80 years ago, a man was killed during the liberation of Sarajevo from Fascism, who would become the embodiment of the city and its inhabitants – and Tito’s most famous partisan who would inspire rock albums and one of the most watched movies of all time.
„The Man Who Became Sarajevo“ weiterlesen
Few institutions tell so much of Bosnia as its Historical Museum. It is a story of neglect, resilience, creativity and Bosnian inat.
„The Permanence of Temporariness“ weiterlesen
On Youtube I just stumbled upon a video that debunks common Western and Balkan myths about ethnic tensions in the region. Sadly, it also peddles a few tropes commonly found in some strands of Serb nationalism. That merits a closer look at it.
„A Glass Half Full“ 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
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
The world mourns Hollywood’s last legend. Kirk Douglas has died Wednesday night, aged 103 – actor, film maker, humanitarian and activist. Former Yugoslavia is a region where he is remembered particularly fondly – even though he never shot a film there.
„Spartakus će i dalje živjeti“ weiterlesen
John Lennon has roots in Ex-Yugoslavia. His secret father was a famous and controversial person of history. So claims a new video that is obviously a parody of conspiracy theories so popular in the region. The problem with the video: Somebody will believe its claims.
„Imagine… John Lennon’s Family“ weiterlesen
The Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT) has set right the injustice its predecessor, the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) created with its original verdict against Radovan Karadžić. Upholding the verdict of Guilty, it extended the sentence against the former President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia to Life in Prison.
„Justice, After All“ 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.
„People Have Had It“ weiterlesen
Robert Rigney, Balkan traveller, music aficionado, part time American James Bond in the eyes of many Serbs and others, and most of all writer and journalist makes his comeback in Balkan Stories. It wouldn’t be Robert if it wasn’t with a story full of craziness, ups and downs and lots of Balkan music.
„Berlin Balkanizacija“ weiterlesen
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
