Love these Serbian renderings of English names.

I thought this quote from Hera made out of clouds in Peščanik made an interestinhg point about progressives in Serbia feel they have no reliable political representation:

“A citizen of Serbia who is in favor of urgent amendments to the Constitution, recognition of Kosovo, NATO membership, strengthening of Vojvodina autonomy, putting an end to the vassalage towards Russia, and full distancing of the state from the church and its obscure ethical views, who seeks public recognition of the failure of foreign policy, as well as the failure of education, of the judiciary reform, of the fight against corruption, of brining order into the work of secret and public police, a citizen who is against any form of national idealism and interest-based alliances with those who want to restore Milosevic’s policies, against the remnants of the forces which instigated and led wars, and all those who would have fallen victims to lustration – cannot find a relevant political force in Serbia today, with a program and practical activities he or she can rely on.

Being constantly unprepared leads to defeat. Constant defeat one is responsible for can be handled only hand in hand with a sense of injustice. Constant sense of injustice always finds an outside guilty party, and is the source of intolerance, loneliness and rejection of the world. The way we are unprepared is something that is inherited, practiced and bequeathed. It is not only the consequence of neglect. On the contrary, and not very rarely, it signifies the failure to accept being prepared, it is an expression of unreadiness for any kind of changes, for learning how to change, for acquiring the ability for realistic assessments and rational prognosis. It is a method of political determination, denial of the world to come, denial of the order of things.”

Here are some pictures of the super abundance of football related streetart that I have seen around town lately:

My wife recently found this clip on YouTube. Wonderful spoof about the (non-existent) Yugoslav space program.

See an interview with the creator, Ziga Virc.

This is the scene that greets me every day at dusk, a huge flock of crows heading back to their nests for the day. Its like a scene from the The Crow!

Best watched on Flickr in HD

Coloring the white city from Miomir Rajcevic on Vimeo.

From Balkan mercenaries in Libya risk lives for gain (SETimes.com)

Ever since turmoil erupted in February, there have been reports of Balkan mercenaries in the north African country. Media reports last week claimed that rebel fighters executed a large group of fighters-for-hire in the city of Misrata, including nine Croats, 12 Serbs and an unknown number of Bosniaks.

That story remains unconfirmed, and details about the overall number of Balkan mercenaries active in the country are hard to come by. Still, military operations experts say they have enough data to form a rough estimate.

“According to my information, about 250 persons from Serbia are located in Libya,” military analyst Ljubodrag Stojadinovic told SETimes. He said several hundred well trained troops emerged from the Balkan wars, and are willing to use their expertise.

The mercenaries are driven by the promise of monetary gain, and not by politics or ideology, Stojadinovic added.

“The ‘dogs of war’ earn from 2,000 to 5,000 dollars or euros [per month], depending on who makes the offer and how they structure the arrangements,” he said

So whats the story here? Are there hundreds of Balkan mercenaries in Libya? If yes, what is their fate? Executed?

One of the funnier sites one sees around Belgrade after the Exit festivals is the casualties from the festival literlaly wondering the streets of Belgrade in a daze.

Here we had a shoeless 50 something hippie walking down the middle of the road in Dorcol muttering to himself…

Amaze yourself with how much inane trivia you really do know!!!

What: Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club – “Pub Quiz”
When: Friday, 01 July, 7.30pm
Where: Sports Cafe (Makendonska 4)

Come along and have a few laughs, meet new people and give the ‘grey matter’ a bit of a work-out.
The night will be a lot of fun and it will be the last time that “Peter the Griller” runs the quiz, so let’s give him a great BGFVC send off!!!!!

· Great prizes (prize for best team name too!)
· Register your team (4-6 people) OR if you want to meet new people why not register as an individual as we will match you with others.
· Please register by MIDDAY Thursday (30 June)
Jules (064) 398 8025 or jules@belgradefvc.com

THE FAMOUS BGFVC “PUB QUIZ’ NIGHT – will next take place on Friday, 10 June.

Time: 7.30pm to register and form teams. 8pm start!

Venue: Sports Cafe, Makedonska 4

PRIZES:

1^st place: 6 copies of The Oxford English Serbian Dictionary – said to be the best on the market. (Kindly provided by The English Book)

2^nd place: 6 goodie bags courtesy of Metropolitan University

3^rd place: 6 x 600 dinar bar tabs at Sports Cafe

Losing team: a bottle of good quality Metropolitan University wine
Best team name: prize TBA

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER AS A TEAM OR INDIVIDUAL:

- Jules (064) 398 8025 or jules@belgradefvc.com

- Philomena (063) 120 8624 or philomena@belgradefvc.com

Disclaimer: I just want to start this blog entry by disclaiming that perhaps this is more an observation of humanity rather than something specific to Belgrade, however the specific event that prompted this blog post occured in Belgrade, hence why I am writing about it here.

Yesterday, I was walking down Savska Street in Central Belgrade towards the main police station, having just finished parking my car.  To paint the picture, I was approaching from the row of shops on Savska, approximatly 50 metres from Technomajia on the corner.   There were, by my estimation, around 25 other people walking along the same stretch of Savska, along with a fair amount of traffic on the road.

There I was, walking along the street when I hear an almighty crash, whip myself around within half a second, to see a large 18 wheeler truck slamming into a small red car and proceeding to push it a good 40-50 metres down the road.  About half a second after the impact, I was running towards the scene of the incident certain I would be presented with fatal injuries that would require my 7 year old RAF Air Cadet First Aid training to be used.   The crash itself however isn’t what shocked me.   The thing that truly shocked me was the fact that out of the 25 – 30 people that had been walking on the same stretch of road as I, only one other person had run across the street with me to offer assistance.

Not only this, but the vehicles that had been driving behind the truck and the red car, proceeded to drive onto the central reservation and continue on their way, instead of stopping (as required by law when witnessing an accident) and waiting for the police to arrive and take their statements.

It got me thinking, what is it with the mentality these days, where 90% of people turn around and walk away when there is a person or persons are in need.  If YOU were involved in an accident, would you not want people to come and help you? Its a worldwide problem – I remember watching a scene in LOST a few years ago where a woman was being mugged in an alleyway and only one person came to her rescue.  The man said “I just did what anyone would do” to which the woman responded: “Three people walked by the alley. They saw me. But they just kept on going. “

I remember thinking to myself at the time how sad that was and yet, in most cases its very true. Perhaps my view on the world is too pristine but I like to think that people should help other people in need.  We are all members of humanity and regardless of our background, color or creed, we are all equal and worthy of a little common decency, so I beg of you all, if you see a person in need, please go out of your way and at least offer your help.  Do not walk on by like its nothing to do with you.

Amazingly, the women driving the small red car was not injured at all aside from a little bit of whiplash.  I asked her to get out of the car as soon as I saw she wasn’t seriously injured because the truck had hit her car at a fairly high speed and for all we knew, the car could catch fire at any second.  I gave her some water and called for police and an ambulance (both of whom took over EIGHT minutes to arrive which is fairly bad in itself, especially given that the main police station was less than 150 meters away!).

The Truck driver attempted to blame the crash on the women, however myself and one other person had seen most of the incident and it was fairly clear that the truck had been attempting to move from the right lane into the left lane, hadn’t seen the red car, spun it out and pushed it down the road.   Both myself and the other witness gave statements to that effect although I am not sure what is going to happen to him.  I think the Truck Driver was just as shaken as the women and I think it was a genuine accident so I hope that he does not loose his license or anything, but I do hope that he learns to check his mirrors a little closer before changing lanes!

How would you have reacted in this situation?  Would you have run over to help or would you have kept on walking? Leave a comment and let me know!

Hi everyone,

Your next opportunity to streeeaaatch the grey matter, give ‘constructive feedback’ to the quizmaster and be quietly confident that you are definitely the smartest member of your team is coming up again soon.

THE FAMOUS BGFVC “PUB QUIZ’ NIGHT – will next take place on Friday, 10 June.

Time: 7.30pm to register and form teams. 8pm start!

Venue: Sports Cafe, Makedonska 4

PRIZES:

1^st place: 6 copies of The Oxford English Serbian Dictionary – said to be the best on the market. (Kindly provided by The English Book)

2^nd place: 6 goodie bags courtesy of Metropolitan University

3^rd place: 6 x 600 dinar bar tabs at Sports Cafe

Losing team: a bottle of good quality Metropolitan University wine
Best team name: prize TBA

FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO REGISTER AS A TEAM OR INDIVIDUAL:

- Jules (064) 398 8025 or jules@belgradefvc.com

- Philomena (063) 120 8624 or philomena@belgradefvc.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cheers

Philomena & Jules

poster zoo

BGFVC ‘PUB QUIZ’ NIGHT 

Friday, 13 May

Sports Cafe (Makendonska 4)

7.30pm

Come along and have a few laughs and give the ‘grey matter’ a bit of a work-out. 

It’s Friday the 13th too – so expect a few spooky questions. 

The night will be a lot of fun and will be hosted by an experienced ‘quiz master’.

A charity collection will be available at the door, so please bring loose change.

• Great prizes (prize for best team name too!)
• Register your team (4-6 people) OR if you want to meet new people why not register as an individual as we will match you with others. 
• Please register by MIDDAY Thursday (12 May)
• RSVP to:

Jules (064) 398 8025 or  jules@belgradefvc.com

Philomena (063) 120 8624 or philomena@belgradefvc.com

I am doing some research into air pollution in Belgrade, both for my own needs (my family and I are moving back to Belgrade after a year away) and for the wiki’s Accommodation section.

I am trying to find out the best and worst areas to live for air quality.

The only thing I could find on air pollution levels for the city is 9 year old (2002) “Environmental Atlas of Belgrade” from the Belgrade Institute of Public Health.

The maps are a bit hard to figure out, but they seem to show (unsurprisingly) that the city centre, Dorcol and Vracar are worst, with Dedinje and Senjak not much better, New Belgrade OK, with Zemun and other outlying areas best.

Air Quality - All (2002)

Air Quality - SO2, SOOT, NO2 (2002)

Air Quality - Sulfer Dioxide and Soot (2002)

That data is old, so things might have changed. It is also shocking.

The entire centre of the city had a World Health Organisation rating over 3, which is off the scale. The measure stops at 2+, meaning “Extremely Unhealthy”.

I tried to contact Institut zа јаvnо zdrаvljе Srbiје to get some up-to-date information, but no one answers there.

Does anyone have any up-to-date information or know of an expert I could contact about this?

Maybe the World Health Organisation Belgrade office?

Balkan wood panel versus Scandinavian chic…

Slowly starting the process of looking for a new home in Belgrade as my wife and I are returning from a year in Denmark.

We are in the market for a decent flat, preferably in the suburbs (eager to avoid the noise, pollution and cockroaches of Dorcol).

As part of my looking, I decided to check out a few agency websites.

The thing that strikes me is that so many of the apartments have the same, dire décor.

Wood panelling seems to be a must. Chnitzy furnishing, puff leather and fake gold fittings are all in abundance.

I was wondering where the lean, clean, minimalist apartments were advertised?

Then I found a genuinely excellent site for flat hunters in Serbia:  http://www.residence.rs

Currently service Belgrade and Valjevo, it is the best site I have come across so far for stylish luxury apartments.

BGFVC QUIZ NIGHT with presentation of EKO Bags Serbia

Friday, 01 April

Sports Cafe (Makendonska 4)

Come along and have a few laughs and give the ‘grey matter’ a bit of a work-out. 

Eko Bags will be presenting their unique and wonderful bags at the event, so please bring your buying heads too and help this great cause out.

Pub quiz night will be a lot of fun and will be hosted by an experienced ‘quiz master’.

• prizes
• teams to be between 4-6 members 
• feel free to register as an individual as we will help you put a ‘super intelligent’ team together or come with your own team
• special drink prices for BGFVC members
• please RSVP to

Jules (064) 398 8025 or  juleskovacevic@yahoo.co.uk

Philomena (063) 120 8624 or philomena@belgradefvc.com

Belgraded.com pointed me to this new (to me) site with wonderful and useful interactive maps of Belgrade.

From: (S) Dnevne linije | Belgrade Maps

Next meet-up – Friday, 04 March

Nachos

Strahinjica Bana 66

www.nachos.rs

Hi everyone … there seems to be a lot of people away so we thought it might be a good opportunity to try a dinner for a change. (If you just feel like dropping by for a drink and not eating that’s perfectly fine too! It will just be good to see everyone.)

We’ve booked a big table at Nachos (Mexican) for 8pm.

They’ve got a club downstairs for anyone who wants to stay on.

Coming up

April - we’re planning a pub crawl that will finish off at Pevac near Obilicev Venac.

May - will hopefully be go-karting.

June – a boat trip.

We’re also trying to find out when Buffalo Wings in Novi Beograd is open as there seems to be a bit of a fan-club already.

Any ideas or suggestions appreciated!!!

OK people time to get your glad rags on and celebrate Serbian New Year with the BGFVC. There are only a few remaining tickets so please contact either Philomena or myslef ASAP to reserve your spot at the first event of 2011!!!

Here are all the details in case you don’t have them!!!

Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club Serbian New Year ‘Masque Ball’Come and celebrate Serbian New Year with BGFVC – a sit down dinner will be served, followed by a DJ/dancing.

When: Saturday, 15 January

(Yes, official Serbian New Year’s Eve is on 13 January, but we are planning on a big night and wanted to give you a bit of time to recover before the next onslaught to your systems!)

Time: 19.00 for dinner. Until 01.00 … or whenever!

Where: Kafana Sumatovac, Makedonska 33

(A car parking station is only 20 metres from the door.)

For directions, check PlanPlus: www.planplus.rs

Cost: 20 EUROS includes dinner,dessert and TWO drinks (selected spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks) – plus special BGFVC prices on selected cocktails, beer, and wine throughout the evening.

Dress code: Semi formal

Tickets are strictly limited and are available to be bought or reserved from:
* Jules Kovacevic juleskovacevic@yahoo.co.uk Mob: 064 398 8025
* Philomena O’Brien philomena@belgradefvc.com Mob: 062 767 323

See you all on Saturday I hope!!!

What: Come and celebrate Serbian New Year with BGFVC – a sit down dinner will be served, followed by a DJ/dancing.

 When:  Saturday, 15 January

(Yes, official Serbian New Year’s Eve is on 13 January, but we are planning on a big night and wanted to give you a bit of time to recover before the next onslaught to your systems!)

 Time: 19.00 for dinner. Until 01.00 … or whenever!

 Where: Kafana Sumatovac, Makedonska 33

(A car parking station is only 20 metres from the door.)

For directions, check PlanPlus: www.planplus.rs

 Cost: 20 EUROS includes dinner,dessert and TWO drinks (selected spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks) – plus special BGFVC prices on selected cocktails, beer, and wine throughout the evening.

 Dress code: Semi formal

 Tickets available at on a first come first serve basis. Most are now sold. Please contact us via the Contact Us form to reserve tickets.

Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club ‘First Fridays’

Come along to the best social and networking event in Belgrade!

Connecting like minded people who love Belgrade and love having a good time.

Next meet-up is Friday, 03 December

at Sumatovac, Makedonska 33

(A car parking station is only 20 metres from the door.)

For directions, check PlanPlus: www.planplus.rs

 Dinner 6-8pm

For those who need the ‘padding’ a special BGFVC dinner will be available between 6-8pm for 650 din!  (including GREAT Happy Hour prices for drinks – 5 cocktails, beer and wine!)

BGFVC meet-up 8-12

We have negotiated special BGFVC drink prices! ‘Buy 2 get 3’ cocktails Sex on the Beach, & Cuba Libre, Beer (125 din) and Wine (250 din)

We are expecting a HUGE turnout again, so please RSVP to:

Jules Kovacevic juleskovacevic@yahoo.co.uk  Mob: 064 398 8025

Philomena O’Brien philomena@belgradefvc.com  Mob: 062 767 323

ALSO …tickets for our BGFVC ‘Serbian New Year ‘Masque Ball’ on 15 January will be on sale. Please make sure you bring your 20 EUROS as tickets are limited and are on a first come first served basis.

Looking forward to seeing you

Philomena & Jules

‘First Fridays’ kick-off on Friday 05 November
19.00 – 23.00hrs

The Belgrade Foreign Visitors’ Club moves to a new venue and a new regular slot.

The First Friday of each month will see our group move to the well-known and recently-renovated Serbian kafana Sumatovac at Makedonska 33 (Tel 011 337 3133).

Located near the Politika newspaper building not far from Republic Square, Sumatovac is easily found. Adjacent to Politika is a car park for visitors using their own transport. Sumatovac serves both international and Serbian cuisine, alongside a great cocktail list and other drinks.
For directions, check PlanPlus: http://www.planplus.rs/

The group aims to assist foreign residents arriving in Serbia, bringing them together with long-term expatriates and Serbian friends for informal networking and support.

Please RSVP to:
Jules Kovacevic juleskovacevic@yahoo.co.uk Mob: 064 398 8025
Philomena O’Brien philomena@belgradefvc.com Mob: 062 767 323

We are anticipating a large turn-out and are looking forward to seeing you at our new look events.

Jules and Philomena

"Rainbow Flag" by -Marlith-

On behalf of the members of the Belgrade Foreign Visitors Club, we would like to wish the  marchers at today’s Belgrade Gay Pride parade a safe and successful event.

Friday, 15 October
8pm @ Tijuana

We are keen to get the ball rolling again with the BGFVC, and this will be our first post-summer meet-up.

Come along and enjoy a few drinks together (non-alcoholic cocktails will also be available – thanks Victor), and catch up on everybody’s news.

Tijuana has also had a bit of work done, so we hope people will notice an improvement particularly in the toilets. We have approached Victor about the smoke situation and have come up with a solution for this!!!

We’d also like to get people’s ideas of what they want from BGFVC going forward. All suggestions welcome.

We would love to see as many of you as possible even if you can only pop in for 5 minutes!!!!!!!

Jules, Zach & Philomena

Belgrade 2.0 has a super interesting post about a new film about skinheads in Serbia.

Based on the trailers, it looks pretty good.

I must say, I have never seen a skinhead in 5 years in Belgrade, but this is because the neo-Nazis are better disguised these days.

There are still attacks on Roma camps (as depicted in the film), but thankfully there are very rare, the police are very aggressive dealing with neo-Nazis and, the Roma are well organised in fighting back.

Check out the pots with trailers at  Skinning Šišanje – Film about youth violence in Serbia.

This video was filmed in the relatively new Idea supermarket in the up-scale Usce shopping centre. It illuminates the downright dangerous and immoral tricks played by some Serbian supermarkets.

It is not only Idea. I have had two incidents at the big Maxi at Gospodar Jovanova 39 where I ended up with rotten food.

One one occasion I was sold rotting Skate (fish). On another, I bought a kilo of marinaded chicken, only to spot that it was green and putrescent whilst preparing it.

I am told the supermarkets use the marinade to disguise the rotting, so be very careful when buying any meat in a marinade or sauce.