Religious holidays predictably give rise to theological theories. Amongst Balkan communities there are two rather specific ones: Was Jesus Croat? Or was he a Serb. Balkan Stories has looked into these theories and gives you the truth about Jesus.
„The Truth about Jesus“ weiterlesen
Vagabondi is one of Albania’s most popular singers today. In order to become an artist he risked his life, and got his family arrested in the process. His story is a throwback to Albania’s dark times – and Yugoslavia’s most popular band.
„„Bijelo Dugme Got My Mum Arrested““ weiterlesen
Serbia’s already radicalized far right seems to be spinning out of control. Graffitis featuring pictures or the name of Ratko Mladić are being sprayed on walls on an unprecedented scale. Most people seem to shrug off this open reverence for the butcher of Srebrenica.
„Beograd, Džordža Vašingtona, June 2022“ weiterlesen
The upcoming general elections in Serbia on April 3 do not seem to pose a threat for the regime of President Aleksandar Vučić. Even with a green-liberal opposition alliance born out of ecological protests, there is no credible challenge to the liberal-conservative business friendly politics that have dominated Serbia for decades. As Nationalism reaches ever uglier heights in the election campaign, the absence of a credible Left in Serbia becomes ever more transparent. Balkan Stories has asked the political sociologist Jovo Bakić why that is the case.
„„No Room for the Left in Serbia““ weiterlesen
Many members of Croatia’s Serb minority feel they are put under pressure to deny what they see as their ethnic and religious identity in the country’s current census. A hitherto unkown group appeals for people to declare themselves to be members of a „Croatian-Orthodox Church“. This brings back memories of WW II, when Croatian Fascists slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Serbs in Europe’s probably cruellest genocide to date.
„Identity Politics A Genocide Later“ weiterlesen
Writer and playwright Filip Grujić from Beograd just spent a month in Sarajevo as part of a residency program for young writers from the Western Balkans region. He tells Balkan Stories how he has experienced his stay in Bosnia’s capital, what Sarajevo, Beograd and his native city Novi Sad have in common – or not – and what real challenges the young generation in former Yugoslavia faces.
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„A Belgradian in Sarajevo“ weiterlesen
This year, Belgrade’s cultural spring will be ushered it with a powerful show one day after International Women’s Day. One of Serbia’s more prolific and certainly most courageous artists invites the public to explore her articstic record so far – and to participate in a struggle for dignity.
„Zoe’s Drum“ weiterlesen
The rape of a 16 year old girl has shocked the people in Kosovo. On Thursday, people took to the streets to express their outrage. And like in Bosnia, it seems to be about a lot more than „just“ a horrendous crime. Too many, this case shows how the authorities in their country are failing them.
This Japanese tourist loves the Croatian Football Team very much. So much that he wears it in a place most people don’t dare. At least not until Wednesday. „The Japanese Who Knows No Fear“ weiterlesen
In terms of sports, Yugoslavia won big last night at the World Cup match Serbia – Switzerland. In terms of culture and politics, it was buried. Strangely enough, Xherdan Shaqiri, one of last night’s undertakers could be the one to resurrect it. He may want to have a serious conversation with his mother first, though.
„How Yugoslavia Was Buried Last Night. And Why It Still Lives.“ weiterlesen
Muslims from Sandžak like to think of themselves as Bosnians and particularly as Bosnjaks. While there is a point to that, Balkan Stories has documented irrefutable evidence that proves: There is no way they are Bosnian.
„Why People From Sandžak Aren’t Really Bosnjaks“ weiterlesen
US-President Donald Trump has called several developping countries „shitholes“. With his comment, the US’s Ambassador in Chief not only violated every diplomatic protocol conceivable. He grossly violated the dignity of the people living in the countries he called „shitholes“. We should all speak up against these remarks.
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