This story was first published in The Guardian on August 8, 2017. by Finnian James SIT Spring 2017 Lake Forest College When the Faqirzada family set out for a future in Europe, they did not imagine it like this. As far as they were concerned, Europe meant Germany: their oldest son was already at university in Munich, and …
The Guardian | Blocked in the Balkans: the refugees that Europe won’t allow in Read More »
This article was published in Balkan Insight on May 3, 2019. by Derek Dzinich SIT Spring 2019 Elon University The Vrbanec family have been running the Pianoland company for four generations – helping to keep the region’s classical music tradition alive in what have often been very tough times. A thunderous, rippling sound echoes through the Kolarac …
Balkan Insight | Serbian Family Keeps Pianos in Perfect Tune Read More »
This article was published in Balkan Insight on May 1, 2019. by Paul Rochford SIT Spring 2019 Georgetown University “Some ambitious young medics in Serbia, pushed into the private sector out of necessity, are working at weekends as volunteers in public hospitals to express their true vocation.” There is something very good about helping children,” …
Balkan Insight | Serbian Doctor Finds Hospital Voluntary Work More Rewarding Read More »
This article was published in Balkan Insight on January 28, 2019. by Sonja Borgmann SIT Fall 2018 Carleton College Joining a pan-Balkan arthouse film jury proved a transformative experience for youngsters brought up to think of their peers in other former Yugoslav countries as strangers and enemies. Before making their first trip to Kosovo for …
Balkan Insight | Judging Movies Reconnects Balkan’s Divided Postwar Young Read More »
by Zachary Fletcher SIT Fall 2018 University of Puget Sound I was recently messaging with a friend back home to see how things were going in the US. I shared that I had just returned to Belgrade after an excursion to Bosnia – a trip that included two different cities, dozens of incredible meals, and …
Boarding the Plane to Belgrade: Change of Perspective Read More »
By Sonja Borgmann SIT Fall 2018 Carleton College Belgrade – At Kalenic restaurant in the historic Vracar neighborhood, one can sample traditional Serbian Karadjordjeva snicla—a stuffed fried pork dish that is also a reminder of Serbia’s past with foreign occupations. According to 41-year-old Maja Frankovic, a local Belgradian art conservator, Kalenic is the best choice …
by Finnian James SIT Spring 2017 Lake Forest College BELGRADE, Serbs will tell you, rakija (rakiya) puts all other liquor to shame. Many love this fierce potion as much as they fear it – and with good reason as it can easily reach 65 percent alcohol content. Rakia tastes sweet and burns your throat with …
by Alexandra Cheney SIT Spring 2015 Oklahoma Wesleyan University BELGRADE, For decades most media outlets in Serbia have relied on a daily news feed from Tanjug, but that is about to change: after 72 years the state news agency created at the birth of communist Yugoslavia closes its doors after failing to find a buyer. “Tanjug …
by Emma Woods SIT Fall 2016 College of Wooster BELGRADE/PRISTINA, Serbia has been trying to join the European Union, but many of its citizens still have a passionate anti-western sentiment. These feelings are largely connected to a 1999 NATO bombing campaign over the war in Kosovo. The ruins of some of the bombed buildings in …
This story was first published in Balkan Transitional Justice on July 6, 2016. by Carolyne Paletta SIT Spring 2016 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Djordje Bojovic was 19 years old and fearful the first time he visited Kosovo. Although there are four buses running between Belgrade and Pristina each day, the young Serb did not …
Balkan Transitional Justice | Balkan Youth Office Aims to Breach Wartime Divides Read More »
