’m excited about it. I’ve already started by visiting Bela Crkva and meeting people of Czech origin there. I also visited Novi Sad to see an exhibition featuring Alphonse Mucha and Czech/Serbian artists, which was very interesting.
THE CZECHIA VIEWS SERBIA AS A DOMINANT FORCE IN THE REGION, RECOGNISING ITS POTENTIAL AND AIMING TO SUPPORT ITS EU INTEGRATION PROCESS
of Serbia in Czechia, promoting Serbian culture and people as much as possible.
Naturally, my main task here is to work on supporting Czech investments and cultural rela-
Since my predecessor was very active in the economic field, I aim to continue that work while also incorporating more cultural initiatives, given my own background in culture. Culture has historically
connected us, and I look forward to building on that connection. We will soon be opening the Český dum, Češki dom (Czech Centre), which is already operational.
This small organisation, subsidised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now has a new director and new management. They will focus on offering Czech language courses and promoting Czech culture in Serbia. This will be one of my main responsibilities to introduce our Czech presence here in Serbia in an modern and attractive form.
Serbia and Czechia have a long history of cooperation, particularly in economic and cultural sectors. In what areas do you see the greatest potential for further collaboration?
As I mentioned earlier, there is a considerable amount of knowledge about Czechia here, but it is equally important for Czechia to strengthen its connection with Serbia, helping people understand the situation in Serbia better. This is also one of the key items on my agenda — to encourage more visitors to Czechia, promote new cultural trends, and create more opportunities, especially for young students, by fostering student exchange programmes.
We offer scholarships to Serbian students, and we also have new initiatives, particularly in areas of interest to young people, such as the IT sector, business incubators, and start-ups. These initiatives connect young people from different parts of the world, and I would be happy to see more Serbs integrated into these international projects, as this represents our future and will strengthen our bond even further.
Now I have one question beyond this agenda, and it just popped up to me. This is only my personal opinion, but I am very confident that Serbian people consider Czech people as great friends
H.E. JAN BONDY
throughout history. And here in Serbia, we think that no one in Europe and no one from the other Slavic nations can understand Serbian history better than Czech people. Is it true, and do you think the same, or can you comment on our historical connections and understanding through history, not only Serbian history but also Czech history from the Serbian side?
As you can see, even the history of our embassy buildings reflects the strong ties between our countries. We have a wonderful location here in Belgrade, and the Serbs have a fantastic location in Prague, right next to Charles Bridge. This alone shows how deep our historical and diplomatical connections have been.
We are especially grateful to Serbia and the former Yugoslavia for supporting us in 1968 after the Soviet army invaded Czechoslovakia. It was an incredibly difficult time, and you were the only one who truly understood what we were going through. We will never forget that, as it was a significant moment in our lives.
On the other hand, we also understood the challenges Yugoslavia faced after the political changes. At that time, we viewed Yugoslavia as a model that could show us the way forward, demonstrating how a country could develop within a socialist system. Of course, we didn’t fully grasp the complexities of the risks within the diverse societies in Yugoslavia, but we watched closely and offered our support. After the Velvet Revolution in our country — a peaceful transition from the old system to a new one — and the split of Czechoslovakia into two countries, Czechia and Slovakia, we hoped that Yugoslavia would follow a similar path. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but we fully understood the situation.
You may recall that we supported your country during that difficult time. There was significant immigration, and I believe the Czech people were among the first to both understand and offer help.
Since then, much has changed. Now, as members of the international community for over 35 years, we are committed to supporting Serbia on its path to joining the European Union. We believe this is the best way to ensure a prosperous and secure future, especially in light of the current global situation. This, in my view, is a great example of cooperation and partnership.
OUR COUNTRIES SHARE A PROFOUND HISTORICAL UNDERSTANDING, AS DEMONSTRATED BY OUR SUPPORT FOR SERBIA DURING CHALLENGING TIMES, WHICH DEEPENS OUR COMMITMENT TO PARTNERSHIP AND COOPERATION TODAY
The Western Balkans is a region undergoing many political and economic changes. How do you view Serbia’s role in the region, and what can Czechia offer to support Serbia’s EU integration process?
It’s the perfect time to continue moving forward with this. We have always viewed Serbia and Belgrade as dominant force in the region, recognising the enormous potential here. The way Serbia manages its minorities in the north, south, east, and west was a case study for us at that time, and now we aim to be a partner that helps guide you smoothly on the path towards becoming a member of the European Union.
Given our own experience over recent years in navigating the economic and political aspects of EU integration, we are doing our best to support Serbia’s adaptation to EU standards. This includes offering technical and financial assistance, which we hope will be beneficial. We are bringing in experts, providing financial resources, and sharing our expertise to help Serbia achieve this goal as safely and efficiently as possible. In our view, there is no alternative.
sector, particularly in the northern region connecting Budapest and Belgrade. Going forward, I plan to focus on strengthening cooperation between universities, especially technical universities, to facilitate student exchanges and also support various food industry companies.
With global challenges such as climate change, migration, and regional security, how do you see Serbia and Czechia working together to address these issues on a bilateral and multilateral level?
I read somewhere that two small countries can never achieve the same as large ones, but that’s not true. There is an alliance of smaller, like-minded countries that can accomplish a great deal. It’s not just about the big players—it’s also about us and how well we can communicate together, share our values, and support each other.
Czech investments in Serbia have increased over the years. How do you plan to encourage more Czech companies to invest in Serbia, and what challenges do you anticipate? For example, Škoda was the most selling car in Serbia, and I think maybe it›s still the most selling. Czech investments in Serbia have grown significantly over the years. In recent years, trade between our two countries has increased several times, and I believe we are now among the 10th largest investors in Serbia.
Aside from Škoda, which still holds over 20% of the market—a remarkable achievement—we also have substantial investments in real estate. There are plans to contribute to the development of the Belgrade Waterfront and Dorćol Marina, with billions of euros being invested in the construction industry.
As I mentioned earlier, we are also working to attract new investments. Karlovy Vary Mineral Water has invested in the Knjaz Miloš company, and there are numerous other investments in technology. We have a very successful partnership in the railway
This is clearly demonstrated within the European Union, where each member state, no matter its size, has an equal voice, which is incredibly important. It’s crucial for our future because, as you mentioned, climate change affects all of us. Just a few days ago, there were massive floods in our region, in Czechia, Poland, Hungary and Austria—and we are very thankful for your offer of support.
This is exactly why mutual assistance, understanding, and cooperation are so vital. A few years ago, many things seemed to be in a “normal” state, but today, with climate change and global shifts, our cooperation is more necessary than ever.
We helped Serbia during the migration crisis in 2015, and within a few weeks, we were able to provide significant assistance. We sent police officers to Serbia to help with border procedures, and our cooperation continues to this day. There is ongoing collaboration between Serbian and Czech police forces on international crime and migration issues, and we greatly value this exchange between our police and military structures.
This is essential for ensuring a safe future for both of our countries. As for climate change, we don’t know what the future holds, but we must be prepared and train together to tackle the problem and work to reduce the activities contributing to it. Time will tell if we succeed.
Empowering Women
Challenges and Progress on the Path to Gender Equality in Serbia
TATJANA MACURA
Minister without portfolio in charge of gender equality, prevention of violence against women and economic and political empowerment of women
In October’s featured interview for Diplomacy&Commerce, Minister Tatjana Macura discusses the key challenges women face in Serbia and the steps being taken to achieve gender equality in politics, business, and society
How do you assess women’s role in Serbian politics and business, and what are the key challenges they face to greater participation in high-level positions?
As a woman who has one foot in politics and the other in business, with experience from both spheres, I would say that we women have already conquered and are still conquering spaces where, until recently, it was unimaginable for us to be. Although we are more active than ever in political life and highly present in busi-
ness, it remains a long and thorny road, with far more obstacles than any man facing the same position. However, when we acknowledge that, despite all these obstacles, we are where we are today. The atmosphere improves when we recognise this is an exceptional achievement. We feel more motivated to remove other barriers that stand in our way towards cre-
The solution to all three challenges is dialogue. Dialogue in society will influence a better understanding of the needs of all modern family members where both parents work. Dialogue with the business community, which, if its goal is to maintain a stable workforce, must be much more creative and keep up with the times more than many are doing today.
EMPOWERING WOMEN REQUIRES PERSEVERANCE AND A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM IN BOTH POLITICS AND BUSINESS
ating a society of equal opportunities and equality.
If I had to define the challenges for us women, I would say there are three key challenges. The first is balancing private and professional life. The second is unequal treatment and opportunities in the labour market. The third is unequivocal support for female politicians who protect our interests.
a directly elected Minister for Gender Equality. That fact alone says a lot. Serbia is also above average in terms of the number of women in parliament. Currently, just over 36% of our parliamentarians are women, and although that is above the European average, we will work to increase that percentage even further.
I see an issue with women’s participation in political life: how to empower and encourage women to stay and persevere in the political arena after being elected by the citizens and how to ensure they don’t give up and continue their political activities. There is a practice where, after elections, women withdraw and hand over their positions to male colleagues. This practice and the societal atmosphere that directly or indirectly leads to this outcome must be changed. Recent years have shown that more and more women are resisting this and setting a great example for younger generations. I can’t help but mention some inspiring women beyond our borders. I’m drawn to Angela Merkel’s dialogue-oriented approach, which left an indelible mark on the region, Europe, and the international political scene. I also admire Jacinda Ardern’s empathetic approach.
In comparison to international gender equality standards, where does Serbia stand?
Can you provide examples of good practices from the Assembly, Government, or other institutions that can serve as models for further progress? Serbia is the only country in the region, one of six in Europe, and one of four in the EU with
What measures are you taking to ease the position of women entrepreneurs and those balancing between career and family responsibilities, especially those from the socalled “sandwich generation” who care for children and elderly family members? I participated in preparing amendments to the Law on Financial Support for Families with Children before the latest changes, which recently came into effect. These amendments introduced the legal option for the partners of women entrepreneurs to take leave from work if their partner wishes to return to work before their baby turns one year old. For many women working in service industries—hairdressers, accountants, programmers, marketers, and others—it is crucial to keep their business running, as these types of jobs, built with great effort, cannot tolerate long “pauses.” Partner support is key in these situations. This amendment was a specific form of support for the families of women entrepreneurs who face the challenge of balancing work and parenting.
I hope my generation will be among the last in which men resist providing this kind of support. The good news is that some studies show young men are increasingly aware of how important it is to equally share household responsibilities with their partners, from maintaining the home to caring for children. And let’s be honest: this is not just about changing legal frameworks but about changing the culture and fighting against stereotypes.
What are the key steps the government is taking to strengthen institutions further in terms of prevention and protection from domestic and peer violence?
In almost every public appearance, I emphasise how important it is for individuals and organisations to collaborate with state institutions. Trust must exist, dialogue must happen to build that trust, and we must work to set aside personal egos and disagreements. There is no comprehensive solution to preventing violence that can occur anywhere other than within the framework of institutions. Our goal is to encourage women not to hesitate when it comes to reporting violence. We also aim to encourage those who are aware of someone suffering from violence to report it as well. Peer violence is present everywhere today, and Serbia is not unique when it comes to the violence children experience or perpetrate. Last year, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Office for IT and e-Government fully launched the digital platform Čuvam te for reporting peer violence. This platform is a unique system primarily designed to protect the victim from having the violence covered up. Anyone can leave information, either under their full name or anonymously, about when, where, under what conditions, and how the violence occurred. The platform also provides information on how state institutions responded to the incident.
What can the state do to support further women’s economic empowerment in rural areas, where they often face greater economic and social challenges?
The state is already working on enhancing the economic empowerment of women, not only those living and working in rural areas who wish to organise their
THE SOLUTION TO WOMEN’S CHALLENGES LIES IN OPEN DIALOGUE—WITH SOCIETY, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND OURSELVES—TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE
agricultural households but also those who are starting different types of small and large businesses or want to become more competitive in the labour market.
The Government recognises the need for women to become economically empowered—or perhaps it is better to say financially independent—and is doing this in numerous ways. These include various support programs for the development of skills and knowledge within the National Employment Service and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, as well as financial support through grants and favourable loans from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, and the Development Fund, in addition to project-based, highly incentivising activities from various ministries.
Apart from these direct investments in empowering most of our population, we are working on creating a supportive atmosphere through other legal measures. For example, we recently made further improvements to the Law on Financial Support for Families
How do you see the role of the education system in promoting gender equality and preventing violence among young people? What plans are for integrating these topics into the school curriculum and teacher training? The education system plays a crucial role in building a society that respects the rights and equality of all individuals, and violence prevention begins in the classroom. Our strategic documents already prioritise the enhancement of professionals’ capacities within the education system by integrating gender equality and violence prevention topics into the school curriculum and through the education of children, young people, and parents.
The plan is to continue implementing these topics through regular classes and extracurricular activities. This aims to empower all actors within the education system to recognise and respond effectively to potential forms of violence while promoting a culture of nonviolence and respect for the principles of equality and equal opportunities among students and staff.
What new initiatives do you plan to protect women’s human rights? Is there anything you are working on that the public may not yet know?
with Children, increasing the allocations for families expecting their first, second, third, or fourth child. I think it is also crucial that I have reached a high level of understanding with the current Minister of Health regarding amendments to the Health Insurance Law, which will offer more support to pregnant women entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the state encourages greater participation of women in the real estate market by providing funds for the purchase of their first property. Though modest, these funds can go up to €20,000 for women and their families who, in their first year of parenthood, wish to secure a home. My office, in particular, is currently allocating most of its budget toward creating a society that does not tolerate violence, where the victims are most often women and girls. Our next planned activity focuses on supporting women’s political and economic empowerment in the community to create a society of equal opportunities jointly.
The world recognises that women, as well as children, are the most numerous victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts, and this is clearly outlined in the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 –Women, Peace, and Security. I believe the time has come for Serbia to raise the issue of protecting the rights of women from the Serbian and other non-Albanian communities who have experienced violence in Kosovo and Metohija, an issue that many regulations, and even the international community, to put it diplomatically, do not adequately recognise. I recently shared this initiative with Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and received support to elevate this issue to a higher level. Personally, this is extremely important to me, especially in an atmosphere where the victims of armed conflicts are either unrecognised or ignored on one side. For future generations, for the women to come, I believe it is important to institutionalise this issue. I know it will be challenging to open and lead a dialogue on this painful topic, but I will do everything in my power to ensure that our women receive the justice they deserve.
Potpis:
Photo: Private Archive
Reminiscing Belgrade’s Charm
H.E. JAEWOONG LEE
Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Serbia
In this heartfelt message, H.E. Jaewoong Lee, the former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Serbia, reflects on his enriching experiences during his time in Serbia. With a profound appreciation for the friendships he formed and the cultural exchanges he encountered, Ambassador Lee provides a personal insight into the enduring connections between Korea and Serbia, emphasizing the spirit of goodwill and the promise of continued collaboration between the two nations.
What have you been doing since you left Belgrade?
I left Belgrade in late July to go back to Seoul, South Korea, my home country to take over the position of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. In Korean media culture, most ministries have their accredited journalists who report on the diplomatic and international affairs related to my country. Currently, more than one hundred reporters are working on diplomacy and security issues, and I am supposed to answer any questions those reporters inquire about 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, I am
doing press briefings in front of cameras twice a week, and more dialogue-style briefings offcamera. I am also in charge of supporting the minister of foreign affairs and advising colleagues and officials when it comes to media matters. All in all, I have been extremely busy from day 1 of my arrival in Korea. Sometimes I feel like riding on a flying bullet a millisecond before hitting the target. At the same time, I feel energized because I am at the forefront of a very important government mandate to have Korean citizens, and taxpayers be better informed of and more acquainted with the government policies and activities promoting national interests. When, on very rare occasions, I have time to be calm and quiet, I always reminisce about my days in Belgrade. My wife and I miss our daily lives in Serbia which we fully enjoyed surrounded by good friends and colleagues, and beautiful sceneries.
What (and who) do you miss the most from Serbia?
I miss my good Serbian friends, diplomatic community members, and my colleagues at the Korean embassy in Belgrade most. They are the alpha and omega of my life in Serbia. I dearly hope that I will visit Belgrade again very shortly to meet my good friends again. I also miss Serbian food and drinks. Among so many
good dishes, my favourite one is gibanica, but I also miss ćevapi with kajmak, and sarma. Someday, I believe I can enjoy Serbian delicacies with rakija and Serbian wines in Seoul as the two countries are getting closer with more trade and investment. However, the best meals will be at a nice restaurant near the Sava River with a great view of Kalemegdan under the excellent hospitality of assistants together with my friends. What can I do? I have to go back to Belgrade as early as possible.
H.E. ANNE LUGON-MOULIN
New Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Serbia
The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received the credentials of the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Serbia, Anne Lugon-Moulin, on September 3rd. From 2010 to 2013, she was Deputy Head and Co-Head of the CIS Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. From 2013 to 2019, she was Ambassador and Head of the Sub-Saharan Africa and Francophonie Division.
Mrs Anne Lugon-Moulin, born on 2 December 1971, was appointed by the Federal Council of Switzerland as designated Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro on 1 March 2024.
Since September 2019, she has served as the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Switzerland in Côte d’Ivoire, with secondary accreditations in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso. During this time, she also held the position of President of the International Cocoa Organisation for two years.
From 2013 to 2019, she was Ambassador and Head of the Sub-Sahara Division within the Political Directorate of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Berne. Before that, she headed the Division for CIS countries within the Directorate for Development and Cooperation of the FDFA for four years. From 2008 to 2009, she led a non-profit research institute, the Basel Institute on Governance/International Center for
AN APOLOGY FROM THE EDITORIAL TEAM:
Asset Recovery, in Basel. From 2004 to 2008, she was Deputy Head of the Governance Section at the FDFA, focusing on the Western Balkan region.
Anne Lugon-Moulin joined the FDFA in 2003. After completing her Master’s degree in economic development at the University of Nottingham, she was first employed by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, then by Transparency International Switzerland, and later worked with the UN World Food Programme in Rwanda for 2.5 years. She speaks fluent French, German, and English. She has written several articles on anticorruption and asset recovery and published two fiction books.
The editorial team of Diplomacy&Commerce magazine sincerely apologises to H.E. Anne LugonMoulin, the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Serbia, for the technical error that resulted in the publication of the wrong photograph. We are reissuing the news with the correct photograph, which the Ambassador kindly provided.
PHOTO STORY
The third Airbus A330-200 has just joined Air Serbia’s long-haul fleet. This photo was taken in the maintenance hangar in Lisbon during the final works on a special livery dedicated to EXPO 2027 in Belgrade.
Photo: Courtesy of Air Serbia
Diplomacy & Commerce Panel Discussion in Rovinj
Foreign ambassadors discussed the similarities and differences between countries and people in the region.
Foreign ambassadors discussed the similarities and differences between countries and people in the region.
They spend an average of three to four years in our countries. Some want to learn about the customs, mentality, food, and culture of the countries they serve. In contrast, others view their service exclusively as a bureaucratic job in which the most important thing is representing their country’s interests.
How do foreign ambassadors see us? How much do they know about us, what prejudices do they come with, and what do they take in their suitcases when they leave the service? In their eyes, what are Croats, Serbs, Slovenians, Bosnians and other nations in these areas like? The participants in the panel answered these questions.
The moderator of the panel was Robert Čoban, president of Color Press Group, and the participants – Kalle Kankaanpää, the Ambassador of Finland to
the Republic of Croatia, the Holy See (Vatican) and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jelena Milić, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Croatia and Adrian Farrell, the Ambassador of Ireland in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The ceremonial tapping of the keg marks the start of ‘Novosadski Oktoberfest’
The Novosadski Oktoberfest 2024, held on October 4th and 5th, brought a taste of Bavarian culture to Novi Sad in grand style. Set in a large beer tent in front of the Promenada Shopping Centre, the event started with a festive atmosphere on Friday evening. The official opening, which took place at 7:00 PM in front of the Media Wall, featured speeches from key figures, including Milorad Radojević, Nenad Ivanišević, Hana Elten, Boris Hengert Bulić, and Robert Čoban. After their welcoming remarks, the ceremonial tapping of the beer keg signalled the start of the two-day festivities.
Visitors had the opportunity to enjoy over 100 types of beer, complemented by delicious Bavarian treats such as sausages, Leberkäse, and pretzels. The culinary offerings were perfectly paired with an impressive lineup of live music, featuring regional favourites like “Savršeni marginalci,” “Pero Deformero,” and the “Orthodox Celts,” as well as tribute bands celebrating the music of AC/DC, EKV, The Doors, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
A notable highlight was Vinostranci’s performance, which included a lively set of Russian rock hits. The festival was well-supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, the Department for the Economy of Novi Sad, other local and provincial institutions, and the German Embassy in Belgrade, contributing to its resounding success.
Novosadski Oktoberfest 2024 was a joyful blend of Bavarian traditions, regional culture, and great entertainment, leaving attendees eagerly awaiting the next edition.
All photos: Dino Ninković
10 SEPTEMBER 2024
Sete de Setembro
The ambassador of Brazil to Serbia, His Excellency Mr José Mauro da Fonseca Costa Couto, organised the event on September 10, 2024, on the occasion of the National Day of Brazil.
12 SEPTEMBER 2024
The ambassador and his spouse, Mrs Daniela Vivacqua Mendes Vianna, hosted the event in his residence in central Belgrade, welcoming many distinguished guests.
Mexico Celebrates 214 Years of Independence
On September 12, the Mexican Embassy in Belgrade celebrated 214 years of independence at the Metropol Hotel.
H.E. Ambassador Carlos Felix greeted the audience with a speech:
“This date is special for all Mexicans within and beyond our borders, during which we celebrate the privilege and honour of belonging to the great Mexican nation. Last June, Mexico ratified its commitment to democra-
12. SEPTEMBER 2024
cy. More than 93 million voters participated in the general elections, which were held for the first time in our history. A woman, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, was elected president of Mexico and will take office on October 1.”
The ambassador also highlighted how Mexico joined the majority of the international community in condemning the territorial aggression towards Ukraine. Likewise, their attitude stays the same towards all acts
Traditional Reception of the Serbian Business Club Privrednik
The traditional annual reception of the Serbian Business Club Privrednik was held in Belgrade on 12 September at the Privrednik Club House. In addition to the club members, led by the president, Mr Zoran Drakulić, many guests attended the event.
However, This time, Serbian government representatives were absent, as Club President Zoran Drakulić noted in his opening speech. Drakulić stated that the Club has 61 members, all of whom are significant businesspeople whose companies have done much for the country and have made substantial investments.
The Sete de Setembro, as the National Day of Brazil is known, is usually celebrated on September 7 of every year. The date celebrates the Declaration of Independence of Brazil from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves in 1822.
of terrorism and violence towards innocent civilians in the Middle East.
H.E. Carlos Felix expressed his appreciation of the diplomatic relations between the two countries: “This year, we mark the 78th year of diplomatic relations with Serbia, although records indicate that we have had contact since 1848. Mexico and Serbia shared values and similarities, creating strong friendships based on mutual respect.”
“We have witnessed the opening of the Sava Centre, new hotels, acquisitions in the financial sector, and investments in expanding green energy capacities,” Drakulić said, adding that all of these actions demonstrate how much they care about their country.
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SEPTEMBER 2024
Tunisia – The Spirit of Carthage
H.E. Mrs Imen Laajili Ammari, Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia in Serbia, held a conference entitled “ Tunisia, the Spirit of Carthage” on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Dom Omladine in Belgrade.
This conference was part of a panel series of the Arab Embassies accredited in Serbia, organised by the Arabic Cultural Center in Belgrade.
In addition to the 3000 years of History that have made Tunisia a crossroads of
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SEPTEMBER 2024
75 years of the Geneva Convention
On September 23, in the “Svetozar Marković” University Library, the Red Cross of Serbia, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the regional delegation in Belgrade and the Embassy of Switzerland in Serbia marked the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions with a panel discussion and exhibition entitled “Dialogues on Humanity”.
At the beginning, Prof. Dr Dragan Radovanović, President of the Red Cross of Serbia, H.E. Ane Lugon-Mulin, Ambassador of Switzerland in Serbia, Mrs Katarina Lalić Smajević, Assistant Minister for Multilateral
civilisations and the Jewel of the Mediterranean, Mrs. Laajili presented Tunisian culture, tourism, foreign policy, and bilateral relations with Serbia. A particular focus was put on the “Status of Women in Tunisia” and their essential role in constructing the modern State.
The main speaker was Prof. Milan Radovanovic, author of the book “Silent Witnesses,” who talked about the many Serbian soldiers greeted, treated in hospitals, and
Cooperation, Mrs. Jelena Stijačić, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Belgrade, and Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Jerkov, director of the University Library in Belgrade, addressed those present.
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cherished by the Tunisian people during the First World War. Mr Marko Jelic, Director of the Museum of the Serbia Post, whose speech reminded the audience of the importance of the Post, especially during hard times, as it was during the First World War when thousands of Serbian soldiers exchanged letters with their families in Serbia.
This event recalled the unbreakable historical ties and long-lasting friendship bonds between the Tunisian and Serbian peoples.
Everyone agreed that the Conventions are as relevant today as ever but that new circumstances require the inclusion of new ways of warfare and the return to humanity’s basic postulates.
Independence Day of Armenia & 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Serbia
On September 24th, at the Hilton Belgrade venue, the Embassy of Armenia in Belgrade celebrated the Republic of Armenia’s Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Serbia.
H.E. Ashot Hovakimian, ambassador of Armenia to Serbia with residence in Czechia, welcomed many esteemed guests who attended the event, which marked important dates for the Republics of Armenia and Serbia.
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Marking the End of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris
The Embassy of France in Serbia held a reception on September 24th to celebrate the closing of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
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Among esteemed guests at the event were Aleksandra Perišić (silver medal in taekwondo) and Zorana Arunović (gold medal in ten-meter air pistol), representatives of the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
This event was an opportunity to congratulate all the participants in the sports competitions at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 and the accompanying events that were organised in Serbia and France on that occasion.
Swiss Embassy Hosts Reception and Garden Party for National Day Celebration
On September 26, 2024, new Swiss Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin hosted a Reception and Garden Party at the Swiss Residence in Belgrade to mark the National Day of the Swiss
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Confederation. The event, brought together distinguished guests, including political figures, diplomats, and members of the business community.
The celebration reflected the strong ties between Switzerland and Serbia, while offering an opportunity to honor Swiss heritage and the values of democracy, peace, and neutrality that the nation holds dear.
German Embassy Celebrates National Day and 35th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
On October 2, 2024, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgrade hosted a celebration to mark German Unity Day, the country’s national holiday. This year’s event also commemo-
rated the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a pivotal moment that led to the reunification of Germany.
The event, hosted by German Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Anke Konrad, took place at the
restaurant “Jezero by Azzaro” on Ada Ciganlija. Distinguished guests gathered to reflect on these significant milestones in Germany’s history and their lasting impact on global relations.
All photos: Dino Ninković
7 OCTOBER 2024
Cyprus Ambassador Hosts 64th Independence Day Reception
On Monday, October 7, 2024, H.E. Mr. Andreas Photiou, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Serbia, and Ms. Giulia Sykopetrites hosted a reception at the Metropol Palace Hotel in honour of the 64th
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Anniversary of Cyprus’ Independence. The event brought together distinguished guests from the political, business, and diplomatic spheres to commemorate this significant milestone and reflect on the deep-rooted re-
lations between Cyprus and Serbia, as well the international community in Belgrade.
Cyprus celebrates Independence Day every year on October 1, marking the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Independence Day holds special significance for Cypriots, as it symbolizes the end of colonial rule and the beginning of self-governance.
The occasion is celebrated across Cyprus with a mix of national pride and cultural festivities, including military parades, religious services, and community gatherings. The day serves as a poignant reminder of Cyprus’ rich history and its ongoing journey toward peace and unity.
Portuguese Ambassador Opens Exhibition Celebrating 50 Years of Democracy
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Ambassador of Portugal to Serbia, H.E. José Velez Caroço, inaugurated the exhibition “Belgrade-Lisbon: Fifty Years of Democracy in Portugal” at the Archives of
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Yugoslavia in Belgrade. The event, which began at 12:00, was followed by a cocktail reception.
The exhibition, organized in collaboration between the Archives of Yugoslavia and the
Indonesian’ Hari Kemerdekaan celebrated in Belgrade
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, and Mrs. Aty Rachmawati hosted a reception in honor of the 79th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and National
Armed Forces. The event, held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency in Belgrade, brought together distinguished guests to celebrate this significant national occasion, highlighting the enduring ties between Indonesia and the international community.
Embassy of Portugal, features significant archival documents and photos. It highlights Belgrade’s perspectives on the Portuguese Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974, which marks its 50th anniversary this year.
Indonesia’s Independence Day, officially called Hari Ulang Tahun Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia (HUT RI) or simply Hari Kemerdekaan, is a national holiday celebrating the country’s proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945.
Prayer As Mercy
Alphonse Mucha and Predrag Đaković in a dialogue between two creators
After last year’s exhibition, “Paja Jovanović and Gustav Klimt: One Era, Two Artists, Three Museums,” which brought together two great painters of different nationalities, the Gallery of Matica Srpska once again presents a dialogue between two creators this autumn. The exhibition “Prayer as Mercy” will unite the Czech painter Alphonse Mucha and Predrag Đaković, a contemporary Serbian artist living and working in Prague.
On Friday, 20 September, at 8:00 PM, the exhibition “Prayer as Mercy: Alphonse Mucha and Predrag Đaković” was officially opened. The attendees were addressed by Dr Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, Director of the Gallery of Matica Srpska; Dr Danilo Vuksanović, Deputy Director of the GMS; and exhibition curator; Lordan Zafranović, director; Predrag Đaković, artist, and H.E. Mr Jan Bondy, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia.
Dr. Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski welcomed the audience: “We have decided to present a comparison by selecting a European artist of Czech origin, Alphonse Mucha, and his famous work ‘Mercy’, which has never been seen here and has not been exhibited publicly
Alphonse Mucha and Predrag Đaković 20 October – 17 November 2024
Gallery of Matica Srpska, 1 Gallery Square, Novi Sad
as it belongs to a private collection. We have compared it and placed it in dialogue with the work of a Serbian painter who has been living and creating in Prague for 40 years but originally comes from our Novi Sad.”
Dr Danilo Vuksanović spoke about the exhibition: “The painting ‘Mercy’ has an interesting history and symbolism, and what is central to the painting – the red cross behind the girl in white – served as inspiration for Predrag Đaković to create this entire cycle, which is on display at this exhibition.”
Lordan Zafranović remarked: “I am impressed by the exhibition, which shows the opulence of evil in the paintings that make me tremble, but I am also amazed by all of you
who have come in great numbers to see contemporary art.”
Predrag Đaković expressed gratitude to the Gallery of Matica Srpska and collector Martin Šetina: “You have made me immensely happy. This exhibition would not have happened without the Gallery of Matica Srpska and my great friend Martin Šetina. Thank you!”
H.E. Mr. Jan Bondy officially opened the exhibition with these words: “It is a great honour to have the opportunity to visit Novi Sad for such a wonderful occasion. I thank the Gallery of Matica Srpska for organising this exhibition and presenting Czech art in Serbia and Vojvodina.”
The exhibition “Prayer as Mercy” represents a dialogue between the artworks of two painters from different epochs: Alphonse Mucha, who worked in the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, and Predrag Đaković (1964), a contemporary artist. Thematically, the exhibition portrays the sufferings of the Serbian, Czech, and Jewish people that occurred in the 20th century, highlighting tragic events that we must not forget. At the same time, the power of artistic expression engraves them into collective memory to prevent their recurrence.
Alphonse Maria Mucha (1860–1939) was a Czech painter and one of the most significant artists of the Art Nouveau movement. He studied painting in Munich and Paris, attracting considerable attention from the public and art critics through his famous posters, advertisements, illustrations, and the renowned “Slav Epic” series. Today, his works are part of numerous museum and private collections, and Prague is home to a unique museum dedicated to this artist.
Predrag Đaković (1964) is a Serbian contemporary artist living and working in Prague for forty years. His first drawing lessons were in the famous Šumatovačka Street in Belgrade with Sergej Jovanović, after which he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He has held solo exhibitions in Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, England, and Montenegro. He has received multiple awards for his work, and his artworks are part of significant art collections worldwide. Alongside his art, he is also successfully involved in music.
Ephemeris –Legacy of Dejan Medaković
Academician Dejan Medaković left an indelible mark on the field of cultural history of the Serbian people
On September 30th, at the Salon of the Museum of the City of Belgrade, a Private Guided Tour of the exhibition “Ephemeris—the legacy of Dejan Medaković” and a Cocktail Party were held for the members of the diplomatic core in Belgrade.
Academician Dejan Medaković left an indelible mark on the field of cultural history of the Serbian people.
Pavle Medaković, son of Dejan Medaković, presented the legacy to the Museum of the City of Belgrade.
The legacy contains 650 objects, awards, books, personal belongings and manuscripts, and portraits of the Medaković family. Part of this legacy is an extremely valuable collection of works of art by his friends, among whom Mića Popović and Petar Lubarda are among others.
The exhibition’s author is the director of the Museum of the City of Belgrade, Jelena Medaković, who pointed out that “the museum will preserve with great honour all that is left of Dejan.”
Building Stronger Ties
Strengthening Serbian-American Relations Through Political, Economic, and Cultural Cooperation at the Day of America 2024 Event
On September 20th, at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the “Day of America 2024” event was held. Government officials, the diplomatic core, and many other esteemed guests attended the event, which aimed to expand Serbian-American cooperation.
Participants of this event discussed ways to enhance political, economic, and military cooperation, building upon the recent signing of a significant energy agreement between Serbia and the USA. Vladimir Marinković, the founder of the Serbian-American Friendship Congress, expressed confidence in achieving a comprehensive strategic partnership. He emphasised the favourable timing and the potential for substantial progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation.
US AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA, H.E. CHRISTOPHER R. HILL, REAFFIRMED THE STRENGTH OF THE PARTNERSHIP, ASSURING THAT SERBIA IS NO LONGER ALONE AND HAS MANY FRIENDS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES
Serbian Labor Minister Nemanja Starović echoed this optimism, stating that Serbia is ready to embark on a new phase in its relationship with the United States. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to its foreign policy principles of military neutrality and political independence while emphasising the potential for further deepening cooperation with the US.
The US Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Christopher R. Hill, emphasised the importance of continued cooperation between the two countries despite their differences. He assured Serbs that Serbia is no longer alone and has many friends, including the United States.
A delegation from the Ohio National Guard also attended the conference. Major General John Harris, the delega-
tion’s commander, expressed his pleasure in participating in the event and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Serbia and the United States. He highlighted recent visits that had allowed him to witness the progress made in bilateral cooperation. Harris also thanked Serbia for its warm welcome on behalf of the 16,000 members of the Ohio National Guard.
After the opening remarks, the event’s first panel was on “Serbia and the USA, Strategic Dialogue and Partnership for the 21st Century.” The participants were the Political Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Predrag Rajić, the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran, and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starović, and the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Christopher R. Hill.
To end the first panel, special awards for improving bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the USA were given to seven laureates. The awards were presented by Danijela Popović Jurić, founder of RED Communication, and the winners were Tijana Delić, Biljana Sahrimanjan Obradović, Đorđe Višacki, prof. dr Dragan Simić, Aleksandar Vasiljević, H.E. Cristopher R. Hill
THE EVENT’S DISCUSSIONS, PANELS, AND AWARDS UNDERSCORED THE MUTUAL COMMITMENT TO DEEPENING BILATERAL TIES AND EXPLORING NEW AVENUES FOR STRATEGIC COLLABORATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
& the Prime Minister of Serbia, Milioš Vučević.
The second panel, “The Role of Public and Cultural Diplomacy in Strengthening Serbia-U.S. Relations”, was discussed with the President of the Halyard Foundation, John Capello, who shared his views on the ties and cooperation between the two countries. He explained
how the Halyard Mission Foundation aims to educate the public about the Halyard Mission, a rescue mission of over 500 US airmen during WWII. The Serbs played an important role in its success.
The event finished with the Business forum: “Economy, Investments, and Strategic Economic Cooperation between Ser-
bia and the USA”. The panellists were Jovan Mladenović, Millennium Resorts, Mihajlo Subotić, Street Guys Hospitality and Sally Mayers, U.S. Embassy Economic Section. The participants had an opportunity to discuss the economic aspects of the partnership between Serbia and the USA and the entrepreneurial potential in both countries.
Vladimir Marinković
Major General John Harris
John Capello
H.E. Christopher Hill
Nemanja Starović
As the new school year begins in Serbia, refugee students from various countries face the challenge of adapting to a new social environment while settling into the Serbian education system. Whether from Afghanistan, Burundi, or Guinea, these students work hard to overcome language barriers, adjust to new customs, and integrate with their peers. Despite the initial difficulties, many are making remarkable progress, thanks to support from their schools, friends, and families. Their experiences reflect the struggles and the achievements as they strive to build a future in a country that has welcomed them with open arms.
MIKE (15) from Burundi
Although he is only 15, Mike from Burundi was a skilled negotiator when we arranged our meeting. The communication with this charming boy was in Serbian, and his responses were clear and precise. He had his requests regarding the meeting with me and the photographer, but ultimately, we agreed to meet “halfway.” In the end, we met “kod Vuka” (Vuk Karadžić Monument).
“Mike, do you know who Vuk was, by whose monument we’re standing now?” I asked him. He
wasn’t sure, but he knew it was someone significant in Serbian history.
“He’s responsible for making our language so simple. Was it hard for you to learn Serbian?”
“No,” he replied instantly, “I learned it at school. I can also read, but Cyrillic is easier for me,” he added, with a delighted expression of someone proud of his achievement. And he should be. He’s accomplished a lot in the three years since he’s been in Serbia. He attends a vocational secondary school for tourism and hospitality and wants to become a tour guide.
“Do you want to stay here in Serbia and work?”
School Experience in Serbia
Resilience and Adaptation: Refugee Students in Serbia Share Their Journey of Overcoming Challenges and building New Lives
“Of course, why not,” he answered, with a victorious smile again crossing his young face. He likes the people and the food here, especially ćevapi. He also finds school easier than in Burundi. He says they had to wear uniforms every day there and had a lot of homework. It wasn’t hard for him to get used to the new environment and the new school. It was a little challenging at first, but with the help of friends, which grew in number day by day, and with his language skills improving, the obstacles quickly disappeared.
Mike loves school, his friends, and Serbia. When he has free time with his friends or family, he enjoys walking around the city or or spending time by the swimming pool when the weather is nice.
We parted after a short conversation, with a promise that we would send him the photos by email and keep a copy of the magazine as a keepsake. He brightened our day with his presence.
KARIM (22) from Guinea
Karim, a 22-year-old shy student from Guinea, welcomed us into his home in Mirijevo. He lives there with his roommate, who is from Afghanistan. He has been in Belgrade for six years now. He attended secondary school at Tehnoart and is currently studying at the Medical Academy in Belgrade, where he is training to become an occupational therapist.
“What’s the difference between physiotherapist and occupational therapist?” I asked him to clarify.
Karim: Not too much, but still, some significant differences exist. The occupational therapist is a specialist who helps patients gain efficient recovery from trauma or injuries, he pointed out. “It’s more complex, and we must use multiple skills.”
“How you’re getting used to your new school?”
Karim: At first, it was difficult because it was a little strange. But as time passed, I got used to the students around me, and things started getting easier and more accessible. For now, I’m getting more and more familiar with the place.
What is the difference between schools in Guinea and Serbia?
Karim: For me, the only difference is just the schedule. In my country, you have just one shift. But when I started going to school in Serbia, it was a little strange and difficult for me. One week, you go in the morning, and the next week, you go in the afternoon.
Ndamukanyo Yam Don Mike
So it was always like you had a problem with sleeping?
Karim: Yeah, because you have to wake up at six o’clock if you go in the morning. And then in the afternoon, it’s like, okay, let me sleep. So, it was a bit challenging because that was new to me. In my country, you have one shift. If you go in the morning, it’s from eight o’clock to maybe two.
Can you speak Serbian?
Karim: Yeah, I can speak Serbian.
Is the Serbian language hard for you to learn?
Karim: Yeah, it’s hard for me for two reasons. One, when you speak English, sometimes you become lazy about learning a new language because it’s complicated. So, if you meet someone who speaks English, you feel like, “Oh, I don’t need to bother myself.
Do you need Serbian for your classes?
Karim: We do everything in Serbian. But there are some phrases I can’t pronounce or remember, so sometimes I need to translate.
Is that hard for you, too?
Karim: It’s hard because I have to do everything in two ways. I need to understand both English and Serbian. So I translated everything into English to understand what I read in Serbian fully.
Do you have some friends at your school?
Karim: I have friends now. At first, I just had their numbers, but now I can call them friends because we sometimes hang out—though not often.
Have you been accepted well by your new school friends?
Karim: Yes, of course. They are friendly and ready to help whenever I need assistance. Most of the time, they’re eager to help.
What do you do in your free time here in Belgrade? What do you like to do?
Karim: Most of the time, I stay home, especially in winter. When it’s cold, I don’t usually go out. I only go out when it’s necessary. But during the summer, it’s normal—I go out, maybe grab a coffee or take a stroll. But during the winter, even if someone invites me out, I often find an excuse because I’m uncomfortable being outside for a long time.
ARYUBI TRIO
DAOUD MOHAMMAD
ARYUBI (17), BAKHTAWARA
ARYUBI (16), SALIH
MOHAMMAD ARYUBI (15) from Afghanistan
In Zemun, on the beautiful Zemun Quay, we met the cheerful trio of the Aryubi family. They were inseparable, and all three had broad, genuine smiles that revealed their happiness. Daoud (17), the eldest, immediately greeted us, then strangers, and kindly introduced the three of them. Beside him were his sister Bakhtawara (16) and his youngest brother Salih (15).
Speaking in excellent Serbian, we agreed to take a few steps closer to the Danube, from where there’s a beautiful view of Belgrade, the city that welcomed them with open arms four years ago.
Where are you from?
Acting as the spokesperson for the trio, Daoud, always smiling and carefully watched by his younger brother and sister, began his story in excellent Serbian.
“We’re from Afghanistan. We came to Serbia with our family four years ago, and now we live not far from here in Zemun,” said Daoud.
All three of them attend school. Daoud is a student at the School of Mechanical Engineering and Arts “Tehnoart” in Zvezdara. His sister Bakhtawara added that she attends the Medical School in Deligradska, while their youngest brother Salih is a Zmaj School of Electrical Engineering student in Zemun.
When we complimented them on speaking Serbian well, they politely thanked us but admitted it was “difficult.”
“We learned the language online as soon as we arrived, and school helped a lot, as did talking to new friends who helped us. I understand a lot,” said Daoud, “it’s just the cases [padeži] that confuse me a bit.” This made all of us laugh. We explained to them that cases are a challenge even for many Serbs and that jokes are often made about them, so there’s no need to worry.
Is there a difference between schools in Afghanistan and Serbia?
“The subjects there were easier, and we also had to learn the lan-
guage here. Once we learned it, it became easier to learn other subjects, like mechanics”.
How were you accepted by other students when you started school here?
“Good. At first, it was a bit slow because we had to speak to them in English, but once we learned the language, everything became easier.”
What do you do in your free time when there’s no school? Do you hang out with new friends?
At this point, the younger brother, Salih, joined the conversation excitedly and blurted out, “We play football.” Daoud added that he even trained in football for a while, but now he plays with friends outside the building. Sometimes, they play basketball, too, and they spend much time outdoors, coming to Zemun Quay and walking around the city.
To conclude the conversation, we asked if they wanted to stay in Serbia after finishing school, and all three enthusiastically answered yes. “Yes, we like it here.”
This article was produced within the project “EU Support to Migration Management: Fostering the Integration of Refugees and Migrants” implemented by UNHCR Serbia in partnership with IOM Serbia and SCRM with support of the European Union. The author of the article is solely responsible for content that does not necessarily reflect the official views of the European Union.
Photo: UNHCR/D.
Bakhtawara, Daoud and Salih Aryubi
Karim
Why is the Return of Oasis a Cultural Event?
Music reflects all the civilisational and cultural upheavals that may not be as clearly visible in society – and often, musical performers initiate such rapid changes that they can’t even keep up with them.
First and foremost, this happens because there’s a build-up of energy just waiting to explode. The Beatles rallied the youth dissatisfied with the lack of social change in the UK after World War II, which they had expected. The Sex Pistols sparked punk because society was angry and frustrated – no future for you! Lana Del Rey, in her “depressive revolution” focused on introspection, said there’s “summertime sadness” and that we’re all “born to die.” Wait, isn’t summertime supposed to be full of joy, sun, and fun? Isn’t it born to be alive? Born to be wild? How is everything suddenly upside down?
Taylor Swift triggered a revolution when, as the “ordinary and respectable girl you’d proudly introduce to your mother, who’d approve of your choice,” she became the world’s best-selling music act. Amid all the bold, foulmouthed, and half-naked women – Taylor! It
was clear that the world was tired and in need of a new heroine. And now, with the “Oasis reunion” tour, and possibly a new album, the world is showing that it’s weary and in need of
15 YEARS LATER, THE WORLD WITHOUT OASIS HAS CHANGED SO MUCH THAT 2009 NOW LOOKS LIKE THE ‘AGE OF PERICLES’
old heroes. It is politically incorrect, grounded, and with good songs along the way. The return of “lads’ culture” isn’t because it’s particularly amazing, but because we need it like water in the desert or a greasy burger after a hangover.
2009-2024
When Oasis split up in 2009, the world was a much more tolerant and peaceful place (even though the world now likes to think it has become more tolerant and peaceful, in its delusion), without the perpetually angry internet warriors cancelling this and that, calling for lynch mobs over a single word, act, or photo. These people have, in the end, pretty much “killed” many social networks, as a vast number of people have withdrawn from the internet, only observing what others do, not daring to do or post anything, to comment on anything, for fear of being judged. In 2009, the world was, therefore, a much more normal place. And in that normality, Oasis, who had already been around for 15 years, may not only have ceased to be modern but no longer necessary. So, they easily fell apart.
Former Oasis head Liam Gallagher performing on stage during the 2017 edition of Exit music festival in Novi Sad, Serbia on July 7, 2017
Photo:
Fifteen years later, the world without Oasis has changed so much that 2009 now looks like the “Age of Pericles” – the quality of music has significantly declined, and this shift happened for several reasons. One of them is that by 2014, most listeners were equipped with smartphones, with constant internet access, making music listening superficial, ubiquitous, streamed, and cheap. This ruined new creators, whose music became devalued. The music industry, as Noel Gallagher astutely pointed out, doesn’t like musicians who are high or drunk at noon on a Tuesday – they’re too “unreliable” – so Harry Styles is preferable, someone you can tell, “Keep your rebellious tattoos, put on this dress, sing the songs we’ve written for you, stay quiet, and go home!” That’s the kind of rebellion that’s allowed, controlled. And the listeners feel that. And they’re suffocating.
COME TO MY DOOR AND TELL ME I’VE BEEN CANCELLED!
Liam Gallagher chimed in here – with his disdain for cancel culture. How can someone hide behind a screen and say they would ban someone’s right to speak or express themselves? Come to my door and tell me I’ve been cancelled, to my face. If you dare. But you don’t. This is how Liam summed up the cowardly civilisation we find ourselves in. Where no one is allowed to be ordinary or “moderately flawed,” where everything is swarming with “moral giants” and the aforementioned internet warriors. The fight against cancel culture is a civilisational achievement of Liam and the crew.
On the other hand, Oasis was known in the world of Britpop as “working-class Northerners,” unlike Blur, who came from London’s middle-class art schools and whose members openly leaned towards Margaret Thatcher and the Tories, using “mockney” to gain street credibility. As Jarvis Cocker from Pulp said, two very important things in UK society are sex and class. That’s why their most successful album is called Different Class, and why the song Common People is about the “impossible” love between two people from different classes. Suede sang about London suburbs and council estates but without much trauma from violence, while the three Gallagher brothers survived the trauma of a violent alcoholic father of Irish descent. Perhaps that’s why they never knew how to communicate without immediately turning to aggression, but at least they showed (two out of the three, as the third isn’t a musician) that you can come from a poor background and become a hit-making musician, rise, and become better than you were, forgetting the beatings from a father returning from the pub. And that is a civilisational achievement they carry forward.
Today, most “escapes from poverty” in music are told through wannabe gangsters in rap and hip-hop, where the crew from the poor neighbourhood is glorified, but they dream of a world of VIP lounges and champagne, speaking of prostitutes, drugs, and easy money. The Gallagher brothers made a ton of money (and will continue to), but they didn’t earn it easily, nor did they flaunt it in their songs or images. Liam patented the design of the parka jacket, and you often see him jogging in the streets,
WE LOOK FORWARD TO A BETTER, LESS SANITISED, MORE RELAXED, AND POLITICALLY INCORRECT WORLD.
while Noel designed the kit for his beloved Manchester City and is often in the stands. They seem like they could be your neighbours, not people you’d need to pass through three rounds of bodyguards just to see. And that is an enormous civilisational achievement they carry forward.
PUNCHLINE:
IT’S A REFRESHING CONTRAST
The essence is this – Oasis is not sanitised, unlike today’s pop products. They show new generations that it’s possible to be both a normal person and a star at the same time, lifting the anxiety-inducing weight from young people’s shoulders – you don’t need to be Instagram-perfect or TikTok-flawless. You can look like you just rolled out of bed or stepped out of a pub. Which probably just happened. And that’s yet another civilisational achievement of Oasis.
Also, they’re a band – not a solo artist or a duet. Over the last 15 years, the presence of bands, groups of people performing together – even if they’re all singers, like in the boy bands of the ‘90s and 2000s – has dramatically decreased. Once again, this shows young people the power of unity. In a lonely civilisation like the one we’re increasingly becoming, where everyone stares at their phones, even on beaches and in clubs, taking a photo or video and instantly posting it, then checking back 10 minutes later to see how many likes we’ve got – in a world where it’s “me and my phone” as best mates, we realise how important it is to have a crew. Even if you argue. And unity, a somewhat forgotten concept, is something Oasis is bringing back to the big stage – which is a civilisational achievement.
In an era when we’re all hesitant to express an opinion because the algorithms might ban us for a while, the “lads” say what they think. That’s incredibly liberating in a time when everyone is “walking on eggshells” to avoid saying the wrong thing, being cancelled or having their reach reduced due to some “misstep.” In this age of endless selfcensorship and apologies, lad culture feels almost like a remedy or antidote. Perhaps this is the greatest civilisational achievement of Oasis’s return.
Finally, is the hype around the Oasis reunion overblown and out of place? Well, no. Younger Millennials (Gen Y) and Generation Z respond best when hype is present. Let’s remember the slightly forgotten Kate Bush and Running Up That Hill, which went viral thanks to Stranger Things, turning her into a millionaire in her later years.
We look forward to a better, less polished, more relaxed, and politically incorrect world. Today, bands like Oasis, Suede, Nirvana, or Rage Against the Machine wouldn’t even be allowed to become famous and so influential. Let alone wealthy. But when it comes to “the giants of the past,” they’re impossible to stop. On one hand, they’re already so established and well-known that it only takes one snowball to roll down the hill to start an avalanche. Secondly, the music industry, the infamous Ticketmaster, and others aren’t so foolish as to miss the chance to cash in on the Oasis comeback, no matter how unpredictable the squabbling Gallagher brothers may be. Money talks, and this time, it must seize the opportunity to make money off a performer who directly works against the trends that money in the music industry helped create.
That’s why it’s so important on a cultural level. That’s why the return of Oasis is a civilisational event. After 15 years of the world’s “decline” from a sociological perspective (no more personal flirting, only dating apps; an image of ourselves that others hold is more important than the truth; fears of saying something that could lead to ostracism, etc.), Oasis is bringing us back to where we made the wrong turn – as Bugs Bunny would say, “at Albuquerque.”
Photo:
SOFIJA TODOROVIĆ
Director of the Youth Initiative for
Human Rights (YIHR)
This conversation with Sofija Todorović, the director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), took place at a time when she was being harassed by state institutions. She had been arrested, detained, stopped at the border multiple times, and had her home searched. We do not want this to happen in our country to people who have their own opinions and who fight for civil rights, which is why we provided this young activist with support and the opportunity to speak for our magazine.
The public finds it difficult to keep track of how many times you’ve been detained at the border lately, and we can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you. Could you tell us what has happened and how you feel about it?
I believe even I often get confused when I have to list everything. The first time I was detained was on 6th July, for almost four hours, without any explanation, while my luggage was searched. I was told I would have a conversation with the commander; however, after several hours, they told me I could go. When I asked for a written document detailing my detention and the reasons behind it, I was told that such a document could not be provided at the border. I insisted repeatedly, but they refused, and eventually, I left because I had been there for too long and just wanted to leave. This was about ten days after the “Mirëdita, Good Day” festival, which deals with cultural cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo, was banned. At that point, I naively thought that this detention was an isolated incident, related to the fuss around the festival and that it wouldn’t become my routine. However, I was mistaken.
I’m still not entirely sure how I feel. When I crossed the border without any issues for the first time, about ten days ago, I felt immense relief, even happiness. But then I became worried because there’s something deeply troubling about feeling joyful that you’re no longer subjected to unlawful treatment or injustice, however, one classifies it.
I See Salvation in Resistance
That moment of refusing to accept injustice is precisely the moment when we regain the strength that someone in power has forcibly taken from us
It is noticeable that the authorities have been arresting and detaining dozens of different activists, as well as preventing foreigners from entering Serbia due to their activism or views. Are there similarities between all these numerous recent human rights violations?
I do see similarities. First, in almost all cases, the individuals involved, whether public figures or not, speak openly about social issues that are of great importance to our country or its relations with its neighbours. And that’s not a good message. This is not how a serious country should treat its citizens or well-meaning foreign nationals who may not necessarily share the views of some Serbian officials. In the case of Severina Vučković, who publicly shared the content of her conversation with the border police, as well as the questions she was asked during her detention, it’s clear that these are politically motivated decisions that are harmful to Serbia. Another similarity I see is that the aim was pure intimidation through the use of power, and an attack on freedom, which makes us free human beings—the freedom to think and to publicly express our critical views.
I DON’T BELIEVE IN ABSOLUTE PROTECTION AND SAFETY, SO A PERSON NEEDS TO HAVE A WELL-ESTABLISHED SUPPORT SYSTEM
What can be done when the authorities and the state, who are supposed to protect human rights, are the ones violating them? Resist, if there is the will and enough strength. I see salvation in that resistance, no matter how small and insignificant it may seem in the broader picture. I deeply believe that it is never in vain. For me, that moment of refusing to accept injustice is precisely the moment when we regain the strength that someone in power has forcibly taken from us. I believe dig-
nity is the most valuable thing we have as humans, but it is fragile, it breaks under pressure. And it is most vulnerable when you know you haven’t done anything wrong or illegal, yet someone treats you as if you have as if you are guilty just for existing. That’s when it’s crucial to hold on to your dignity, even though you’re scared because it’s normal to be scared. I also think it’s important to share your experience with someone, to reach out. There are still mechanisms in this country, both formal and informal, for different forms of protection or assistance. We can debate their effectiveness, but they do exist.
If individual cases like yours haven’t sparked strong public resistance and pressure on the authorities, how do you explain the lack of public response despite so many evident pressures?
In my case, and the case of my colleague from Kosovo, Jovana Radosavljević, public pressure paid off. The flags that appeared when our documents were scanned have been removed, or we have been taken off the list. However, it is concerning that we have not received any response from the institutions about what our case was really about. There’s no accountability being taken, and that’s not good because it means this could happen to anyone, at any time. I have initiated legal proceedings against the relevant institutions because the idea is to prevent such things from happening and to bring them to light. This kind of arbitrariness is bad for Serbia, and I still care about democracy and the rule of law, so I will do everything in my power to ensure that this case has some sort of conclusion.
If you, as someone from a human rights organisation, become a victim, who will protect you?
I believe that working in a human rights organisation comes with certain responsibilities and risks, especially in countries with authoritarian tendencies. Serbia is no exception. We must be aware of these risks. Awareness isn’t always easy, but it brings many good things and helps you build preventive practices and strategies for the worst-case scenario. I don’t
believe in absolute protection and safety, so a person needs to have a well-established support system, which I have due to the nature of my work, and partly because of my legal education, which allows me to protect myself when necessary. Perhaps “protection” isn’t the right word, since I didn’t protect myself from this situation, but that wasn’t possible because I wasn’t the cause—rather, it was an abuse of power. But I do know how to respond. You know how doctors get sick and need treatment too? Well, that’s what it’s like. My privilege is that through my work and activism, I’ve met a lot of amazing people and experts. When you are there for others, others are there for you, and that’s the strength of solidarity.
Unfortunately, serious issues like these have been happening continuously in our country for decades, but we also have numerous examples from around the world, not only in dictatorial regimes but also in Western democracies. How do you explain this?
Being a “Western democracy” is not a given; it’s something that can easily change if it’s not invested in and if we, as societies, make the wrong political choices. Just as everything can improve, everything can also deteriorate, even in the “West.” Many things were treated as a given, but that was never true. In Europe, we have a war that we’ve all “gotten used to,” and it’s no longer even treated as news. We are currently living in a unique global political context, with a crisis of democracy—not in terms of its technical aspects, but in terms of what democracy fundamentally needs to entail in order not to collapse. In Europe, for some time now, we have been witnessing the rise of
THERE IS ALWAYS A SOLUTION, THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE, BUT WE DON’T GET OUT OF SITUATIONS LIKE THIS OVERNIGHT BECAUSE WE DIDN’T JUST WAKE UP ONE MORNING IN THIS KIND OF COUNTRY
the right, and the distribution of power in the European Parliament after the latest European elections reflects this. We’ll have to wait and see the outcome of the upcoming US elections for the picture to be complete.
What are your thoughts on the release of Julian Assange?
For me, it’s good news. I followed that case closely because it was important to me for several reasons. For me, it’s a story about free journalism and the public interest. Assange did what any brave person with integrity would have done in his place. Otherwise, how could we ever speak of state accountability if such actions are criminalised in the way they were attempted in his case? In the end, his legal fight for personal freedom was successful. I’m not sure such a case would have been possible anywhere other than in the West, where we can always find a thousand faults - that’s undeniable - but it would be wrong to deny certain basic facts.
Let’s return to Serbia. Who do you believe is most responsible for the latest wave of human rights violations, restrictions on movement, harassment, intimidation, persecution, and targeting (it feels like there’s no end to the list, unfortunately)?
As we are dealing with state organs here, which abuse their powers to arbitrarily restrict freedoms, we are talking about the responsibility of the state, which must stop such actions. Specifically, I am referring to the problematic actions of institutions. When it comes to targeting and persecution, we often see the media as a party that acts against the journalistic code of ethics and media laws, and this is often accompanied by statements from certain state officials who publicly “clash” with citizens. It shouldn’t look like this, and I’m sometimes afraid that we’ve grown too accustomed to it, and that most people no longer see the point of resisting but rather think about how to avoid finding themselves in that situation, instead of thinking about how to prevent it from being the situation in our country.
Is there a solution and a way out of such a situation, especially given the lack of the rule of law?
There is always a solution, there’s always something that can be done, but you don’t get out of such situations overnight because we didn’t just wake up one morning in this country in this condition. These are processes, and the downside of processes is that they can take time. There are ways to strengthen the rule of law; we, as citizens, can contribute both through our personal behaviour and public actions. I’m a little worried that sometimes it seems like everyone wants instant solutions, and that leads to disappointment and a loss of energy among people. It’s incredibly important to encourage non-violent behaviour and not stay silent on violence. I see violence - whether physical, psychological, or verbal, which is very present in our public discourse - as one of the main problems. I see the potential for change in building communities, regardless of how small they are or what their primary goal is, but communities where people come together, guided by principles of support, understanding, and empathy. If we don’t have state institutions that will effectively respond to injustice, let’s do everything we can to reduce it, each in our yard, slowly but surely…
Photo: YIHR Archive
Photo: YIHR Archive
The “Conquest of Freedom” award, traditionally presented for the 24th time by the “Maja MaršićevićTasić” Foundation, has been awarded to police major Katarina Petrović. The award is given to women for their contributions to promoting human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and tolerance in political communication.
In its reasoning, the award jury stated: “Conquering freedom ‘from within’ is a difficult and exhausting process, but it is necessary in the fight for truth and justice. This year, the ‘Conquest of Freedom’ award is given to Katarina Petrović, a police officer who courageously stood against injustice and corruption. This brave woman has demonstrated what it means to conquer freedom from within, fighting for justice and the freedom of all. Katarina Petrović symbolises the fight against corruption and for fundamental human rights, justice, and freedom in society.”
In accepting the award, Katarina Petrović thanked the jury members. “It is a great honour to receive this award, and I would like to thank the wonderful women who nominated me for it. It is a privilege to stand here in such company,” she said.
The award recipient briefly reflected on a quote from Martin Luther King: “Our generation will not
Katarina Petrović – Winner of the ‘Conquest of Freedom Award’
The “Conquest of Freedom” award, traditionally presented for the 24th time by the “Maja Maršićević-Tasić” Foundation
suffer so much from the evil deeds of wicked people as from the appalling silence of the good.”
The award is presented by a jury made up of previous recipients of the award: Bojana Savović, prosecutor, Staša Zajović, coordinator of the NGO Women in Black and activist, Milena Radulović, actress, Vesna Rakić Vodinelić,
lawyer and full professor at the Union University Faculty of Law, Marija Lukić, founder of the “Marija Lukić Foundation”, Tamara Skrozza, journalist, Danica Vučenić, journalist and editor, Danica Popović, professor at the Faculty of Economics, Brankica Stanković, journalist and author of the show “Insider”, Dubravka Stojanović, historian and associate professor at the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy, Aida Ćorović, director of the NGO URBAN-IN, Mirjana Karanović, actress, Lila Radonjić, director and editor-in-chief of PG Mreža, Hedvig Morvai-Horváth, programme director of the Civil Pact for
THIS BRAVE WOMAN HAS DEMONSTRATED WHAT IT MEANS TO CONQUER FREEDOM FROM WITHIN, FIGHTING NOT ONLY FOR JUSTICE BUT ALSO FOR THE FREEDOM OF ALL
Southeast Europe, Ružica Đinđić, politician, Biljana Srbljanović, playwright, Goranka Matić, photographer, Olja Bećković, journalist, Svetlana Lukić and Svetlana Vuković Mesarović, editors of the website Peščanik.
Let us recall that the “Conquest of Freedom” award has also been given to women who, unfortunately, are no longer with us, such as Borka Pavićević, founder and director of the Centre for Cultural Decontamination, Verica Barać, president of the Council for the Fight Against Corruption of the Government of Serbia, and Srbijanka Turajlić, Serbian university professor and anti-war activist.
The “Conquest of Freedom” award was established in 2001 by the “Maja Maršićević-Tasić” Foundation to preserve the memory of Maja Maršićević-Tasić, a journalist and politician who fought for freedom and to promote the efforts of all women who continue to do so today.
Media Freedom Under Siege
Media freedoms in Serbia have never been more endangered than in the last 32 years
MILAN NEŠIĆ
Journalist for Voice of America
In this insightful interview, seasoned journalist Milan Nešić shares his thoughts on the alarming decline of media freedoms, focusing on Serbia and global trends. Drawing from his experience with Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, Nešić highlights the increasing threats journalists face, the challenges of independent reporting, and the growing need for accountability. He also reflects on the broader global landscape, where even established democracies witness a troubling erosion of press freedom.
As a journalist for Voice of America, you have been following events in Serbia for a long time. Unfortunately, the question is not whether media freedom exists in Serbia but how much it is threatened.
Our top priorities are media freedoms, both in the world and in our target area - Serbia and Montenegro. “Free Press Matters” (the VOA slo-
gan) is, along with truthful and unbiased reporting and analysis, making the US perspective closer, the most important principle we adhere to. Therefore, we are frequently in contact with a vast number of international watchdogs focused on protecting and preserving media freedoms and other fundamental human rights and freedoms. The reports by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists, Freedom House, and Amnesty International are concerning. I will only list the bare facts – in this year’s report, RSF noted that media freedoms in Serbia have never been more endangered than in the last 32 years. EC’s Platform noted that Serbia is among the countries where journalists are frequently attacked, while numerous independent international watchdogs – such as the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) or the International Press Institute (IPI) – often appeal to the highest Serbian government officials to refrain from targeting media and journalists. They are appealing to investigate attacks on journalists and
provide accountability. The same goes for the violations of human rights and freedoms. So, based on these facts, it may be said that Serbia, as well as many world countries– is regressing and violating the basic prerequisites of development and functioning as a democratic and pluralistic society.
As someone who works in the U.S., how do you view the existence of media freedom in that country?
Although considered the leader of the free world – The US also faces a decline regarding media freedoms. Again, I am referring to the facts: the last RSF report noted that the US dropped ten positions – from 45th to 55th. It slipped from the partially satisfactory category among the countries where media freedoms are problematic. Numerous politically motivated attacks towards media outlets and independent journalists have been noted. Journalists in certain parts of the US have been arrested while working in their newsrooms. Additionally, journalists have been killed in the US during the past years. RSF also noted the existence of political actors, which do not include the federal government but other entities, undermining independent journalism. These are, among others, the reasons why the US no longer should be considered as a country of widespread media freedoms.
Using the presidential elections as an example, is there objective reporting on both candidates here, or are U.S. media also divided into camps like they are in Serbia?
The US society is considered to be divided. Accordingly, the election campaign is covered the same way. In a way, it can be observed that so-called liberal media tend to lean towards the Democrat candidates - while the opposite goes for the conservative ones. Of course, public news outlets strive to report without bias as much as possible. Two apparent assassination attempts on the Republican candidate distinguish this campaign from all the others. Most mainstream media, whether conservative or liberal, provided factual information about the incidents. Their analyses, of course, varied depending on the perspective and topic being discussed. Yet, newscasts that provided the facts followed most of the guidelines, ensuring the reporting was unbiased and aligned with the moral codes of quality reporting.
THE US, OFTEN SEEN AS THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD, IS ALSO FACING A DECLINE IN MEDIA
FREEDOMS
Can we even discuss the threat to media freedom when it seems that freedom does not exist - just milder and more severe variations of non-freedom?
Once again, I will refer to the facts determined by international watchdogs whose mission is to protect and preserve human rights and media freedoms. They have constantly warned about
Photo: Voice of America
the alarming situation in the last couple of years. Yet, they are not giving up despite the harsh situation and conditions. The same principles should be applied in journalism as well. Welltrained, good, and honourable journalists can perform their jobs by following the profession’s highest standards and are also aware of what they should restrain. Furthermore, there are clear and precise guidelines and warnings made by international and domestic watchdogs that various decision-makers, leaders, and authorities should implement if they strive for their societies to be free, prosperous, and pluralistic. If all sides adhered to it, instead of undermining and jeopardising other people’s freedoms and rights, they would be much broader and more accessible.
Is there an honest fight for media freedom today when the same fighters are not equally engaged in the freedom of society, which is a prerequisite for media freedom? An example is the lack of a sharp reaction to the influence of Serbian media on unfree elections.
A vast number of international and domestic watchdogs focused on preserving human rights and media freedoms – clearly and frequently point out the challenges threatening various freedoms and the ways to address them. It is up to the actors and leaders to perceive it and do everything in their power to achieve improvements. However, it seems that such things rarely happen. A kind of confirmation is also seen in Serbia: independent media outlets, investigative portals, and non-governmental organisations are often targeted and accused by the highest-ranking state officials. Nothing is done to prevent or stop that. They are often targeted because of their work: factbased investigative reports on corruption and other abuses or advocating for human rights and freedoms. Praised and awarded abroad –they are persecuted in their own country and societies.
What is the regime’s relationship with free media in Serbia?
The facts presented by the prominent international watchdogs indicate that independent,
unbiased, and, if you will, free media are targeted by the Serbian highest officials. On the contrary to playing a role which would assist in improving society as a whole and reducing abuses, corruption, and other wrongdoings, independent media outlets have to defend themselves from various attacks and SLAPP lawsuits are used to put them out. As surprising as it may sound, the state and its officials should ally with professional, unbiased and independent media outlets. It should be a society where fact-based criticism or well-documented investigative reports expose significant corruption. That would help the authorities to do their job much better, rather than doing everything to silence such efforts.
JOURNALISTS PRAISED ABROAD FOR THEIR WORK ARE PERSECUTED IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES FOR EXPOSING CORRUPTION AND ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
The journalism profession has always been stressful and dangerous, but is it shocking when journalist killings happen even in the European Union (Netherlands, Malta, Slovakia...)? How do you explain that this is possible even in the free EU?
No matter how progressive they appear - the European Union, the US, and others- they still have not achieved the needed and desired levels of freedom and human rights protection. The murders of Ján Kuciak, Daphne Caruana Galizia and Peter R. de Vries are despicable and unacceptable. Their mission should be an eternal reminder - the truth cannot be slayed, and their work is recognised and forever remembered. In the last couple of years, at least two journalists were killed in the US. Jeff Germans’ and Dylan Lyons’s deaths have been linked to their work. It is
unacceptable to take someone’s life – just because the wrongdoings of the accountable individual are about to be revealed. Yet, this jeopardy will always exist, regardless of how developed a society may be.
You have a long career in Serbia and the U.S. Can you compare?
It could be said that a two-decade career consists of two different segments, which share a common goal of consistent learning and improvement. The beginnings in Serbia are linked with the prominent radio station B92 - which had great significance during the nineties and the rule of Slobodan Milosevic. Afterwards, it moved to Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). It started a period of continuous learning and prosperity while getting familiar with the importance of multimedia – identifying, filming, editing, and posting content via website and social media. The most prominent moment was the reception of the Investigative Excellence Journalism Award in 2017, which bears the name of the late Dejan Anastasijevic – one of the bravest Serbian journalists. I enjoyed cooperating and socialising with wonderful people and colleagues at the RFE/RL’s Belgrade bureau. Then came the biggest personal and professional change, the move to Washington, starting with the Voice of America Serbian service. Producing content relevant to our target area, Serbia and Montenegro – also has recipients in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and elsewhere. Here, I was given a completely unexpected opportunity to directly get in touch with and interview US officials, including in shaping and defining the US policies towards Serbia and the Western Balkans. I have also become more oriented towards television while providing reports to our Serbian affiliates. I have realised the significance of exclusive news and information in the US. Just minutes after publishing accurate and truthful content, media outlets in our target area will start picking it up. In addition, field reporting through the US cities provided the opportunity to meet and talk to common people and share stories about their lives, expectations, hopes and concerns.
Given the increasing influence of AI and social networks, is journalism headed for a”technological revolution”? Or has it perhaps already happened?
Despite its omnipresence for almost two years, AI still seems to be the great unknown. In the short term, it may assist with journalistic tasks – while writing stories and reports. However, in the long term, there seems to be a concern –possibly replacing human resources. AI anchors taking spots of TV personalities as we know them, or reporters with laptops on their laps facing the story deadline... Will there still be investigative reports and high corruption revealed... AI inclusion is welcomed as a means of assistance that would ease journalists’ hard work. Yet, the world would forever need a reporter or a journalist who would use its skills, knowledge, experience and ethics as a guarantor of quality, truthful, unbiased and sincere reporting.
Interview with Tanja Miščević, Minister of European Integration of Serbia
Photo: Voice of America
MARKO KRSTIĆ
The Director of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade
Marko Krstić, the director of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade, shares insights into the institution’s 120-year journey of preserving cultural heritage. In this interview, he discusses the museum’s future vision, exciting plans for a new permanent exhibition, and the evolving role of tradition in modern society. As the museum prepares for its next chapter, Krstić reveals how innovation and respect for heritage will shape its path forward
Can you tell us more about the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade through the programme ‘120 Days for 120 Years’?
To mark the 120th anniversary of the Ethnographic Museum’s first permanent exhibition, we have presented an interactive exhibition titled “Memory—Field Research of the Ethnographic Museum.”
As suggested by its name, this exhibition symbolically represents the museum’s long history and the work that curators do. The main idea when designing the exhibition was to show field research as the way museum collections are enriched. A curator at the Ethnographic Museum deals with culture that people have inherited from their ancestors but also lives as their own culture.
Since people create culture, curators—ethnologists/anthropologists—conduct their research on folk culture among the people in field research, where they collect and discover material, written, and oral evidence.
The exhibition “Memory – Field Research of the Ethnographic Museum” particularly emphasises the identity and continuity of research in all areas where the Serbian people and Serbian heritage are found. In addition to the retrospective of the items discovered by the museum’s curators over a century, the exhibition is enriched with modern technological experiences and technologies – visitors can experience the exhibits using MP4 players and headphones, and the exhibition guidance is available through an app in Serbian and English. The app is tailored to the environment and narrative, engaging all senses,
A Century of Stories, A Future of Traditions
The Ethnographic Museum Celebrates 120 Years with New Visions for the Future
THE ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM PRESERVES MANY ETHNOGRAPHIC ITEMS IN SEPARATE COLLECTIONS, ENSURING THE RICHNESS OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE
and certain traditional customs are available through augmented reality. Moreover, a digital map on a touchscreen provides visitors
with a network of precise locations where items were found, along with additional information about the exhibits.
How has the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade managed to survive all these years as one of the oldest museums in the Balkans?
Through the work and great passion of all the museum’s employees over the decades, I would remind your readers that the Ethnographic Museum is one of the oldest museums on the Balkan Peninsula. It was founded in February 1901, but its roots go deeper into the past. The collection of ethnographic items began in the mid-19th century, and the National Museum of Serbia contained some ethnographic items as early as 1844.
Thanks to the preservation of traditional ways of life in the Balkans after the First World War, the museum’s collection continued to grow, and in 1926, the first volume of the “Journal of the Ethnographic Museum” was published, which continues to be regularly issued. After the Second World War, systematic ethnological studies of
All photos:
Courtesy of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade
ethnographic areas began, many individual research projects were conducted, and work started on systematic and scientifically based conservation of items. In 1951, the museum moved into the former Belgrade Stock Exchange building at 13 Studentski Trg, built in 1934. Today, the Ethnographic Museum preserves many ethnographic items divided into separate collections (furniture, jewellery, customs, folk costumes, folk architecture, economy, livestock breeding, transport, cult objects), has one of the wealthiest specialist libraries in the Balkans, publishes specialist publications, has a conservation department that processes almost all types of materials, boasts extensive exhibition space, organises significant ethnographic research, and possesses a lot of will and knowledge to ethnologically and anthropologically study everything related to Serbian folk culture and heritage. In other words, we need to know who we are, what we are, and on what foundations traditional living culture was built.
You are coming to the position of acting director of the Ethnographic Museum from the position of director of the Institute for the Study of Cultural Development. How do you plan to apply your experience to your work at the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade?
My arrival at the head of the Ethnographic Museum is driven by the need to put things in order and move the museum forward.
OUR GOAL IS TO PRESENT WHY ETHNOGRAPHY IS ESSENTIAL IN THE MODERN WORLD AND WHAT IT TELLS US ABOUT OURSELVES, BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A NATION
In this regard, the only preconception I have had and still have is finding the best way to succeed. I have always been interested in vision, not revision. I do not see myself as a director in the traditional sense, but as someone who expresses their abilities and skills in a way that understands and embraces the time we live in, with the idea that there is no progress without expert people, fresh ideas, and teamwork. Of course, you also need to have good results that recommend you. I believe these principles apply to any institution or company.
What is your vision for the future of the Ethnographic Museum?
To ensure that the Ethnographic Museum remains true to itself— faithful to tradition, serving the state—by protecting and preserving everything that is the spiritual foundation of the Serbian people and the citizens of Serbia while at the same time becoming a lively, interactive, attractive, and modern museum, capable of presenting why ethnography is essential in the contemporary world and what it tells us about ourselves, both as individuals and
as a nation, in two words: tradition and communication.
Can you share some details about the new permanent exhibition you plan to open for EXPO 2027?
After 23 years, the Ethnographic Museum has begun preparations for the project of a new permanent exhibition, which we will officially open in 2027, during the EXPO year, on the museum’s anniversary, the 20th of September. This is our strategic goal and, at the same time, a great responsibility. I cannot reveal any details except that the new permanent exhibition will be both professionally and visually spectacular.
How do you see the current situation in Serbia’s cultural scene? Is it satisfactory, and is there room for further development?
There is never enough culture, especially in times that are not particularly cultural. Increasing its visibility in the media and investment in culture are the keys to its progress. Specifically, for the first time in modern Serbian history, we have significant financial investments in museums in the form of two new buildings: the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Natural History Museum. The year 2027 is not far off, and we will see how important this is for culture and the promotion of Serbia and all the museums in Serbia. This is an essential message for all of us.
What does the MUSEUMS 4 YOU ticket offer those who purchase it? First, this project is being implemented for the first time in Serbia. The goal is to enable all users—our citizens and foreign tourists—to visit four museums for one ticket: the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Yugoslavia, the Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Science and Technology. The project was developed in coordination with the Republic Secretariat for Public Policy, with the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Youth. With a combined ticket for four museums in Belgrade, visitors save money, and the ticket can be used within seven days of the planned visit date. The idea is to implement successful practices from the world of museology here and, through online ticket purchases via museum websites, to promote Serbian cultural heritage in the most accessible way possible.
TEXT AND PHOTO:
BY ADRIAN KRANJČEVIĆ
MA musicologist, music critic of the Journal of Contemporary Culture of Vojvodina “Nova Misao”
Culture is inscribed in our habitus, and it enables us to renew humanity and breathe new life into traditional customs and values, especially in times of crises and transitions, which we still encounter today on a global scale.
The culture of remembrance is one of its special categories, which refers to the interaction of an individual or society with its past and history, and as such, is important in the overall perception of the culture of all nations, which is also recognised in international acts. In the current time of the fourth industrial revolution and digitisation, the world is more than ever faced with false and distorted information about a historical event on the wave of restraining revisionism. To improve the attitude towards accurate details and the conscientious transmission of it to younger generations, the European Union has created a series of documents on cultural policies that talk about the culture of remembrance from various aspects and were adopted to prevent tragic events in the future.
The new Law on Culture of the Republic of Serbia included the remembrance culture. It also had a special place in the exposition of the mandate holder, the current Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Miloš Vučević, who said at the time that “the culture of remembrance is one of those tests that we too often fell as a nation and a state in the past”.
Old events or people are deleted, new ones are added, and existing ones are modified. Whole communities and even nations are said to possess the capacity of collective memory and to be able to remember the events that build their identity, recall them, and transmit them in the form of stories, traditions, or commemorative gatherings. What and how the community remembers becomes part of its culture of remembrance.
Towards the end of the 17th century, after lengthy negotiations, peace was concluded in Sremski Karlovci, which ended the Great Viennese War, which began with Grand Vizier Kar Mustafa’s battle for Vienna in 1683 and lasted for sixteen long years. Negotiations were conducted between representatives of the Holy League,
Peace as a Daily Need
Marking the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz in Sremski Karlovci
which consisted of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Republic of Venice, Poland and Russia on the one hand, and representatives of the Ottoman Empire on the other, and representatives of England and the Netherlands participated as mediators. For the first time in the history of world diplomacy, nego-
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED SONS OF GOD (MT 5:9)
tiations were conducted at a round table so that each of the parties was treated equally, and this practice later became a norm in diplomacy, emphasising the principle of equality of negotiators.
The negotiations lasted three months, during which the participants met thirty-six times, which speaks in favour of their efforts to reach a consensus and conclude a lasting peace. The negotiations were conducted on “terra nullius” (“no man’s land”) because there was no winner, and the small town of Karlovci was chosen for the negotiations, exactly halfway between the Austrian fortress of Petrovaradin and the Turkish stronghold in the area of Banstol. The final agreement was concluded in 1699. according to the principle “uti possidetis, ita possideatis” (“whatever he owns, let him remain his”). Thus, the Ottoman Empire lost huge expanses, including Hungary and almost all the conquered parts of Croatia. This practically marked the beginning of the end of the Ottoman rule in Europe, which would not
be fully completed until the start of the 20th century.
On the occasion of the collective remembrance of this historical event, on September 18 of this year, the Diocese of Srijem organised the ceremony “Commemoration of the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Karlowitz and interreligious prayer for peace” in the Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Peace, which was built in 1817 in memory of this historical event in Sremski Karlovci.
A distinguished guest from the Vatican attended the ceremony: His Eminence the Exemplary Monsignor Pietro Parolin, Cardinal, Secretary of State of the Holy See; His Excellency Emanuele Gioffre, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union; His Excellency Hami Aksoy, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Republic of Serbia; Nemanja Starović, Minister of Labour, Veterans and Social Affairs on behalf of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Miroslav Ilić, Assistant Secretary for Culture, Information and Relations with Religious Communities of the Government of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, as well as other prominent church dignitaries of the Roman Catholic and Slovak Evangelical churches and the Serbian Orthodox Church, diplomatic representatives, cultural representatives and representatives of the media.
In his welcoming speech, the Most Exalted Bishop of Srijem, Fabian Svalina, in his capacity as host, greeted the distinguished guests present and the gathered people, pointing out that decision has been made to establish a Center for the Culture of Peace in this place shortly, that will gather people of goodwill and that it will have an educational effect on society, especially on the youth to whom these values should be transmitted, so that this environment remains multicultural and multi-confessional and above all tolerant and that from this place a message of peace can be sent to the whole world in the future.
Exemplary Cardinal Monsignor Parolin thanked Bishop Svalina for organising “this important event”, and in his address to the gathering, he pointed out: “Your presence today as representatives of civil authorities and various religious traditions testifies to the permanent and universal desire for peace that exists in every human heart. I hope that our gathering today will fan that desire into flames and that, guided by our re-
HE WHO HAS EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR... (MT. 13:9)
ligious convictions, we will learn from past successes to be effective peacemakers today.”
A significant part of the program, especially for those gathered, was a joint prayer with the lighting of appropriate candles,
symbolising the light and flame of peace that should burn eternally in the hearts of those who stand for it.
This was followed by the “Joint Appeal for Peace”, which emphasises the determination of those gathered to promote peace as a source of hope and pledge for a better future.
Present representatives of religious communities, civil authorities, diplomats, and people of goodwill gathered on this occasion in the Chapel in Srem-
ski Karlovci, with the quiet and peaceful sounds of the composition “Für Alina” for cello and piano by the Estonian composer Arvo Part, sent a message of their deep and sincere commitment to for peace in Europe and the whole world.
The Chamber Orchestra of the Subotica Philharmonic and the Choir of Albe Vidaković with the soprano Pamela Kiš, under the direction of conductor and artistic director Miroslav Stantić from Subotica, contributed to the festivities of the event in the small, refined acoustic Chapel. The ensembles performed appropriate vocal-instrumental compositions by G. F. Handel, A. Vidaković, G. von Pogatsching and B. Anišić to the satisfaction of those gathered.
After part of the program that was held in the Peace Chapel, and as part of the official program, distinguished guests, representatives of religious communities led by His Eminence Cardinal Monsignor Pietro Parolin, together with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, ambassadors and other diplomats planted an olive tree sapling in the courtyard in front of the Chapel which is a symbolic tree of peace and a message to future generations for peace in the world, to commemorate this day and celebrate the anniversary.
This gathering sent an important message about Pope Francis I’s commitment to peace through Cardinal Parolin’s words: “Never again war! Never more war in this country or the world!”
CARDINAL PAROLIN’S VISIT: A CALL FOR UNITY AND PEACE IN A DIVIDED WORLD
BY PROF. PHD DARKO TANASKOVIĆ Islamologist, Orientalist philologist,
university professor, writer, literary translator, academician and diplomat, former ambassador of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia in the Vatican
“Cardinal Parolin’s visit was undoubtedly of great importance on a bilateral level, primarily in connection with pointing out to the Holy See all the suffering of the Serbs and their sanctuaries in Kosovo, its broader sense of progress in advocating for the promotion of peace in a world that is increasingly tragic and ominous deserves special attention—torn apart by war conflicts. The Vatican has assessed that the occasion of commemorating the Peace of Karlovac from 1699 is the right opportunity to send a strong symbolic message of the necessity for Christians, first of all, and then all other contemporaries, to unite in a common struggle for peace, taught by the success of those who 325 years ago, in the conditions of a long and bloody war, managed to
find a way to it through negotiations. There is no doubt that Pope Francis is aware of the urgency of such a call, and Cardinal Parolin was a convincing interpreter of his truly ecumenical message. In all his addresses, especially in Sremski Karlovci, he emphasised the universal human need for peace, leaving all the divisions by which humanity is objectively divided out of sight. The Secretary of State resolutely gave that basic tone to the atmosphere and message of the meeting, and all other state and church officials, especially those from Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church, spontaneously spoke out in full unison with such determination. Even if the organisers of this spiritual manifestation from the Diocese of Srem had the strength to resist the order of political correctness and not exclude representatives of Russia from the list of guests, one of the participants in the long-ago negotiations in Karlovci, the common message from the meeting would sound incomparably more convincing.”
The 10th Book Talk Gathers Prominent Regional Writers
Take a look into the conference that celebrates lovers of the written word
The tenth jubilee literary conference Book Talk, which traditionally brings together the most famous regional writers, publishers and fans of the art, opened on September 27 in Novi Sad, in the Pavel Beljanski Memorial Collection.
The attendees were addressed by Dragan Traparić, assistant secretary in the Department for Public Information, Media and Analytics; Milana Kvas, director of the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection; Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, director of Matica Srpska Gallery, Robert Čoban as conference organiser and Maja Stojanac, spokeswoman for the Gallery of Fine Arts – Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzić.
On the first day of the conference, two panels and a 1-on-1 conversation were held, and the attendees also watched a short in-memoriam video in honour of Book Talk participants who left us from 2015 to this year’s first anniversary.
According to Dragan Traparić, assistant secretary in the Department for Public Information, Media and Analytics, the book is what teaches us and must not be forgotten.
“I have to congratulate the organiser, Robert Čoban, and all managers of our provincial institutions for cooperating and recognising the values of tradition, culture and customs in Serbia, the
region and the world. Electronic communications prevailed due to the loss of the middle strain of society. I think the time will come again for the host, the gentleman, to read a newspaper or a book in his home or restaurant,” said Traparić.
“Continuity is due to intersectoral cooperation between cultural institutions, writers and the media. This year, we distributed books in Novi Sad high schools instead of distributing books on buses. The enthusiasm of the young generation for that action shows us that there is hope for books”, said Robert Čoban, organiser and director of Color Media Communications, at the beginning of the conference.
The director of the Pavle Beljanski Memorial Collection, this year’s Book Talk host institution, invited the attendees to visit the valuable exhibitions of all three cultural points on Galerija Square during the conference.
“We have entered the second decade of this conference. You are welcome to all three establishments here on the Square to look at our installations and enjoy the art.”
In her opening address, Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, director of Matica Srpska Gallery, also discussed the inextricable connection between books and art.
“The connection between books and art is so great that we could organise a special conference. I congratulate you on ten years of dedicated work on developing books and literature because books will never go out of fashion, said the manager of GMS,” the director of Matica Srpska Gallery added.
Maja Stojanac addressed the conference on behalf of the Gallery of Fine Arts – Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzić, who recalled how much Rajko Mamuzić loved books, given that he was a literature student.
“This jubilee conference is entirely in the spirit of our collector Rajko Mamuzić. From that time to the present; it is unchanging that writers are friends of the house and our dear guests”. Stojanac stated how much books connect us generationally, as well as the action of sharing books in high schools.
Boris Maksimović, Zoran Hamović, Nenad Šaponja and Peđa Kresojević spoke at the first Book Talk panel of regional book publishers. They presented their opinions and experiences on the impact of digital changes on literature and publishing, the consumer habits of generations born after the year 2000, and other topics that plague their industry.
Gordana Nonin and screenwriter, director and writer Goran Marković discussed the book “Zavod” during a 1-on-1 conversation. His novel tells about the intertwined relationships of the former director of “Politics”, Vladislav Rybnikar, his wife at the time, and theatre director Hugo Klein. The word “Institute” was chosen for the title of the novel, as an abbreviated name of “Institute for treatment with cold water, electricity, Swedish gymnastics and massage”, which existed in Belgrade between the two world wars and which was also the meeting place of Hugo Klein and Stana Đurić Ribnikar. At the same time, Marković announced that he is writing a new book, a fiction genre whose premiere is yet to come.
The next panel discussed whether we have forgotten the most excellent Novi Sad writer of the 20th century. On the centenary of Tišma’s birth, what reminds us of him in Novi Sad and what Tišma would say to the people of Novi Sad today, a topic discussed by the participants of the second panel: Dragan Prole, Ruža Perunović, Vladimir Gvozden and Srđan Orsić.On the last day of the “Book Talk 2024” conference, in the Rajko Mamuzić Fine Arts Gallery and the Matica Srpska Gallery, the audience could follow various panel discussions of prominent regional writers, publishers and lovers of the written word.
In the first panel entitled “It’s not colder, but it can be bloodier: Balkans vs Scandinavia”, Jurica Pavičić, Oto Oltvanji, Mirjana Đurđević, Mario Ligouri and Aleksandar Gajovi participated and discussed the differences in the approach to thrillers, from Scandinavia, the Balkans, and to America, but also about
their history, inspirations and chances to impose “Balkan Noir” in this genre.
After the first panel, the audience had the opportunity to have a 1-on-1 conversation with the writer Vladimir Pištalo, one of the most important contemporary Serbian writers. Among his most famous works are the poetic
prose Picture Book, Manifestos, Teas of Mars / Nights, story collections End of the Century, Stained Glass in Memory, Stories from the Whole World, novels Millennium in Belgrade, Tesla, Portrait between Masks, Venice, The Sun of this Day: Letter to Andrić, and the book of essays The Meaning of the Joker.
The next and last panel, which was held in the Gallery of Fine Arts – Gift Collection of Rajko Mamuzić, “Not only Fathers-inlaw and Peasants: Vojvodina Writers and Vojvodina as a Literary Topic in the 21st Century”, dealt with the topic of contemporary Vojvodina writers and how they deal with topics which are important for the people of this region today. Among the panelists were Oto Oltvanji, Jelena Bačić Alimpić, Đorđe Randelj, Jelena Đorđević and Srđan Tešin. In the Matica Srpska Gallery, the program continued with the panel “God, how this reminds me of something: Plagiarism in contemporary literature”, where the topic was intellectual property theft and its ubiquity in political discussions. Among the speakers were Miloš Živković, Muharem Bazdulj, Antonije Simić and Marko Srdanović, while Mirko Sebić was the moderator.
The next panel, held at the Gallery of Matica Srpska, was entitled “Good evening, Mr. Orwell: 40 years since 1984.” It was devoted to the famous literary work “1984” and the future of literature in the age of “artificial intelligence.” The participants were Svetlana Slapšak, Vladimir Pistalo, Ljiljana Habjanović Đurović, Zoran Simić, Nenad Novak Stefanović, Pavle Zelić and Dejan Voštić.
The final panel of the Book Talk conference was “The other city: What do Novi Sad and Split have in common – apart from the area code, postal code and picigin?” where the panellists talked about the common characteristics of these two cities and the various ties that connect them, but also about the possibility of becoming one given potentially to “brothers”. The participants were Jurica Pavičić, Marija Vasić, Ivana Radivojević. Siniša Milić, Tamara Gucunja, Gordan Drašinac, Ljiljana Crnčić, Slavenka Kačar and Dejana Pakledinac.
After the last panel, the guests enjoyed a cocktail in the Matica Srpska Gallery, after which the event was officially over.
Regional book publishers panel
Robert Čoban at the Book Talk
Goran Marković at Book Talk
LIDIJA PIROŠKI
Automotive Journalist
Just when the mining of lithium for the production of batteries for electric cars is a hot topic in Serbia, this industry is experiencing a serious decline. If there is anyone who can best answer all our questions regarding the electric car industry, it is undoubtedly Lidija Piroški, our prominent journalist and true expert in the automotive industry. Together with her husband Miodrag, she runs one of the most popular domestic media outlets, “Vrele Gume,” travels the world, tests a wide variety of cars, but above all, enjoys nature, striving for harmony with modern technologies.
Where does the electric vehicle industry stand today? How far has the technology progressed up to this point?
At this moment, we can talk about a crisis in the electrification of the automotive industry. At the beginning of the year, the sales of new electric vehicles stagnated, and now, in September, as we discuss this topic, the numbers are either declining or stagnating across Europe. There are multiple reasons for this. The development of the electric automotive industry has primarily been driven by political efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and pollution. However, such a significant industrial shift requires time. Car manufacturers have simply copied the business model from traditional car production, where larger and more expensive vehicles yield higher profits, which has influenced their planning for electric vehicle production.
European manufacturers have primarily embarked on mass electrification with expensive models that consume more energy and require large batteries. In Southern Europe, charging resources, such as charging stations, are not sufficiently widespread. The length of
The Craze for Electric Vehicles has Passed
The
current situation in the electric vehicle market is
intriguing, as we find ourselves amid an industrial revolution that cannot proceed linearly
THE
RANGE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IS LIMITED, AND CHARGING TIME IS PROBLEMATIC DUE TO THE LACK OF ULTRA-FAST CHARGING STATIONS
charging and battery duration remain major issues. In the Balkans, chargers are often weak, with a capacity of up to 60 kW, which is inadequate for longer intercity trips. Most drivers are accustomed to refuelling in five minutes, but with the current chargers, waiting can take up to three hours.
The range of electric vehicles is limited, and charging time is problematic due to the lack of ultra-fast charging stations. At the beginning of the year, a crisis occurred among electric vehicle buyers who were not willing to sacrifice their time, while the production of electric energy is still not entirely clean. Although this will change in the future, more time is needed for adjustment.
The current situation in the electric vehicle market is intriguing, as we find ourselves amid an industrial revolution that cannot
proceed linearly. The two main problems are the limited range of batteries and the length of charging time, along with pricing. Manufacturers have based their business plans on large and expensive vehicles, whose value diminishes after leaving the showroom. Additionally, the market for used electric cars is in a problematic state, with low sales.
What are the main advantages of this technology, and what are its disadvantages?
The advantages of this technology are primarily the reduced emissions of exhaust gases, especially in urban areas, where pollution occurs where there are the most vehicles in a limited space. In this sense, electric cars are fantastic because they do not produce emissions while driving. The production of electricity
is a completely different topic. More importantly, electric cars do not produce noise. They are also much simpler to use because, as our profession likes to say, electric cars are essentially computers on four wheels and only physically resemble cars. They are networked, and connected to computers, which makes them easier to manage.
Another significant advantage of electric cars is the service aspect. Essentially, there is no service like there is for traditional cars. There is no oil change, no engine, and no traditional breakdowns, except, of course, for bodywork or physical damage.
In Serbia, there is an increasing discussion about the installation of chargers for electric vehicles. Where do we stand today compared to the region and Europe? When looking at the number of electric vehicles in use, adapted legislation, and the availability of chargers.
In Serbia, there is an increasing discussion about the installation of electric chargers. Although we are, conditionally speaking, an underdeveloped territory in terms of the number of chargers, it is important
to note that it’s not just the quantity that matters, but also the power of the chargers. We distinguish between chargers for urban driving and those for intercity travel, where we need more powerful chargers to be able to travel from city to city. Aside from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš, there are not enough chargers in Serbia, and the existing capacities are insufficient.
The number of registered electric vehicles in Serbia is negligible, as they have generally been significantly more expensive than traditional cars and less comfortable to use. It would be ironic for someone to buy a car now and face such significant difficulties in everyday use.
It seems that the craze for electric vehicles has passed, and the market is once again turning towards fossil-fuel cars. Do you share this opinion?
It seems that the craze for electric vehicles has passed, considering that their use is not so straightforward. I must reiterate that the charging infrastructure in Northern Europe is much more developed than in Southern Europe. Driving an electric car currently represents a significant organisational and logistical effort for us, which is not particularly appealing to consumers. We all prefer not to be burdened by our vehicles, but with electric cars, we must think about where the chargers are located, what the range is, and how fast they charge. It often happens that, even when we are trying to save energy, we have to turn off all the appliances, such as heating in winter or air conditioning in summer, because that thermal energy is not a by-product of the engine’s operation; it also consumes electricity.
Globally, the enthusiasm for electric vehicles has also diminished, particularly because the technology is not developing at a sufficient pace and because they significantly lose value as second-hand cars. Moreover, there are lingering doubts regarding their ecological impact, especially concerning the source of the electricity used to charge the batteries and what happens to those batteries at the end of their life cycle. The ecological narrative is no longer as bright as it seemed about a decade ago.
If electric cars have become a symbol of environmental protection, how would proponents of this argument
WE ARE IN A TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSITION, AND IT SIMPLY ISN’T POSSIBLE TO CLEAN UP ALL THESE SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY OVERNIGHT
explain that their operation still relies on electricity generated from dirty and dangerous sources (e.g., coal power plants)?
This is a significant problem with electric vehicles. However, there are two things to consider. Cars cause the most pollution in areas where they are most prevalent, which are large cities, while dirty electricity is produced elsewhere. We are in a technological transition, and it simply isn’t possible
participating in the production of clean electricity. I believe that being a prosumer in Serbia is not worthwhile compared to neighbouring countries. What needs to be done is to unite efforts and encourage electric vehicle owners, whether individual or fleet, to invest in solar panels through subsidies or favourable loans, so they can also contribute to a positive green balance.
In Serbia, the production of FIAT’s electric car, the Grande Panda, will soon begin. Have you had the opportunity to get acquainted with this model, and what are your expectations?
Fiat is part of the large company Stellantis, and I think it’s very good that Stellantis has decided to produce this model right here. Regardless of all the drawbacks of electric cars, the process of electrification is underway, and certainly, all mistakes and deficiencies will be corrected along the way. Our impatience is a completely different matter.
I was surprised that Fiat decided to increase the size of the Panda, a small city car, and create a vehicle in the mid-size category that will still have a relatively short range but will be classified as mid-sized in terms of dimensions. We’ll see how it turns out. This is a bold move by Stellantis, but I have no doubt they will find a way. We cannot judge solely based on our market, but I’m sure they have conducted thorough market research and know their customers well. I believe it will be successful. In any case, it’s fantastic that this model is being produced here.
Mining lithium is an unavoidable topic. What do you think about it, particularly in the context of the automotive industry?
to clean up all these sources of electricity overnight. In developed countries in Europe, around 50% or even less of electricity comes from renewable sources, whereas in our country, that figure is about 75% from dirty sources. These are alarming statistics, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t actively transition to renewable energy sources. Our country is very unfair to prosumers in the energy sense, which discourages citizens from
We can no longer function without lithium; that is completely clear. It’s not just because of the automotive industry; our entire lives are geared towards batteries, and without various chargers, we cannot move anywhere. Lithium is present in mobile phones, laptops, and now in cars. What is important regarding lithium is the adherence to extraction standards, the preservation of nature, and finding ways to protect it, as it is invaluable. All the electric cars and technological advancements are pointless if, one day, we can no longer breathe the air or drink water.
Financial Resilience and Risk Awareness
SVETLANA SMILJANIĆ
Member of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische Insurance
The topic of financial resilience is very prominent in European societies. How do our society and its members perceive risks, and do they know how to manage them to improve resilience against financial hardships caused by unforeseen circumstances? Is complacency overrated, or have we become desensitised to danger? Is risk awareness correlated with economic means, and how do the citizens of the countries in our region approach protection against potential risks and take action that can provide not only peace of mind but also financial support if we are affected by something that “happens to someone else”? Does greater risk awareness increase our financial resilience?
We discuss these questions with Svetlana Smiljanić, member of the Executive Board of the Wiener Städtische Insurance.
The leading insurance group in the CEE region – Vienna Insurance Group, of which your company is a part, conducted extensive research on citizens’ risk awareness. What insights did you gain?
Gallup International, on behalf of the Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), surveyed 9,000 adults in nine Central and Eastern European countries where VIG member companies operate, including Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
RISK AWARENESS IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOW, WITH TWO-THIRDS OF THE POPULATION HAVING LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF EVERYDAY RISKS, RESULTING IN A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY THAT JEOPARDISES FINANCIAL STABILITY
Svetlana Smiljanić, Wiener Städtische Insurance, discusses how low-risk awareness affects financial stability and the actions needed to improve resilience across Central and Eastern Europe.
The research focused on the respondents’ perceptions of the most common risks in everyday life—health risks, work incapacity, housing risks, internet fraud, and liability for accidents or injuries. Respondents were also asked about their perceptions of the likelihood of these risks, potential losses or damages, associated costs, and what measures they take to manage risks or mitigate losses proactively.
The representative study revealed a significantly low awareness and understanding of risks and widespread misconceptions about the financial protection provided by state and social institutions. About two-thirds of the population has little or no knowledge of everyday risks related to health, work, or habits such as internet surfing. Seven out of ten respondents do not believe that risks will happen to
them, despite being aware that a potentially undesirable event would result in loss and significant damage, jeopardising financial stability. Interestingly, they see salvation and support in state assistance. For example, two-thirds of respondents believe that government authorities will help in the case of health risks or work incapacity, with 60% convinced that this also applies to the loss or damage of a house or apartment. Around 40% expect this to apply to losses from internet fraud, while nearly half believe that the state also covers personal liability for damage caused. I would particularly highlight the finding that the expectation of state or social intervention increases as the likelihood of loss or damage grows!
The data obtained through this research indicate that prevention, in the form of caution, is the most common measure to protect against potential risks, based on the assumption that “if I’m careful, it won’t happen to me.” One-third of respondents said they take more concrete steps – they have insurance covering health risks, work incapacity, and personal liability. On average, 45% of the population has insurance for risks associated with housing. Between 20% and 30% of respondents say they set aside money “just in case” these risks occur, assuming this will suffice. One in five has not taken any measures, partly due to the costs or to avoid this expense.
How do Serbians respond? Are they concerned, and do they know how to recognise risks? What do they do?
A significant number of citizens participated in the survey of our country – as many as 1,000 respondents from various professions, life stages, and environments. Survey data show that in Serbia, risk awareness and the likelihood assessment are 3 to 5 percentage points lower than the responses of surveyed citizens in the overall sample. The estimated damage costs due to risk occurrence are significantly lower – by as much as 10% for all examined risks compared to the findings from the collective sample, which includes respondents from all nine countries.
People in Serbia do not take the necessary steps to reduce the consequences of risks because of costs, avoidance of stressful situations, and a lack of risk awareness. Most people have not yet seriously addressed the main risks they face in modern life, even though they cause significant financial loss.
What measures do Serbians most often take after becoming aware of risks, especially concerning cars and homes, which have been increasingly affected by weather disasters in recent years, and, for example, their health?
Among the actions taken by citizens of Serbia to mitigate the effects of risks, the prevailing opin-
IN SERBIA, HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS DEAL WITH RISKS BY IGNORING OR AVOIDING THEM, SHOWING A GAP IN RISK MANAGEMENT THAT LEAVES INDIVIDUALS FINANCIALLY VULNERABLE
ion is that if they are cautious and “take care of themselves,” they can avoid these risks. More than three-quarters of respondents believe that risks won’t happen to them. In Serbia, the percentage of people who take no action to minimise the potential financial consequences of everyday risks is significantly above the average in other surveyed countries – half of respondents deal with risks by ignoring them or avoiding confronting and assessing them. In other countries, the % of such “suppressors” in the survey is lower, at 33%. By suppressing stressful emotions, suppressors rarely experience fear or concern. They are confident they have their lives under control, avoid stressful situations and problems, and take no action, or as we might say, “run from the problem.”
What is VIG’s strategic approach to raising awareness of risks in the CEE region, and how will this contribute to social sustainability?
Member companies are encouraged to raise awareness of risks at the group level through their ESG strategies for a sustainable societal future. This is done through a risk literacy program that includes a range of targeted actions aimed at frequently sharing information
COMPONENTS
and knowledge and educating citizens to raise awareness of risks. Our mission is to build a more responsible society and financially more resilient individuals and communities. We can make a significant impact in raising awareness and, in doing so, strengthening citizens’ financial empowerment.
To better understand the survey’s findings, it is essential to note that risk literacy refers to the ability to make informed and rational decisions about risk management. The key components of risk literacy are risk perception and relevance, knowledge of risk management, and readiness to act to mitigate loss or damage.
A significant proportion of respondents are likely aware of gaps in their knowledge of risk. More than one in two respondents would like more information and advice from experts. About the same number would be willing to contribute financially to protect themselves from loss or damage. For this reason, VIG is responsible for meeting citizens’ needs for information and advice, providing explanations, and raising awareness. This is why it is dedicated to raising risk awareness and addressing this critical social issue that has yet to receive much attention in its operating countries.
Given that “risk illiteracy” correlates somewhat with a lack of financial literacy, what targeted actions are you taking in Serbia?
Parallels can be drawn between the lack of risk awareness findings and the topic currently being discussed – the lack of financial literacy. The study reveals that 80% of people aged 18 to 29 and 70% of those older than 30 have limited or moderate knowledge of economic management. The conclusion is clear – there is a need for education and information in this area.
OF RISK LITERACY
To increase high school students’ knowledge of risks, our company has joined the national program “Financial Literacy” in partnership with the Junior Achievement Serbia organisation. The program significantly impacts around 10% of high schools in Serbia. Our colleagues, who have undergone training, act as mentors and lecturers at workshops held as part of the project. They help young people learn how to budget and manage their finances properly and teach them to assess risks and take appropriate actions regarding them, which makes them more resilient and responsible for the future. It is incredible how interested young people are in hearing, understanding, and suggesting actions. In the coming years, we plan to develop a wide range of initiatives through our communication channels, in partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and by launching our targeted programs to increase awareness of risks and thus improve the financial resilience of our citizens and society.
20 Years of Loyal Support to Customers and the Community!
The first dm store in Serbia opened on 29 January 2004, on Terazije. In 2024, we are celebrating 20 years of dm with 131 stores in as many as 37 cities across Serbia.
As the largest drugstore chain in Europe, dm follows the corporate philosophy “Here I am human, here I shop,” which places people at the centre of attention, whether they are customers, employees, or business partners.
Over the past twenty years, dm has been a trendsetter in the market, especially with its own-brand products, which have easily won the hearts of customers and its exclusive brands. The introduction of long-term affordable prices through the “ALWAYS AFFORDABLE” concept is a pioneering endeavour by the company aimed at bringing benefits to customers in the form of saving money and time in the long term.
Additionally, by giving back to the society and community in which it operates, dm has for years been taking care of socially vulnerable groups, abandoned animals, and the environment through ecological initiatives – from eliminating plastic bags, collecting plastic caps and used batteries in stores, to the well-known nationwide project “Plant a Tree.” Given its constant investment in the community and its high level of socially responsible business practices, dm drugstores have for years held the title of one of the most responsible market entities and donors in our country.
For years, dm drugstores have been a favourite destination for customers looking for quality products from various segments –from beauty, natural cosmetics, organic food, and personal hygiene to baby care and nutrition products, and household maintenance items. Following customer needs and the rapid development of digitalisation, purchasing products from dm has been possible for over a year via the dm online store and through
the “My dm” mobile app. The main novelty is discounts based on the shopping threshold achieved in dm drugstores or the “My dm” app, along with additional bi-monthly and special coupons, various surprises, and functionalities.
To make life more beautiful and of higher quality, dm has carried out numerous activities and surprises for its customers and followers in this jubilee year.
AIR SERBIA
Serbian national airline establishes second direct service to China
With flight JU988 departed on 1 October 2024 at 00:20, Air Serbia has commenced a direct service between Belgrade and Guangzhou in the People’s Republic of China. This is the second destination in this Asian country where the Serbian national airline operates scheduled flights.
Flights between the capital of Serbia and the “Gateway to Southern China” will be operated twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft from Air Serbia’s longhaul fleet.
The ceremonial send-off for Air Serbia’s inaugural flight to Guangzhou was attended by the Republic of Serbia state representatives, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Serbia, His Excellency Li Ming, representatives from aviation authorities and the airline industry, partners and collaborators of the Serbian national airline, and the media.
Air Serbia operates flights to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, located 28 kilometres from the city centre. This airport is a key international air hub of China’s national initiatives, the “Belt and Road” and the “Air Silk Road.” It serves as the main airport in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
LJUBICA RADOVANOVIĆ
Founder and Director of Logera
In this interview, we speak with Ljubica Radovanović, Founder and Director of Logera, about her innovative approach to housing through the Tiny Homes concept.
We are witnessing a trend of people leaving big cities and moving to the countryside. Does this trend suit those of you involved in the TINY HOMES concept, and why?
Absolutely. The growing trend of leaving large cities and moving into nature directly supports the development of the TINY HOMES concept. It confirms my idea and vision of this concept as a growing and essential factor for a sustainable future. People seek peace and a more straightforward way of life, often choosing nature destinations close to major urban centres, allowing them quick and easy access to the city. This trend shows that modern people seek a balance between nature and access to urban amenities. In light of the increasingly present trend of leaving big cities (urban escape) and the conscious way of life (mindful living), the mission of LOGERA becomes even more relevant. For several years now, we have advocated for deep ecology and continuously developing innovative, environmentally friendly TINY HOMES for all living in harmony with nature without giving up modern living.
What is the definition of the TINY HOMES concept in construction?
The TINY HOMES concept is based on optimising living space without sacrificing comfort and convenience, using sustainable materials, energyefficient solutions, and smart solutions. It refers to building smaller homes ranging from ten to several dozen square metres designed to maximise space usage. They are characterised by modularity, mobility, and easy assembly, which allows for easier construction, transport, and installation in various locations.
You mentioned tourism. How does the TINY HOMES concept contribute to its development?
The TINY HOMES concept carries significant tourism potential, especially when viewed through green tourism. Glamping resorts and landscape hotels based on sustainable modular architecture are becoming increasingly popular, meeting the sophisticated demands of tourists: staying in nature with modern design, economy, functionality, and
Tiny Homes for Sustainable Living
How Tiny Homes balance modern living with sustainable, nature-inspired solutions
sustainability. This concept not only meets the needs of modern travellers but also represents an attractive investment for those seeking opportunities to develop sustainable and innovative tourist facilities with a quick return on investment (ROI). In this sense, LOGERA is shaping the future of tourism, where sustainability and economic viability are fully synchronised.
How eco-friendly is the TINY HOMES concept, and what innovative solutions does it bring to our usual housing concept?
The TINY HOMES concept goes beyond the standard ecological approach. It takes a step “deeper,” which can be explained by the term deep ecology: a philosophy that considers the physical, social, biological, spiritual, moral, and ethical aspects of our relationship with nature, including an awareness of a deeper connection with nature, respect for all living beings, and support for sustainable practices that support the entire ecosystem, focusing on the development of the individual and the community in line with these values. In the context of TINY HOMES, this means applying sustainability
principles and ecological awareness through ecofriendly materials, energy-efficient technology, and architectural solutions that maximise space usage. This approach reduces the environmental footprint and empowers communities to live sustainably, encouraging them to take on ecological and social responsibilities.
How does your decision to leave the corporate system and enter entrepreneurial waters fit into the overall concept of a healthy life aligned with nature and the environment? What are the challenges?
After leaving the corporate world, driven by life experiences, the desire to return to nature, and a more authentic way of living, I realised how essential this change is for the global community if we want to preserve humanity and the planet. That is how my entrepreneurial journey began. Authenticity, as a fundamental value of my life and work and the way I live my personal story, became the foundation of the LOGERA company and the TINY HOMES concept, but also support for organisations like the Women’s Logistics Association and the Chamber of Commerce Council for City Logistics Development. Overall, I advocate for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, the improvement of society, and ecologically sustainable practices.
Promoting ecologically sustainable practices in industries and markets that are not focused on ecology often presents a challenge. In this regard, I would like to highlight the crucial support of the strategic partner EASY Building for LOGERA and me as the founder. From the idea and model development to creating the prototype, all challenges were significantly easier to overcome with their support.
Exploring Digital Transformation at the Digital 2024 Conference
Key industry leaders and innovators gather to discuss trends, technology, and the future at the Digital 2024 conference
DIGITAL 2024, a regional conference on trends in telecommunications and media, was held on September 26th, 2024, in the grand hall of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia in Belgrade.
This year’s #Digital2024 conference marks the 10th anniversary of the first conference, which was held in September 2014. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the „Digital“ conference, the second „Digital Awards“ ceremony was also held.
Robert Čoban, Director of Color Press Group, opened the conference and announced the programme and participants.
Following that, on behalf of the host, the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Predrag Nikolić, advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation, addressed the participants. He highlighted that technology is one of the foundations of transformation. The past decade has witnessed a massive leap in artificial intelligence and blockchain technology development. Each of these innovations is changing how we work and communicate daily.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION REMAINS A DRIVING FORCE FOR INNOVATION, FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING BUSINESS MODELS AND HOW WE COMMUNICATE IN THE MODERN WORLD
Digital transformation will shorten business processes, lead to new ideas, and transform entire business models.
Dejan Ristić, Minister of Information and Telecommunications in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, officially opened the conference.
ABOUT DIGITAL
„As the Minister of Information and Telecommunications, I express great satisfaction that the authorities in Serbia have managed, over the past few years, to significantly modernise the domestic economy by introducing the latest technologies.“ Minister Ristić emphasised that Serbia has achieved outstanding results in the IT industry.
Since 2014, this conference has gathered market leaders, telecommunications experts, and all types of media professionals, as well as industry leaders who drive the economy in Serbia. The programme focuses on how the media, telecommunications, and digital trends have evolved and will continue to shape the future, highlighting the critical topics for the coming years in these areas. Through panel discussions, lectures, and case studies, participants will learn about the latest developments in information and communication technologies over the past year.
#Digital2024
As a country, it has surprised its neighbours in the region and itself. „In the first seven months of this year alone, the sector saw over 20% growth, contributing 6.8% to Serbia‘s economy and generating a trade surplus of €3.45 billion. We continue to grow in this sector and to create an even more favourable environment that will enable us to progress further,“ the minister proudly stated.
In his opening remarks, Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment, pointed out Serbia‘s exceptional results in transforming its eGovernment services. We have more than 240 million electronic documents exchanged between various state institutions. This is the best proof that the Office for eGovernment has achieved its goal and is serving the citizens of Serbia. „Our task in the upcoming period is to make eGovernment services as simple as possible.“ He also stressed the importance of the government forming the Artificial Intelligence Council, which is working on applying this technology in everyday life. The goal of this council is to encourage the use and implementation of artificial intelligence in all areas of life.
Jovan Milić, Special Advisor to the Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, spoke about digital transformation, stating that it is a „driver of changes in the way we live, work, and communicate.“ Milić said, „Technology is the most powerful lever for improving every industry and society.“
Borka Jeremić, Head of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Serbia, spoke about the UNFPA Bodyright campaign regarding safety in the digital space. „The human body in the digital space does not enjoy nearly the same protection as, for example, music. Our „Bodyright“ campaign started in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner for Equality Protection with the message ‚Your body is yours – both online and in the real world.‘“
The first panel, „10 Years Later— Traditional Panel of Telecommunications Leaders in the Region,“ featured the general directors of all telecommunications operators in our country. Dejan Ljuština, CEO and Managing Partner of Vision Partners moderated the panel.
Vladimir Lučić, General Director of Telekom Srbija, praised the company’s operations in the regional countries, where significant revenue growth has been achieved,
now reaching 8% of the group‘s total revenue, with a tendency to double in two years. For us, being the leading regional leader in content creation is essential.
Mike Michel, General Director of Yettel Serbia, pointed out that the Serbian market is robust. Yettel views the market from the customer’s perspective. As customer habits change due to digitalisation, Yettel is also adapting.
Judit Albers, General Director of A1 Serbia, believes the Serbian market is highly competitive. Speaking about A1‘s priorities in Serbia, she mentioned that they have started developing a new digital platform to meet the needs of local companies engaged in digital commerce.
Slobodan Đinović, General Director of Orion Telekom, stated that his company faces increasing competition. Still, they have managed to build a significant portion of the optical network and secure their market share in B2C and B2B, which is very interesting to them.
In the „1 on 1“ panel, Robert Čoban, Director of Color Press Group, spoke with Jelena Trivan, Director of MTel, who discussed the development and expansion of Telekom Srbija in the region. „Telekom Srbija is the largest operator in the Western Balkans region and has the highest profit in the region,“ she said. Serbia chose not to sell but to buy operators, Trivan stated, adding that Telekom Srbija has purchased operators in eight countries – not only in the region but also in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and even the USA.
THIS YEAR’S EVENT ALSO FEATURED THE PRESTIGIOUS DIGITAL AWARDS FOR A SECOND TIME, RECOGNISING THE BEST CAMPAIGNS AND INNOVATIONS ACROSS MEDIA, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND THE ICT
INDUSTRY
The second panel at the conference, titled „AI Alice in an Analogue Balkans Wonderland – Who (Should) Be Afraid of Artificial Intelligence,“ was dedicated to artificial intelligence, with contributions from Predrag Nikolić (advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation), Ema Petrović (digital transformation and artificial intelligence consultant), and Eleonora Segijević (cofounder and director of Mojo AI).
The third panel, titled „The 3 Big Cs: Content, Context & Concepts – What (and How) Will We Be Watching in 2025,“ brought together representatives from the largest media companies in
Serbia: Aleksandar Radoš (UNA TV), Manja Grčić (K1, Tanjug TV), Goran Karadžić (RTV), Aleksandra Martinović (Telekom Srbija), and Dejan Radosavljević (IPSOS).
Fans of influencer marketing in the fourth panel, „Influence, How to Gain and Monetise It: The Influencer Scene in the Era of AI Dominance,“ learned about the latest developments in Serbia‘s influencer scene during the era of artificial intelligence. The panel featured influencers: Lea Stanković (@lastankovic), Milica Kankaraš (co-owner and director of the brand Crux), Ivana Petrović (eCom Scale, @ivana. neboderka), Maja Petrović (blogger, @vitkigurman) and Sara Stanković (influencer, @saraastankovic).
The panel „Broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest Final: Cast & Crew Live on Stage“ was dedicated to one of Europe‘s most prominent entertainment festivals, featuring participants such as Olivera Kovačević (editor and supervisor of the „Song for Eurovision“ festival), Uroš Marković (head of the Serbian delegation at Eurovision and editor of the „Song for Eurovision“ festival), and Milenko Škarić (CEO and founder of Sky Corporation).
After the conference programme, the DIGITAL AWARDS 2024 ceremony, which awarded the best in media, telecommunications, marketing, PR, the ICT industry, and digital innovations, was held at 7:00 p.m.
10 Years Later—Traditional Panel of Telecommunications Leaders in the Region
Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment
Dejan Ristić, Minister of Information and Telecommunications
Predrag Nikolić, advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and Director of the Centre for Digital Transformation
Robert Čoban, Color Press Group
Borka Jeremić, Head of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Office in Serbia
Jovan Milić, Special Advisor to the Minister of Science
The Best in Digital: Winners of the 2024 Digital Awards Announced
Top campaigns in media, telecom, and digital innovation were recognised at the prestigious 2024 Digital Awards in b elgrade
The regional conference on trends in telecommunications and media, Digital 2024, was held at the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia (PKS) in Belgrade. On this occasion, the Digital Awards were presented for the second time, recognising the best in media, telecommunications, marketing, PR, ICT industry, and digital innovations. In addition to the 15 standard categories decided by the expert jury, a special award was also given.
The jury consisted of the following members: Violeta Jovanović (NALED), Ivan Stanković (Communis), Marija Matić (Direct Media), Slavimir Stojanović (designer), Danijela Rakić (Serbian Association of Managers), Jelena Medaković (Director of the Museum of the City of Belgrade), Zoran Torbica (Adria Summit), Biljana Jotić (Director of the Museum of Applied Arts), Dušan Jovović (multimedia artist), and Željko Tomić (Serbian Chamber of Commerce “Privrednik”).
The “Best Social Media Campaign” award went to MK Mountain Resort for the campaign “At the Height of Perfection,” which was received by Svetlana Kostić, the company’s Marketing and Communications Director.
The “Best Radio Campaign” award went to LimundoGrad for the campaign “Offer Less and Counteroffer,” which Dunja Stojković received on behalf of the company.
The award for the “Best Online Campaign” was given to Pernod Ricard and the agencies Direct Media and New Media Team for the campaign “AMALFI TERRAZZA - Malfy Gin & Tonica brings the spirit of the Amalfi Coast to Belgrade and Podgorica,” and was received by Ana Zlatanović (Senior Brand Manager, Pernod Ricard Serbia & Montenegro), Vanja Dimitrijević (Account Lead, Direct Media), Boris Krstić (Account Manager, Direct Media), and Ksenija Vučković (Digital Marketing Manager, New Media Team).
SBB won the “Best TV Campaign” award for the campaign “When You Have a Choice, You Choose SBB”, which was received by Minja Jugović Janjić, the company’s marketing director.
The film Next to You won the award for “Best Domestic Film” and was received by its director, Stevan Filipović.
Generali Insurance received the award for the “Best Print Campaign” for the campaign “Multilav Insurance—Create Life, Create Insurance,” and Iva Pavlov from the company’s Customer Relations and Marketing Directorate received it.
The award for the “Best Domestic Film with International Distribution” went to the film Guardians of the Formula and was received by Professor Goran Milašinović, the author of the novel The Vinča Case, upon which the film is based and collaborator on the screenplay.
The “PR Manager of the Year” award went to Vera Vuković, PR Manager of British Motors.
The “Creativity and Decency in Communication on Social Media” award was given to actor Milan Marić.
OTP Bank Serbia and the agencies Publicis, Cafe Communications, and Direct Media won the award for the “Best Outdoor Campaign” for the campaign “OTP Junior Card (a debit card for children aged 11 to 18),” which was received by Ljubiša Egelja, Director of Marketing and Communications at OTP Bank.
The award for the “Best Domestic News TV Show” went to Dnevnik (News) on Nova S, which Slobodan Georgiev, the station’s news director, received.
The award for “Most Creative Social Media Management” went to United Media—TV Nova, which Anja Radovanović received on behalf of the company.
The “Best Domestic TV Series” award was won by the series The Alphabet of My Life by Contrast Studios. It was received by Jelena Bajić Jočić, director and creator of the series.
The award for the “Best Domestic Entertainment TV Show” was given to the live broadcast of the concert at Tašmajdan celebrating 100 years of Radio Belgrade, titled From Century to Century, and was received by Zorana Bojčić, Deputy Director of Radio Belgrade.
Telekom Serbia won the special award for the most creative digital campaign for “Generational Differences,” which was received by Una Zabunov, Head of Digital Marketing Communications at Telekom Serbia.
A Culinary Celebration
Gathering and opening doors for the upcoming Taste Awards 2024
The 6th annual Taste Awards by METRO Serbia took place at the Metro HoReCa centre, bringing together a vibrant mix of culinary enthusiasts.
The event featured Taste Awards jury members, hosts from METRO Serbia, media representatives, and some of the 2023 Taste Awards winners, including Vinarija Lakićević. The attendees showcased their cooking skills and relished the delicious dishes they prepared.
Among the guests were: Robert Čoban, Maja Petrović (@vitkigurman), Jelena Đorđević, Slaviša Lakićević, Nada Filipović, Svetislav Stojanović, Goran Kovačević, Igor Luković and Veljko Mijušković.
This year’s gathering was a delightful blend of culinary creativity and camaraderie. The participants engaged in a hands-on cooking session, sharing techniques, recipes, and stories, creating a warm and collaborative atmosphere. The event highlighted the importance of culinary arts and the joy of sharing a meal.
As for some exciting news for aspiring chefs and food enthusiasts, applications for the “Taste Awards 2024” are now open! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your culinary talents and gain recognition in various categories. For more details on the categories, application process, and contact information, please visit the official website: communications.rs/ tasteawards2024
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a passionate home cook, the Taste Awards offer a platform to celebrate your culinary achievements and connect with like-minded individuals. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of a prestigious event in the culinary world!
Dijana Radonjić Dazzles at Milan Fashion Week
A Harmonious blend of Nature and Elegance: Dijana Radonjić’s Collection Captivates Critics and Audiences at Milan Fashion Week
This year’s Milan Fashion Week was marked by Serbian fashion. Designer Dijana Radonjić showcased her latest collection of dresses, which received numerous enthusiastic reactions from the audience and fashion critics alike. Inspired by her travels through nature and the richness of tradition, Dijana infused her work with elements of classic elegance combined with modern silhouettes.
Dijana says her collection results from deep reflection on the connection between women and nature. “I wanted to depict the harmony of colours and textures surrounding us. Each dress tells its own story, from the scent of flow-
ers to the movement of the wind,” she says. The show took place in the glamorous setting of Milan’s Palazzo Bocconi.
Critics praised the perfectly balanced cuts and sophisticated details. “This is a true renaissance for the fashion scene. Dijana brings a freshness and innovation that is hard to find,” remarked one Italian fashion blogger.
In a brief interview after the show, Dijana shared her thoughts: “Being part of Milan Fashion Week is a dream come true. I feel a great responsibility to represent my roots and values through fashion. I hope this collection inspires others to appreciate beauty in simplicity!”
EACH DRESS TELLS ITS OWN STORY, FROM THE SCENT OF FLOWERS TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIND, CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF NATURE IN AN ELEGANT FORM
Journey Through Siberia’s Frozen Heart
Feasting one’s soul on her beauty is reason enough to come to the ends of the earth, to distant Yamal, in the middle of the Ob
Ob! Two seemingly ordinary letters etched themselves into a child’s heart as a symbol of vast, distant expanses. My geography teacher was fascinated by Siberia. He would wave his arms around and bounce excitedly, illustrating to us children the endless expanse with gestures, chalk drawings on the old green blackboard, and the occasional tiny photo from the textbook. “There, the fish are bigger than you, and some even bigger than me,” he would say enthusiastically as if he had just come from a Siberian river where this lanky, nearly two-metre-tall professor from Herzegovina, who seemed like a giant to us kids, had caught a record-breaking fish. We would widen our eyes in disbelief, mouths half-open, eagerly awaiting the next class. He didn’t need to test whether we had memorised the names of the great Siberian rivers: Ob, Irtysh, Lena, Amur, Yenisei... His lessons were filled with Siberian wolves and foxes, polar bears, and the frozen expanse where, even today, the Cossacks still roam. Thanks to them, Russia expanded from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean in just 57 years (1582–1639). In reality, this expansion was due to the rivers, the only highways of those times, which the Cossacks skilfully navigated eastwards, covering as little ground on foot as possible.
Ob! Here in the far north, where I now find myself, it’s frozen for up to 220 days a year. Autumn has dressed its banks in a yellow-green uniform. I brought warm September weather
DECEPTIVE FIGURES
CONFIRM THAT THE OB DELTA ESTUARY—A FUNNELSHAPED BAY AT THE RIVER’S MOUTH OPEN TO THE SEA—IS THE LARGEST SUCH ECOSYSTEM ON THE PLANET, STRETCHING EIGHTY KILOMETRES LONG
with me from Belgrade to Siberia: never in the nearby town of Salekhard had such high temperatures been recorded. “The hottest day since records began – a staggering 21.5 degrees,” the local media headlines declared when I arrived. Numbers, of course, can be deceiving. Twenty Siberian degrees feel very different from twenty Belgrade degrees. A brisk, sharp wind cuts through the air, and you can feel the snow coming soon. Carrying a jumper and jacket is wise, even on the warmest Siberian days.
Ob! Like a bear stretching after winter sleep, wild yet calm, reflecting the raw power of nature, it sprawls across the vast landscape.
The settlement of Khanty nomads in the tundra near the place of Loborovaya
The winding river soul connects the Arctic Ocean and the Yamal tundra with the Kazakh steppes, and my school days with the white leather tents of the indigenous peoples – the chum – scattered across the vastness.
On one side of the river lies the capital of Yamal, the modern settlement of Salekhard, home to some sixty thousand souls. On the other side is Labytnangi, with a population of twenty-five thousand. Even on the hottest Siberian day, I can feel the cold in my bones with every step and every glance. There’s something frozen in every Siberian, in their icy blue eyes. Only their souls are warm, a flicker of life that endures in the eternal cold and gives it meaning.
The Ob River is a freshwater sea teeming with fish. It’s the white fairy of Siberian fairy tales. It separates two cities huge for the harsh Siberian conditions. Every day, several times a day, ferries transport passengers, cars, buses, and trucks. They do so carefully and humbly in the face of nature’s whims. When the strong Siberian winds blow, fog settles over the river, merging with the water in a loving embrace, and all transport halts. There’s nothing left to do but go home and wait for the frosty sun to reappear on the horizon.
The indigenous peoples still live in tents, leading a nomadic life – moving their “villages,” groups of several tents, across the tundra every few months. The big cities resemble modern settlements around the world. But that, too, is an illusion: frozen ground for thousands of years has always required a special construction system. Due to climate change, the frozen earth is thawing, causing buildings to sink. Long wooden structures look like actual drunks, partially sunken on all sides, tilted as if after a good night out with friends.
Siberian buildings are often unusually long, leaning on one another, connected into a vast labyrinth of “communal living.” When the temperatures drop forty or fifty degrees below zero, it’s not convenient to step outside unless necessary. One massive building can be a settlement with a school, restaurants, shops, and even inner courtyards.
The Ob, together with its tributary, the Irtysh, flows for 5,410 kilometres, making it the seventh-largest river system on the planet. But numbers can be deceiving: standing in the middle of the river, you can barely make out the banks in the distance. The Ob is not just one river; it’s a lifeblood stretching across the Siberian tundra, comprising 15,000 navigable waterways—rivers, branches, bays, and streams. For centuries, this lifeblood was the only transportation network across a territory larger than twenty-three Serbias—this is just the river basin of the Ob, navigable along its entire length, teeming with traffic. And that’s not even counting the other vast Siberian rivers. The river often overflows, flooding the surrounding tundra and creating countless lakes that, from higher ground, resemble the endless blue eyes of the tundra.
Today, transporting timber accounts for 80% of traffic on the Ob, and loaded barges are a common sight along the river. Despite the construction of functional railways and roads to Yamal over the past fifty years, the
THE OB IS NOT JUST ONE RIVER; IT’S A LIFEBLOOD STRETCHING ACROSS
THE SIBERIAN TUNDRA COMPRISING 15,000
NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS— RIVERS, BRANCHES, BAYS, AND STREAMS
Ob remains the lifeline of the region’s transport. Steamships plied the Siberian rivers for decades, starting from 1844, and a special canal was even built to connect the Ob and the Yenisei rivers. This made it possible to navigate the whole of Siberia as though it were an archipelago, not an immense wilderness of forests and tundra. Deceptive figures confirm that the Ob Delta estuary—a funnel-shaped bay at the river’s mouth open to the sea—is the largest ecosystem on the planet, stretch-
ing eighty kilometres long. Mixing freshwater and seawater creates a natural paradise with nutrient-rich water and soil. Reindeer graze on the banks, and the river’s surface teems with life; in some places, fish leap in a frenzy. Russia’s longest river is the mother of great cities like Novosibirsk, Surgut, and Barnaul. It would be more accurate to say that it is the mother of all life and most legends, the Great River—as the indigenous Khanty people call it.
The Ob is often frozen from October to June. During this time, unique routes, called zimniki, opened up, allowing travel across the frozen ground and river. The day the ice breaks is the most beautiful in Siberia! The space fills with the sounds of cracking and friction; it feels like the river groans and sighs, then releases cries of relief, like a prisoner freed from his chains, like a beauty freed from her corset. Suddenly, a labyrinth of cracks appears, and the air fills with freshness and sound as the Ob sheds its winter cloak, throws off its snowy gown, and reveals its power and fifty species of fish—a dream for every fisherman,” Evgenia Titovskaya, my guide, tells me, as I notice amphibi-
With the guides and explorers of the Arctic –Russian Stjazha Ilya and Khanty Kandigin Sergei
ous vehicles with massive engines parked on the bank, ready for all weather conditions.
What would a great river be without love stories? Centuries ago, the daughter of the great Altai Khan, Katinka, fell in love with a shepherd. Her father grew furious when she refused an esteemed suitor, and she fled from wealth and comfort. What could be richer or more comfortable than love? She reached her chosen one, Bij, and they escaped into the tundra. The enraged Khan sent his entire army to find her. “Whoever brings her back will have her as his wife!” he declared to his soldiers, who spared no effort to capture the wealthy beauty. The cruel warrior Sarlik, through trickery, learned the direction in which the lovers had fled. He mounted his horse and chased after them dangerously close. Katinka’s best friend, Sema, who had grown up with her like a sister, saw this. She stood in his way but knew her gentle soul couldn’t stop the ruthless warrior. In desperation, she turned to nature: “Save love, turn me into a river!” Nature listened. Seeing this miracle, Katinka and Bij also prayed: “Unite us into a great river, almighty nature!” And thus, the Ob was born.
The Khan seethed with rage. He turned his soldiers into stone and, in his fury, transformed himself into a cold, barren mountain devoid of plant life. Sarlik’s horse’s mane turned to stone at the Ob’s source, becoming the last great barrier before the eternal union of the lovers.
The ferry may lack the romance and beauty of the old steamships, but the life of the river and the surrounding settlements is reflected well on it. Russians and locals step out of their cars, smoking, socialising, falling in love, talking about fishing, nature, and war. I’m surprised by the enormous jeeps resembling trucks with wheels taller than the average car. These are specialised vehicles for travelling across the tundra, off-road. From one such jeep steps the stunning Nadezhda, dressed in impeccably clean white trousers and a T-shirt, taking selfies with the muddy, massive vehicle, her elegant lips pursed beside headlights larger than her head. Has she wandered off a fashion runway with her long, slender legs, voluptuous figure, and gentle face? Somewhere, I hear Sergei Yesenin’s verses: “You, my slender,
THERE’S SOMETHING FROZEN IN EVERY SIBERIAN, IN THEIR ICY BLUE EYES. ONLY THEIR SOULS ARE WARM, A FLICKER OF LIFE THAT ENDURES IN THE ETERNAL COLD AND GIVES IT MEANING
graceful birch, were made for me and many others.” After all, one Nadezhda was Yesenin’s last great love.
Smiling Nadezhda is the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in Yamal—her beauty eclipses that of many famous landmarks. Feasting one’s soul on her beauty is reason enough to come to the ends of the earth, to distant Yamal, in the middle of the Ob.
“I’m an engineer. They sent me from another Siberian city to work with my team on
repairing and organising heavy machinery for an oil company. I’m only staying for a few days, so my colleagues and I rented a jeep to take a drive,” she says smoothly as if she had just casually mentioned getting her nails done.
The ferry is full of locals, factory workers, children, hunters, and nomadic families. The main topic of conversation is the construction of the bridge. “I’ve seen pictures of it, and I hope I live to see it across the Ob,” one of the passengers tells me. Everyone agrees that infrastructure has improved over the past few decades. Until a few years ago, reaching Salekhard by car from Moscow was impossible.
I crossed the Ob four times. When it came time to cross it for the fifth time, it was as if the river itself said, “That’s enough for you!” A veil of fog covered the landscape. All flights, all boats, and all urgent activities came to a halt.
“We’ll take you to the Vasjegan River, which you can wade through even in this weather,” the scientists from the Geology Department of the Arctic Research Center, who was with me that day, told me. They brought instruments to measure the water’s flow rate and to take samples from the riverbed, but first, we stopped by a shop—if we couldn’t cross the Ob, we might as well have a barbecue!
The bears were hidden deep in the autumn woods, and in the shallow river, thousands of frogs and tiny fish hinted at the richness of life in this harsh wilderness. I put on waterproof plastic boots and waded into the water with one of the scientists. Suddenly, my feet sank, and I realised I had stepped into quicksand! Luckily, the river was shallow, and the bank was close by. Slowly, bit by bit, I managed to pull one foot out, then the other.
They taught me how to measure the flow rate—we gathered data from the surface, the middle, and the bottom of the river. Samples from the ground are collected using a special machine that is mechanically powered. It takes considerable strength to close the scoop at the bottom using a long lever. There are no weaklings among Siberian scientists—they must be resilient and robust to survive and
On the bank of the Ob River, the city of Salekhard
The ceremonial crossing of the Arctic Circle with representatives of various Siberian nationalities
work in a place where nature does not forgive mistakes or weaknesses. To survive here, the scientists believe, one must also be superstitious.
“Do you believe in spirits?” they asked me as we devoured shashlik. Surprisingly, most of the legends and supernatural stories I’ve heard in Siberia didn’t come from the indigenous people but from scientists!
“During my first tundra expedition, they told me that you always stop at a certain sacred spot to thank the spirits of nature. You take a short break and pour a shot of vodka as a tribute to the spirits. I was in a hurry and didn’t want to pay attention to what I thought were silly traditions. Besides, I don’t drink, so I ordered the team, as their leader, not to stop. A little while later, we hit some rocks, and both of our tyres were slashed at the same time. We barely made it out alive. That had never happened before or since. From that moment on, no matter how rushed we are, I tell my bosses in advance: either we drink vodka for the spirits, or I stay home!” Rostislav, the leanest and most hardworking team member, told me.
“In the middle of nowhere, in the remotest wilderness, we saw tents—the chum,” Roman, another scientist, shared with me. “A woman came out and asked us to take her child in the direction we were going to the next tent. How could I take someone else’s child in such a remote place? How would I even know if I’d find the next tent? What would I do with the child? Who would take on such responsibility out of nowhere? I refused, of course. Half an hour later, we got lost in the endless flat expanse. The compass and all our navigation devices went haywire. It was as if the machine had been enchanted. We were terrified. We were convinced that the woman knew the spirits of the tundra and had complained to them. I ordered us to go back to the tent. She was already gone. I apologised to the hosts for not accepting their request and left them some of our food. Only after that did our journey continue without any further issues.”
THE DAY THE ICE BREAKS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN SIBERIA! THE SPACE FILLS WITH THE SOUNDS OF CRACKING AND FRICTION; IT FEELS LIKE THE RIVER GROANS AND SIGHS, THEN RELEASES CRIES OF RELIEF
A small red flower, known as the Siberian rose, had sprouted from the ground. “It’s perhaps one of the most medicinal Arctic plants,” Rostislav tells me. “Chinese emperors and the ancient Greeks valued its healing properties. Its habitats were once passed down as family secrets from generation to generation. Science
has confirmed its health benefits with more than 170 pharmacological and clinical studies. The golden root, as we call it, contains over 140 active ingredients. Extracts from the root are used to combat anxiety, extreme fatigue, and depression.”
The rain began to drizzle, so we hurried to leave the forest before the downpour. The jeep entered the water as there was no bridge. The wheels faltered slightly, but we slowly made it out. When the water rises soon, the road will become impassable.
Sixty thousand summers and winters have flowed through the Ob, scientists claim. How many sunsets is that? As soon as I arrived in Yamal, after the ceremony of crossing the Arctic Circle, they took me to the banks of the Ob. The sun bears witness to sixty thousand years of romantic encounters between the river and the sky, and it will also bear witness to my love and respect for the Ob, for all the rivers of Siberia and the world.
In Yamal alone, around 800,000 reindeer live
The regional administration building, a tent in the tundra in the north of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District.
Kosheen Concert
19 OCTOBER 2024
Dorćol Platz, Belgrade
Kosheen, the renowned British electronic music group, is set to perform in Belgrade on October 19, 2024, at Dorćol Platz. This concert marks their 25th anniversary, celebrating their long career and numerous hits. Fans can expect to hear some of their greatest tracks, including well-known songs like “Hide U,” “Catch,” “Hungry,” and “All In My Head.”
Kosheen, led by charismatic singer Siân Evans, became popular in the early 2000s for their unique fusion of breakbeat rhythms, drum’ n bass, and more conventional song structures. Their debut album Resist (2001) reached platinum status, and the band has since released five studio albums.
Belgrade Jazz Festival
24-28 OCTOBER 2024
Dom Omladine
The Belgrade Jazz Festival 2024 marks its 40th edition and will run from October 24 to 29, 2024, under the theme “Jazz Legacy.” This prestigious event will be hosted at multiple venues, including the Belgrade Youth Center and MTS Hall. It will showcase a blend of worldrenowned jazz artists and fresh talents, offering a dynamic program that spans various jazz styles—from bebop to fusion and avant-garde.
67th International Book Fair
19-27 OCTOBER 2024
Belgrade
The 67th International Belgrade Book Fair will occur from October 19 to 27, 2024, at the Belgrade Fair. This is one of Southeast Europe’s largest and most prestigious cultural events, known for promoting literary creation, education, and cultural exchange. The event will feature hundreds of domestic and international exhibitors across the region, including major publishers, authors, booksellers, and librarians. Cuba has been announced as the guest of honour this year, with a delegation that includes the Cuban Minister of Culture and notable authors, artists, and journalists. The event will host various activities such as book presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, including a special program for children. Visitors can also expect to meet celebrated
The festival will open with a performance by the RTS Big Band alongside New Zealand’s renowned jazz pianist Alan Broadbent. American jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant will also make a highly anticipated appearance. Additionally, the legendary guitarist Bill Frisell will perform for the first time in Serbia, and the festival will close with the Buena Vista All Stars, bringing a Cuban flair to the event.
Over six days, visitors will enjoy concerts from artists such as Jason Moran, Anat Cohen, and James Carter Quintet, as well as a variety of musical projects that celebrate both contemporary and traditional jazz legacies
writers like Tony Parsons from the UK and David Unger from Guatemala
H.E. Lejde E. Rodrigues Hernandes, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Belgrade, thanked the Ministry of Culture and the event organisers for the honour bestowed upon his country. Cuba’s participation speaks to the traditionally friendly relations between Serbia and Cuba. Books are extremely important in the lives of Cubans and all people in general, and reading is given great importance. In Cuba, the book fair is a national holiday. The Cuban delegation in Belgrade will include the Minister of Culture, writers, poets, artists, journalists, and publishers. During the event, the ambassador will present books translated into Serbian, as stated.
Photo: Kosheen Official Website
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