WHICH WAYWILL IT BE?

February 13th

in perspective | Edict of Milan - Or 1700 Years Of a Roman ‘Serb's’ Vision editorial | A 'Healthy' Row Between Croatia's Church and State did you know? | Pagan Bosnians? Better believe it. southeast europe · a fortnight in review no.20 / y.2 / subscription only / 13th february 2013

politics | The Tragedy of Vukovar Continues: In Cyrillic, This Time Round the bright side of business | Mangulica - The Holy Pork of Serbia

WHICH WAY WILL IT BE?

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February 13th

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February 13th

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content

introductory epistle

Which Way Will It Be?

in medias res 08

Direction, signage, signs, the signified and the signifier...time to make a choice...

Terrorism in Zagreb: Fact or Fiction?

the economy 28

Bombs explode, or mere firecrackers. And then the media blow it out of proportion...

FDI in Bosnia - Or Are Numbers Relative?

46

After a long downward spiral, things are looking up again...and the foundations?

news The Economy Of General Interest

10 12

politics

A Guide to the Slovenian Political Crisis in perspective

Edict of Milan - Or 1700 Years Of a Roman ‘Serb's’ Vision

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Or how may Constantine the Great, born in Niš a long time ago, influence the present...

Serbia’s Fight Against Organised Crime: Is Mission “Clean Hands” Impossible?

18

Zagreb’s Office Data Consolidated at Last

48

The four consulting market leaders finally come together in a welcome move...

Everyone now and again, one should get the record straight and offer a good glossary...

politics

editorial

A 'Healthy' Row Between Croatia's Church and State

the ecology 34

real estate 38

Perhaps nothing new, but could it be that, yet again, politicos cavort with narco-bosses...

Until Death Do Us Part Some of History’s Most Tragic Couples

50

Mythological, medieval, modern...they are all there...suffering for the ages.

The State, the Church, health and sex education...the clash of the titans.

the bright side of business

Mangulica - The Holy Pork of Serbia

did you know?

Pagan Bosnians?

Better believe it.

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legal 40

Who knew that both great Serbian dynasties started off as pig farmers? We did...

Energy Efficiency In Construction

52

It never hurts to get acquainted with the legislature pertaining to construction...

Worshipping Svarog? Dažbog? Perun? Indeed, but there's even more to these chaps...

fortnightly interview

OTP Bank Serbia – Full Steam Ahead

event horizon

The Tragedy of Vukovar Continues: In Cyrillic, This Time Round A typically Balkan exercise: how to ruin an otherwise perfectly respectable script...

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Ivan Radojčić, Deputy CEO gets a chance to show his enthusiasm...and succeeds.

human interest 44

Valentine Gifts for Him & Her

54

Like it reads...a bit for him, a bit for her, in either instance a bit ouside of the box...

blast from the past

56

to do list

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February 13th

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editor-in-chief Igor Dakić

introductory epistle

Which Way Will It Be?

executive editor Lee Murphy lee@see-magazine.eu graphic editor Ivor Vinski ivorvinski@gmail.com art editor Stiv Cinik country editors Miša Milošević Aida Tabaković Sebastijan Maček Ben Berković contributors Dylan Alexander Ivana Stepanović Mark Ferris Michael Devaney Črt Razboršek Ivan Petrović Jerko Markovina Marijan Grakalić photography Mens-Libera Photo, Shutterstock, IStock, Wiki Commons unless otherwise specified printer Stega tisak d.o.o.

Zavrtnica 17, Zagreb Croatia

director Igor Dakić igor.dakic@see-magazine.eu sales & marketing (cro & slo) Ben Berković ben.berkovic@see-magazine.eu + 385 95 63 99 701 sales & marketing (srb & bih) Miša Milošević misa@see-magazine.eu + 381 63 224 223

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A relatively quiet micro-period is behind us, in the sense that there appear to be no elections on the immediate horizon and that even in, say, Slovenia, where things are particularly volatile in the short term, they are volatile in an ordinary sort of way: (bad) business as usual. Thus, accorded a measure of respite, one just may have been provided with a rare opportunity to re-examine one's sense of direction – or orientation, if you will. Or to take a step back and look, from a safe distance, at the key institutions responsible for arranging both the externals and the internals of life as we know it: the Church and the State.

Indeed, if, say, in America the raging polemic is between Main Street and Wall Street (remember tarp, anyone?), the polemic in Croatia, at least over these past few months, has been between State Street and Church Street. It all started in relation to what and at what age children and adolescents ought to be learning about sex, naturally continuing in an even more heated vein; before it all got out of hand, which involved bona fide marketing campaigns, bans on posters, and even controversial lectures delivered in no less a place than the Parliament. So, which way will it be? To each his own – decision.

The Serbs too have a 'churchy' theme to be proud of. 2013 marks 1700 years since the Edict of Milan, whereby Constantine the Great, a native of Niš, put the Christians on equal footing with the rest of the Roman and not-so-Roman folk professing a stupendous variety of faiths and creeds. Perhaps Patriarch Irinej will use the occasion to rediscover in himself an additional dose of ecumenism and lead the way out of the Schism. Whatever the case, a directional question-mark looms over his actions as well.

And then there's the matter of Vukovar, and the very 'dangerous turf' as planted by the Croatian Constitution which says that the Cyrillic script must be introduced in what is to be a 'bilingual' city. Now we're quite boldly entering the region of problematic signs, signage, signifier and the signified – all muddled up and essentially inextricable.

And have I mentioned that in Bosnia there's actually a group openly practising Slavic neo-paganism. And, believe it or not, these chaps, called the Circle of Svarog, appear to have the strongest sense of direction of any party momentarily discussed herein. Then again, why shouldn't they. Perhaps the way of the future truly is the way of the 'minority report'...

February 13th

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news |

The Economy

Serbia to Change Law On Land Ownership Under current Serbian law the sale of land to foreign citizens is prohibited, but that must now change as part of the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement. It is expected that land will be made available for purchase to non-Serbians once four years have passed after the complete implementation of the EU Trade Agreement.

“Foreigners will, as soon as they will be allowed, buy up all our arable land at really low prices.

We have half a hectare of arable land per capita, which is the most in Europe. Our farmers will be working as slaves on our own lands”, says Miladin Ševarlić, Professor at the Agricultural Faculty in Belgrade, somewhat sensationally. For comparison, a hectare of top quality arable land in Serbia can be bought for 5000 Euros, while the same costs 25000 Euros in Slovenia.

Temporary Ban for Croatian WorkForce in the Netherlands The Dutch Parliament agreed with the views of their Foreign Minister, Frans Timmermans, who stated that the EU has learned from its mistakes regarding the accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007. Although Timmermans emphasised that Croatia has made giant leaps forward during its accession process and has the support of most Dutch parties (only the Anti-European Libertarian Party PVV and the Socialists were against Croatia’s entry into the EU), there seems to be a degree of concern about a sudden influx of immigrants from Croatia. Indeed, Timmermans stated that there would be a so-called transitional period, during which Croatian citizens will not be able to work in the Netherlands immediately upon Croatia’s entry into the EU in July.

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Zagreb Stock Exchange Sees Growth

NGO Teams Join Forces To ‘Defend’ Lima River Several NGOs from Bijelo Polje in Montenegro and Prijepolje in Serbia have joined ranks and formed a unified team to defend the Lima River from plans made by the Serbian Government to construct a hydroelectric facility in Brodarevo, on the border of the two countries. Representatives of the NGOs met up in Bijelo Polje, ultimately concluding that constructing two such facilities on the Lima River would have a detrimental effect on the bio-sphere of the said border zone, as well as negative effects on agricultural production. The two facilities, with a total power output of 58 MW, are to be constructed by the Canadian company REV, which is willing to invest 145 million Euros into the project.

Concessioners Owe 12 million Euros

January marked a successful start for the Zagreb Stock Exchange, as Crobex recorded an 8.5% increase in comparison with December 2012, while Crobex10 saw a 9% increase.

The most traded shares in January, with 50.9 million Kuna worth of transactions, were Hrvatski Telecom (T-HT) shares, registering an increase of 9.6% and currently trading at 216.05 Kuna per share. Petrokemija shares, with 25 million Kuna worth of traffic, also saw growth (8.3%), while the average price of Valamar Adria Holding shares increased by 18.8%, with an overall volume of 17.7 million Kuna.

Could it be that the impeding EU entry has started to affect the economy for the better?

Moody’s Lowers Croatia’s Credit Rating to “Junk”

Moody’s has lowered Croatia’s credit rating yet Outstanding financial obligations stem- again, from BAA3 to BA1 (the same level as Hunming from concession agreements in Mon- gary and Ireland), on February 1st, as they feel tenegro currently amount to 12 million Euros, there is a poor chance of economic growth and with an astounding 80% of the concession- a lack of fiscal flexibility. Moody's also changed aires not honouring the agreements. i.e., pay- Croatia's outlook from stable to negative: “The ing on time – or at all. Goran Jovetić, the advi- Government’s capacity to re-balance the econsor to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic omy toward exports is intrinsically limited.” AbPolicy and Financial Systems, said that there bas Ameli-Renani, an emerging market specialis room for improvement in the concession ist at Royal Bank of Scotland commented that sector through concessional billing as well as “Croatia’s composite rating has now been lowby other mechanisms within legal bounda- ered to sub-investment,” which “will force ries. He also stated that the concession sec- a lot of investment funds that have a mantor recorded significant growth and gener- date for investment-grade only bonds to drop ated 14 million Euros in revenue in 2011. The Croatia from their portfolios.” PM Milanović Montenegrin Government recently announced has often made his distrust of the credit ratthat they would revisit all concession agree- ing's agencies be known, but with Moody's ments and terminate contracts with all con- matching the opinion of Standard and Poor's cessionaires who fail to meet their obligations. it might be time to sit up and take notice.

February 13th

Intergovernmental Agreement Between Serbia & UAE

Serbian FDI Since The Millenium The National Alliance for Local Economic Development, a Serbian business association, has calculated that over the past twelve years Serbia has seen almost sixteen billion Euros in investment. The largest single investment was made by Telenor (1.6 billion Euros), with Gazprom Neft, FIAT, and Delhaize following suit with 947, 940, and 933 million Euros respectively. Agrokor accounted for 614 million Euros, tobacco company Philip Morris spent 611 million Euros, Mobilcom Austria 570 million Euros, and Eurobank, Mercator, and Raiffeisen each invested as much as 500 million Euros. Of those companies which invested in Serbia, 30 came from Germany, 23 from Austria, eighteen from Italy, sixteen from Slovenia, and twelve from France. As far as countries are concerned, Italy, having spent just under two billion Euros, and Austria, with expenditure of 1.96 billion Euros, appear to be leading the way. Norway, Belgium, and Greece invested 1.6 billion, 1.48 billion, and 1.23 billion respectively. The USA, Russia, and Germany each invested over 1.1 billion Euros. Of these latter sums the majority was invested in the banking and insurance sectors (3.04 billion Euros), the food industry and IT sector (2.2 billion Euros), general trade (1.7 billion Euros), the automotive industry (1.54 billion Euros), and the energy sector (1.42 billion Euros). The remaining sectors received just under one billion Euros. With Russian money entering the country in recent weeks it might be expected that the Serbian-Russian trade numbers would increase somewhat. Also, with Croatia leaving CEFTA, Serbia is perfectly poised to fill the vacancies in the regional markets left behind by their EU-bound neighbour.

The Serbian Minister of Finance and the Economy, Mladjan Dinkić, announced on February 1st that an intergovernmental agreement between Serbia and the United Arab Emirates will be signed some time in February and will refer to numerous aspects of mutual co-operation, primarily in the field of agriculture. “It will be a legal basis for a final signing of a commercial contract with the Al Dahra company, which will be finalised during March”, said Dinkić, after meeting with the management of this agribusiness company from the Emirates. VP of the Al Dahra Holding and Al Ain Holding Hadim Abdul Adareim stated that Al Dahra is extremely interested in investing into Serbian agriculture, and announced investments of up 300 million Euros.

Končar to Display Wind Turbines at Vienna Fair The Croatian Končar Group have presented their complete solution for wind turbines, with an emphasis on the Pometeno Brdo wind turbine complex, at the European EWEA 2013 fair, which was held in Vienna in the first week of February. The Pometeno Brdo facility, next to Split, is composed of fifteen wind turbines which can produce 1 MW, and an aggregate that yields 2.5 MW. Fifteen Končar associations and fifteen cooperating companies from Croatia participated in the construction of the facility, 80% of which was built with domestic components. As stated by Končar, these new products open a huge opportunity for export, the advancement of Croatian competitiveness, and new jobs. EWEA 2013 gathered more than 10000 participants this year, with 500 exhibitors from 84 countries.

Croatian Government Founding New Oil Company?

The Croatian Government is to found a new state-owned oil company as part of the new Hydrocarbon Law. The new company should be a crucial representative of State interests in the field of managing national oil and gas resources, and participate in projects regarding their exploitation. By founding a national oil company Croatia would retrieve part of its sovereign authority over the management of oil and natural gas resources, which were lost due to inadequate preparation for the privatisation of INA. For decades, INA functioned as an informal Ministry for Hydrocarbon, performing a variety of public functions. As those functions were not excluded during the privatisation, the last number of years saw the company functionally a state monopolist – the only concessioner for research and exploitation of oil and gas in the country – albeit privately owned, with markedly commercial goals. The state, on the other hand, often didn’t have the knowledge, experience or resources to take over its new regulatory role. The forming of this new state company could be the first step towards consolidating experts in the oil sector anew, under the patronage of the State, and truly liberalising that segment of the economy. This new plan could also benefit INA, which could, faced with new competition in the form of large, foreign oil companies that have been showing interest in researching the local resources, become motivated to increase activity in third world countries, which has been stagnating.

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Of Generral Interest

Freedom House Ranks Democracy in Balkan Countries

Hague Prosecutors Ask for Life Sentences for Stanišić and Simatović During the closing statements of the Trial Court Panel, the Hague Prosecutors Office asked for life imprisonment for the former Commander in Chief of the Serbian Department of Homeland Security (SDB), Jovica Stanišić, and his assistant, former Commander of the Special Forces branch of the SDB, Franko Simatović. They have been charged with five counts of criminal activity perpetrated within the territories of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina; apart from the alleged command responsibility for founding and supplying the so called Special Unit, the indictment identifies Stanišić and Simatović as “crucial figures in a joint criminal enterprise” whose goal was to create ethnically pure Serb territories, and which, over a period of five years, involved murders, deportations, involuntary resettlement, and the persecution of thousands of ethnic Bosniaks and Croatians from both Croatian and BosnianHerzegovinian territories (as well as Croatian and Bosnian citizens of other ethnic backgrounds). The Prosecutors Office characterised the defendants as ‘key, irreplaceable’ actors in the joint criminal enterprise, the head of which, at the time, was the former Serbian President, and erstwhile also a Hague detainee, Slobodan Milošević. However, inside sources contend that life sentences will be very difficult to secure by the prosecution: in addition to the fact that such sentences are very rare, there are also, ostensibly, a number of mitigating circumstances: for Stanišić and Simatović it could be their role in liberating captured UN personnel in the summer of 1995, and especially the constructive role Stanišić apparently played during the Dayton peace negotiations.

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Bulgarian, Croatia, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia and Montenegro have been ranked as “free”, according to the report by Freedom House for 2012, while Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are reported to be ‘partially free’. “Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, including the Balkans, has remained relatively unchanged during the European financial crisis, which is impressive, and can partially be contributed to the role that the EU plays in the region”, said the president of Research in Freedom House, Arch Paddington. Globally speaking, democratic freedom in the world has been in constant decline for seven years in a row. Political rights and civil liberties have improved in Libya and Egypt, but have taken a significant turn for the worse in Russia, Nigeria, and another 25 countries.

Euro-enthusiasm Declining in Serbia A recent poll, conducted at the behest of the Serbian Office for European Integration, shows the lowest support for Europe in the last decade, as only 41% of Serbian citizens support their country entering the EU. The President of the Forum for International Relations of the European Movement in Serbia, Predrag Simić, was not surprised by the results: “All the parliamentary parties, except DSS, support the European integration of Serbia, but the support of the people has fallen. This means that 59% of our citizens don’t believe Serbia will enter the EU – not even 10 or 15 years from now – because there are no guarantees.” Such polls have been conducted regularly since September of 2002, when 68% of the citizens voted in favour of joining the EU, whilst 13% opposed.

Mustafa Cerić Asks UN to Declare July 11th “Day of Mourning” The president of the World Bosniak Congress, Mustafa Cerić, approached the BosnianHerzegovinian Mission to the United Nations with a request that the competent authorities of the UN in New York start the procedure to declare the 11th of July a day of mourning and remembrance of the innocent victims of the Srebrenica genocide, much in the same way as January 27th was declared a day of mourning and remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. “With a desire to move on from past tensions and begin a peaceful and honest co-existence in lasting peace, stability and economic growth, I believe the UN Resolution regarding Srebrenica will encourage all countries to nurture good relations, despite a difficult and burdensome past”, said Cerić.

Investigation Regarding Vukovar War Crimes Initiated in Belgrade The Serbian Prosecutors' Office for War Crimes ordered an investigation to be carried out against Žarko Milošević and Dragan Lončar, who are suspected of having killed 16 Croatian civilians in Vukovar in 1991. The statement explains that Milošević and Lončar, alongside other members of the Sotin militia, arrested and detained more than ten civilians, and then, during the night of December 26th, 1991, loaded them up on a military truck and drove them to an unknown location to gun them down with automatic rifles. The Prosecutor’s Office stated: “Milošević and Lončar have been detained, and will remain in custody while the investigation proceeds. The number of casualties, as well as the number of suspects, is not yet finite.”

February 13th

Croatia Helps Break up Human Trafficking Ring Croatian police officers were part a European-wide operation, coordinated by Europol, which smashed a human trafficking ring and made over 100 arrests. For years, European police forces have been closely monitoring the trafficking of women from West Africa for sexual exploitation but were unable, until now, to put a halt to at least some element of the trade. Europol’s Director, Rob Wainwright, said of the operation: “Collaboration between Europol and our international law enforcement partners is essential, if we are to bring to justice the major criminals that are trafficking and taking advantage of vulnerable women. Europol will continue proactively to support such cases with our highly skilled analysts and unique technical capabilities.”

Homeland War to be Made Into Documentary for Japan

Ljubljana Introduces Wi-Fi Access in City Centre The citizens of Ljubljana now have access to a wireless network in the city centre, thanks to a project carried out by Telekom Slovenia and their partner firm Nil. The network, called WiFreeLjubljana, has 80 access points, and should cover the entire city by autumn. Access to the network will be free for one hour daily, after which time users will be charged 3.9 Euros for an entire day's use, 9.90 Euros for the week, and 29.90 Euros for the entire month. Commercial use of the network is also being considered.

Rudolf Skobe, the President of Telekom Slovenia, said that the project is a big challenge, and that current users will have access to it come April.

Japanese television channel NKH has announced plans to shoot a documentary, largely in Osijek, about wartime and modern-day Croatia. They hope to interview people who endured hardship during the 1990s conflict but who have since gone on to lead a more satisfactory life. The documentary will also look at Croatia's upcoming entry to the European Union, and will ask the question as to how people view entering one union having left another one only two decades ago. It is expected that the documentary will be well received in the Far East, as Croatia has proven a popular tourist destination in recent years, not only for the Japanese, but also in neighbouring China and Korea.

Nikolić Visits Turkey Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić has recently returned from an official visit to Turkey, where he met with his counterpart, Abdullah Gul, as well as business and religious leaders. The usual topics were discussed – economic cooperation, trade and so on, but there was also talk on the matter of sport. Nikolić stated that he hoped the Turkish business community would consider Serbia for future investment, especially in the predominately Muslim region of Sandžak. When asked about Kosovo, the Serbian President reiterated his country's belief in the diplomatic process, but he did express his hope that Turkey would understand Serbia's position in relation to the breakaway nation. Nikolić also reminded the Turkish delegations of Serbia's favourable trade status with Russia, something which might open new markets for Turkish entrepreneurs.

Croatia’s Ticket Into The EU Costs 130 million Euros?

Slovenia is prepared to ratify Croatia’s accession treaty but only if the Croatian side in the Ljubljanska Banka affair forgo 130 million Euros in debt, as reported by Jutarnji List. According to diplomatic sources, Ljubljana has offered a ‘relative compromise’, according to which Slovenia would return 278 million Euros owed to Croatian erstwhile account holders, but also demand reparations for unpaid loans once taken out by Croatian enterprises. This would mean that, instead of getting 278 million Euros, Croatia would receive about 150 million Euros, but also, “what is of much greater import, a far quicker ratification from Slovenia”. The Croatian Government is apparently considering the offer ‘in earnest’, which is to say quite seriously.

Not so Sweet for the Potato It may be that the traditional Croatian dinner table will soon be overburdened with sweet potatoes, as it has been announced that the vegetable will no longer be permitted to be used in food supplements. While this news might not be of much concern to the parent trying to force their child to eat something other than junk food, there are wider issues at stake here - namely the livelihoods of those farmers who recently invested in what was seen to be a staple foodstuff of the country. The Ministry of Health issued a statement saying that this is simply a necessary measure if one wishes fully to conform to EU regulations. The herb known as stevia has also been banned from use in food supplements.

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in perspective |

by Miša Milošević

Edict of Milan - Or 1700 Years Of a Roman ‘Serb's’ Vision 2013 sees the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, a decree on religious toleration, which in time became a cornerstone in the history of civilisation. The Edict had long reaching consequences and is recognised for its implementation of political virtue which the 21st century could well use. And, by the way, how many of you are aware of the fact that Constantine the Great was born in Serbia?

A

lthough the introduction might not be out of place in a movie trailer for some thriller containing major intrigue, this article is actually about history. It was, as you have already guessed, 313 ad when Emperor Constantine i issued the Edict of Milan, which ended the centuries-long persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire and allowed them publicly to practice their religion. The event would lead to gradual Christianisation of Europe in the short term, and the establishment of European forma mentis in all segments of life, something that would last until the present day.

The 17th centennial of the recognition of Christian faith is marked this year in the city of Niš – the Emperor's birthplace and then Roman military city Naissus – where a series of spiritual, theatrical, and literary events will take place from January 17th to October 6th, culminating with the liturgy served by the high prelates of Orthodox churches from around the world. As could be expected of the Eastern millenarist reluctance to ecumenism, the holy service will be restricted to that of the Orthodox

faith. However, other Christian confessions are also invited to attend the celebration and this universal Christian anniversary.

The proceedings will be officially hosted by the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić and Patriarch Irinej, who will bring a common epistle of peace and reconciliation, addressing the entirety of humanity, urbi et orbi. The Edict of Milan, which even today has uniting power, was the fruit of Constantine’s strong personal beliefs blended with the political necessity of turbulent times, which bear many resemblances to ours.

T

he beginning of the 4th century sees the Roman Empire stretching over three continents: from Scotland to the Syrian border, and from the Danube to the edges of the African deserts. This is a time of deep economic and social crisis: due to constant price hikes and inflation, the Imperial currency had completely lost its value, causing the people to switch back to a safer natural exchange of goods. The burden of high and inheritable taxes, required by the Exchequer so as to be able to service the expenses

of the vast Empire and maintain its bureaucracy and defence, fell almost entirely on the backs of the rural population, pushing them further into an even deeper poverty.

This was also a time of religious syncretism. Diverse cults were flourishing across the Empire, and worshipping several of them at a time was the daily routine of many. Particularly appealing were the Middle Eastern cults, such as that of Isis, widely practiced at the Roman court, as well as Mithraism, mainly for their mysteries, initiations rites, and promises of eternal life. Facing a deep apathy, people were looking for comfort, hope, and salvation – the same transcendental foundations which modern man seeks today, either from religion or from or through more ‘worldly’ conduits.

In 306 ad, Constantine I ascended to the throne of the West as the loneliest man in the Empire, which, at the time, was succumbing to social unrest, upheaval, and civil war. Constantine was determined to overcome the shortcomings of such reforms as were attempted by his predecessors, especially www.see-magazine.eu |

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Diocletian, and to seize power, now divided between two Emperors and two helping Caesars, exclusively for himself.

Christians were one of the disloyal elements of his Empire, which means that they potentially stood in his way – or maybe not. At that time Christians accounted for one fifth of the population in the Empire, being much more numerous in its Eastern part. Persecuted for three centuries already, they were everything but biblically tame. They were uncompromising rebels for their cause, which was not just religious but also social: long before the European civil revolution Christianity was the first to proclaim equality and freedom as rights given by God, whilst forbidding idolatry and the worship of masters and lords. This ideology of liberation of the enslaved ancient man, as revolutionary and dangerous to the current order as Communism was in the 20th century, is what actually made Christians a viable threat to the Roman state, to the Emperor's authority, and to the very social order. However, by the time of Diocletian, who was himself a fierce prosecutor of Christians, it had become obvious that the anti-Christian policies of raids, arrests, executions, and confiscations were counterproductive. Not only had the Christians proved to be incredibly tough, but they also seemed to grow even stronger under such oppression, not least because they found additional motivation in the acts of their fallen martyrs.

This led Diocletian's colleague, Caesar Galerius, to admit that the attempts to eradicate Christians had failed. It is a very little known fact that Galerius issued the first edict of toleration of Christians, even before Constantine, in April 311, although only in his jurisdiction: “Wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the Republic, and for their own, that the Republic may continue uninjured in every way, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes.”

Pursuing his own game of thrones, Constantine I faced his last obstacle, 18

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“

The importance of the Edict of Milan exceeds the religious domain by far...

embodied in the usurper Maxentius, who was illegally holding power in Rome. On the eve of the battle against him, near the Milvian bridge (312 ad), Constantine dreamed – or had a vision, if you will – of a cross in the skies and the inscription ‘in hoc signo vinces’ (in this sign you shall conquer). The following dawn he gave the order to all troops to display crosses upon their flags and pennants. At the end of that day Constantine I entered Rome in Triumph.

Whether Constantine indeed experienced religious enlightenment or just wanted to unnerve Maxentius's troops by displaying the cross as his emblem likely lies anywhere between the legend and the truth. But one thing is certain: this event was the turning point in Constantine's biography – and in the early Byzantine history, as historiographers would later put it – after which all our Emperor's deeds would be explicitly Christian – or at least supportive of Christianity, culminating in the erection of Constantinople as a Christian city consecrated to the Holy Virgin in 330 ad.

Constantine continued to work on reconciliation within the Empire, attempting to include different religious and philosophical beliefs within Roman society. Indeed, the inter-faith peace was of paramount importance to the future of the Roman State: in the Early Middle Ages theology was the main battlefield for politics, and Constantine needed as few battles of this kind as possible distracting him in his political project of building an entirely new structure, later to be known as the Byzantine Empire.

So when he met with his colleague Licinius, in 313 ad in Milan – which by that point had become, along with Ravenna, the centre of the Western Empire

(Rome herself was already in a state of disrepair – it was to issue the common Edict on toleration and restitution of all confiscated properties. Christianity achieved the same free status as the pagan practices of old, and Christians could finally emerge from dark catacombs into the light of the day (both physically and metaphorically). But the Edict did not recognise Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, as is often misinterpreted: it referred to freedom of all religions and set the State neutral as to all of them, but Christians, who have already reached distinct positions in State administration by this time, benefited the most from it.

However, within less than a hundred years of the Edict, Christianity would turn into an uncompromising, exclusive faith, hostile towards competition.

In 381 ad Christianity would become the official religion of the Roman Empire, and in turn offer such persecutions upon other religions – Manicheism being a notable example – as it had suffered in its own relatively short history. That, of course, is a story for another day.

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ut was Constantine indeed a devout Christian, as romanticised historical accounts and church representations often depict him? Very few questions in history have been debated as heatedly as this one, with political and personal reasons often overlapping. From the Church's point of view, Constantine became a Christian at the end of his life, as he was baptised only shortly before his death in 337 ad. However, for much of his life, he was undoubtedly very close to Christianity. His mother, Empress Helena, who was indubitably devout, first exposed him to the religion early in his childhood. Although he was present

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at Diocletian's court in Nicomedia as a young man, at the time of the latter's most ferocious attack upon Christianity in 303 ad there is no evidence that he took part in it; in fact, some accounts stipulate that he even fled Diocletian’s

court in terror, which might explain his sudden appearance at his father’s establishment in York, a location on the extreme fringe of the Empire.

That said, it is widely accepted that Constantine endorsed Christianity

Two Churches - Two Celebrations

Although the bottom line of the Edict is that of tolerance, Christian churches failed to overcome the schism and Orthodox and Catholic services will be held separately in their respective cathedrals in Niš. The Archbishop of Belgrade, Stanislav Hočevar, says that his idea of an all-Christian festivity was not accepted: “Despite the common organisational committee, there is no will to create a common [all-Christian] event for everybody, although Emperor Constantine lived in a time when there was only one Christian church.”

Patriarch Irinej: will the Master of Ceremony racapture the spirit of the excuse for the celebration?

Pope not coming (again)

Despite there being several announcements stating that the Pope was planning to visit Serbia it has been confirmed that The Holy Father will not be present in Niš for the celebrations. The Serbian Patriarch recently said that he would personally embrace the Pope should he come to Niš, but the Russian Patriarch warned that he would not show up if the Bishop of Rome also came. Patriarch Irinej, diplomatic as ever, said that his church did “care about the Russian position”.

by 312 ad at the latest. However, that doesn't imply that he renounced polytheism - immediately or ever after - but rather that he probably just added the Christian god to his personal pantheon (adding rather than replacing being an age long tradition of the Romans). The concept of religious exclusivity was still unknown then, and would be enforced only later by the three Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

With the appearance, in 318 ad, of the first major ‘mainstream’ Christian heresy, Arianism, Constantine undertook to set up the First Universal Council, which took place in Nicaea, in 325 ad. He presided over the council personally, and oversaw the condemnation and excommunication of those clergy involved in the heresy, which was mainly enforced

by Saint Athanasius. As is widely known, the Council of Nicaea defined the Holy Trinity as we know it today, as well as the postulates of the Christian Credo – the famous Nicene Creed. Whether Constantine at this occasion was the defender of the true faith, or of a peace which could be undermined by a threat of schism, is again a question indiscernible between belief and politics.

The importance of the Edict of Milan exceeds the religious domain by far: by permitting Christianity to flourish, it allowed the ethical and cultural foundations of Europe to be laid, becoming inseparably entwined with Latin and Greek spirits in the West and the East, respectively. In spite of the controversies related to Christianity in the centuries to come - such as religious wars, proselytising, and inquisition - it was a fertile ground, especially in the (Greek) East, for architecture, art, literature, philosophy, and the forma mentis which are still vibrant in European civilisation, on all continents, up to the present day.

The Edict of Milan is not only a lesson in history, but also in the remembrance of a long-sighted and inspired leader who held such political values as belief, consideration, and tolerance, and which could be well used, as already mentioned, in the world we live in today. www.see-magazine.eu |

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editorial |

by Igor Dakić

A ‘Healthy’ Row Between Croatia's Church & State Heavy words indeed have been flying about, with terminology pertaining to the sexual act getting the better of the actual source, called the Health Education Programme.

So, polarised yet again, Croatia shows its face once more...and reveals, above all, the fundamental shortcomings of the political elite. And, also, what of the Church?

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The first problem was that the Pro- would be unacceptable for Catholics. t all started, from the vantage of February 2013, a good while back, gramme prescribed that sexual educa- Then followed the usual: the Programme and one could also say that it started tion be taught as early as third grade of would be teaching children how to masinauspiciously. The Croatian Ministry of elementary school, and last until the turbate (also telling them that ‘self-love’ Science, Education, and Sport, as pre- third grade of high school. The most is a perfectly ‘normal’ aspect of a healthy sided over by Minister Željko Jovanović, critical issue in this module was the so sexuality), how to put on condoms, how had proposed a new Health Education called gender ideology, according to to agree with a partner on protection Programme, which seemed like little which it is completely acceptable for a during intercourse and how to ‘deal’ more than another attempt to set some- girl to think she is a boy and vice versa. with unwanted pregnancies and stds.

Becomingly, the first reactions came thing straight with yet another admin- As the church sees it, sexuality is treated istrative document in the proverbially as an exclusively physical act, with no from the very top of the Christian camp; cluttered, undernourished, and under- emotion involved, and so this module from Cardinal Bozanić himself and from Mile Bogović, Bishop of Gospić-Senj, performing Croatian educational sector. who was perhaps the most eloquent and It was business – though not necessarily concrete of all the clergy: “The Church any particularly useful kind of business believes that children should be raised – as usual. to know shame and moral virtue, so But then, perhaps somewhat unexprimal impulses don’t take control and pectedly, all Hell broke loose. The Cathescalate into unbridled licentiousness, olic Church, as well as its many daughter and should also be enriched by love. The organisations, was quick to take up arms fourth module of this health education in righteous indignation. programme is a prelude to the legalisaThe first three modules of the Protion of gay marriages.” gramme, which deal with hygiene, At first, Minister Jovanović apparprevention of addictions, and prevenently didn’t think much of these attion of violence, were not contentious in tacks, probably dismissing them as the least. However, the fourth module, typical Church ploys aimed at attractwhich, of course, deals with sexual eding attention: such, at least, was his ucation and gender equality in schools, initial mien; but the affair would not was – and the Church reacted as the go away. For right wing and Catholic Church would react.

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“Jovanović, in the name of Jesus, leave our children alone!”

The billboards were the work of the ‘Nacija’ magazine, which describes itself as a Croatian patriotic-Christian monthly.

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organisations had already rallied up en masse, further emboldening Cardinal Bozanić et al. Even pm Milanović tried to intercede on several occasions, but had to sit, quiet, and composed, during Christmas Mass at the Zagreb Cathedral, as the sitting Cardinal spewed the full extent of his indignation at the recently proposed programme whilst uttering the solemn words of his carefully prepared occasional sermon.

The Church would not back down; more, it would attack from all sides, and arguably the most memorable weapon came in the shape of six huge billboards which sprouted all across Zagreb reading, “Jovanović, in the name of Jesus, leave our children alone!” The billboards were the work of the ‘Nacija’ magazine, which describes itself as a Croatian patriotic-Christian monthly.

“The billboard is simply our prayer, because Jesus taught us prayer. He constantly reminds us to preach, and the Pope himself has called the Catholic lay community to become more involved in the everyday life of the society in which they live. We oppose the introduction of health education into schools.

I believe such a programme is unnecessary for Christians, because we have the Bible, which is full of health education”, said Elvis Duspara, the founder

and editor-in-chief of ‘Nacija’, which was launched in October 2011 under the motto “Be, warn, console.” Some of its texts, for example, describe yoga as dangerous, unhealthy and abnormal, identifying those who practice it as an affront to God, instead recommending Bible-based diets.

Minister Jovanović was none the wiser, and now, visibly irritated, he made yet another attempt at being adamant.

Press releases were pouring out of the Ministry and associated institutions with unprecedented speed and in unprecedented volumes. “Annually there are 2000 teen pregnancies in Croatia,

“

They, the Christians, have worn him, Minister Jovanović, down; for he had clashed with Dogma; and under no circumstances can one argue with Dogma.

The Head of Church and the Head of State in an ambivalent, but nonetheless intimate moment...

and every 5th girl of a student age has Chlamydia. The health education programme is necessary for the health of the children,” said Vinko Filipović, Director of the Agency for Education, possibly thinking he had set the record straight. And then even Milan Bandić, Mayor of Zagreb, got involved, albeit in a marginally indirect fashion.

The Gavella Theatre, one of Zagreb’s most notable thespian institutions, had put on a play, its theatrical poster depicting a woman ‘intimately’ embracing the Blessed Virgin in a manner which subtly but undoubtedly insinuated a degree of Sapphic affection. Bandić, smelling an opportunity to endear himself with Catholic voters in the ongoing preelection 2013 mayoral contest, deemed it a profitable idea to ban the said poster under the pretext that it was his “duty” to protect the sensibilities of the faithful. By this point Minister Jovanović had all but disappeared from the media and public discourse, for the State vs the Church duel had taken a whole new life of its own. They have worn him down, for he had clashed with Dogma; and one cannot argue with Dogma. He did have the renowned Croatian sociologist and sexologist, Dr. Aleksandar Štulhofer, on his side, but it was hardly enough.

Statements such as “I think the parents of children in elementary schools should have the right to choose whether their child will attend certain segments of the health education classes; as for high school students, for more than one reason, I would not give the parents that choice…”; or, “It would seem that the Church thinks homosexuality is a choice; but all we know points to the fact that homosexuality is strongly biologically conditioned. In the curriculum, we point out that homosexuality is not a disease, and, for discussion’s sake, we offer various views on it – the Church’s, the feminists’, and the views of human rights activists…” – were meant to diffuse the situation to some extent, but it was all to no avail.

For the next – and the most recent – episode would enhance the scope of www.see-magazine.eu |

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and child trafficking, that homosexuals in Germany were the most responsible for Nazism, and that pornography damages the brain”.

Milan Bandić and Judith Reisman: how much do they truly have in common?

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y now, everyone had been shot in the foot, on all sides of the argument. The ‘leftists’ came off as being too aggressive, especially, in light of some of their statements, because they had mentioned Nazis in the context of a polemic with a Jewish woman – Reisman herself. The Church had lost momentum because the argument had risen to an overly academic level and further involved a foreigner whom its core flock essentially has no inclination to follow. As for the Government, the actual details of the Health Education Programme had been all but forgotten, meaning there would be further debate further down the line. It seems that all the parties involved had emerged from the row with ‘diminished assets’. Everyone had lost out.

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the polemic even more, possibly blow- the invitation to Dr. Reisman for the ing things out of all proportion. Dr Ju- simple reason of repaying the Catholic dith Reisman, the controversial public Church for electoral support in the past, speaker and activist, had been invited to the same Catholic Church that is “curspeak – in Parliament, no less – by the rently waging an aggressive campaign leadership of the Croatian Democratic against a lawfully elected Government.”

Union (Franjo Tuđman’s good old hdz) The Croatian People’s Party (hns) also – stirring further debate. Immediately opposed her visit, positing that Reisnumerous (now secular) associations man’s statements are extremely antiarose in protest, deeming it unaccept- democratic and harmful, such as her able that a “known homophobe and an- claim that “sexual education increases ti-democrat” could be allowed to visit the number of paedophiles, abortions the country in such an official manner.

The Civic Initiative of Zagreb reminded Tomislav Karamarko, hdz’s Chief, that Judith Reisman “is a pseudo-scientist who distorts scientific facts, promotes hate speech and inequality, and trivialises the Holocaust. Her very attendance at the Parliament is in violation of the Constitution, and it is the very same Parliament that should protect that highest of laws of this country.” The Initiative further accused hdz of having extended

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o wonder that everyone had lost out, for the very nature of the debate showed an intrinsic lack of understanding of the forces and axioms that were at work. For one, certain members of the Government, namely Minister Jovanović, do not seem to understand that the Church has a duty to get involved in issues that are of paramount social import, such as sexuality and education; and Christianity, as such, is not – nor does it purport to be – a ‘tolerant’ religion in the sense that a modern irreligious secularist would understand the word tolerance. For Christianity, like

Certain members of the Government, namely Minister Jovanović, do not seem to understand that the Church has a duty to get involved in issues that are of paramount social import, such as sexuality and education...

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other Abrahamic religions, is based in Scripture – and on stricture.

The other matter, which Minister Jovanović also does not appear to understand to the fullest, is that the only reason why such a discourse would not be possible in certain other (especially northern) European countries is that the Church would not be allowed to speak in the manner in which it can speak in Croatia. But, obviously, Croatia is not those countries. Clerical sentiment here still run deep, and the Church enjoys both such rights and the level of support as are hardly universal, which is to qualify the existing situation as neither good nor bad. It simply is so, and the Church, again, has a duty to make the most of it. Fulminating against the clerical stance simply betrays a sophomoric streak in the fulminator, a fundamental misunderstanding of the tissue of Croatian society.

This is not to say that the hdz-led Opposition, representing in this instance clerical sympathisers, have behaved in any less detrimental fashion in the context of their own (political) yearnings. For one finally ought to understand that Croatian Catholicism is sacramental, not scriptural, and that one’s affiliation with the Croatian Catholic Church is not ideological but ethnogenetic. Thus, introducing a foreigner and (pseudo)academic verbiage this late into the battle also shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the edicts that govern the (usually passively) faithful.

The conclusion, in other words, is simple: it may be that the Church, though its behaviour and its approach to a whole plethora of things arguably no longer meet the existing social conditions, has acted professionally. The Church has pursued its aims, as is its right. But the politicians? Even the civic sector? Let us hope that the day will come, at some point during our lifetime, when regional politicians will succeed in claiming the proverbial staff and show that they actually know what is best for them… not financially, but politically.

Citing the Bible...

Here are a few excerpts from the Bible, which may be relevant in light of the polemic discussed in this article; but we leave it to each reader’s sensibilities to work out the conclusions for him, or her, self. > Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22) > Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man around here to lie with us, as is the custom all over the earth. Let's get our father to drink wine and then lie with him and preserve our family line through our father." That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and lay with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. The next day the older daughter said to the younger, "Last night I lay with my father. Let's get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and lie with him so we can preserve our family line through our father." So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went and lay with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up. So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. (Genesis 19:30-36) > Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom-both young and old-surrounded the house. They called to Lot, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them."

Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, "No, my friends.

Don't do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof."

(Genesis 19:4-8) > When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the Lord thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her. (Deuteronomy 21:10-14) > Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also. (Genesis 38:9) > No man whose testicles have been crushed or whose organ has been cut off may become a member of the Assembly of God. (Deut. 23:1) > Yet she increased her prostitution, remembering the days of her youth when she engaged in prostitution in the land of Egypt. She lusted after their genitals – as large as those of donkeys, and their seminal emission was as strong as that of stallions. (Ezekiel 23:19)

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did you know? |

by Michael Devaney

Pagan Bosnians?

Better believe it.

Where does one begin? The history of Europe, and indeed the wider world, is based in no small part upon the establishment of religions, the downfall of religions, and no shortage of religious wars. Many of the scattered religions of Europe gave way, or rather became part of, the Roman pantheon, which in turn gave way to Christianity.

And now, two millennia later, it has come full circle, as recent years have witnessed the rise of Slavic Neopaganism, or Rodnovery.

their newfound ideology on overly nationalistic and Aryan roots, leading to an increased level of xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and militarism. Ukrainian worshippers have based their version, Ridnoviry, on the teachings of Volodymyr Shaian (1908–1974), who claimed to have experienced a religious awakening whilst observing a folk ritual in the Carpathian Mountains. Like their former comrades in arms, the Ukrainians too tend to espouse an unhealthy level of xenophobia, showing a distinct mistrust of Christianity, which they consider to be part of the ‘Jewish conspiracy’. Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic – the story is much the same. We shan’t linger any longer.

In epistemological fashion, however, another group have appeared on the Rodnovery scene, with apparently nothing but the most noble of motives behind it all. Active (officially) since 2011, Svaroži Krug (The Circle of Svarog) have made no secret of their mission, proclaiming to any who would listen that their “goals are purely cultural and

B

eing honest, not every pagan religion vanished with the advent of the Roman Empire, or even afterwards, with the spread of Christianity.

It’s no secret that those religious practises which survived into the Middle Ages soon found that they had now been coopted into the Christian calendar – we’ll refrain from listing them all here for lack of space – but religious jockeying aside, paganism, such as we understand it, was more or less extinct by the 1400s. Over the past number of decades, however, there has been some resurgence in these ‘old ways’. It would be pleasant were we able to report that these new worshippers, called Rodnovers, of the old Slavic gods are doing so for some altruistic reason, but the evidence suggests otherwise.

Or does it?

Russia’s first registered Rodnover group appeared in 1994, but empirical evidence indicates that practitioners of Rodnovery in Russia have based 24

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“

The idea of Svaroži Krug is a supra-ethnic one; their movement, called Praskozorje, rejects the nationalistic notions of all regional powers.

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“Bosnia was here before the Turks arrived, and Sarajevo was ‘created’ not by the Ottomans, but by the local population,” said the statement.

spiritual”, and would promote the “research, preservation, and revival of ancient Slavic traditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” And yet, for all the religious trappings, no matter how unfamiliar they might be to any lay Christian, the core thrust of the group is more (a)political than religious. Their numbers are few, and those few are predominantly members of the wider student body.

Oh, and have we mentioned that they happen to be Bosnian?

Some would argue that it all began as a tongue-in-cheek endeavour; a group of idealists looking to make a point (and who among us wasn’t in some way involved in student politics?), but clearly it has evolved into something more.

The ‘Circle’ promotes old Slavic holidays and customs as would any cultural group. Their, almost unique, ideology is that all people are one, but over time became alienated from one another as a result of differing monotheistic religions. Their argument is certainly a valid one, since our current peace-loving religions have resulted in the deaths of millions over the years.

Though nowadays fortunately in a figurative sense, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country at war with itself – Catholic Herzegovinans, Orthodox Serbs, and Muslim Bosniaks are the three distinct ethnic peoples of the state, but all three

The Book of Veles

The Book of Veles is the book by which many Rodnovers guide their actions.

While purporting to date from the 9th or 10th century, it has been identified by scholars as nothing more than a forgery – most likely made in the 1940s. Written on wooden plates it contains religious passages and accounts of history interspersed with religious morals. The earliest events in the book could be dated around the 7th century BC, and the latest happened in the 9th century AD.

can rarely agree with one another on any Sarajevo had existed long before the Ottomans (under the name of Hodidjed in level, least of all national.

The idea of Svaroži Krug, on the other the Vrh-Bosna County), they prompthand, is a supra-ethnic one; their specif- ly denounced Erdogan – as well the fact ic movement is called Praskozorje, which that he turned up to receive the Isa-Bey rejects the nationalistic notions of all re- Ishaković Award for special contribution gional powers. In essence it is their belief to the culture of Sarajevo – as neo-Ottothat no one country has the right to push man imperialism. “Bosnia was here betheir nationalism upon others, not Ser- fore the Turks arrived, and Sarajevo was bia, not Croatia, not the ideologies of Is- ‘created’ not by the Ottomans, but by the local population,” they said in their lam or neo-Ottomanism. statement.

In fact, they found themselves in the Do not misunderstand us: Praskozorspotlight relatively recently, in September 2012, during the visit of the Turkish je’s invective created no significant stir, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to though several Bosnian websites did commemorate the 550th anniversary of immediately denounce them as cooks, the founding of Sarajevo. Insisting that chetniks, or worse. Praskozorje is not www.see-magazine.eu |

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“

We do not advocate paganism, but when we hear of a group that believes “in one Bosnian nation of three faiths”, we cannot but feel a measure of sympathy for them...

The Slavic Pantheon

> Dažbog was one of the major gods of Slavic mythology, most likely a solar deity and possibly a cultural hero. He is one of several authentic Slavic gods, mentioned in a number of medieval manuscripts, and one of the few Slavic gods for which evidence of worship can be found in all Slavic nations. > Jarilo was a major male Proto-Slavic deity of vegetation, fertility and spring, also associated with war and harvest. His feast day was co-opted by the Christian Church and you might know it best as the Festival of St. John the Baptist. > Morana is a Slavic goddess associated with seasonal agrarian rites based on the idea of death and rebirth of nature. She is associated with winter and also often described as the goddess of death. Research suggests her name is derived similarly to that of Mars, the Roman god of war, who also originally began ‘life’ as an agricultural deity. > Perun is the highest god of the Slavic pantheon and the god of thunder and lightning. He might be compared to the Viking god Thor, although Thor was subservient to Odin. Zeus, of the Greek pantheon, would be a better match. > Rod is often mentioned in the Old Church Slavonic didactic literature, directed against (other) pagans. According to some researchers Rod was the common Slavonic god, the creator of all life and of existence itself. Rod lends his name to the term which acts as umbrella for worshippers of the old Slavic gods. > Svarog is known primarily from the Hypatian Codex, a Slavic translation of the Chronicle of John Malalas, where he is identified as the father of Dažbog. On the basis of this text, some researchers conclude that Svarog is the Slavic god of celestial fire and of blacksmithing. > Veles is a major Slavic supernatural force of earth, waters, and the underworld, associated with dragons, cattle, magic, musicians, wealth, and trickery. He is the opponent of Perun, and the battle between the two constitutes one of the most important myths of Slavic mythology

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a political movement; nor are we advocating disrespect of high-ranking Turkish officials. Praskozorje is rather an interesting reaction to the last couple of decades of Bosnian history, which were marked by War, violence, high nationalistic passions and, consequently, a major redefining of Identity.

We are also not advocating that one take up paganism, but when we hear of a group that believes “in one Bosnian nation of three faiths”, we cannot but feel a measure of sympathy for them. If nothing else, our protagonists regard the final process of ethnogenesis, which in Bosnia took place relatively late (as the Ottoman Empire itself was a supra-ethnic state based on the so called Millet system, which divided the population according to religious caste, not nationality), as something inherently negative – and, indeed, after everything that has happened, one can hardly deny that there might be something to it.

They firmly believe in the notion of one Slavic people, living in their respective Slavic nations, but nevertheless a unified entity. You might dismiss them now, but like so many student political bodies before them, you have to imagine that some of their number might find their way to the national politick. As they would say themselves, “Glory be to the gods!”

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event horizon |

by Igor Dakić

The Tragedy of Vukovar Continues: In Cyrillic, This Time Round The Croats, the Serbs, the Government, Brussels… different languages which are really the same, and a script that has, in the situation, long lost its morphological import. It can all but culminate in a Mexican stand-off with an awfully predictable crux: nobody wins…

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t is common knowledge by now that the impending introduction of bilingualism in Vukovar, i.e., signs and signage in (Serbian) Cyrillic, has been the stuff of a major controversy and heated political debate. As per provisions of the Constitutional Law, which give official status to the language of those minorities which constitute more than 33% of the population in a certain municipality, it follows that the Latin and Cyrillic scripts will have equal status in all public institutions. In other words, it is not only a matter of, say, street signs, but of many other things as well: for example, citizens of Vukovar will be able to submit a building permit written in Cyrillic. The Government is adamant that those who do not respect the law will be sanctioned by the Department of Administration, whose staff will go out “into the field” and check if the governing bodies are doing as told; even pm Zoran Milanović stated that the introduction of bilingualism in Vukovar will not be delayed...But let us, for once, start with what is truly important.

On November 21st of last year, the City of Vukovar issued statistics which show a 2.7% increase in the unemployment rate when compared to the previous quarter, and a 19.5% increase when compared to the year before. The Vukovar-Srijem Municipality accounts for as much as 6% of the overall national un28

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For, all things said and done, it matters very little that, as any philologist would inform us, Cyrillic is also a part of Croatian literary heritage...

employment rate; at the end of December 2012, 21,615 people were registered as unemployed, which is 2,690 more (14%) than the previous December; Vukovar registers a 24.3% unemployment rate; the Mayor of Vukovar, Željko Sabo, agrees that unemployment is the number one problem in City. The age structure of unemployed people in Vukovar is as follows: 1,328 (6.1%) from 15 to 19 years of age; 3,572 (16.5%) from 20 to 24 years of age; 3,169 (14.7%) from 25 to 29 years of age; 2,541 (11.8%) from 30 to 34 years of age; 2,382 (11.0%) from 35 to 39 years of age; 2,234 (10.3%) from 40 to 44 years of age; and so on… one gets the idea.

The Vukovar-Srijem Municipality also records the lowest salaries of all Croatian municipalities, the average being 3,597

Kuna per month, which is only 65.28% of the current Croatian average (currently estimated at 5,501 Kuna per month).

By way of comparison, the average salary in Zagreb is 6,350 Kuna, and one should not forget that, alongside Pula, Vukovar is, according to all the surveys, the most expensive Croatian city to live in. The figures speak for themselves.

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et, while very few people are familiar with these figures and their full implications, absolutely everyone is familiar with the ongoing debate on whether the Cyrillic script should be introduced to the City administrative and infrastructural domain. Not to mention that absolutely everyone has some sort of opinion on this score.

For instance, on February 2nd, according to some estimates as many as 20,000 citizens protested against the introduction of Cyrillic. And not only the locals – as more than 100 coaches arrived from across the country, full of people with a point to make. “Cyrillic – Never in Vukovar”, was the basic message of the protest, organised by the Committee for the Defense of Croatian Vukovar. The President of the Committee, one Tomislav Josić, read his list, demanding of City Council members to “immediately and unconditionally cease any further action in accordance with the city Statute regarding the introduction of Cyrillic and

February 13th

the Serbian language and writing.” The protesters also called on Mayor Sabo to distance himself from the introduction of Cyrillic within, as they said, two days.

If he didn’t do so, the Committee would demand his resignation, for, according to them, he would not represent the will of the majority. Speaking at the end of protest, Josić stated: “This is another attempt by the Croatian Government to legalise the ethnic cleansing in Vukovar. The war wounds have not yet healed, they are still fresh. I publicly hold you responsible if the safety of Vukovar and the surrounding areas becomes compromised”.

It should be noted that Janjić has contested the census figures themselves, which state that there are 27,683 Serbs the brink of eu accession. The whole sitliving in Vukovar-Srijem, or 34.87% of uation, however, if one were to look at the population: he claims that, accord- it with only a hint of objectivity, is being to his calculations, the actual figure set by paradox. does not exceed 22%, and is therefore not The first – and the most obvious – parnearly high enough to justify the intro- adox is that the Croats and the Serbs of duction of Cyrillic. Yet again, ‘souls’ are Vukovar actually speak the same lanbeing counted in Croatia – very becom- guage, meaning that the whole issue of ingly solely in the context of their ‘blood’ ‘bilingualism’ reeks of unnecessary seheritage – which is awfully remindful of mantic duelling. It is common knowlGogol, or worse. edge that the Latin and Cyrillic scripts in In other words, a good portion of the what was once known as Serbo-Croatian local Croatian demos are making a stand, are perfectly interchangeable; and even if but so are the Serbs, in this instance sup- we were to take the side of those linguists ported by the Government, which must who insist that Croatian and Serbian are honour the provisions of the Constitu- two different languages (citing differtional Law and also pacify Brussels on ences and variations in the Standard as

“

Ethnic tensions will rise, as there is no telling how the equally underprivileged, aimless, and unemployed ethnically Serb youths will react...

well as in most dialect forms), it surely stands to reason that the natives of Vukovar, their ethnic background notwithstanding, cannot be speaking a different language. Which brings us to another paradox: the Serbs themselves would be using the Serbian standard, which is, for all intents and purposes, a foreign language (or idiom) to them as well.

Another paradox is that such bilingualism never existed in Croatia when it was a part of Yugoslavia, even though, say, the Serbs constituted more than 90% of the population of Obrovac. There is very little else one can add, or should add.

As for the practical side of things... well, the following scenario is almost unavoidable. The Cyrillic script will be introduced, which will trigger countless acts of vandalism. Signs and property will be destroyed repeatedly, and the Authorities will have a very difficult time dealing with it all. Ethnic tensions will rise, as there is no telling how the equally underprivileged, aimless, and unemployed ethnically Serb youths will react, though it is quite easy to prophesy at least a minimum of retaliation. And so on. In this tripartite Mexican standoff, the Croats will compromise themselves even more, the Serbs will find it even more difficult to prosper in a country in which they were born and in which they live, and the Authorities... well, the Authorities will do well to prepare themselves for major bouts of embarrassment.

For it matters very little that, as any philologist would inform us, Cyrillic is also a part of Croatian literary heritage, as such Croatian texts from the Middle-Ages have been found in Istria and the Northern Adriatic, at a time when no Serbs were present there. But, as we all know, Cyrillic, in the present circumstances, is primarily neither a script nor an aspect of one’s cultural identity, but rather a political miasma, a highly politicised emblem, an electoral trump card.

And hard politicking, just like a lack of education, insight, and clear purpose, comes at a price. www.see-magazine.eu |

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February 13th

in medias res |

by Ben Berković

Terrorism in Zagreb: Fact or Fiction?

January 2013 saw the citizens of Zagreb shaken, in both senses of the word, by three separate explosions. Although there were no casualties and very little damage, the resultant media coverage of these ‘bombings’ could well be considered to have caused more harm than the bombings themselves. Sensationalist headlines, round the clock coverage, as all the while many in the public domain were postulating that it was all no more than some bored adolescents or disgruntled individuals expressing or venting their frustrations. The latter group were right.

W

e’ve written about this before, but it never hurts to recapitulate one’s subject matter. Thus, in broad strokes: The first incident occurred on January 9th, around 03:50, when a passing freight train set off an explosive device planted on the railtracks in the Zagreb neighbourhood of Podsused. There were no casualties, with only minor damage to the locomotive; one window on a nearby building was broken as a result of shrapnel. Nonetheless, initial reactions led to the situation being blown out of all reasonable proportion. The most popular daily newspapers, Jutarnji List and Večernji List, plastered their front pages with headlines such as ‘Terrorism in Zagreb?’, ‘Catastrophe averted’, ‘Diabolical device set off’, and so on.

Alas, the media were not alone in ‘blowing up’ the story: some police officials stated that “it was lucky that it was a heavy freight train, because a lighter passenger train would have been knocked off the tracks and casualties would have

been certain”. Need we mention once again that only minor damage was done, with a single window broken? And, of course, the locals didn’t miss the opportunity to jump on the bandwagon either. People living close by gave statements such as “These things happen in Iraq, not Zagreb! I am still in shock and scared”, or “It was a tremendous explosion, like bombs falling during the Second World War”, etc.

Damaged railtracks in Podsused

Just as things were about to quiet down, a second explosion occurred on January 11th, this time at a bus stop in the neighbourhood of Stenjevec, around

midnight. Once again only minor damage was dealt, and one man who suffered minor injuries to his hands was taken to the emergency room. The same man, 54 year old Vojislav Blažević, was subsequently taken into custody, and is currently the prime suspect for the two explosions, although no motive has yet been discovered, and Vojislav has been on hunger strike ever since, claiming his innocence. As with the first incident, the police, media, and locals all went on to cry wolf, and panic spread, no doubt pleasing whoever placed the explosive devices. A nearby tenant said: “This is really disturbing. No more than two days have passed since the train bombing. I am very afraid. I don’t know what Zagreb is turning into”. For whatever reason, the media continued to keep readers, viewers, and listeners on their toes, further fuelling the fire. They hardly needed to say more than “the prime suspect is not of a Croatian background”, and thoughts instantly turned to the Fifth Column and the Serbs. www.see-magazine.eu |

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Minister of Internal Affairs Ranko Ostojić

Finally, the third ‘bomb’ went off at 02:30 a.m. on the main square in Zagreb, on January 23rd. Most of the square was closed off, bomb squads were on the scene, hundreds of police officers covered the perimeter, and once again…

Only minor damage was done to the stone paving, with no casualties.

Various theories emerged about who did it this time. Some said it was friends of Vojislav Blažević, trying to prove he wasn’t the original bomber. Most agreed it was probably just an individual taking perverse joy in further stirring the newly created fear amongst the populace.

By way of response, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Ranko Ostojić, said the following: “I would not go as far as calling this a terrorist attack, since only one stone slab was slightly damaged. I can also not say if it has anything to do with the two explosions which happened earlier this month, since even the police cannot say”. However, this time the police had footage from dozens of security cameras, and so narrowed down the list of possible suspects. This led to five men, between the ages of 27 and 31, turning themselves in after a couple of days.

They admitted to setting off the explosive device, which was a remainder of their New Year celebratory ‘arsenal’, thereby alleviating any worries the public might have had regarding terrorism. For the record, it was also reported by the media that 58 year old construction contractor Ivo Šprljan, the father of one of 32

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“

Perhaps a parallel can be drawn with the War on Terror itself, not only because the media managed a successful portrayal of Zagreb as some sort of Hollywood-like catastrophe...

the suspects, Domagoj, gave the five men an amount of military grade explosives, trained them in their use, and explained how to set them up. This in turn led to stories and unfounded assumptions that all three January explosions were carried out by the five men and the father, all of whom are now in custody.

T

he recent explosions in Zagreb may have caused only minimal material damage, but nevertheless they left a much deeper impact behind. Although the explosions themselves obviously, at least to those who are au fait with the subject, in no way presented a dangerous terrorist plot, the country was sub-

jected to terror regardless. The resulting media frenzy and their interpretation of the events, even of the most basic information, were not only tendentious, but in some instances deliberately false. For instance, while it was reported that the detonation at the Square was so strong that it caused a window on a nearby store to crack, an employee at the store stated that the window had cracked before the explosion. And so, the citizenry of Zagreb were convinced that “Zagreb is becoming more and more like Iraq”, and ‘learned’ that on the night of the second explosion, when “detonations were heard throughout Western Zagreb”, “Special Forces were thoroughly sweeping the area”, and that Zagreb was going through “72 hours of terror”. Every traffic accident or forgotten plastic bag on the street became a narrowly evaded terrorist massacre. The Press machinery had succeeded in ‘heightening the senses’, i.e., in establishing a paranoid environment, like so many times before in human history. Perhaps a parallel can be drawn with the War on Terror itself, not only because the media managed a successful portrayal of Zagreb as some sort of Hollywoodlike catastrophe, but because fear had got out of the box and taken on a whole new life of its own. For the media went further than just trying to convince the population that every visit to the shops might mean putting oneself in the face of very real danger. Rather than advocating a firm hand and police repression towards the phantom terrorist threat, the media started to act like a part (the investigative arm) of the repressive apparatus itself, by unveiling ‘dangerous terrorists’.

Probably to increase sales, just as probably because modern-day journalists often don’t know any better… as is the case nowadays in most corners of the globe.

That said, despite the recent explosions it would seem that the citizens do not doubt the safety of their city. 75% of a recent poll disagreed with the proposal that Zagreb is not a safe city. Additionally, the alleged bombers left no messages, nor expressed any interest in causing panic. Still…

February 13th

Notable 20th-Century Acts of Terrorism in the Balkans

> Gavrilo Princip lights the fuse for World War I Gavrilo Princip was a member of the Mlada Bosna organisation, and, as we all know, the youth who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, in Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914. Gavrilo Princip was one of six assassins who hid in plain sight, amongst the crowds, as the Royal couple passed by, and all were under clear instructions to attempt to kill the Austrian Crown Prince. The first would-be assassin didn’t even throw his bomb. The second managed to hurl his grenade toward the car, but with a ten second fuse it exploded after the car had passed. Later on, when all ‘hope’ was gone, the Archduke's car broke down close to Princip, who approached it, and who then fired his pistol at the couple from five feet away, killing them both. The Sarajevo assassination led Austria-Hungary to issue a coercive demarche to Serbia, known as the July Ultimatum, which resulted in the declaration of the First World War. > Alexander ‘the Unifier’, King of Yugoslavia, Gunned Down in Marseille In 1932, after the Velebit Uprising, Alexander I, King of Yugoslavia from 1921 to 1934, said the following: “If you want to have serious riots in Yugoslavia or cause a regime change, you need to kill me. Shoot me and be sure you have finished me off, because that's the only way to make changes in Yugoslavia”. On Tuesday, October 9th, 1934, he arrived in Marseilles on a state visit to the Third French Republic, to strengthen the two countries' alliance in the Little Entente. While Alexander was being driven in a car through the streets, along with French Foreign Minister Louis Barthou, a gunman, Vlado Chernozemski, stepped forth from the street and shot the King and the chauffeur. Alexander died instantly, slumped backwards in the car seat, eyes open, while Barthou succumbed to his injuries later on. It was one of the first assassinations captured on film, as the shooting took place right in front of the attending cameraman. The film record of Alexander I's assassination remains one of the most notable pieces of newsreel in existence, alongside the film of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia's coronation, the funerals of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria, and the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Aided by the Croatian Ustasha movement, then in exile, the assassin, Vlado Chernozemski, was a Bulgarian and a member of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO), who fought for secession of Vardar Macedonia from Yugoslavia. The public opinion in Yugoslavia was that Mussolini’s Italy had been crucial in the planning of the assassination. > The Croatian Revolutionary Brotherhood The CRB was a far right-wing terrorist organisation, formed in the early 1960s by Croatian immigrants in Australia. Its aim was to start an uprising in Yugoslavia and to establish an independent Croatia. This mission failed due to repeated interventions of UDBA, the then Yugoslav secret police. The organisation carried out more than 120 operations in Europe and Australia, from blowing up planes, trains, and automobiles, to assassination attempts on prominent Yugoslav officials. In contrast to the Croatian Liberation Movement, an organisation founded by Poglavnik Ante Pavelić, the CRB was more radical and didn't expect any help from Western countries, while the CLM did.

www.see-magazine.eu |

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The capital evidence against the suspects were their Facebook profiles – an awfully suspect source itself – which contained information on where they were born and whether they had ever written that they liked risks and adrenaline. Thus, all incoherent, ‘anti-establishment chatter on Facebook became proof of a serious terrorist threat, which had to be nipped in the bud, ruthlessly. Let us quote a military-political analyst, Igor Tabak, who suggested that the Square ‘bombing’ was obviously a criminal offense which had been in preparation for quite some time in the Šibenik area, and it is therefore hard to believe the official version which lists arrogance and boredom as the perpetrators’ motives. “It is also important to note,” Tabak went on, “that two of the six suspects (Šprljan and his son), are related to Zvonko Bušić, a Croatian right-wing dissident who was convicted of terrorism abroad (he hijacked a plane in 1976).”

To put it into perspective, if the State Attorney were to consider this act as a terrorist attack, the minimal sentence of six months would be increased to three years, and the maximum sentence would be 15 years in prison – which gives us some food for thought. Yet, is this – the legal-custodial implication – the very heart of the matter?

For instance, Mate Laušić, a safety expert, was probably right on point when he said this: “I consider this to be an act of terrorism, as the goal was accomplished: media attention and the intimidation of the public.” But what kind of a terrorist act? Has this story involving pyrotechnics really changed something or sent some kind of message?

First of all, defining ‘terrorism’ as a word is a difficult endeavour, all the more so because it means different things in different (historical and geographical) contexts; which is perhaps precisely why one should drop it for the time being. The important thing is that the three bombs even managed to gain a measure of sympathy and support – not to mention ‘understanding’, along the lines of ‘someone ought to shake this stale country out 34

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of its venal apathy’ – which is extremely emblematic of societies where trust in the political system is all but non-existent and where there appear to be no concrete alternatives on the horizon, especially as concerns a brighter future for the economy.

A

certain Ivana P. wrote the following in an op-ed for Večernji list: “Let us return to the matter of the 'bomb'. This terrible explosive device, which came from the hands of the terrifying terrorist Šprljan, is a common means of celebration in Vodice. It is omnipresent at parties, especially at Christmas and on New Year’s Eve. It is, in my opinion, imbecilic and moronic, but it is so. The police in Vodice have been tolerating such celebrations for decades, and even participating in them. Vandalism is vandalism, no matter where it takes place… And it should be punished as such, and not

“

Incidentally (or is it?), one of the six ‘bombers’ is a member of HDZ Youth Corps, and members of this group have always had a lovely knack for getting themselves in the newspapers...

given over to the media who create terrorists out of these imbeciles. Finally, if Šprljan wanted to make a real bomb, given all the experience he has in construction, we would have had a bomb which would have caused Ban Jelačić to dismount his steed.”

No, this is not a form of apologia for the ‘terrorist’ Šprljan and his posse. It is not even an attempt to relativise things.

Upon second thought, it is not even a particularly insightful condemnation of the media. But it is a relevant document of our times in the sense that it identifies, howsoever clumsily, a certain aspect of Croatia’s demographic – the usually moneied, aimless, arrogant, and unemployable youths with too much time on their hands and not enough comprehension of what the word ‘decency’ means; those youths who still live off (oftentimes rather tall) Homeland War stories, who fashion their behaviour after National Lampoon’s Animal House flicks (coupled, of course, with an extremely strong and even more misguided sentiment of Croathood), and who, unfortunately, very seldom have a parent who finds any fault with their child’s general disposition.

Incidentally (or is it?), one of the six ‘bombers’ is a member of Croatian Democratic Union’s (hdz) Youth Corps, and members of this group have always had a lovely knack for getting themselves in the newspapers (vandalism, bullying, disrespect of the Law, and so on). No wonder, then, that Tomislav Karamarko, the President of the Croatian Democratic Union (hdz), just may have tried to provide a form of apologia when he said that “No-one’s safety was compromised by the square bombings.” Karamarko may have been adamant that those who are guilty should be held accountable and dealt with accordingly, but these kinds of niceties just won’t do any more.

For the ultimate kind of terror can only be perpetrated by a hopelessly dysfunctional society, and it is difficult to escape from the impression that that just may be precisely the direction in which Croatia is headed. And not only Croatia…

February 13th

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politics |

by Sebastijan Maček

A Guide to the Slovenian Political Crisis As Slovenia grapples with probably the worst political crisis since it gained independence over two decades ago, outside observers may find it difficult to penetrate the laden political discourse.

Especially in light of all the writing we’ve done on this topic over the past two or three-odd months, it stands to reason that we owe you a guide to some of the ideas, concepts, terms and names that are essential to understanding the current kerfuffle.

1

Commission for the Prevention of Corruption - An independent antigraft watchdog frequently accused of being a toothless tiger, it showed that it did indeed possess teeth when, in early January, its head, Goran Klemenčič, released a report on the assets of party heads, showing that both Democrat President Janez Janša and Positive Slovenia President Zoran Jankovič, Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition, respectively, failed to account for a significant chunk of their assets.

Though lacking power to demand action, Klemenčič made it clear what the consequences should be – resignation.

Janković reluctantly froze the Presidency of the party he founded just over a year ago, but he still refuses to make the next logical step - resigning as the Mayor of Ljubljana. Janša, meanwhile, has also been deflecting calls to resign, though others are doing the work for him. One party, the Citizens' List, has already left the coalition, leaving him with a minority Government; two more are expected to follow suit in a matter of weeks.

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The time has come to show the teeth.

And some aggression as well. Who will lead the way?

2

Electoral reform - This is the holy grail of Slovenian politics. In 1996 voters were asked which of the three distinct electoral systems they preferred. Single-member district plurality (smdp), or 'first past the post', won, but failing to garner an outright majority of votes, it was never implemented. Everyone appears to agree that the current proportional representation system (the D’Hondt Method) is a mess in that it gives parties too much say over who is elected to Parliament and results in producing

a number of small parties who then end up playing kingmaker, generating inherently unstable coalitions. Alas, everyone seems to have their own idea as to how to change it. Janša recently suggested electoral reform was one of the preconditions for him even considering stepping down.

He proposed an smdp system with runoff voting, but the smaller parties are unlikely to sign off on the plan: systems such as these tend to lead to two-party rule over time, decimating the smaller players. The most likely scenario is some

February 13th

sort of mixed proportional representation that would give voters more say on who is directly elected whilst providing for the option of recalls. Janša's statements suggest he would be willing to accept that, and the solution has the virtue of being in line with the demands of the anti-establishment protesters, who are calling for a system with greater accountability and the option of recalling those elected to office.

3

Referendum legislation reform Slovenia has had a nearly two dozen referendums in the past twenty years, with voters asked to weigh in on topics ranging from the important, such as eu and nato membership, to the arcane, for example Sunday opening hours of stores and plans to expand the coalfired power plant in Trbovlje. The low barrier to entry – 40,000 signatures that need to be collected in a month and the absence of a threshold for turnout or a quorum – has made such days-out cheap and effective tools for undermining Government policies, but the politicking has come at a steep price. The reform efforts of the previous Government were derailed when its pension reform was voted down, accelerating its demise and eventually leading to a snap election.

Janša, whose party has been, overtly and covertly, very happy to see such questions put to the people, has been luckier, as the Constitutional Court, in a much criticised ruling, banned referendums on two key reform laws. Nevertheless, the prospect of virtually any unpopular laws being voted down so easily has focused minds, and a reform of referendum rules is slowly making its way through parliament. It would shield laws on public finances and emergency relief measures from referendum voting, and also introduce a quorum. The plan appears to enjoy cross-partisan support, although there is a snag: it remains unclear who will be in Opposition or the ruling coalition shortly, and those who see themselves not being part of a forthcoming Government are reluctant to let go of such a handy politicking tool.

“

Together - A vapid political slogan like many before it, it nevertheless struck a chord with the voters who elected Borut Pahor President...

4

5

Snap election - An election is the Project Government - A concept most likely outcome of the current floated by the Positive Slovenia to political crisis, but also one riddenote some sort of a transitional dled with uncertainty. Current polls sug- Government that would take over in the gest that the smaller parties would take interim period between Janša's resignaa drubbing, leaving two major players, tion and an early election. Not to be misJanša's Democrats and the Social Demo- taken with a Technocratic Government, crats, to fight it out between themselves, though its proponents say it would idealong with a handful of minnows. The ally have a technocratic Prime Minispicture is further muddled by the pro- ter and a bunch of non-partisan cabinet posed electoral reform, which, if taken in members. Its mandate would neverthethe direction of an smdp system, would less be limited to key reform projects. Poprobably produce even bigger gains for tential candidates for the project include the major parties than polls suggest, and all parties bar Janša's Democrats and his drive the smaller players, who are quite close allies, the Christian Democratic used to playing kingmakers, into obliv- New Slovenia. It remains unclear who ion. Despite statements to the contrary, the Prime Minister would be, and if anall parties are afraid of snap elections, for yone is actually willing to take the job. Its one simple reason: money. Just one year biggest problem would be the huge conafter the last snap election and mere- ceptual differences of the potential partly months after the Presidential Elec- ners, ranging from free-market liberals tion, party coffers are empty. They all such as the Citizens' List to parties such rely on budget sources, with campaign as the Social Democrats for whom privadonations accounting for a tiny share of tisation and liberalisation are anathema. total campaign spending. This also ap- What makes the idea attractive, though, pears to have been the driving force be- is that it would give parties more time to hind the recent cross-partisan endorse- prepare for the election whilst making ment of additional budgetary funds for it easy to shift the blame for unpopular parties, even as budget outlays are being measures onto technocrats. It has already cut across the board. At least there is no been variously called a “zombie Governworry of anti-establishment protesters ment”, “less than half the solution”, and running out of things to complain about. “the worst possible option”.

6 A zombie fist showing terminal resolve...

Zombie - First used disparagingly in a tweet by Janša's party to describe protesters who have been sporadically pouring onto the streets, demanding resignations of corrupt politicians; it has since become a full-fledged cultural meme, zombie imagery brandished with pride by the very protesters the term was meant to belittle. In a reversal of roles, it has also been used to describe Janša clinging on to power even though his coalition is decomposing. www.see-magazine.eu |

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7

Direct democracy - This is one of the vailing perception on the Right that few tangible proposals to have come Kučan is still pulling the strings and out of the mass protests against po- calling the shots, though the conspirlitical elites. It sounds good, in theory, as acy theory obscures the fact that many a means of clipping the wings of pow- of those actually wielding power in the erful particracies, and Switzerland is in- background are less interested in idedeed a good example of how it can be ology than money and will gladly enter done properly. But look no further than into unholy alliances with politicians of California to see how the system can go any colour. Used interchangeably with awry when it is hijacked by moneyed “Kučan’s Clan”. vested interests.

Communism - A system of politics Uncles behind the scenes - A popthat Slovenia ostensibly left beular if somewhat odd slur, hurled hind more than 20 years ago: the by right-wing media at people per- term, by now used as a handy derogaceived to be operating behind the scenes tory word, has become a rallying call of as opposed to the open political arena. the Right, which says that Slovenia may Even when it is not specified, it always have left this system of Government berefers to the alleged conspiratorial cir- hind, but that old structures remain cle of Communist-era bigwigs who sur- stubbornly alive and wield considerarounded former President Milan Kučan. ble influence with their informal netThe expression dovetails with the pre- works. Though it should be taken with

8

Communism on the skirting board? It's been there for the last twenty years, yet it still refuses to go away.

A resilient fellow...

9

a grain of salt, the claim is by no means far-fetched. Awkwardly, such critics appear to be less than immune to what could be described as Communist methods, for they frequently resort to political methods that are eerily familiar to those who lived through Communism, from the generation of perceived class enemies, to misuse of security services and idolatry. As the old adage – liberally applied – goes, you can take the people out of Communism but you cannot take Communism out of the people.

10

Slovenian Spring - The Slovenian Spring was that period in the late 1980s and early 1990s which became synonymous with Slovenia’s struggle for democracy and independence. Originally broad, two decades of use and misuse have narrowed it to denote the parties which sprang up during the democratic movement and defeated the reformed Communists in the first multi-party elections in 1990.

The right of use has since been co-opted

by Janša’s Democrats, who invoke it at any time they deem it necessary to rally centre-right voters. It may, however, come across awkwardly with those people who possess long memories, for Janša reserves the right to decide who belongs under the Slovenian Spring banner.

The People’s Party (sls), a key member of the democratic forces which helped overthrow Communism, appears to have been stripped of its right to be a ‘spring party’ by virtue of having been in too many centre-left coalitions.

“

Communism the term, by now used as a handy derogatory word, has become a rallying call of the Right...

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February 13th

Rule of Law? The day will come.

Long is the future, awfully long...

11

Council for the Republic - This self-proclaimed forum of intellectuals was created in the run-up to the 2004 general election, to help centre-right parties. It has since operated as a kind of right-wing thinktank, though it has been producing talking heads rather than policy papers. It does wield significant influence in public discourse and has been a prominent voice recently. Its leaders are trying to come across as unpartisan, but they have never concealed strong links with Janša’s Democrats. A series of debates which it has recently been organising, entitled “Who Really Stole the Country: All Means Are Once Again Allowed to Remove Janez Janša”, should be enough to dispel any uncertainty as to its affiliations.

12

So-called - The use of this particular term is a telltale sign that an attempt is being made to discredit someone. It is championed by, but not confined to, politicians on the right, who by virtue of constant repetition produced such political slang stalwarts as “so-called expert” and, most famously, “so-called erased” for people from former Yugoslav republics who were stripped of their permanent residence in 1992 and are still awaiting restitution.

“

Clusterf*** - It’s got no true equivalent in Slovenia, but it is perhaps the best word to describe the current political situation in the country.

13

Rule of law - A fuzzy legal concept to begin with, it is probably the most used and abused phrase in Slovenian politics. Used wantonly to drive home the point that the law should apply equally to everyone and that no official should be above the law, politicians resort to it whenever they want to show the people that the system, in particular the judiciary, is bad and needs to be reformed. In the aftermath of the damning anti-graft report, it has been tellingly banished from many a politician's lips.

14

Together - A vapid political slogan like many before it, it nevertheless struck a chord with the voters who elected Borut Pahor President in December. It befitted a politician who has sincerely tried to end bitter ideological divisions and who, as Prime Minister of the most leftist Government in Slovenia’s history, enacted both an unprecedented raise in the minimum wage and deep cuts to unemployment and social security benefits.

Uncomfortably for the new President, it has since become a go-to word denoting his close ties with Janša, whose endorsement in the Presidential race Pahor embraced whole-heartedly. Following Janša’s accusation by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of violating anti-graft legislation, all Pahor has been able to utter was a mild appeal that Janša should seek a confidence vote in Parliament – currently the fastest way to snap elections and a new Government. Cue the jokes á la “Jahor” (Janša + Pahor).

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Clusterf*** - It’s got no true equivalent in Slovenia, but it is perhaps the best word to describe the current political situation in the country. www.see-magazine.eu |

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politics |

by Miša Milošević

Serbia’s Fight Against Organised Crime: Is Mission “Clean Hands” Impossible?

If severe charges in officials’ close connections with the drug mafia in Serbia should prove to be true, that would leave the country's political scene almost entirely without a clean party - or a politician. Can it be?

T

he fight against organised crime in Serbia, led by the Government's Deputy-Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vučić, may well become a modern interpretation of the old saying: “we chased a rabbit but we caught a wolf”. The affair relating to fugitive narcotics boss Darko Šarić, currently on Interpol’s red list due to massive drug trafficking, has intersected with a number of ongoing corruption cases – notably the real estate projects of Miroslav Mišković, Azotara Pančevo, and the placement of cheap loans in hundreds of Serbian small and medium size enterprises (as a form of money laundering).

The new discoveries – and trust us, something new is always being discovered in these cases – which have been emerging almost on a daily basis, have reached the very office of pm Ivica Dačić.

The latest information from as-yet unrevealed sources within the police show that Dačić has met, on several occasions, one Rodoljub Radulović, nicknamed ‘Miša Banana’ according to his legitimate business, a man who appears to have been the real head of operations of the Šarić clan. What appeared to be shocking news was blindly dismissed by the Prime Minister himself, who said that “he was not informed of who Radulović was”. Though surely he has advisors to tell him everything there is to know about whomever it is he is scheduled to meet; or at least he should.

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So let us take a brief look at some political aspects of these developments. Pm Dačić calls this a “deliberate attack” but is not inclined to believe, at least publicly, that his allies, the Progressives (sns), are behind it. That leaves us with two other possible perpetrators of this most recent crisis: that disloyal element of the police force, who would like to see one of their candidates become the Director

General of the Police at the forthcoming public tender; the second being Dragan Đilas, recently elected President of the Democratic Party (ds) and the Mayor of Belgrade, the last remaining strongman of the Democrat machine. Certainly this scandal has somewhat weakened the Prime Minister’s position, but any politi-

cal advantage accruing must be small indeed, because poll figures still indicate that Nikolić’s sns would win enough seats to form a majority Government were an election called anytime soon. sns, however, are lacking any credible excuse for calling an election, unless they want to be identified as being power-hungry. Dačić being discredited, and presumably stripped of office, would provide that excuse.

The survival of Dačić might well rely on there emerging even more crises in the fight against corruption, anything which would redirect the spotlight away from him, and onto more tangible, and more easily disliked, targets. For this to happen he will need to rely on his Deputy Prime Minister more than he might like, but beggars cannot be choosers. Dačić will also hope for a softening of public opinion towards him as he continues the long negotiations with Priština; Nikolić said only last week that Serbia was committed to joining the European Union, and while Brussels has not explicitly said that Kosovo must be recognised for that to happen, a number of European Governments have not been so diplomatic in verbalising their expectations.

Still, it might be too late to remove all the mud which has been flung at the Prime Minister, and he can only pray that he has time for a shower, should an election be planned for any time soon.

February 13th

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SEE - A Fortnight in Review

the bright side of business |

by Ivana Stepanović

Mangulica - The Holy Pork of Serbia Hipster culture is always looking to bring back some element of fashions past, although you’ve likely never heard of it. Hollywood would have you believe that scientists are forever looking to clone some ancient beast, and that never works out well. But what of food? Has some item which once graced the breakfast table of your ancestors ever made such a comeback?

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t the very beginning of the 19th companions were high: the pigs would century two livestock merchants graze and eat acorns in fields and forests and fellows, Miloš Obrenović – the food they were used to in the wild and Đorđe Petrović, were travelling – and would finally arrive at their destinathrough villages of central and north- tion fit and firm, under the name Wollsern Serbia. They were looking for semi- chwein (woolly pig). In fact, the trading wild, woolly, and skinny pigs, named of this particular pig was so profitable Šumadinka, pigs which were consid- that it was not only the main Serbian exered to be the cattle of the poor. These port in the 19th century, but the profits pigs dwelled between forests and farms, resulting from the trade also made posand our two gentlemen would purchase sible two revolutions – the two Serbian any pigs held by local peasants and uprisings of 1804 and 1815, respectivethen export them into the heart of the ly, which bridged ancient and modern Austro-Hungarian Empire. In this way Serbia as they led to liberation from the herds, each containing hundreds of pigs, Ottomans and brought about the end of would be collected and sent all the way feudalism in the country. Both uprisings to Vienna, ahoof. were led by some familiar characters, the The route was a comparable Silk Road two merchants mentioned at the start of for Serbian merchants, as the profit the tale. Đorđe Petrović, later to become margins attainable from these porcine known as Karađorđe (or Black George),

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The profits resulting from the trade also made possible two revolutions – the two Serbian uprisings of 1804 and 1815...

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February 13th

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The numbers don’t lie: Serbia has no more than 1,500 mangulica, while Hungary 7,500.

its lard content than the meat itself. Being a wild animal, it was very much resistant to such diseases as usually afflict its more domesticated brethren, and it he pigs responsible for Serbia’s good also weathered the seasons better. Givfortune – and their own (tasty) demise en that they were essentially free range – are called mangulica. It is an indigenous pigs, the costs of farming were much breed and closely related to the wild boar. diminished.

Demand for this pig continued to Both Serbia and Hungary claim origin of the creature, but history has it that Prince grow, up until the beginning of World Miloš presented the Hungarian court with War II, with Serbian and Hungarian exa herd, which, after it had been crossbred ports reaching close to 100,000 heads with a local breed, produced the mangal- delivered per annum to livestock markets in Vienna, where buyers from other itsa, a white variant.

However, it must be noted that Man- European countries would congregate, gulica was highly sought after more for looking to purchase what they could. was the founder of the Serbian house of Karađorđević; whereas Miloš Obrenović became Prince and ruler of Serbia.

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Wooly is as wooly does... quite a gorgeous mug, isn't it?

Following the end of the war, however, individual farms gave way to more extensive cooperative and industrial production- a great necessity under the circumstances, given the growing population’s increasing demand for food.

And Mangulica, which is a slow-growing pig, was not ideally suited to this new model, and so their numbers saw a sharp decrease, such as experienced by the bison of the American plains.

Faster growing breeds such as Landras, Yorkshire, and Berkshire, which all had higher meat content, would dominate pig farming throughout the former Yugoslavia in the post-war decades.

As a result of its aforementioned diet, mangulica tastes differently from other, more common, breeds. It is also healthier and so should not be as readily dismissed from your table as other pork products (something nutritionists have been hawking for the last number of decades). The meat is darker, more tender and leaner, and possesses a stronger smell. Oddly, although the meat of the mangulica is classified as a high fat content meat, its fat component may well be lower than that of some types of veal and chicken.

Moreover, it has a higher protein content than other, similar types of pork, and often has a cholesterol level 75% lower than that of a regular squealer. Consequently, eating mangulica may help increase your hdl (good cholesterol), whilst lowering your ldl (bad cholesterol). Eating pork in order to get healthier is finally a nice change from the current diet.

Mangulica’s rebirth only began a few years ago, in Hungary, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, where a stable presence of this breed was maintained for gourmet reasons. Its revival is due mostly to the nutritionist advice on good and bad cholesterols and the advantages of this widely forgotten breed in human nutrition; in addition, the marketing hype also played its role in promotion of the ecological aspects of extensive farming of mangulica and its natural feeding and selection. It was this www.see-magazine.eu |

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trend that actually led to the re-discovery of mangulica in Serbia as a long-lost national treasure, which was once the source of significant income.

Undemanding and easy to maintain, mangulica farming also returned to the national consciousness at the right moment in time: it can potentially save any number of households in rural Serbia, already devastated by continued migration of younger generations. That impoverished farms could also now compete, if only somewhat, with cheap, imported pork products, cannot be underestimated either; those farms which had long been priced out of the retail trade had had no choice but to allow their animal quarters fall into disrepair, or to sell meadows and other pieces of land just to survive until the next season.

Indeed, such competition from larger wholesale providers saw the number of pigs in Serbia, of all breeds, drop from approximately five million to just three million today.

agricultural subsidies of 40 Euros per head. But apart from the obvious “sell your pig and make some money” route, what are the real business opportunities in the farming of the woolly pig?

Today, as much as the content of our lunch or dinner plate has changed in comparison to only a few decades ago, the demand for meat, and therefore for farming breeds, remains much higher than for lard-rich mangulica. There is good reason for the demand imbalance; mangulica has a considerably low reproduction rate, with, on average, just five

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he numbers don’t lie: Serbia, in 2013, has no more than 1,500 mangulica, while Hungary has in the region of 7,500. Of the 1,500 head, the majority are located in five main farms: the natural reserve ‘Zasavica’ near Sremska Mitrovica, Bela Crkva, Mačvanski Prnjavor, and Stara Planina. The Government has identified mangulica farming as a growth industry and are issuing

Pigs & Management

In 1853, Prince Miloš founded the first ‘School for the People's Agronomists’, understanding that agriculture could not be further developed without educating the peasants who were relied upon to provide Serbia with its food. The course would last two years and every day students would enter the school under the inscribed mission statement: “Agronomists shall teach people how to work and shall supervise them”. Do these management principles sound familiar? Napoleon and Snowball would be proud.

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piglets per sow, and a late maturation cycle (mangulica breeds several months later than other pigs). Our woolly pig also only gains approximately 17% in weight for food ingested, though the majority of their diet is found in nature and therefore of no cost to the farmer.

Over the course of a year, if left to its own devices, a mangulica pig can reach, barely, 80 kilos in weight – although supplemental foodstuffs such as corn or concentrate can be used to increase its weight. It is possible, by limiting the range of your stock, that your pigs can gain as much as 200-300 kilos over a two year period, tending to the lower estimate. Once you have decided that it’s time to cash in, you can expect 4 Euros per kilo of live weight.

Since mangulica meat quickly loses volume and shrinks when roasted or cooked, it is much more appreciated in the form of delicatessen, and also more expensive. The connoisseur market is ready to accept almost any quantity of mangulica products and to pay for the delight. Prices of mangulica products are expectedly higher than those made of its bald relative. In Serbia, prices are around 12 Euros for sausages, up to 10 Euros for lard and sirloin, and about 4 Euros for liverwurst. Prices in eu markets get even higher - boneless dried ham made of Hungarian mangalitsa may reach as much as 200 Euros per kilo.

Due to the extensive nature of farming, and long farming time, mangulica is not likely to become Serbia's number one export product again. Added to this is the fact that Serbia cannot export pork meat because it doesn't conform to eu regulations - currently, only two production facilities in Serbia can do so and are limited by their capacities. But it is a great opportunity for small farms and enterprises. More than anything else, it is probably the biggest opportunity to revitalise the Serbian countryside, villages and rural households, which are virtually vanishing, strangled by industrial production and abandoned by their young who have no option but to move to the city to seek a better life.

February 13th

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SEE - A Fortnight in Review

fortnightly interview

OTP Bank Serbia – Full Steam Ahead Ivan Radojčić, Deputy ceo of otp Bank Serbia, speaks with us in brief about his outfit's performance, prospects, strategy, approach to clients… and more. His openly voiced interest in financing businesses – especially in the agricultural sector – in a larger volume certainly brings a breath of fresh air to the boardroom.

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EE Otp is one of the leading started a proactive client approach, inbanks in the region as a whole. creasing efficiency, levels of loan placeYou’ve achieved that for a reason, ment, and we also focused our energies surely, so tell us about the advantages on loan refinancing and reprogramming that your clients enjoy, in Serbia specif- – not to mention acquisition of new cliically, a country in which you are mov- ents. We plan to continue the practice ing towards having one of the leading of creating tailored products, in terms market shares. of quality, speed of approval, and pric> IR Otp Group is present in nine ing. As a result, naturally, our client base countries across Central and Eastern keeps on growing.

Europe: apart from Hungary and Serbia, we also operate in Slovakia, Russia, Ro- > SEE Let’s look at your presence in mania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Croatia, and the Serbian market; you still don’t have Montenegro. We have thirteen million a leading market share but otp Bank clients and more than 25,000 employ- Serbia has seen a continuous and stable ees. We are also one of the most stable monthly growth since 2007. That’s right banking groups in the region, with ex- through a global recession. What’s your cellent liquidity and capital position, in secret? accordance with Basel iii requirements. > IR Since the beginning of our operaotp saw excellent results recently, in tion in Serbia the Bank has been continu2011 and 2012, after European stress ously developing services which we keep tests were conducted, and it’s fair to say tweaking on a daily basis and which truthat we passed with flying colours. Our ly are based on clients’ needs; increased exceptionally stable position helped us see our business results for 2012 surpass even our own expectations. As for the immediate region, meaning the Western Balkans, our main advantage is the power of capital and strong liquidity of the whole Group. Otp fosters regional and cross-border cooperation between markets in which we are present, and in doing so makes business for our clients much easier.

Also, speaking of the bank's repositioning in the Serbian market, otp Bank

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Investment in agricultural business and related client base growth is where we’ve focussed.

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revenue levels follow suit. We know how important it is to take our cues from both the market and, again, our clients.

During 2007 otp Bank was in the process of expanding its network of branch offices and the portfolio of services. In that first year, as I just mentioned, we were listening to the market in order to meet its most crucial needs; because we effectively had our fingers on the pulse, we were able to maintain growth, even when the economic crisis hit in 2008. The banking sector suffered, but we were well prepared and were able to overcome all obstacles as we came to them. Then, in 2009, we further developed our business and offered an expanded portfolio of services. This facilitated continued growth, which was reflected in later business results. 2011 was a new chapter of strategic development in Serbia, which was achieved through an increase in capital and liquidity, a revision and optimisation of internal procedures, as well as the development of new strategies. Finally, we commenced 2012 with ambitious plans, but we also needed to keep in mind our responsibility towards our existing clients and to keep the highest level of services, which, after all, had brought us several international awards. And we managed to accomplish it. Superb customer relations were key, and 2013 is no different – our target is to increase the number clients by 1000 per month, and as in the past we

February 13th

> SEE Please tell us more about your activities with regard to financing the business segment. > IR Investment in agricultural business and related client base growth is where we’ve focussed. However, we recently decided to change our system and actively to approach farmers and producers and shape our services in accordance with their needs. In collaboration with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce we organised several panels on agriculture financing in several Serbian cities.

In direct talks, farmers told us what they needed the most; so, on the back of their feedback, we are currently planning the launch of a new line of agricultural loans.

This process is very important for us, as we consider agriculture to be an important segment of a still developing economy, and which has the biggest potential in helping Serbia to overcome the economic crisis.

will be continuing to tailor and modify our service so as to best meet coming demand. As a result, it stands to reason that we should be expecting a noticeable increase in market share in this year as well. > SEE On several occasions otp Bank Serbia has announced an intention to merge with, or acquire, another bank in the market. What are your current plans? > IR As you know, our chief priority is to increase our market share in Serbia, and as such otp Group has decided it’s necessary to improve its – for lack of a better phrase – physical presence, and

the acquisition of another bank is seen as key for our future growth. We’re naturally cautious in this regard – we conduct regular and detailed market analyses so as to be acquainted with all the details relevant to the sector in which we operate – and, as any bank, we wish to identify the best choice for expansion. The important thing, of course, is what another bank can bring to otp. We’re certainly not in the business of acquiring any bank just so we can achieve a certain size: it would need to enrich our own portfolio in real, healthy terms. I can tell you that if we do make a move to buy an existing bank, then it will be a healthy bank.

> SEE Which areas do you identify as those that present the greatest opportunity for growth? > IR Otp Group recapitalised the Serbian operation recently, and increased the total capital by more than 4.5 billion rsd. After recapitalisation otp Bank Ltd now has 96.79% of shares of otp Bank Serbia. This fresh capital will reinforce the bank's position and enable further growth and business development in Serbia. Otp Bank continues to stay strong in terms of liquidity, which is an excellent feature when supporting businesses, and this is exactly where we intend further to expand. If we didn’t have faith in Serbia, we would not have increased our cash reserves here. It also speaks of the demand for financing, that there’s a level of optimism in the business community here.

As for retail banking, our focus is on refinancing loans, and this has attracted even more clients than before. The number of sold service packages continues to increase, and our market share in cash loans and overdraft is also growing.

We are pretty sure this trend will continue in 2013. www.see-magazine.eu |

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SEE - A Fortnight in Review

the economy |

by Lee Murphy

FDI in Bosnia - Or Are Numbers Relative?

Fdi, or Foreign Direct Investment, the Holy Grail of most, if not all, economies. And, given the state of the global economy since 2008, there are not many countries that would not jump at the chance to attract it. Fdi also brings with it other advantages such as technology transfer, skill diffusion, and other local income effects. While this is true for any country, the beneficial impact of increasing fdi is immeasurable to a country such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, as a European nation, is struggling to attract business opportunities whilst being hampered by complex political structures.

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n 2007 Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with many other countries worldwide, saw a massive peak in fdi inflow: 1.3 billion Euros. The figures since then, however, have been anything but impressive: 2008 showed a decrease of almost 50% with an investment of 684 million; 2009 saw the nadir with 180 million Euros in fdi; 2010 and 2011 saw improvement on that with 220 and 290 million Euros, respectively. A modicum of good news though, as according to figures released for 2012 Bosnia and Herzegovina saw as much as 295 million Euros in the first half of the year, already surpassing the total amount registered for the previous year. Estimates for 2013 continue to be optimistic, with the Central Bank confident in further rises, although a return to 2007 figures is now all but a pipe dream.

That Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced any kind of recovery is quite remarkable. The country’s trade-weighted average tariff is 1.8%, and the country has free trade agreements with many other countries in the region. A myriad state and municipal administrations make up a non-transparent bureaucratic system that makes investment less appealing. The financial sector is underdeveloped. About 80% of banking capital 48

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Much of what happens between now and July 1st may well prove the lasting tone for the wider economy...

is privately owned, but a lack of contract enforcement and an insecure regulatory environment limit credit availability.

Simply put, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to put in some serious

effort if it is to be able to compete once more – or rather finally – with neighbouring countries. Croatia is set to leave the Central European Free Trade Agreement (cefta), but, as it stands, Serbia is most likely to benefit from this scenario the most.

Still, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a country with a long history, has an unusual advantage in its coming struggle. Geographically speaking, the state can benefit from its past role in the Ottoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Yugoslavia (also to a lesser extent from former countries of the Warsaw Pact, although Yugoslavia was never a member). This is evident when we look at the amounts of fdi and their source.

Ironically, it was predicted that its geographical position, being in the middle, so to speak, would negatively impact on economic growth as investment coming from outside would likely stop at Croatia or Serbia.

Over the past two decades Austria has led the table when it comes to fdi in Bosnia and Herzegovina, investing over 1.2 billion Euros. Serbia has invested just over 1 billion Euros in that same time frame, and Croatia, Russia, and Slovenia have contributed over 2 billion Euros between them. In recent years Rus-

February 13th

sia has been increasing its year-on-year prevent a sudden influx of cheap labour investment, and while it will probably be into the European market, but that will some time before they become the pri- be explored at a later date. mary investor, the Russians will nev2013 looks quite an interesting year for ertheless be an important player in the the country, and much of what happens decades to come. Austria and, to a less- between now and July 1st may well prove er extent, the Netherlands, have been the lasting tone for the wider economy: withdrawing investors in 2012. Turkey, in addition to promised (though ‘exwhile only investing just shy of 200 mil- pected’ might be a better term) investlion Euros since 1994, has already indi- ment from Turkey, there is a very sericated a willingness to increase their in- ous expectation of Chinese investment – twice in 2012 did members of the Presput over the coming years.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, like other idency of Bosnia and Herzegovina meet countries in a similar economic position, with the Prime Minister of the People’s also benefits from an inflow of hard cash Republic of China, Wen Jiabao, and with from remittances, sent back home by the Chinese Deputy Minister of Comthose migrants who are working abroad, merce, Zhong Shan. On both occasions especially in Croatia, Germany, Turkey the men discussed transportation infraand the us. Herzegovina specifically will structure, which is badly needed in orbenefit from Croatia’s pending accession der to import the materials required to to the European Union, as a great number rebuild the country. of Herzegovinans possess Croatian citirowth estimates see an expansion of zenship, thus allowing them the same the economy by 1.7% in 2013, which privileges as their western neighbours will soon gain. There is a question as to is in line with recent trends – the econowhat barriers will be put in place so as to my has grown by over 2% since 2009. The

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Bosnia and Herzegovina has considerable natural resources, much of which were never fully exploited because of war and lack of financial resources.

problems remain though – with the political gridlock in situ Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally slow to react to market movement. Their one silver bullet is the fact that the country has a low level of foreign indebtedness (if only because no one would lend to them), but that does not necessarily mean that the essential projects can be accomplished readily.

In order to achieve the infrastructural improvements which are needed to attract foreign business, the Government must embark on a capital expenditure programme, something which is inherently difficult because of the costs involved. The country cannot utilise Keynesian mechanics in order to revitalise the economy simply because the money isn’t there; nor can they adopt the ideas of Hayek, if only because the current economy is not strong enough to survive without a certain amount of Governmental intervention; and, at any rate, the population does not have the disposable income with which to save on a regular basis. The answer lies somewhere in the middle, as always.

The Government has already identified a number of privatisation opportunities and is carefully considering its options with regard to the following: telecommunications and power utilities sectors, public utilities, mines, etc, are not still privatised, presenting a choice of opportunities for potential foreign and local investors.

It can be hoped that an adequate level of investment would in turn revitalise local economies around the country and in turn lead to the natural development of native entrepreneurship. Bosnia and Herzegovina has considerable natural resources, much of which were never fully exploited because of war and lack of financial resources. There will be proponents to the act of privatisation, and there will be opponents, but with gdp on the rise, and with fdi once more increasing, it may be that Bosnia and Herzegovina is poised to take full advantage of investment capital, once more ready to be spent following the disasters of 2008 and 2009. If any country deserves a break, it’s this one. www.see-magazine.eu |

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real estate

Zagreb’s Office Data Consolidated at Last It is a bit of an event when cbre, Colliers International, Jones Lang LaSalle and Spiller Farmer pool their resources and consolidate, jointly, their findings into a single analytical tool, and what better reason than to clarify the situation in the office market. The Zagreb Research Forum, as the initiative is called, has kicked off…

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imilar to existing Research Forums in Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw, the Zagreb Research Forum was established with the aim to collect, analyse and publish consistent and reliable real-estate data related to commercial property, i.e., to share and collate non-sensitive information about the Zagreb office market with the aim of providing clients and investors with consistent, accurate and transparent key market data. One need hardly mention the upside of this type of consistent approach, the most obvious beneficiaries being international investors, whose investment decisions, as the old adage goes, rely upon transparent data. Everyone wishes to minimise his investment risk, especially in these circumstances.

Why have fierce competitors joined together? The answer is simple – and it has already been hinted at: every real-estate investment decision and every real-estate financing decision has to be based on accurate and up-to date market data. Ever since the formation of the Zagreb office market, data has been gathered individually, which inevitably produced different results, which in turn raised questions about their accuracy.

At the same time, this data was also not collected by Government authorities ei50

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Why have fierce competitors joined together? The answer is simple – every realestate investment decision has to be based on accurate and up-to date market data.

ther, which has hindered Government and municipal planning.

In other words, with the formation of the Zagreb Research Forum, the data is to be collected and collated by firsthand sources – from international real estate professionals who handle the majority of transactions in the market. This will fill the void and provide not only investors, but also developers, banks, investment funds, leasing institutions, valuers, construction companies, architects, Government and municipal bodies and the general public with the required key

data. The leading experts in the field will manage the data collection and processing, based on a comparable and strict set of international standards.

The initiative means a lot more than a simple source of statistics. The data, which will be collected and published on a quarterly basis, is also expected to increase market transparency and introduce the best business practices on the local market.

As for the results, the total take up of office space in the Zagreb area during q4 2012 amounted to 8,254 m2. Members of the Forum recorded new occupation leasing transactions of 4,435m2 (53.7%), relocation transactions of 819 m2 (9.9%), and sale-and-lease back transactions of office space in the amount of 3,000 m2 (36.4% of total take up).

The most active area in the last quarter was the Business District East, where 3,255 m2 (39.4%) of office transactions were recorded. Other areas witnessed transactions in the following volumes: Centre 420 m2 (5.09%), District West 442 m2 (5.35%), Central Business District 537m2 (6.51%), Novi Zagreb 600 m2 (7.27%). As could be expected, Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Manufacturing and Sales sectors represented the majority of take-up tenants in the last quarter.

February 13th

Now, wouldn't you like to claim this boardroom as your own?

Key actors say…

CBRE, Nikola Vukosavljević, Office Agency > The establishment of the Zagreb Research Forum represents progress in property market research in Croatia. This group effort will improve the quality of the data collected, keep interested parties abreast of trends in Zagreb’s office sector, and, later on, in other segments of the property industry.

COLLIERS: Hrvoje Omazic, Key Client Manager – Office Agency > The Zagreb Research Forum is recently one of the best things to have happened in the Real Estate Market. Our assembled knowledge about the market, as well as the updated information, will help all participants in the Real Estate industry to make the right decisions. We think that this forum is a great example of how transparent collaboration of competitors can improve the situation and make things better.

JLL, Tomislav Greguric, National Director – Office Agency > We see the Zagreb Research Forum as the next big step for this market – market transparency and planning are inconceivable without reliable sources of data. Even before this initiative was made public, the telephones in our office started ringing with congratulations and thanks from the professional community.

SPILLER FARMER > The Zagreb Research forum will enable all market participants to gain full overview with accurate up to date data that will be a solid base for their decision making process. This will increase transparency and should motivate investors to have more confidence in the Zagreb office market.

On the supply side of things, new office building completions in 2012 amounted to 70,113 m2 of space, including Centar Bundek (15,000 m2), Auto Hrvatska (19,840 m2), Sky Office Tower 1 (17,000 m2), Merkur Insurance Building (6,830 m2), Green Gold Tower Building (6,021 m2), and vip Vrtni put (5,421 m2). An additional 100,645 m2 of office space is expected to come to the market in 2013, mostly Class a buildings. Significant buildings that are in the pipeline include Sky Office Tower 2, Business Center Adris, Vrbani Office Building, and Business Building One. The vacancy rate at the end of q4 2012 was recorded at 15.5%, which constitutes an increase with respect to the last quarter, mainly as a result of new stock completions that took place in this quarter.

The vacancy rate is expected to increase as new office buildings will open its doors over the course of 2013.

And, for last, the prime headline rent as of q4 2012 is €15 per m2 / per month.

The secondary rent across the city is recorded between €9 and €11 per m2 / per month, and although there have been no significant office investment transactions during q4 2012, the prime office yield is currently considered to be at 8 to 8.5%. www.see-magazine.eu |

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legal |

by Ivan Petrović

Energy Efficiency In Construction As of September 30th, 2012, Rules on energy efficiency of buildings and Rules on requirements, content, and manner of issuing certificates on the energy properties of buildings have been applied in the Republic of Serbia, thus introducing significant novelties in the field of civil engineering.

Anyone interested in learning more?

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he said Rules stipulate the obligation of obtaining energy certificates for new buildings as a requirement for issuing a use permit. An energy certificate (energy passport) is a document containing information on the value of energy consumption within a specific category of building, energy class, and recommendations for improving the building’s energy properties. These are the basics.

However, apart from this novelty, the categorisation of buildings by energy properties has also been introduced, to which end eight energy classes have been identified (from a+ as the most energyefficient, to g as the least efficient). New buildings will have to meet the requirements necessary to be classified as class c.

Existing buildings have to improve their energy properties after adaptation, by no less than one energy class at the very least.

Buildings with an area of less than 50 m² net, buildings with a use life limited to two years, and buildings that are used during construction and are of a temporary nature, manufacturing plants, buildings used for religious ceremonies, and buildings under a special regime of protection, as well as buildings whose temperature upon heating does not exceed 12˚c, are all exempt from the obligation of obtaining 52

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an energy certificate. As for ‘energy passports’, these will be issued by authorised organisations that must have at least two employees who hold licenses as Chief Energy Efficiency Engineers who have completed Building Energy Efficiency Training.

The incorporation of these regulations into Serbian legislature is a step towards the harmonisation of local regulations with those of the European Union. The European Parliament and the eu Council have enacted Directive 2002/91/ec, which obligates all the member countries also to enact a legal framework that will implement the goals set by the Kyoto Protocol, primarily relating to decreasing the emission of harmful gases, and sustainable development with the rational use of resources. The forming of an Energy Effi-

Ivan Petrović is a Senior Lawyer/ Attorney at JPM - Janković, Popović & Mitić Law Firm (www.jpm.rs).

His areas of expertise are litigation and real estate, and for further queries he may be contacted at ivan.petrovic@jpm.rs.

ciency Agency, whose proclaimed main goal is to improve the use of energy resources, demonstrates the readiness to approach this issue systematically, whilst the adoption of the National Sustainable Development Strategy and the concurrent Action Plan were also necessary prerequisites for enacting regulations in the field of energy efficiency in construction.

Enacting legislation is merely a prior condition that needs to be met in order to establish a system that brings obvious benefits and savings to all interested parties. In this, as well as in numerous other cases, the role of the Government - firstly in setting the foundations of an entirely new system through active measures - will be crucial, while in the next stage the Government will be in charge of ensuring the continuity of this new system. It is essential that the new regulations be not perceived as one-off obligations that must temporarily be met, but as the beginning of a lasting process whose main goal is to establish efficient and economically sustainable policies in the field of civil engineering.

Finally, there is hope that all the relevant parties will be motivated by a rational interest, primarily evident in the economic benefits which the adaptation of existing and construction of new buildings in compliance with these regulation will bring. It is certain that a higher quality of construction and lower energy consumption will generate higher revenue from rent or potential sale, whilst energy savings will also ensure better allocation of resources. Moreover, the positive effects on the environment, additionally improving the general living conditions, are also not to be disregarded.

February 13th

Training Programme For Executives in Zagreb

Top British management trainer Rodger H. Pyrah delivering two training modules!

I Advanced Management Motivation, Strategic Planning & Creative Problem Solving, February 25th - 26th 2013

II Decisive Leadership – Critical Thinking & Strategic Decision Making, February 28th - March 1st 2013

Book your place!

This training programme is designed for executives... » Who desire to improve their critical thinking skills

Please call +385 1 463 7437 or send an e-mail to info@anglo-adria.com

» Who are interested in developing their decision making skills » Seeking to enhance their leadership skills » Who want to significantly develop their career opportunities

Your investment: HRK 4,900 per each two-day training module or HRK 8,900 if both training modules are booked together.

Prices are subject to VAT. Due to the interactive nature of programme methodology, the number of participants is limited to 15. The programme modules will be delivered in English, without translation.

Visit us online at www.anglo-adria.com www.see-magazine.eu |

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human interest |

by Lee Murphy

Until Death Do Us Part Some of History’s Most Tragic Couples History and fiction are both full of tragic couples: Romeo & Juliet, Lancelot & Guinevere, Cleopatra & Marc Antony, Tristan & Isolde – just to mention the most exploited ones. But what of the tales we know a bit less about, which may be even more memorable. With Saint Valentine’s round the corner, let us pay homage to our top five couples...

The myth Iztaccíhuatl & Popocatépetl

Heloise & Abelard by Robert Bateman

The convent - Heloise & Abelard Although popularised by Alexander Pope in the 18th century, this couple lived much earlier, in 12th century France. Abelard was the live-in tutor to Heloise, a niece to Notre Dame’s Canon Fulbert. Although twenty years his pupil’s senior, Abelard became enthralled by her intelligence (and perhaps a few other things as well, we dare posit), and so began the love affair. Fulbert, upon learning that Heloise was pregnant by her older lover, agreed to marry them, but secretly lusted after his niece and so plotted to discredit and ruin Abelard.

When the two discovered the danger they were in, they chose to flee Paris, but while Heloise managed to reach the safety of the convent at Argenteuil, her husband was savagely beaten and castrated. Abelard then took vows as a monk, while Heloise became a nun. They communicated by letter and, but for one brief encounter some decades later, they would stay true to the Church and never see each other again. Some centuries later Josephine Bonaparte was so overcome by the tale and the beauty of the couple’s love letters that she ordered the remains of both Abelard and Heloise to be entombed together at Pére Lachaise cemetery in Paris, where they rest to this day.

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According to Aztec legend Iztaccíhuatl was a Princess who fell in love with Popocatépetl, who happened to be a warrior loyal to the Princess’s father, the Emperor. When the Aztec leader discovered the relationship, he promised that his would allow his daughter to marry her (and his) warrior, but only after he returned from battle, which was to take place in Oaxaca. The Emperor, however, had other, cunning designs, and told his daughter that her beloved had fallen in battle, which was a lie, and she promptly died of grief. Popocatépetl, unharmed, returned to find her dead; such was his own grief that any act of vengeance was out of the question. He merely took her body to a spot outside Tenochtitlan, and then just knelt there until the gods covered them with snow and changed them into mountains… which still stand.

Iztaccíhuatl's mountain is called ‘White Woman’, not only because it is often covered with snow, but also because it resembles a woman lying on her back. As for Popocatépetl, he is still an active volcano, occasionally raining fire on Earth in blind rage at the loss of his beloved. Would anyone have it any other way?

February 13th

Conjugal bliss - Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal Built in 17th century India, it would be harder to find a more lasting testament to a man’s love for a woman anywhere in the world than the Taj Mahal. Prince Khurram, who was a grandson of Emperor Akbar the Great, was in the marketplace when he laid eyes upon a young Persian Princess, Arjumand Banu Begum. He declared that he had found his future wife and so, five years later, in 1612, the wedding took place between the young Royals, Khurram now being known as Shah Jahan. He bestowed the title of Mumtaz Mahal, Jewel of the Palace, upon his new bride, and from then until her death in 1631, they lived in marital bliss – the rarest of things in any era. Bearing him as many as fourteen children, she rarely left his side, and such was the Shah’s grief after she passed that he vowed to give her one last gift – a mausoleum the likes of which has never been seen. The Taj Mahal took 22 years to build, and, when the Shah himself died, in 1666, he was laid to rest alongside his beloved Mumtaz. In other words, if any chap has ever shamed the rest of mankind with how much he loved his wife, it was our Shah.

Against all odds Edward VIII & Mrs Simpson

A bohemian tragedy Sergei Yesenin & Isadora Duncan Isadora Duncan was not only the most famous dancer of her time, but also something of a proto-celebrity in terms of how we know and perceive celebrities nowadays. She indeed courted controversy at every opportunity, especially if we consider the governing moeurs of the early 20th century. She bore two children out of wedlock, to two different men, but lost them in a tragic accident after their car rolled into the River Seine; and Yesenin himself had already married twice before he met Duncan, in the Autumn of 1921, on that fateful visit to the studio of painter Georgi Yakulov. Duncan, 18 years his senior, knew only a dozen words in Russian, while Yesenin, though a brilliant poet, spoke no foreign languages; still, they married on May 2nd, 1922. Though the marriage barely lasted a year – Duncan’s ‘wild’ ways and constant dalliances were too much for the poet – many of those who knew insisted that they had never seen such an intense love affair.

And, indeed, after the divorce both would spend the rest of the short time they had profoundly unhappy. Yesenin committed suicide by slitting his wrists in 1925, while Duncan, her episodes of public drunkenness ever increasing in frequency, broke her neck in 1927 when her scarf became entangled in the axle of a car belonging to mechanic Benoît Falchetto.

Many thrones have been won and lost through war and bloodshed, but how many monarchs have stepped aside for love? Edward was the eldest son to George V and heir to the throne of the British Empire, but Love, however, had other designs. Edward, as anyone who has seen, amongst other things, the Oscar winning The King’s Speech will be aware, fell in love with one Wallis Simpson, an American who also happened to be not only a divorcee, but was in fact still married to her second husband. This, as it would, caused ripples in the highest Royal circles, and Edward abdicated in 1936, forfeiting the Crown in order to marry his love the following year. It might be of interest to note that the couple honeymooned in Cavtat, just 15 kilometres outside of Dubrovnik, and that (some locals remember it to this very day), the former King liked singing German songs whilst drinking in the Dubrovnik City Cafe (Gradska kavana), which still stands at the same spot where it stood in 1937. The couple stayed together for the rest of their lives, but ostensibly it was anything but a smooth ride: though financially comfortable, they were ostracised by their peers and even accused, on several occasions, of being Nazi sympathisers. So, was it all worth it for Edward? We like to think that it was. www.see-magazine.eu |

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good stuff

Valentine Gifts for Him & Her It would be all too easy to consider such clichés as flowers or chocolates, or even to look at some ‘wild’ ideas that might appear ‘hip’ and ‘cool’ for our 21st century couples…

But what about something that speaks of the day long after it has passed? Here are our four picks, which we hope will still be in your mind many years from now.

> Deluxe Vintage Safety Razor

$ 74.99

Shaving should be a delight, a ritual almost, and a proper shaving kit is something which will last you a lifetime. There’s something about using a lathering brush which feels right, which feels ‘grown-up’.

This set, from www.classicshaving.com, has a Parker Deluxe Vintage DE Closed-Comb Three-Piece Safety Razor, as well as a badger hair shaving brush. Available in both chrome/white and black, this is the sort of gift which makes a statement. This set comes in a maroon and platinum-coloured deluxe gift box, meaning that taking it on holiday is also an easy prospect. Enjoy the glorious ‘burn’...

> Jewellery

$ 8300 (Christmas time) / $ 2000 (after)

Jewellery can often be the default or go-to solution when all other options have been explored (if you ever bothered to explore them in the first place). However, diamonds remain a girl’s best friend, and if the piece is tasteful then it can be, and remain, the centre of conversation at any soiree; and you know she’ll love that. There’s a certain degree of gaudiness about our chosen piece, but you can tell that it will also sparkle with the right outfit – a little black number perhaps? 14 carat white gold, covered with diamonds and rubies… It may be that further description is not needed.

> Howard Miller Hide-a-Bar

> Incolay stone jewellery box

Your parents almost definitely had a drinks cabinet, perhaps with some ancient bottles of Babycham, or some suspect liqueur hiding in the back. This is not your parent’s drink cabinet. The Howard Miller FreturnSonoma Hide-a-Bar features front doors with a slide lock so as to keep your wines and spirits secure. It locks from the outside, and also comes with power outlets for operating electrical appliances such as blenders or other cocktail accoutrements. Just imagine receiving guests and being able to offer them a drink from this spectacular piece of furniture. Rest assured, no one will turn down your party invite...

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$ 199

$ 2000-2500 You can’t give a girl some jewels unless she has somewhere to put them, and a jewellery box is the obvious gift in that case. Most women likely throw their bits ‘n’ pieces into a drawer, or perhaps they have some sort of box, but a proper jewellery box should be something you can pass on to future generations. We’ve chosen a cream coloured hand carved Incolay stone jewellery box (Incolay is a sort of manmade mineral composite), which mimics ivory in appearance without any of the ethical dilemma of owning such a piece. For the time being, however, Incolay is limited to the State of Alabama, USA. Which doesn’t mean, especially in this great Internet era, that it is inaccessible.

February 13th

Sweet saga dating back more than 100 years www.see-magazine.eu   | 

Medvedgradska 7, 10000 Zagreb / t + 385 1 46 69 100 / f +385 1 46 69 115 / www.leonidas.com

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blast from the past

› Death of Ruđer Bošković

1787

Ruđer Josip Bošković, one of the most illustrious Croatians in history, died on February 13 th, 1787. Born in Dubrovnik, he studied and lived in Italy and France for many years. Famous for his atomic theory and many important contributions to astronomy, including the first geometric procedure for determining the equator of a rotating planet and discovery that the Moon had no atmosphere, Bošković’s work would even influence Friedrich Nietzsche. Bošković also applied himself to practical engineering projects, including repairs to St Peter's Dome, the Duomo of Milan, and the library of Cesarea di Vienna. The largest Croatian institute of natural sciences and technology, based in Zagreb, is named after him.

› Death of Stefan Nemanja

1199

Stefan, the Grand Prince of the Serbian Principality of Rascia, died on February 13th, 1199. He was the founder of the Serbian State that would later evolve into the Serbian Empire, and the father of Stefan Nemanjić, the first King of Serbia, and of Saint Sava, the first archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church. In 1196 he abdicated in favour of his son and went to Mount Athos, where he became a monk and took the name of Simeon. Together with his other son, Sava, Simeon built the Hilandar Monastery (1198-1199), the cradle of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

After his death, he was canonised as Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming, after numerous alleged miracles following his death.

› Kosovo Declaration of Independence

2008

Perhaps a bit recent for SEE’s understanding what is a true blast from the past, but February 17th, 2008, will forever be marked in Kosovan national consciousness. All ethnic Albanian participants of the Assembly unanimously declared Kosovo to be independent from Serbia, while all 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. The legality of the Declaration was immediately disputed by Belgrade, requesting a judgement from the International Court of Justice. The Court determined that the Declaration did not violate international law. After 13 years of international oversight, Kosovo authorities formally obtained full unsupervised control of the region (less only North Kosovo) in September of 2012, but this story is far from over...

› The 1974 Yugoslav Constitution Comes into Effect

1974

The 1974 Yugoslav Constitution was the fourth and final Constitution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and it came into effect on February 21 st of that year. In terms of content, it was one of the longest Constitutions in the world, protecting the system of the so called self-governance from Central State interference and expanding the representation of the republics and provinces in all electoral and policy forums. Accordingly, it prescribed a complex electoral procedure for the formation of the Federal Assembly and substantially increased the level of autonomy of the two autonomous provinces, Kosovo and Vojvodina. The Constitution also proclaimed Josip Broz Tito, who was 81 at the time, President for Life.

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SEE - A Fortnight in Review

to do list |

February 13th - February 26th

zagreb boat show All sea and boat enthusiasts will be ready to set sail after their visit to the Zagreb Boat Show.

swan lake on ice The award-winning production of Imperial Ice Stars troop

belgrade international tourism fair The largest regional fair of its kind, with B2C and B2B segments

theatre play “u zvorniku ja samostavio svoje srce” A drama written by one of the most famous BiH writers Abdulah Sidran

41. fest The international film festival and the feast for cinema addicts

robert capa – war photography Presentation of Capa’s photographs done during five notable wars

sarajevo filharmonic & national theatre opera celebrate verdi Concert in celebration of Giuseppe Verdi

ivo pogorelić Do not miss out on a chance to see this famous pianist play

5th motorsport show & salon A place to be for all the lovers of motorsports, indoor and outdoor racing

9th zagrebdox The largest international festival of documentary film in the region

walter neugebauer – retrospective Check out the works of an author celebrated as the founder of comic book art in Croatia

reflections of time, 1945 - 1955 Zagreb partners with Museum of History of Jugoslavija in Belgrade and reflects on old times

5th regional winter book fair ‘booka 2013’ The largest Serbian and international food and drinks brands exhibit their products

the present and presence: repetition 3 - the street The exhibition focuses on art in the streets and works of art made in the public space

marko šuštaršič - a retrospective Exhibition of works collected from collections in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro.

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Feb 13th–17th Zagreb Fair Feb 19th | 20h Zagreb, Kombank Arena Feb21st-24th Belgrade Fair Feb 21st-22nd | 20h Sarajevo, Kamerni Teatar 55 Feb 21st-22nd | 20h Sava Centre Feb 22nd | 18h Sarajevo, Galerija Gabrijel Feb 22nd | 20h Sarajevo, National Theatre Feb 23rd | 19:30h Zagreb, K.D. Vatroslava Lisinskog Feb 23rd-24th Ljubljana, Center Stožice Feb 24th – Mar 3rd Zagreb, Cineplexx – Centar Kaptol Until March 3rd | 11-19h Zagreb, Klovićevi Dvori Until March 10th | 11-19h Zagreb, Klovićevi Dvori Until March 15th Podgorica, City Bookstore Until June Ljubljana, Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova Until September Ljubljana, Moderna Galerija

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