Duško Popov Ana Stanić Identity Crisis Marina Abramović

SV PETKA 2009
the british serb MAGAZINE
Ana Stanić
Best-selling Artist
of 2008
Duško Popov
The real
James Bond
Identity
Crisis
Brit, Serb or Britić?
Marina
Abramović
Art Baba in UK
ISSN 1759-2828 (Print)
ISSN 1759-2836 (Online)
Inside this issue of
Serb Diaspora Conference
Tribe \x©
Marina Abramović
Duško Popov - 00Srbin
Property Blog
Paper round
Agony Pop
Just what does it mean
to be a “British Serb”?
6
8
11
12
16
19
20
Ana Stanić
Kitchen Corner
Letters
Seven Days in Sarajevo
Church Services
Orthodox Calendar
Events Diary
Sports
24
30
32
37
40
42
43
44
22
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2
l Sv Petka 2009
Pomaže Bog!
I
t seems not long ago that to sit before a blank
screen to embark on composing an editorial was
a strange and uncomfortable act. Now it seems like
second nature, like lighting up a cigarette whilst
the kettle is boiling in order to share a coffee with
an old friend with whom you are about to set the
world to rights.
Well old friend, with a little bit of skill, a lot of
luck and with a huge amount of support from
article writers we have managed to show that it is
completely possible for a Serb publication to be
informative, entertaining and defining of a Serb
identity without being necessarily political, steeped
in historical negativity or indeed entrenched in
bitterness and conspiracy. Not a small achievement!
Most interestingly for us is that within the 100,000
in the last year we have yet
words printed in
completely failed to knowingly alienate any sector
of our readership.
In our first year, we wanted to reach everyone so we
at a quarterly format which was the
pitched
maximum that could be sustainable. Our plan was
for the magazine to be not-for-profit and sustained
by advertising, with our personal commitment to
meet any financial shortfalls. On the pages which
follow you will see our review of the first year.
We have done a pretty good job of reaching out
across the country but realise that the viable format
for 2010 is for two issues a year.
We are very grateful for the donations we received.
This has evolved into the 100 Club which can
provide year-on-year stability to
and help us to
work towards the
goals.
In addition to financial stability the twice yearly
format yields other benefits. This will allow us to
have record circulations of the magazine, free to the
door. We will aim to increase page numbers to the
maximum possible by post. You will be able to enjoy
this new format from April 2010.
is only as relevant as you make it with your
engagement. You will find in the mailed magazines
we have included prepaid envelopes. Please use this
for anything you want to send us.
On a personal level, this year has been a whistle-stop
adventure. We would like to thank everyone who
has contributed, encouraged, advertised, donated
and in any way shared the journey with us.
With every issue we fulfil another ambition and two
others emerge. We can’t wait for next year.
Živeli!
Aleks & Stan
Our Mission
Britić is magazine produced by British Serbs for British Serbs. The aim of Britić is to
inform, entertain and to cultivate a forum and identity for all Serbs in this country.
The magazine is independent of any external organisation and editors have no political
affiliations that are relevant to Serb issues. Our editorial stance is broadly
pro-Serb and pro-Serbian Orthodox Church.
Britić is a not-for-profit venture and is sustained by advertising revenue and donations.
Please note: all submissions for VASKRS 2010 edition to be in by 31st January 2010.
Sv Petka 2009 l
3
Britić Review
2009 Britić Review
Identity, the burning question
• Four issues published to date, with up to 20,000 readers each
• At least a third of all British Serb homes have received an issue of Britić
• These are probably the biggest ever mailings to British Serb households.
• In 2010, we intend to break these records again with ever-higher circulations.
W
hen we defined the
concept we were
aware that it was going to be
an experiment that sought
to discover how the word
“community” best relates to the
diminishing and fragmented
remnants of the Serb collective
in this country. We knew that
a tool for communication
between the disparate parts
was going to be essential and
is now well
we think that
placed to help provide links in
so far as people wish to develop
them.
As we swung the
searchlight accross the length
and breadth of these isles we
found Serbs still clinging to
an ever dwindling core and
others who had long since
been cast adrift towards near
total assimilation. But they
all had one thing in common,
to varying degrees they are
all grappling with defining
an identity which has a Serb
element in it.
This seems to be the burning
question on the lips of those
who like us have invested time
and energy into the question of
“where do we pitch our identity
so that we can still be Serbs and
yet be the successful imigrants
that we have always been?”
cannot supply answers
to this question but we have
made a pledge to continue with
the publication throughout
2010 and trust that we will
be printing many worthy
contributions to this theme
and a plethera of others that
concern, inform and entertain
our readers.
Over the last year only
approximately 40% of the
magazine’s costs have been
funded by advertising, and less
than 3% through donations. The
credit crunch can take some
of the blame. However, this
problem will persist until our
Serb-to-Serb micro-economy
starts to flourish.
As owners and editors, we have
personally made up the shortfall
as we knew that charging a
would
subscription fee for
drastically cut its circulation
turning it into a private club
rather than the national forum
it is today.
We seek therefore to widen
the donation culture to all
individuals who share our own
commitment. We want to
produce
free-of-charge
for as many Serbs as we can
in pursuit of answers to the
burning question of identity
in order to to save our dying
culture in this country. To this
end we have started The
100 Club. We think there are
enough people out there who
share our ideals.
The UK’s premier ex-YU night-spot.
Free entry.
Every major Serb sports event shown LIVE
(footie, tennis, and more...)
Every Wednesday from 9pm - Jam session
(anyone join in)
Every Friday from 10pm - Zvonce
Every Saturday from 10pm - Rale Live with
the vocals from the lovely Anika
4
l Sv Petka 2009
181 Uxbridge Road,
West Ealing,
London W13 9AA
Tel: 0208 579 9999
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We need to start feeling good about ourselves. Every lit candle is a prayer, every family is a
Church and we are the one-and-only Slava lovers anywhere. Whilst we can gather enough of
us in a room to discuss our identity then we are a collective. Already an evolved Serb is taking
presidence and increasingly divisiveness, once our national sport, is now being seen as a luxury
that we can ill afford.
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Win a copy of Codename Tricycle
This issue we are giving away a hardback copy of Codename Tricycle – the story of Duško Popov –
the Second World War’s most extraordinary agent who happened to be a Serb.
To have a chance of winning this book, all you have to do is either fill out the form (above), or much
better still if you have internet access :
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We hope that the Britić 100 Club will develop into a foundation not just for Britić but for the future of our community.
Three Months around the UK
in Dan in London
Riblja Čorba legend Bora Đorđević (centre) at the Black
George pub in West Ealing with co-owners Jugoslav
Orelj-Steve (on right) and Radomir Grković-Rale (on left
holding the Petrovdan Britić). Everyone present will
remember the 11th October as a great night of new and
old classic songs and jokes.
tied the knot
Matthew Wilkinson and Dragana Opačić
ade.
Belgr
in
egdan
Kalam
at
in style
rbian
for £500 to the Se
presents a cheque
run
is
l
oo
sch
e
Th
Serbian Council
.
on 12th July 2009
ge
rid
for
m
mb
.co
Ca
ail
in
l
schoo
ara@hotm
vic – email : vesn
by Vesna Radivoje
more details.
Marko, Mira, Gabrijela and Nataša at Draž
on Sunday 19th of July in London.
Aleks Tutuš Palanac found that the Swedish
giant IKEA had already opened a branch in
Smederevo this year.
Ambassador Dr De
jan Popovic and Co
ventry’s Lord May
Jack Harrison attend
or
ing the “Belgradethe Cultural and
Literary History” bo
ok signing with au
tho
r, Davis Norris.
In the background
“The Spirit of Belgr
ade” informative
display at the Centr
al Library on 24th
June 2009.
Please send in your photos for the gallery to
editor@britic.co.uk
6
l Sv Petka 2009
Serb Diaspora Conference 2009
by Aleks Račić
A
n International Diaspora
Youth Leadership
Conference was held from 9-10
July 2009 in the Sava Centre
event and I certainly will
be attending again next
year. Hopefully though
there will be a bigger
contingent from the UK
so keep an eye out in
future editions of
for updates about when
to register.
continents attended and over
two days discussed the need for
Serbia to improve its ties with
the Diaspora and encourage
Diaspora Serbs to invest in
Serbia.
in Belgrade. Its aim was to
gather young professional Serbs
from Serbia and the Diaspora
to meet, exchange ideas and
“build bridges for the future”.
Over 600 people from five
Although there were teething
problems (and the occasional
argument) the fact that this
conference took place at all is a
success in itself. The plan is for
this to become a regular annual
Visit the Gallery of Frescoes. A part of the National Museum in Belgrade
Free admission
Opening times:
Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 10.00-17.00
Thu 12.00-20.00
Sun 10.00-14.00
High quality replicas
of Serbia’s most
beautiful religious
Gallery of Frescoes
Cara Uroša 20, Belgrade
art from its remote Tel: +381 11 2621.491
gfres@narodnimuzej.rs
monasteries http://www.narodnimuzej.rs
Sv Petka 2009 l
7
Your Rewiew
Dejan Karadaglić
Bob Lukić
had a tough choice tonight
and went to the Belgrade Old
Palace, although he had a
ticket for the Lilly Allen’s and
Arctic Monkey’s gig at Exit.
Now regrets that.
is debating the merits
of dyeing his beard
white and wearing a
red suit this xmas.
Dejan Karadaglić ‘s got a certificate from Marina
Jelena Dragišić
Abramovic.
Tatjana Jokić
Why be afraid of
anything? I AM
with you always.
Dragana Opačić is
baking a carrot cake just
to show it can be done.
In Serbia one does
not put vegetables in
cakes!.
Aleksandar Račić Age:
Town:
Status:
27
Worcester
Single
refuses to dress
appropriately for the
weather because
the weather is not
appropriate!
aleksracic@gmail.com
You in three words:
Best flirt:
Your Serb thing:
A gentle giant
A smile- it says a thousand words (and it works a lot better too!
“Passionate” when I care about something, “completely lethargic”
when I don’t
At home watching a weird French film
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
Gregory Peck in his prime, I wouldn’t want any of these nancies
in a movie of your life? today!!
Favourite quotes:
My advice is get married- if you find a good wife you will be happy, if
not, you’ll become a philosopher - Socrates (Hopefully one day I’ll test
theory!!)
If you’ve heard this story before don’t stop me because I’d like to hear
it again - Groucho Marx
Marija Popović
Age:
Town:
Status:
27
Bedford
Single
mazpops@yahoo.co.uk
You in three words:
Best flirt:
Your Serb thing:
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
Favourite quotes:
Dream holiday
destination?:
Mira Popović
Age:
Town:
Status:
29
Bedford
Single
Chilled, happy, funny
I like your shoes – not really, I haven’t got one!
Swearing?
In a bar in Leamington
Cameron Diaz of course!
I can move my ears without touching them!
I like your shoes – not really, I haven’t got one!
Anywhere on a beach. Not Skegness.
mirapopovic@yahoo.co.uk or Facebook
You in three words:
Best flirt:
Social, loyal & ambitious
I think there is something wrong with my phone. Could you try
calling it for me to see if it rings?
The classic dish of sarma
At home starting to pack for my upcoming holiday!
Your Serb thing:
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
Sandra Bullock
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
II won a Blue Peter badge when I was 12 (was a runner up in a design
competition). I never actually used it and have long since lost it!
Favourite quotes:
”Get busy livin’ or get busy dying” - Morgan Freeman
Dragan Dwayne
Egerić
Boško
Novaković
Goran Mitrović
Daniela Mitrović
Gordana
Mijailović
Dijana Knežević
i cnt believe ronaldo is
gone...but 80mill aint
2 bad 4 him tho haha
is a member of My
Serbian parents
made me get a
branch that they
can beat me with.
Daniela Mitrović IS off
to serbia 2night... see u all in 4 weeks!!!!!!!!!
was wondering
why the Frisbee was
getting larger……..
then it hit me
is amazed how quickly
news travels! And I
have also learnt never
to leave my facebook
logged on in the
company of Marko! Once again, just to
clarify I AM NOT PREGNANT!
Paul Hannan Age:
Town:
Status:
40
Corby
Married
i gledo tenis pa
nemože da veruje
kako đoković loše igra.
had he best time at
Drazin Dan yesterday.
GOING SHOPPING IN
AMERICA TODAY with
Teta Marija and Mil.
woop woop xXx. Dijana
Knežević is a member of VOTE MILJANA
BERIC FOR FACE FOR ENGLAND
paulhannan@hotmail.com
You in three words:
Your Serb thing:
A gentle giant
Probably trying to eat everything my mother-in-law puts on the table
at Slava
Driving thru’ the streets of Afghanistan, as part of a convoy near Kabul
Airport
Ideally, me! Alternatively - Goran Visnjic (Dr Luka Kovac in ER)
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
I’ve attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and spoken with
the Queen & Prince Philip, in the same year, at another event
Favourite quotes:
We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the
ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now
qualified to do anything with nothing. - Mother Theresa oddly enough
Slavka Jovanović
Age: “How dare you!”
Town:
Shipley
Status:
Single
Get in touch via Facebook
You in three words:
Best flirt:
Your Serb thing:
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
Favourite quotes:
Dream holiday
destination?:
Stevan Popović Age:
Town:
Status:
33
Bedford
Single
Creative, funny, friendly
Bet you look good on the dance floor
Now that would be telling
The Supper Club - late night burlesque cabaret at the Edinburgh
Fringe Festival
Audrey Tatou/Angelica Houston
I made a whole series of art work by printing with rashers of bacon
“You will do foolish things but do them with enthusiasm” COLETTE
Iceland (no the country of course!)
Get in touch via editor@britic.co.uk
You in three words:
Your Serb thing:
Favourite quotes:
Dream holiday
destination?:
Quiet, warped sense of humour & thorough
Christmas presents are only opened on the 7 January
The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of
the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name
of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of
the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost
children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and
furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.
And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you
Bahamas
Bojan Bošković
Dušan Parojčić
Filip Đorđević
Angela
Rađenović
Deanna Vuković
Bogdanović
Ivana Topalović
is a member of Miloš
Obilić je Srbin nije
Albanac
has been made to
get facebook by her
daughters!
Lulu Rađenović
hey mummy! i love you and how cool are
you. facebook:O)xxx©s
favourite quotes ‘Neko
stari kao zlato a neko
kao cipela’
34
London
Married
Favourite quotes
“Gledaj KO ti je rekao,
a ne ŠTA ti je rekao” wise words from my
mother
My seven year old
son Vuk wrote his first
song last week. (music
and lyrics) I guess
family business is no longer in jeopardy.
Drawback: Its a hip-hop track and mummy
is a punk chick. Where did I go wrong?
Suzana Jeckells Age:
Town:
Status:
u play with fire...u get
punched in the face :/
or ....sumthin like that..
Get in touch via Facebook
You in three words:
Your Serb thing:
To sum me up I would say I work hard, I am committed to the larger
picture. I think long term and never take a risk I can not bounce back
from
I would love for my girls to understand their heritage and do try to
give them a taste of Serbian culture in this ‘Global Village’
Béatrice Dalle
Who would play you
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
I make a great Porn Star Cosmopolitan. (A cocktail, by the way)
Favourite quotes:
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrow, it empties today of its
strength.” - Emerson
Dream holiday
A private Island, with white sandy beaches and pineapple trees
destination?:
Zoran Kovačević Field
Age:
19
Town:
Leicester
Status: in relationship
Get in touch via Facebook and zoran_16@hotmail.co.uk
You in three words:
Best flirt:
Your Serb thing:
Where were you last
midnight?
Who would play you
in a movie of your life?
Surprise us:
Favourite quotes:
Dream holiday
destination?:
Funny, sporty, naughty
I have only 3 months to live
Pride and religion
At the bar buying drinks
Wentworth Miller (from Prison Break)
I know what girls are thinking when I look in their eyes
I can’t believe it !
Australian beach
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10
l Sv Petka 2009
Marina Abramović
The Baka of Performance Art presents…
M
anchester International
Festival positions itself
as a showcase of innovative
cultural work which aims to
challenge the audience. The fact
that it is not bound by any one
form of expression has allowed
its organisers to put together a
fascinating conglomerate of acts
– musical, theatrical and artistic.
One of the most unconventional
involved removing all exhibits
from the Whitworth gallery
in order to create space for
‘Marina Abramović presents...’:
practically a festival within
festival, incorporating very
demanding and long-duration
work from thirteen performance
artists. Plainly speaking, this
is the type of artwork whose
collection of objects over
six hours. Her mother
exercised strict control
over her children, “I
was not allowed to
leave the house after
10 o’clock at night till
I was 29 years old. ...
All the performances
in Yugoslavia I did
before 10 o’clock in the
evening because I had to
be home then. It’s completely
insane, but all of my cutting myself,
whipping myself, burning myself,
almost losing my life in the firestar,
everything was done before 10 in the
evening.”
5-10 minute excerpts you may
see in modern art exhibitions
worldwide – Raša Todosijević
interrogating Marinela Koželj
in order to extract the answer
to the question ‘What is art?’,
or Marina Abramović combing
her hair painfully and frantically
while exclaiming ‘Art must
be beautiful..! Artist must be
beautiful!’ I always wondered
what it would be like to actually
attend a full long-lasting
performance, to be present in the
same space as the artist. Without
the one-hour introduction, I feel
I would have been somewhat
confused and unable to motivate
myself to persist with all three
hours of the event. Marina
Abramović talked to us about
Marco Anelli
Marina Abramović was
born in Belgrade in
1946 and today is
based in New York.
Her grandfather’s
brother was
Serbian Orthodox
Patriarch Varana.
She is the self-styled
“grandmother of
performance art” whose
sometimes controversial
work includes use of
unprescribed medication to evoke
seizures, jabbing knives rythmically
between her splayed fingers and
inviting the audience to pleasure or
mutilate her passive body using a
her conceptions of time and
space in art, of artistic action
as a unison between body and
mind and led us through a set of
activities that were intended to
put is in the right frame of mind:
slowly drinking a glass of water,
slowly observing a strangers
eyes, having all the audience put
on white lab coats – thus making
us a uniformed and much more
easily influenced body akin to an
army squadron of inexperienced
but eager recruits to the cause of
performance art.
Released from ‘the Drill’ we
proceeded to zombie-walk slowly
and in unison into the gallery
and encounter the artists’ works,
(continued on page 15)
Sv Petka 2009 l
11
Feature
The name is Popov,
Duško Popov - 00Srbin
I
t’s the middle of WWII
and Ian Fleming (the future
James Bond creator), is working
for MI6 on the tail of a man in
Lisbon. The target is a double
agent whom MI6 have just given
$50,000 cash to. Fleming follows
the man out of the lobby of the
Palacio Hotel accross to a Casino.
Fleming shadows him from table
to table until he stops at a game
where a Lithuanian is holding the
bank. The Lithuanian announces
“Banque Ouvert” (no limit).
Dipping his hand into his breast
pocket the man extracts $50,000
dollars and starts to count it
on the table. The whole casino
stutters to silence.
Fleming, watching, spits out
his drink as his face turns
green. The Lithuanian squirms
in embarrassment. Cool as a
12
l Sv Petka 2009
cucumber the man with the
money tells the chief croupier
“I suppose the casino is backing
this man’s bet since you didn’t
object to his Banque Ouverte”.
“The casino never backs a players
stake” is the Croupier’s shy
response. Pretending irritation
the man with the cash, says “I’m
sure you will call this to the
attention of management and
that in future such irresponsible
calls of Banque Ouverte will be
prohibited. It’s a disgrace and
annoyance to all the serious
players.” As the man who just
flashed $50,000 cash in a wartime
casino turns to see his Shadow
out of the corner of his eye,
he sees a look of amusement
on Fleming’s face. From that
moment on Fleming trusted his
fellow agent and never followed
him again.
Little surprise then when Ian
Fleming sat down after the war
to write his first James Bond
novel that it would be Casino
Royale.
This is a snaphot of Serb, Duško
Popov, the real life agent that
inspired Fleming’s fictional spy.
Popov was a WWII spy and
counterspy. Originally recruited
by the German Secret Service
“The Awebhr”, he also worked
for MI6. The man who fed the
British information about Nazi
Operation Sea Lion, helped
thwart the German invasion of
Britain, the first man to know
and warn about Japan’s plans to
attack Pearl Harbour, who had
run-ins with the Americans,
especially FBI boss J Edgar
Hoover and to whom the British
awarded an OBE.
Getting out of a Nazi situation
Popov’s story begins in 1936.
Like many ambitious men in the
Balkans he wanted to be fluent in
German in order to get on in life.
He already spoke Serbian, English
and French, and so enrolled on
a course in the German town of
Freiburgs.
Whilst studying in Freiburgs
Popov met German, Johnny
Jebsen who became like a brother
to him. They both shared a dislike
for the Nazis and a love for the
“popsies” (ladies), and yet every
Friday when the Nazis would
put on a lavish dinner for all the
foreign students after the debates,
everyone was in agreement with
the Nazis’ views.
Both men were highly intelligent
and sharp-witted and after
they discovered that the Nazi
students were winning all
the debates because they had
preknowledge of the topics
they too availed themselves of
the same information and for
the next few months the Nazis
didn’t win a single debate. Using
his photographic memory and
natural charm Duško ran rings
around the Nazi arguments and
he and Johnny would brag about
their exploits all over town. Very
soon Popov catches the eye of the
Gestapo.
Jebsen turn on him and tell the
Nazis what they want to hear.
Jebsen realises the seriousness of
the situation and contacts Popov’s
father (a major industrialist
in Yugoslavia) who then calls
Yugoslav Prime Minister Dr
Stojadinović who immediately
phones Goering. Popov is
released and is given 24 hours to
leave Germany. His contacts and
Jebsen save Popov from the death
camps and he appreciates his debt
to Jebsen.
WWII commences
In 1939 a fateful meeting with
Jebsen at the Serbian King Hotel
in Belgrade in then neutral
Yugoslavia transform Popov from
a charming, witty and intelligent
playboy into Agent Code named
Tricycle.
“We’re preparing a report on the
most suitable French politicians
to contact when France falls”, said
a casual Jebsen to Popov. Johnny
had decided he didn’t want to be
cannon fodder in the German
army so using his contacts had
got into the Awebhr. Jebsen had
found where he best fitted and
was sounding out Popov. Popov
felt it was innocent enough for
him to get these names as he
had contacts and besides that he
had an idea of his own, one that
involved the British Embassy in
Belgrade.
Life on the line... shaken not
Serbed the second time
The information that Popov
began to provide to the Germans
and the British proved extremely
accurate, however soon once
again his life was to be put in
danger.
“Your chauffeur Božidar is selling
you out for a lousy 2000 dinars”,
Johnny yells at Popov bursting
into his room. “The Awebhr just
instructed me to pay him 2000
Dinars and Božidar has just given
me his report.” The Awebhr had
put Božidar on their payroll to
check on Popov’s movements.
There are no problems with
the report... except for the five
visits Dusko made to the British
Embassy in Belgrade.
“You should know the Nazis by
now, Duško, if they suspect the
Shaken, but not Serbed
The Gestapo arrest Popov on
suspision of being a communist.
Over several days and nights
they interogate him. Popov’s
wit and humour do not desert
him but unknown to him many
of his friends are arrested and
questioned also, and all but
Duško Popov’s British alien registration card
Sv Petka 2009 l
13
Feature
land invasion by Germany was
code named Operation Sea Lion
and was due to take place on 30
January.
A woman will pass and wink
at you, follow her....
“I hope she’s Pretty”
Johann ‘Johnny’ Jebsen
slightest thing, you’re marked for
the chopping block, and they’ll
come for your family later, even
if I change this report before
sending it, the Awebhr will speak
with Božidar”.
The next day Božidar is shot
dead, allegedly pillaging at a
railroad yard. The amended
report is sent to Berlin and the
Awebhr are now more sure of
Duško. His first overseas mission
as Awebhr agent is set for Rome.
Scotch, Johnny
and Operation Sea Lion
Duško meets up with Johnny in
Rome. They both elect to drink
Scotch, given that Popov would
be in London soon and needs
to develop a taste for it. Jebsen
gives Duško the inside track on
how internal arguing between
the Luftwaffe, army and navy
mean that there are not enough
German resources to invade
Britain – the Germans have
2500 barges, motorised boats
and 150 ships – but nowhere
near what Haider, head of the
army needs to transport all his
troops. Popov knows this will be
invaluable information for the
British. The proposed British
14
l Sv Petka 2009
After arriving in Lisbon from
Rome, Popov is told to window
shop. It isn’t long before an
attractive blonde gives Duško a
very friendly wink – he follows
her to an Opal Sedan. They get
in and after a few blocks, the car
stops. The woman gets out and
the car continues. As the car
approaches an Awebhr meeting
house the chauffeur instructs
Popov to crouch down. The
house may be watched. The car
goes into the garage, and they
both walk through the garage
into the house. Duško meets Von
Karsthoff a top ranking Awebhr
officer.
After getting another grilling
Duško is given instructions on
what information he must collect
from London... army locations,
and importantly public morale.
The blitz bombing had just
started.
Upon landing at Bristol an
MI6 chauffeur meets him and
drives him into the Savoy Hotel,
London. Duško is impressed – he
can come and go as he pleases
but for the first few days he is
interrogated by all manner of
MI6 officials – for all they knew
perhaps he is a real Awebhr agent.
When it comes to telling them
about the German problems with
Operation Sea Lion – MI6 are
genuinely surprised, it is the first
time they hear about the internal
squabbles between the German
forces – they find it hard to
believe that Germany will not try
to invade Britain. Popov is grilled
about this but compared to his
Gestapo questioning some years
earlier; he actually enjoys the
episode. January 30th comes and
goes. There is no invasion and
Duško is proved right.
Character assassination by C
The head of MI6 was Major
General Stewart Menzies, known
as “C” and reports directly to
Churchill. C spends several
days with Popov after which he
deliveres a no-nonsense character
assassination, when the two are
alone together for the first time:“You are honest, but without
scruples. Your instincts and
intuitions are stronger than
your intelligence, which is way
above average. Your conscience
never bothers you. You are
ambitious and ruthless and
you can be cruel, although
in an animal and not a sick
way. When you are frightened
you don’t panic. Danger is a
stimulant for you”.
And looking straight into Popov’s
eyes, Menzies continued :“ You have too many things
on your banner for my taste....
but... for your job as spy and
counterspy that is ideal.” Popov
looked relieved.
“Oh but one thing, you don’t like
following orders, you better learn
to otherwise you will be a very
dead spy.”
So that is their first meeting,
direct and blunt. After the war
Popov would become godfather
to one of Stewart’s grand children.
Agent Tricycle on the prowl
The Daily Mail,
the Champagne Cork.
Be a Good Girl Now!
Upon his return to Lisbon Popov
reports to his Awebhr handlers
that Britain’s morale is low and it
is only a matter of time before the
British will sue for peace.
Relaxing one night in a club with
a new lady friend, Popov notices
he is being watched. He decides
to create a diversion
to lose his tail. There
is an awful lady
singer on stage who
seems to be with a
table of reporters
from the Daily Mail.
In Yugoslavia a coup d’etat by
Yugoslav Army officers deposes
Prince Paul. Hitler in a blind rage
postpones the invasion of Russia
and starts Operation Punishment,
which includes 12 days of non-stop
bombing of Belgrade.
Dusko pays a waiter
to present the singer
with a Champagne
cork in full view of
everyone. Indignant
the singer stamps
her way towards
Duško’s lady friend;
She is about to pour
her drink over her,
when Popov grabs
her arm, turns her
round points her to
her table, pats her
on her rump and
sends her on her way
saying “Be a good girl now”. The
Daily Mail table starts a fight and
Duško with his lady friend leaves
during the confusion. The tail
is lost.
At a bullfight in Spain, a man
sitting behind Popov in the crowd
jeers at a poor dying bull - “He’s
collapsing like Yugoslavia” – Popov
immediately spins around and
punches him in the face.
Von Karsthoff ’s question
It’s April 1941 – Duško had been
growing in the eyes of both his
German and British handlers – he
was certainly now Germany’s top
agent, however disaster loomed.
This was the moment Popov
had been dreading – his country
is no longer neutral and he
is summoned to Portugal for
a crunch meeting with Von
Karsthoff.
Von Karsthoff looks him straight
in the eyes and asks... Duško, are
you a Serb or are you a Croat?
It is the question Duško has been
dreading.. if he answers Serb he will
be killed, if he answers Croat, then
it won’t be long before the Germans
work out that no one with the name
Popov could be a Croat, no Popov
would be with the Ustaše for sure..
and yet answer the question he
must; the fate of not only his own
life but also the course of the war
could depend on it.
To be continued…
→ (continued from page 11)
one by one. I feel it would be
profane to go on describing their
actions as there was something
special to be experienced after
a while – it didn’t come easily
though. I settled on Alistair
McLennan’s work which I had
found most associative due to the
many objects he incorporated in
his performance. At the end, I
was rewarded not only by being
able to experience the conclusion
of certain performances (e.g.
Kira O’Reilly slowly reaching the
bottom of the stairs down which
she ‘fell’ in slow motion) but also
by a very concrete certificate of
endurance, signed by Marina
Abramović herelf. It was a nice
concluding touch and it made
me want to learn more about
performance art and ‘endure’
more of it live, of which I hope I’ll
have a chance sometime soon.
Photo: Joel Chester Fildes
Sv Petka 2009 l
15
Property Blog
Experiences
of Buying in
by Ilija Aleksić
Serbia
Zemun Novi Grad
D
uring a visit to Belgrade
in the spring of 2007, we
decided to look at a few properties
with a view to perhaps buying on
our next visit, later in the year. We
decided on Zemun, as we knew
the area and my wife had lived
there before moving to the UK.
We contacted an estate agency
and saw two properties that were
just about to be completed. The
first was a one-bed apartment of
around 28 m2 in a large house
converted into four apartments.
It cost €26,000 completed, except
for a kitchen, which the buyer
would have to buy (this is quite
common in Serbia). A pleasant
enough apartment, the main
drawback was that the yard (in
this case just a small area) was
shared with another eight or so
properties.
The following day we saw the
second property which, unlike
the first, was a purpose-built
block of eight apartments. The
apartment we were looking at was
a “subteren”, meaning it was partly
below ground, although it had a
small courtyard leading off from
the main living area, which had
been dug out from the ground,
to let in more light and make
16
l Sv Petka 2009
the apartment more “saleable”. It
was a fairly attractive property,
one-bedroom and about 30 m2
in total, priced at €900 per square
metre (€ 27,000). We were very
interested at this point, so started
to consider purchasing it.
Before doing anything we went to
speak to a property lawyer to find
out more about the buying process.
He promptly put us off saying that
many apartments like this would
never be able to be legalised. In
the initial planning process they
had been designated as storage
areas but subsequently converted
to living accommodation because
the developer wanted to make
more money. This explained why
the price was €900 per square
metre, rather than the more usual
€1,200 – 1,300.
Around two months later, the
agent contacted us to say he had
found an apartment in a brand
new building, consisting of six
apartments in total. This was a
two-roomed flat, one bedroom
and a large open plan living
area, totalling approx 48 m2,
including a small balcony from
the bedroom. The price was
€1,350 per square metre, which
the agent told me was slightly
above the going rate in Zemun
(€1,200 -1,300). However this
was apparently built to a higher
standard as the developer was
planning to live on the top floor.
The bathrooms would have
Italian ceramics; the building
would also have cable TV and a
video entry system. The agent
sent me a drawing of the layout.
Our hopes somewhat deflated, we
decided to leave things until our
next visit, as we were going home
in a week. Through a friend, we
arranged a chat with an estate
agent, who suggested that it was
best to get a “legalised” property,
hence their higher value.
(Although this is by no means
essential, as half of new Belgrade
is not legalised, and property will
always find a buyer.)
We thought about it, knowing this
was nice, fairly quiet area, close
to most amenities. We decided to
offer €1,250 per square metre. The
agent said the seller was unlikely
to accept, but he would try and
do a deal where, he got the seller
to pay his fee (5% of the purchase
price). In Serbia, it transpires, the
buyer pays the 3% agents fee even
though the agent is employed by
the seller to sell his property!
The agent phoned back to say
we had a deal, where the buyer
would pay his fee. We would
pay a €15,000 deposit and the
remainder on completion at the
end of September. My wife went
to Belgrade to see the apartment
and pay the deposit, which was
done when an agreement was
drafted and signed in court.
The deadline came and went with
no news, ultimately delaying by a
month. Although our apartment
was ready, the remainder of the
building was not. This meant
that the building was not yet
legalised, but after discussions
with the estate agent we decided
to go ahead, but would retain
5% until all the documentation
and permits were obtained so we
could legalise our apartment.
The work commenced in August
2008 and the basic balcony was
completed by October. However
the vendor now wanted €10,000
for the balcony, on the basis that
free of charge meant he would not
charge us for the area (per square
metre) but naturally we would
have to pay for the materials and
labour. We objected that this was
not what was agreed, but after
talking to two different property
lawyers we conceded: it was
better to pay, especially as he was
not asking for a lot in relation to
how much it would add to the
value of the property. The lawyers
did say we could refuse to pay, but
would in the end probably have to
go to court as he would unlikely
give us the documentation to the
apartment.
Months passed with no further
news until early 2008, when it
transpired that the seller had
decided to extend the top floor
apartment where he was going to
live. In order for our agreement
to this, we and the apartment
above us would get an extension
in the form of a balcony “free of
charge”. This sounded great in
principal, as the balcony would be
approx 40 m2, almost the size of
our apartment.
In the end we agreed to pay
the extra, but only when all
works were completed and the
documents received. This was,
however, to take much longer
than expected because the
owner, we found out, had not
submitted any applications for
the extension but had merely
gone ahead with the work.
However he was confident
and told us everything would
be sorted out in due course.
Obviously, he had a contact,
probably in the planning
department, who would switch
the original drawings with those
of the extended property.
Eventually, everything was
completed in March 2009. An
agreement was drawn up by our
lawyer, which was signed and
witnessed to confirm that the
apartment was now legally ours.
The remainder of the money was
paid over at the same time.
After a long (almost two years)
and at times stressful process,
we had purchased an apartment
almost double the size of that
originally intended. It came out
at €68,500, equating to €760 per
square metre.
This is fairly cheap as the current
“value” is somewhere around
€1750 per square metre. We still
have some money to spend, as
we intend to convert part of the
balcony into another bedroom.
Then there is the still the process
of legalising our apartment with
the land registry, which is approx
1.5% of its value. Although there
is some formula where if you
are a first time buyer you get the
first 40 m2 free, then pay on the
remaining area.
Belgrade Index
€ / m2
Stari Grad
2203
Novi Beograd (Arena)
2111
Rakovica
1154
Savski Trg
1915
Voždovac
1696
Vračar
2375
Zemun (Centre)
1583
Zvezdara
1662
Source: 22nd September 2009 Beogradske Nekretnine
Growth (12 months)
-8%
-10%
-1%
-1%
-6%
-6%
-9%
-5%
Sv Petka 2009 l
17
Paper Round
In summary, we have been
quite fortunate, although
dealing with an amateur who
was awkward, it turns out
he has been fairly honest in
keeping his word. However
it is not something we wish
to go through again in the
near future. Nothing is ever
straightforward in Serbia!
Glossary of Property
Terms and Expressions
When wading through the
myriad of property advert
magazines (Oglasi) you will
come across descriptions in
a short-hand which may at
first be a little confusing. The
following may be of use:
• If a flat is described as “3
soban” you may think that
this is a three bedroom flat,
but in Serbia this means three
rooms that are not kitchens or
bathrooms, therefore this will
generally mean 2 bedrooms and
a living room, which in British
terms is a two bedroom flat.
• The size of the house or flat is
often quoted and will appear in
square meters. If you read 50m2
+ 6m2, the first figure will be
the gross internal floor area of
the flat and the second figure
will refer to a balcony area or
some other shared area.
• If you read 50m2 / 3, this means
a 50 square meter area flat on
the third floor.
• If you are buying a house then
the area of land that goes with
the property will be given in
“are”, this is an area of land
measuring 10m x 10m.
• A “Garsonjer” is a one room flat
/ studio flat / bed sitter.
• A “Subteren” flat is a basement
flat or part basement flat.
• If you have a “Mokri Čvor”
quoted in the description then
this is possibly a part finished
flat where the water mains
have been brought into the
property but not yet connected
to appliances.
• Nearly always the cost of the
property will be quoted in
Euros.
Happy hunting!
How to Pay
for Your Belgrade Pad
T
he state of the property
market in Serbia continues
to be a “hot topic”, much as it is
the case in the UK. Undoubtedly,
the prices have declined. Price
per square metre in Belgrade
ranges from 1600 to 4000 euros,
depending on the location and
quality of the building with more
central locations (Vračar, Stari
Grad) holding price better than
the suburbs. The consensus
of opinion is that an average
20% drop in market values is
probably the nearest to the truth,
as much as that is ever possible
to achieve.
Saying all that, Kreditni Biro
Udruženja Banaka has reported a
gentle increase in the amount of
mortgage lending in August. Total
lending granted in that month
18
l Sv Petka 2009
amounted to 1,299 billion dinar’s
(approx £100 million) which is
an increase of 1.2% to July figures
and a 5.3% jump in comparison
to the end of 2008 figures.
This would suggest that buyers
(and sellers) are returning to the
market at more realistic prices…
A large portion of the buyers are
people who currently live and
work abroad and one of the major
players in that lending arena
is ERSTE Bank. For UK based
Serbs there is an opportunity
to apply and secure a mortgage
on a residential or commercial
property based in Serbia. In case
of the commercial property there
is an added attraction of being
able to purchase it within a SIPP
(Self Invested Personal Pension)
and achieve very significant tax
efficiencies under the UK Tax
regime.
In regard to residential property
here is a brief list of what is
possible and needed when
arranging a mortgage (stambeni
kredit) with ERSTE Bank:
• Maximum Loan-to-value 90%
• Minimum deposit
10%
• Repayment mortgage option (no
interest only option available at
present)
• Fixed interest rate of
7%
So, using an example of a mortgage
of €73,710 (with the property
valued at €81,900) and a repayment
term of 19 years, monthly
repayment would be €585.40.
The bank will insist on proof
of monthly Net earnings (after
Tax and National Insurance
pe
r
d
ro
July 3, 2009
I [Frank Skinner] recently had breakfast with the
Queen’s godson, Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia
and his wife, Crown Princess Katherine, at their
palace in Belgrade… At one point we passed the
graves of General Tito’s horse, dog and girlfriend
in the palace grounds…I asked if Mrs Tito knew
about the girlfriend. “A wise wife never knows,” said
Princess Katherine - again, a much more practical
attitude than our own royals with their “three
people in this marriage” whingeing.
15th July 2009
Armed robbers in Hawaiian shirts stole jewellery
worth £13million from a Cartier shop in Cannes
before fleeing on motorbikes.
The heist is thought to be the work of the
internationally notorious Pink Panthers gang…
one criminologist describing their work as ‘artistry’.
In Biarritz, for example, they applied fresh paint to
a bench opposite the jewellery store they were
about to rob to deter potential witnesses from
sitting on it…Most [are] thought to be Serb or
Montenegrin nationals with military experience.
un
10 Jul 2009
A WOMAN suffering from a deadly heart condition
got two shocks when she was struck by lightning
- after it cured her illness. …Nada, of Sljivovica,
Serbia, was saved from death thanks to her rubbersoled shoes. And it is believed the force of the
electric jolt put her heart back to normal.
Pa
9th April 2009
COFFINS with an in-built air-conditioning system
that claims to keep bodies “fresh” are being snapped
up in Serbia.
Manufacturers in the town of Novi Sad say the hitech body chillers were designed to keep corpses
well-preserved before burial during the hot summer
months. The bizarre caskets retail at £4,500…
contributions) of €1,300.89 to
demonstrate the affordability
and you would have to pay for
the premium of NKOSK cover
(Nacionalna Korporacija za
Osiguravanje Kredita) which
would amount to €2,764.12 in the
mortgage example given.
This cover is pretty much an
equivalent to what is know in UK
2nd July 2009
Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden has died at the
age of 97.
Malden, best known for roles in A Streetcar Named
Desire and On the Waterfront and the TV series The
Streets Of San Francisco…He was born Mladen
George Sekulovich in Chicago to parents of Serb
and Czech origins.
23 May 2009
My destination is the small, central Serbian town
of Guca (pronounced Goo-cha)….a free festival
that attracts over 300,000 people…Brass bands,
wild? You think I’m kidding, right? No chance…I
used to attend illegal raves in the 90s, parties held
in open fields or deserted factories, but they were
no match for Guca. The energy, the joy, the sheer
gonzo exuberance that overtakes this hamlet
across the weekend, is incomparable…
as a “Mortgage Indemnity cover”
which was very common in the
80s and 90s and still charged
by some lenders for mortgages
above 90% Loan to value. This
cover basically protects the lender
against mortgage default.
It is also recommended to roughly
allow up to 3% of the total
mortgage amount towards legal
and brokerage costs, application
processing and the cost of
buildings insurance. There may
also be a Stamp Duty equivalent
applicable.
Igor Novaković
Independent Financial Adviser
Accudo Investments Ltd.
Tel: 02392 811221
or 07747 800549
Sv Petka 2009 l
19
Opinion
AGONY POP
by Ilija Kadionica
Pomaže Bog!
We are pleased to have been assisted by Vladika Dositej who has
arranged for the following readers questions to be addressed by a
team of his priests in the UK as part of an ongoing dialogue in Britić.
This group of questions is on the theme of Slavas. We trust that you
will find the answers of interest and welcome your questions for the
next edition..
What is Slava?
Krsna Slava is a Serbian
Orthodox tradition which
represents one of the main
identifying characteristics of the
Orthodox Faith for Serbs. The
day of the Slava is a celebration
of the patron saint of your family
who is your protector before
God. Slavas are also celebrated
by Churches, towns, villages and
communities etc.
How come only Serbs in the
Christian world have Slavas?
There are various theories
about this. Some historians and
theologians believe that because
prior to receiving Christianity
Serbs were polytheistic (believed
in many gods) the Slava tradition
allowed them to retain a personal
relation with a god like entity to
replace the local gods that they
had previously worshipped.
Others believe that Slavas are tied
to dates in the 9th century when
many Serb tribes (clans) received
Christianity en mass and took
to celebrating the dates of these
occasions with a suitable Saint’s
day as the patron of their group.
20
l Sv Petka 2009
Both these explanations still leave
the question of why other Slavic
nations who had previously been
polytheistic and then turned to
Christianity, why they do not
have Slavas?
This question and other
historical evidence point to the
late 12th century and to the
life and achievements of Sveti
Sava for more clarification. He
gave the tradition of Slava a
liturgical context and achieved
the independence of the Serbian
Church in 1219 after which the
tradition of Slava was widely
recognized and entrenched in the
Serbian Orthodox Church.
To this day wherever in the world
the descendants of those original
Christian Serbs are to be found
they can be observed celebrating
the patron saint that their lineage
has given them.
Can the way you celebrate
Slava vary?
The detailed customs
surrounding the celebration of
the Slava can vary somewhat
from town to town and
region to region as it has been
affected over the years by the
surroundings that Serbs have
found themselves in. However
regardless of the differences the
essence has remained the same
and the continuity is true. Indeed
this consistency is one of the
beauties of the Slava as Serbs have
celebrated it over the centuries
and all over the world it is an
important symbol of our faith as
well as our national identity.
Who inherits the Slava?
The custom is that the Slava is
handed down from generation
to generation through the male
line from father to son(s). A
daughter will received the Slava
if she remains unmarried and in
the fathers house after his death.
Married daughters will adopt the
Slava of the husband as and when
the husbands inherit it.
Can you have more than one
Slava?
Sometimes a family will celebrate
more than one Slava. If the wife in
a family is her parents only child
then in order for her original Slava
not be forgotten her new family
may celebrate an additional Slava.
There are other circumstances
under which additional Slavas are
celebrated or recognized and there
are no real limits.
traditional Serbian food. The only
convention is if the Slava falls in
a fasting period, and if it does the
food should be fasting food.
My father still celebrates Slava
back home and I live too far
away to celebrate with him.
The scale of the catering will
vary greatly according to
circumstances but the hosts
will always be keen to show
traditional Serbian hospitality.
Care should be taken not to go
to extremes as this may lose the
meaning of the Slava celebration.
In the old days when several
generations lived in the same
house a son would not receive his
own Slava until his father would
die or decide to relinquish it to
him. Today and in particular in
the Serb Diaspora if the son is
distanced from his father’s house
then he can and should with
his fathers blessing celebrate his
Slava in his house with his own
family.
As a daughter what can I do if
I marry a non Serb who does
not have a Slava?
We would like to refer readers to
an article in the Božić 2008 Issue
of
(page 24) called “Mixed
Blessings” which discusses
this theme. Slavas can in such
circumstances be adopted and
our Church is happy to assist
couples to chose a new Slava.
If anybody is interested the
article can be found at www.
britic.co.uk and if you need
further guidance contact
at
editor@britic.co.uk .
What are the food conventions
at Slava?
Your Slava is a get together for the
whole family, Kumovi and friends
so typically you will want to have a
meal which is most likely to be of
Blessing the Cake
On the day of the Slava the family
will either go to church or the
priest will visit their home in
order to bless and cut the cake
for them. The family will have
prepared the Slavski Kolač (Slava
Cake), wine, Žito (wheat) and
the Slavska Sveća (Slava candle).
In some areas it is traditional for
the family to fast and receive holy
communion on the day of their
Slava.
What are the basic essentials
for a Slava?
The Cake - Slavski Kolač is
prepared for the Slava and is
made with yeast and with plain
wheat flour. Added into the mix
will be some blessed water which
your priest would have previously
blessed for you. On top of the
cake and making the symbol of a
cross are placed the letters IS HS
NI and KA. These mean in short
“Jesus Christ is winning”. The
cake itself symbolizes Jesus who is
the bread of life.
The Wine - Vino which is poured
on the Slavski Kolač and the Žito
is red wine and it symbolizes the
blood that poured from Jesus’
wounds.
The Candle - Slavska Sveća if
possible should be of pure wax
and it represents our offering to
God and to the patron saint who
is our protector.
The Wheat - Slavsko Žito some
also call Koljivo is essentially
boiled wheat but some traditions
will add ground walnuts, ground
almonds, sugar and raisins. The
Žito represents the resurrection
and is prepared in honour of
the saint and also to remember
members of the family who have
passed away. For that reason a
small candle is usually placed
and lit in the Žito during the
blessing.
The Icon - Every family should
have a Slavska Ikona. Just like
a Church iconostatis, the icon
should be hung on an easterly
wall at home so that when you
face the icon you should be
facing East. It is desirable also to
have hanging next to it an icon
of Jesus and the Mother of God.
Above the icon should be placed
a Kandilo and it should be lit on
the day of the Slava as well as
on Sundays, other Saints days or
otherwise according to personal
needs for prayer etc.
If you have any questions of your
own about our faith or want to
develop some of the above themes
in more detail please write to
the editors at Britic, PO Box 1379,
Bedford MK40 9DE
or editor@britic.co.uk
Sv Petka 2009 l
21
Serbia Review
Just what does it mean
to be a “British Serb”?
by Aleks Račić
I
must admit when I was told
the word limit for this article
was 1200 words, I did baulk.
How could I possibly write so
little about so much? In the end,
in true Serb-style I chugged back
a glass of rakija and decided that
black-humour and honesty was
the best approach rather than
boring people to tears about
various “layers of identity”.
If I was writing this article 30
years ago it would have been
a “Big Fat Greek Wedding”
type analysis. I’d be writing
about my school lunches of
leftover punjene paprike whilst
my friends munched on ham
sandwiches. I’d be writing about
how I was related to practically
everyone back in the village in
Serbia and how everyone seemed
to know what I was doing or
where I was going before I did!!
However, I can’t and won’t ignore
what has happened recently and
especially Britain’s role in the
events. Whilst the cultural quirks
do exist, that topic should be the
subject of an article in its own
right.
I think it is fair to say that the
last decade of the Twentieth
Century was pretty catastrophic
for Serbia and the Serbs. The
“Serbs in one-state” dream has
quite spectacularly vanished.
Bosnia has gone back to
an Ottoman Empire-style
22
l Sv Petka 2009
administration, Montenegro
has decided to go it alone
and Kosovo, the cradle of our
civilisation, has been amputated
because Serbia has apparently
“lost the moral right to rule it”
(although ethnic-cleansing and
cultural genocide doesn’t seem
to effect the “moral right to
rule” of the “Kosovars”?!) Serbia
still has the highest proportion
of refugees in Europe, most
being unable to return to their
ancestral homes for a myriad
of reasons and Serb politicians
continuously fight and squabble
instead of uniting, except over
“Evropa” the “cure” of all of
Serbia’s ills. Finally, the image
and the name of the Serbs
has been sullied and distorted
to such a point that almost
“anything goes” in the Western
media. You name it the Serbs
probably did it! Maybe I’m
looking at it too negatively, at the
end of the day Serbia survived,
I’m sure a lot of states should
they go through the same sort of
thing wouldn’t.
Being a “British Serb” inevitably
means different things to
different people. To some,
our Serb identity is a link
to our culture and ancestry
intermingled with our Western
upbringing and everyday-lives.
For others unfortunately, it’s a
memory of something that was
once relevant a long time ago.
It’s fair to say that being a
“British Serb” now is less
traumatic that being one in the
1990’s. Although we still get
the regurgitated “Serb-bashing”
drivel in the media, it’s not a
daily occurrence as it used to be.
On a personal level, I have long
reconciled myself to the whole
“collective guilt” theory. Maybe
I should stand in front of The
Hague Tribunal to face “Wustice”
(Western Justice) with my gusla
in one hand and Kalashnikov
in the other. I’m sure that I
must have written an article at
University or said something in
a pub at some point in time that
potentially could have inspired
some nationalistic fanatic to
commit a “crime of Genocidal
proportions” against an innocent
and unarmed people! Every day I
check for breaking BBC or CNN
news proving that the Serbs are
repressing Mickey Mouse and
Donald Duck, prompting the
creation of the “Walt Disney
Liberation Army” to arise like
a phoenix from the flames and
declare an independent animated
state free from those morally
degenerate Serbs!
On the other hand, I have
reconciled myself to the fact that
my “own people” from Serbia
will always refer to me as the
“Englez” who sips tea daily at
four watching the cricket from
his binoculars whilst his butler
stands to attention and his
gardener prunes the moneytree in front of his moat so that
whenever he feels like upgrading
his “Merceeeeeeeeeedes” he can
just pluck a few notes off the
branches and live happily ever
after because “tamo je lako”.
I suppose that this is slightly
better than being ignored for
years by a “Motherland” deeply
suspicious of us petit-bourgeois
liberal-democrats that ignored
the “Comrade spirit” but still it’s
not ideal is it?
In a roundabout (and slightly
sarcastic) way what I’m trying
to say is that in my personal
experience, being a British
Serb means that you just don’t
quite fit, either over here or
over there. My name, culture,
religion and family history will
always preclude me from being
100% British. My upbringing,
education and life in the UK
will always preclude me from
being 100% Serb. The rather
extreme examples above are
stereotypical and generalised
perceptions of both sides of
my identity by the other. They
may well be extreme but I have
heard all those bits from other
people!
Serb”? Must one in fact be born
in Serbia to qualify?
The answer lies in the fact that
there is no definitive answer,
despite what others may say. To
me it’s an emotive and highly
personal question. Yes, there are
general cultural, religious and
historical factors that unite any
people but for me personally, I
can’t explain it in any other way
than I feel like a Serb. Maybe
it’s that much fabled Serbian
spirit (“duh”) or my Serb roots
(“koren”) that I am told about
by the village elders every time
I go back. I love to watch Serb
sports teams/stars succeed and
see the flag flying high and the
anthem blaring. When I watch
my Dad light the candle on our
Slava I feel an immense pride
that this is something that my
ancestors have been doing for
hundreds of years and that
God-willing , I will continue and
pass onto my children (if and
when I have them!) When I read
about elements of Serb history
(currently Serbia in the First
World War) or people like Tesla
or Andrić I am proud to be part
of the same people. At the same
time I feel like tearing my hair
out when I watch some elements
of “our” behaviour but that
doesn’t mean that I want to stop
being a Serb!
When I take a step back and look
at “the Serbs” as a people, I see
a mass of contradictions, I see
one of the most wonderful and
resilient peoples on the planet
but at the same time I see Inat,
that almost Serb ability to be
awkward, single-minded and
self-destructive just, and for no
other reason than “because”.
The big mistake that I and
I’m sure others made over the
years was in assuming that my
identity was centred round
two irreconcilable identities,
“British” and “Serb”. You were
either one or the other. The
fact of the matter is that I am
an amalgamation of both. Our
identities have fused, merged
and evolved and maybe it’s time
we stop trying to fit into the
“either/or” boxes and develop
a box of our own. Now where’s
my gusla? Ah yes the butler is
polishing it ;-)
I have found myself asking
the question “what is a Serb”
numerous times? (It was
even the theme of my MA
Dissertation). Does one have
to speak Serbian fluently to
qualify? Must one have two
Serb parents or does “diluted
blood” disqualify you? Must one
be an Orthodox Christian that
celebrates the Slava? Must one be
a “loyal monarchist” to be a “true
Sv Petka 2009 l
23
Exclusive Interview
Ana Stanić
I
am about to interview Ana
Stanić, one of Serbia’s best
selling female artists. She is one
of the (relatively) rare new faces
which did not spring up out of
the post-pop and post-rock YU
era, in which “new folk” and
“new surrealism” rules in music.
She is fresh, with distinct jazz
influences but without being too
jazzy to put off her younger fans.
Her beauty is of the classy type
and she works out. She is cool,
sexy and her videos are “most
wanted” on MTV Adria. She has
won numerous awards and her
music is selling fast. The tabloids
cannot get enough of her. She
appears to have all the makings of
a true star.
I am looking forward to the
chat. And then……Ana is not
available to talk to me. During a
short telephone call she explains
how she only just got up (it is past
24
l Sv Petka 2009
by Biljana Krstović
Pop Princess of Dreams
noon, am I getting old or is this
not an “early interview”?) and
that she was not “feeling ready”
(is that what we call it these
days?) to talk to me as yet. She
was out until late last night and
could she talk later…? I negotiate
to call again after an hour and a
half and hope for the best.
Well, I am hoping for the best but
after the false start I am expecting
a diva. With an attitude to
match. Well I was quite wrong…
: How are you?
(I try to do the decent thing and
acknowledge her hangover as
valid musical expression...)
: How was the concert?
Ana: Phenomenal!
: Which are your favourite
Belgrade nightspots?
Ana lists quite a few places:
Absinth brasserie on Slavia
with its phenomenal garden.
It is close to her home and she
knows the owners. Followed by
Kalemegdan’s balcony, Pane
a vino, the Rafts , Poletarac,
Plastik….Ana likes places where
she can hear other kinds of music,
not only good old home-grown
folk.
: Are you satisfied with your fans’
reaction to your latest album?
She explains she had a concert
two nights ago and after all the
hard work decided to go out and
relax with few friends last night.
Ana: More than satisfied! I have
received so many lovely emails
from my fans.
To my surprise she sounds very
sober, pleasant, intelligent and in
a good mood.
They also showed their huge
appreciation for the new songs at
my concerts.
Her video for “You are no longer
mine” was most watched on
MTV Adria. She also received
an award for it on Beovizija.
She explains further how she
has changed her style on her
last album and she was not sure
how this would be received by
her fans. It turns out her old
fans loved it while she gained
some new ones as a result of the
change.
: Which songs from your new
album are you especially fond of
and why?
Ana: “You are no longer mine”
is very dear to me because it
is cool without being pathetic.
Without being soppy. It is
autobiographical. Also the
song “Cinema” featuring a jazz
orchestra, which is a love song
too but very soppy bordering on
pathetic.
album sounds like a mix of jazz,
hip hop and rock and roll. Also
the word “collision” for me
represents something unexpected
like a bang, a cause for surprise.
: Who do you listen at home?
Ana: Beyonce, Nelly Fartado
and Pink. Also good old
Aretha Franklin, Beth Gibbons,
Californian bands, house music
when I am out and also 80s.
Whose concert have you always
wanted to go to but never have?
Ana: George Michael! (Ana
didn’t need to think about this
for long.) He is my childhood
idol. I was so disappointed that
I missed his concert not long
ago in Greece. I know all his
songs by heart. George Michael
for me personally, but Beyonce
and Madonna for professional
reasons.
: Madonna is coming soon to
Belgrade.
Ana: Yes. I am planning to go to
the concert.
: Is there a dream which has not
come true as yet?
Ana: I always dreamed of
living the way I want. To be a
professional musician and to fulfil
my full potential. I also wanted to
live by my own standards alone.
To be surrounded by people who
share those values. And to have
laughter and inspiration in my life,
which I find very important. Even
when life gets side-tracked I always
try to get back on course.
And part of this dream of course
was a big love which I am lucky
to have found already. In the
future I would love to become a
mother and to express myself in
parenthood.
Ana, in her eloquent style,
continues to explain the sound of
“Cinema” as mixture of jazz, 70s
and 60s.
Ana: I feel these songs show my
musical maturity.
: Did you write any of the songs on
your new album?
Ana: Yes, I created most of the
music. As for lyrics, I wrote only
three songs from the album. I
am no good at writing on a
set theme; the ones I wrote are
completely confessional.
: Why is the album called
“Collision”?
Ana: One track is called
“Collision” and in my opinion
this track is the greatest force
in the album. It is not only
the strongest song but also the
biggest leap forward. The whole
Sv Petka 2009 l
25
Exclusive Interview
: Tell us about the lucky guy who is
your “big love”.
Ana : His name is Momčilo and
we have been together for three
years now. Everyone around
here knows about us, it is all
over the papers. You know how
the press finds that sort of thing
interesting. Momčilo is not in
show business he is in a different
professional setting.
: What is hardest about your
career?
Ana: Well, I am a woman in a
man’s world for starters! Also, the
market over here hardly pays for
creativity and new ideas. There
is a set routine in business and
once you are in the machine you
are expected not to do anything
of your own. Some people just
don’t appreciate it. People try to
trip you over every now and then.
Sometimes it is hard to keep my
private life from the press. But
I am aware of the values of the
times I live in. Because am in
26
l Sv Petka 2009
love with music and I get lots
of support from my “big love”
and my fans it makes it all more
bearable and I get through it
every time.
: Do you speak any foreign
languages?
Ana: Yes, I am fluent in English
and French but my German is not
as good.
: You took a four year pause
between two albums. Why?
Ana: For four years I released
only one single and even that was
not all well known, although at
concerts that song is very much
loved. The truth is that I spent
those four years very much in
the music world in concerts and
tours. I also completed a small
TV project. I wanted to change
direction completely. I need to
be true to myself and follow my
dreams. I felt I said all I had to
say in a particular style in my
past albums. I was inspired to
create something completely new
and different. That’s where the
“Collision” came from.
: Do you have any plans to come
to the UK?
Ana: Not at present but I would
accept the invite!
: Would you change anything
about yourself?
Ana: I would like to be a bit more
diplomatic at times. I am prone
to excessive worrying when it
comes to little things. I would
like to be able to recognise what
is important and what isn’t,
that would probably save me a
lot of mental energy. I suppose
we are all born with certain
characteristics but we live and
learn.
: Is there anything you would
change about others?
Ana: I would like more honesty
between people, less aggressive
behaviour and definitely more
faith in dreams. It would be good
if everyone followed their dream.
Electrical Contractors
MB ELECTRICAL
For all your electical
requirements, industrial,
commercial, and domestic
installations. NICEIC approved.
Email:
michaelbozinovic@hotmail.co.uk.
Wanted
Language teacher
Language teacher wanted to
teach two children basic Serbian
in Bedford. £20 per hour plus
materials offered, please call
07788 742104.
See page 35
to list your
business
Playgroup
Engagements
Bubamare playgroup
Congratulations
Bubamare playgroup for under 5s
and their families meets Sundays
9:30-11:30 at Serbian Cetnik Club,
13 Saxby St, Leicester.
Olga and Tanasis, all our love and
best wishes on your engagement
on 10 October 2009. Cica Miso
and Strina Mira.
Happy Birthday
Congratulations
Congratulations to Jovan
Novakovic in becoming a
teenager on 9th September, we
look forward to you hating us,
mum & dad.
Happy Birthday
Happy 8th Birthday to Danica on
31 October. Love and kisses from
Mama and Tata, Danilo and Babe
i Dede etc.
Happy Anniversary
Congratulations
Congratulations Linda, for the
pleasure of being married to
Bosko for 20 years on the 9th
September.
Best wishes
Best wishes for the future to Olga
and Tanasis on your engagement
on 10 October, love Aleks, Vesna,
Danica and Danilo. Looking
forward to a big fat Greek
wedding!
Best wishes
All the best from Marko and
Mira to Olga and Tanasis for their
engagement on 10 October
2009.
In Memorium
In loving memory
In loving memory of Majka
Gina who passed away on
23 September 2009 aged 90.
Porodica Simic, Bedford.
New Recipe Book!
We’re publishing a new book “Serbian recipes from around the UK”. Do you have a favourite recipe you would
love to see published? Please contact editor@britic.co.uk or write to Britic, PO Box 1379, Bedford MK40 9DE
: Tell us something surprising
about you.
: Have you got a message for our
readers?
Ana: I love cooking. I am mostly
this modern woman with
modern trends in behaviour but
when it comes to cooking I like
to get my own ingredients from
the farmers’ market and cook up
something new. I create my own
recepies. My favourite are Indian
and Chinese food.
Ana: Please follow and support
Serbian art and culture. I hear
often how there is nothing but
folk music over here but this is
not true. There are many music
trends, you can look it up on
YouTube. Please don’t just only
follow but support our culture too.
It means a lot to us. We need it.
: We are just starting up a “Steal
a celebrity recepie” column. Would
you let us “steal” one of yours?
: Can we get your album in the UK?
Ana: Yeah, why not! (She is
smiling now.)
After a little small talk we end
our conversation. I am surprised
an hour has passed.
I am turning to my cold coffee
and my brief notes. I am thinking
about Ana and the way she is
very likable and surprisingly
down to earth. I sincerely hope
we will hear from her again
and not just by means of a new
interesting exotic recipe.
Ana: I believe you can get it
online from PGP (formerly RTS)
or e-ducan.com.
Sv Petka 2009 l
27
Your Rewiew
Boom and Busty
How healthcare in Serbia could save you a small fortune
I
n case you missed it, we are
midway through a recession.
Every other newspaper
article promises to save you
money or unearth an industry
miraculously prospering in the
credit-crunch era. Well, here
is a story about both – Serbia’s
flourishing health tourist market.
Don’t Get Sick in Britain
It is hard to tell if Americans
are using our NHS as a shining
example or a cautionary tale
but Britons are well aware of
its shortcomings. For most of
us, free dentistry is a distant
memory. Prices in private
practise are enough to drive you
to dig out a pair of rusty pliers
and knock back a stiff rakija or
two. TV makeover shows have
to answer for turning cosmetic
surgery from a stigma to a style
28
l Sv Petka 2009
statement. Whether achieving
that beautiful smile, or “fixing”
that source of irksome selfconsciousness to re-sculpting
your “lovely lady lumps”. Finally,
the lottery of NHS waiting
lists with its bureaucratic
prioritisation.
Cue Serbia – a natural healing
factory with 1300 mineral baths,
350 hot springs and 50 health
resorts. Its private health clinics
are harmonising to European
standards but at a fraction of
the cost – saving
over a third
with flight and
accommodation
included. Nearly
half of UK heath
tourists seek
dentistry and
nearly a third
cosmetic surgery
with laser eye and fertility
treatment also on the menu.
Serbia also offers healthcare
from other routine hospital
treatments and investigations
through to rehab.
Of course, this article risks
preaching to the converted –
Serbs as far afield as Canada and
Australia already fit in better
healthcare whilst visiting family.
Maybe it is time we shared
the secret with friends and
colleagues in the UK?
D
British Serb
Medical
Symposium
id you know there is an association of Serbian
doctors practising in the UK called MEDICUS
with 50 registered members? Each year they help
organise a symposium in Belgrade attracting 150-200
medical professionals. This May saw its fourth year,
hosted by Bezanijska Kosa Hospital in Belgrade and
sponsored by Serbian pharmaceutical companies.
Doctors Žika Petković and Olivera Potparić focused
on pain management bringing their own skills as
anaesthetists alongside foremost experts from UK to
bring the state of the art into Serbian practise. Even
the Department of Health have taken notice, now
enacting some of the Symposium’s recommendations
with the aim of harmonising standards. MEDICUS
have also arranged nurse exchanges between Belgrade
and Niš with London teaching hospitals.
♦ We offer treatment by highly professional
doctors and surgeons* in Serbia’s top
private clinics. Including dental care,
cosmetic treatment, plastic surgery
and our spa relax programme.
♦ Door-to-door service can include flight
booking, airport transfers and city stays.
♦ All at a price you won’t believe.
ESTHETIC-TRAVEL
Street Kamenorezacka 2, Belgrade, Serbia
office@esthetic-travel.com
gordana.glusic@esthetic-travel.com
Mob.no: + 381 64 11 89 807
www.esthetic-travel.com
* Members of IPRAS/ISAPS, ESPRAS, EURAPS,
UEMS, MBC and EBA.
British Serb Medical Symposium
Subscribe free to Britić
It’s pot luck whether you get Britić unless you subscribe. It’s free. Delivered to your door. Go to page 36 or
online at www.britic.co.uk
Advertise Your Business FREE in our online Yellow Pages
Britic wants to promote Serb businesses. Go to and click Yellow Pages to add your business or check other
Serbs business in the UK
Sv Petka 2009 l
29
Kitchen Corner
A
utumn is approaching fast and with the promise of cold days and cosy
nights in. We have prepared a few recipes you can easily make at home
to last you the winter. Our forefathers ate seasonal food with plenty of dried
Plum Jam
• 5kg damson plums (or any other sweet plums)
• 600gr white sugar
- Wash the plums and take out the stones.
- If you have a meat grinder you can grind it through otherwise
chop them into smallest pieces possible.
- Take large pan and put the plums in. Cover with sugar and cook
on low heat, stirring constantly for around two hours. Beware
that boiling plums might “pop out” of the pan so wear an apron
while stirring.
- Take the jam off the heat. Warm up your clean jars slightly by
spraying them with hot water before filling them with the hot
jam to prevent breakage.
- Leave the jam to cool down on the room temperature. Once
cool, jam should be lightly brushed with rum, sealed and stored
in a cool place. A fridge is suitable, but not necessary as long as
you can store it somewhere there is permanent cool temperature.
Rosehip (Šipurak
, šipak)
Winter is
coming and most of
us will be looking for
enhancers in pills, vit
healthamins and food supp
lements. Few will be
looking to find it in
a humble rose. Or
should I say rosehip.
Traditionally roseh
ip is used for tea an
d jam making, of wh
are delicious and a
ich both
great immunity boos
ter.
The plant is widely
spread in former Yu
goslavia and most
households will have
it in their kitchen cu
pboard in one form
It is a very popular
or another.
tea during the cold
mo
nths of winter as it
when mixed with ho
is not only deliciou
ney or sugar but als
s
o full of vitamin C.
after time spent ou
It is commonly used
tdoors playing in th
to warm up children
e
sn
ow. It makes a welco
slice of bread covered
me addition to aftern
in delicious rosehip
oon snacks or a
jam
.
Jam is very popular
with pancakes lovers
and it comes as a sec
available (and loved
ond choice only to
) plum jam.
even more widely
If you wish to give
it a go this winter ro
sehip teas is easy to
shop and it should
find in any well sto
be very affordable.
cked health and die
Expect to spend no
looking for an orga
t
more that £1.50 per
nic version. Even th
20 bags unless you
an a few extra penn
are
ies will be worth th
e spend.
Enjoy!
30
l Sv Petka 2009
beans and pickled fruit and vegetables which are still made every autumn and
consumed in the cold months by the whole family. Snježana has prepared few
classics which you can store and have it ready well before Christmas.
Chocolate and walnut torta
Traditionally Serbs love their cakes very rich with plenty of nuts,
eggs and chocolate. Making a torta can be a lengthy business and
not everyone likes baking.
If you wish to make a torta without too much trouble but with an
authentic taste try this for a treat.
• 250 gr dark chocolate
• 10 tbls white sugar
• 250gr margarine
• 18 tbls ground walnuts
• 15 tbls milk
• 1 large flan case cut in the middle sideways to make two layers.
• 2 large oranges
Making time 15 minutes
- Cook all the ingredients on the hob while constantly stirring to avoid burning at the bottom for 10 min.
- Take off the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes only.
- Cut oranges in half and squeeze them over the flan slices.
- Put one flan slice on the plate or a cake tray, pour part of chocolate filling and cover with the
reminder of the flan. Pour remainder of the mixture to carefully cover sides as well as the top.
- Sprinkle ground walnuts on the sides. Decorate with walnut halves on top.
- Leave in the fridge for at least four hours before serving.
Prijatno!
Pickled Gherkins
(gherkins)
• 2 kg small cucumbers
ter
• 2 litres of wa
• 50gr salt
• ¼ litre of vinegar
• 15 stems of dill
orns or all-spice
• 30 large black pepperc
Mix the salt, water
(gherkins) with a brush.
- Wash the cucumbers
and vinegar.
d liquid then put the
put half of the spices an
In a large jar (4 litres)
cucumbers in.
er them.
the liquid and spices ov
top of the cucumbers.
- Then pour the rest of
plate up side down on
all
sm
a
t
pu
ce
pla
in
ll stay
th from the top until it
- To make sure they wi
ery day remove the fro
Ev
.
kle
pic
d
an
nt
me
eks to fer
ll be ready to eat then.
- Leave up to three we
er 4 weeks. Pickles wi
oth
an
for
ce
pla
d
col
in
stops appearing. Keep
Sv Petka 2009 l
31
Your Letters
Your Letters
Cigarette holder, anyone?
Tito’s Friend is no Friend of mine
I have some curious info for you;
our first house was in no. 8, st.
Kavadarska on the outskirts of
Belgrade. Just after the war I got
friendly with a lad about my age
who lived in a private villa with a
high wall. This was a residence of an
ambassador but I have no idea where
from. Anyhow he gave me a cigarette
holder, which I still have, which he
claimed was given to his Dad by
Marshal Tito on one of his visits to his
father. I was miffed because I wanted
his water pistol. I wonder if anyone
may be interested in this relic and
whether it has any value. Anyway
thanks for clueing me into how to get
Ajvar of which I now have 6 jars.
I must congratulate you on your piece
“Tito’s Titbits”. I had no idea that the
“cheeky” Tito was a culinary master
and charmer on one hand and also
very strong in brinkmanship as the
example with Stalin.
I had always believed that Tito was a
mass murderer as in the example of
30,000, men women and children in
Trieste, the 8,000 Italians slaughtered
in Fiume(Rijeka). Not to mention the
tens of thousands of Serbs killed and
tortured throughout Yugoslavia.
I am staggered and insulted by this
piece in this magazine that purports
to be for Serbs born in Britain. We
now know that
is in essence
a pseudo “Yugoslav” magazine that
cares as much for us British Serbs as
do the church elders who have all but
abandoned us.
Grow some balls and start writing
about real issues, about our particular
identity. Who we are, where
are going? Why has the church
abandoned the Serbs born here?
What does the future hold for us and
our children?
Alex Karić
The Illusion of Allusion
The anonymous authors of the letter
“Media Massacre” (Petrovdan 2009)
have gone to some length to explain the
inadequacies of the Hague Tribunal.
What, however, is not clear from
their letter is who do they have in
mind when they say: “ The real
monsters of this war, are those who
profited most from the former SFRY
misery, those monsters that prepared
for war long before it was apparent
there will be one.”
I sincerely hope that they refer to
Slobodan Milosevic and his clique
who managed to ruin Serbia and its
people for years to come.
Aside from this, I would also be
interested to know if your readers
could name any of the present
“tycoons” who did not get their
initial “capital“ from association with
Milosevic regime?
Knowing that such people exist would
be a real encouragement to young
businessmen of Serbia.
Yours faithfully,
32
Avram Balabanović
l Sv Petka 2009
Petar Agbaba
: Your sensitivities about the
very mention of Tito’s name are shared
by many of our own parents and
grandparents. An objective re-reading
of the article entitled “Shooting Tito”
might not conclude its author was
particularly enamoured with him.
Divisions within the British Serb
community has been a primary threat
to our very existence. Your letter
further slices us six ways; Partizan
verses anti-Communist, Yugoslav
verses Serb, pro- verses anti-Church
elders.
Our editorial policy has been to try
to heal these divisions with positive
stories that “keep it real” and hopefully
interest all of us. Your suggestion is
a case in point, and we feature Serb
identity in this edition alongside
famous British Serb footballers. It
is easy for us to blame someone else.
It is much harder for us all to take
responsibility ourselves and help to
build the kind of community we would
like to be a part of.
Buenograde!
Zdravo! Zovem se Luciano Quiroga.
Ja sam Argentinac, zivim u Buenos
Airesu, ali puno volim Srbiju. Ja sam
bio u Beogradu 2 puta, and I am
always thinking about coming back.
I feel very close to the Serbian people
and their spirit, that’s why I wanted to
tell you that I am happy that I found
Britic :) Hvala!.
Luciano Quiroga
Language is not the Issue
Prvo da vam cestitam na
profesijonalnom i dobrom sadrzaju.
Jedina stvar - ako koristite srpski
i engleski jezik zajedno, jedan ili
drugi, zavisno od kontesta bi trebalo
da bude pod navodnicima(“”).
Slazem se sa vama da skoro svi nasi
ljudi koji su rodjeni u Engleskoj
mjesaju ova dva jezika, ja licno
sam to radio sam, ali odkada sam
postao otac, dosta tuda sam ulozijo
da svome djetetu objasnim razliku
izmedju ova dva jezika. Ja sa svojim
djetetom prica samo Srpski. A
vas koment da su ove novine
pravljene “samo” za srbe koji su
treca generacija mi nije prijao, zato
sto bi ove novine trebale da budu
stvar koja nas spaja a ne djeli na “one
sto su dosli juce” na “starosjedioce”
na “chetnike” ili “komuniste”. Vi
kao prve novine koje predstavljaju
srbe u Engleskoj imate ogromnu
odgovornos i obavezu da uspotavite
i promotujete te standarde. Hvala i
dovidjenja.
P.S. tokom pisanja ovoga komentara
sam vjerovatno napravijo dosta
gresaka, zato se izvinjavam, ali ja
nemam odgovornost kao vi pa mi se
moze.
Srdjan Dragaš
: Thanks Srđane! We use italic
type to denote one language within the
text of another language as is common
practise in many journals. We always
intended
to be a wholly inclusive
magazine serving all Serbs in the UK.
We trust this has been transparent.
Our choice of English language is for
inclusion. Naravno, we are heartened
to hear you are raising your children to
understand and speak srpski!
Symbols are the Issue
Nice work again, no question the
covers and articles continue to
impress!
When will Serbs in Serbia/Republika
Srpska take “political symbolism” out
of sport? I felt I just saw one too many
red stars and burning flames in the
past issue. If you not sure what this
kind of symbolism this represents,
take the board and surf over to
freemasonrywatch.org, and take the
“tour”, I am sure you’ll find some
interesting explanations.
But what do these symbols represent?
I believe they represent mass murder
of the Serbian people, with Serbian
participation, a perversity and
paradox we have yet to confront to
this day, despite these changing and
“democratic” times.
The silence is deafening, even from
our own spiritual centres. Hence
these myths and “bajke” about an
“illegitimate Noble” blacksmith, who
has a full set of piano playing fingers,
that orates in tongues known only to
himself, can be perpetuated to this
day. Whether you call him Walter
Weiss, Broz, a spy, or just plainly
one of the top ten killers of the 20th
century. I really think it’s time all the
myths, particularly those historical
“Partizan” ones get the justice and
revision they so deserve.
Facebook and Twitter
Maybe once we start
digging up our Serbian
mass graves, we just might
be “more reflected” and
“more responsible” in the
future, as to what names
and symbols our sports
men and women will carry
and who they represent!
PJSK
Memories of Belgrade
1978-1982!
ALGARVE
As a teenager, I was lucky
ALGARVE
enough to make lots of
QUINTA
visits to Belgrade and
QUINTA OCEANE
OCEANE
also Montenegro in the
A LUXURY 8 BEDROOM EN SUITE
A LUXURY
8 BEDROOM
SUITE
mid 1980s. I have been
HOLIDAY
VILLA SETEN
IN A
HOLIDAY
VILLA
SET IN A
PRESTIGIOUS
LOCATION
trying find out about the
PRESTIGIOUS LOCATION
Serbian and other ex-Yu
For more info/photos/prices
community in England. I
For moreplease
info/photos/prices
visit
please visit
am really pleased (finally)
to have found
. Great
magazine! I have been
listening to some of my LPs
or call Mr Ilic on +44 7956 653 733
from back then - Novi Punk
or call Mr Ilic on +44 7956 653 733
Val, Električni orgazam
and Bijelo Dugme and enjoying B92
political essays. Some of the actors
and Radio Pingvin over the web –
were in tears on stage. Pinter’s work
although I do not speak Serbian! Do
continues to live amongst his many
you know if there is any Serbian or
fans around the world. I think it is
ex-Yu group in Kent?
Steve Richards, time to get a Belgrade street named
Whitstable, Kent after Harold Pinter in the memory
of our great friend’s bravery. If you
agree, let’s run an action to achieve
Harold Pinter Apology!
this.
: last edition we published an
Emilija Kiehl
incorrect first sentence in the following
letter. We reprint it corrected, with
Help Climb my Family Tree
apologies.
I am Researching my family tree.
Last night “Harold Pinter, A
Has anybody got any information
Celebration” was held in a crowded
on a VUJASIN MILEUSNIĆ from
London National Theatre. Among
ŠIROKA KULA (Wide Tower)
the guests were the greatest figures
Lika in Croatia around early
from the literary, film and theatre
1600’s/1700’s? Any information
world reading his poetry and
would be helpful, please contact
shanida.mathias@tesco.net
Join us on Facebook and Twitter. Why not invite your friends?
www.villaqo.com
www.villaqo.com
Shanida Mileusnic Mathias
New Recipe Book!
We’re publishing a new book “Serbian recipes from around the UK”. Do you have a favourite recipe you
would love to see published? Please contact or write to Britic, PO Box 1379, Bedford MK40 9DE
Sv Petka 2009 l
33
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Russians gave him
finger
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36
l Sv Petka 2009
Serialised novel by by Biljana Krstović
Seven days in Sarajevo
C
oming back from Switzerland, when we changed
train in Venice, we could only buy a ticket as far as
Zagreb. We had no idea what was going on at home. We
just arrived from the Alps as if from another planet - as if
we fell from Mars! We did not read the papers or watch
TV. We only knew that Yugoslavia had won at football
that summer and that everyone danced on the streets of
Sarajevo, Vedrana told us on the phone. We were sorry to
have missed it.
We left the station at Zagreb, sweaty, grubby and hungry.
We needed to kill the rest of the afternoon before it was
time for our train to Sarajevo. We came across a large
square full of tables, cafés, people mingling in all directions
to catch whatever was left of the October sun. The smell of
coffee and warm bread rolls dominated the square. We had
not exchanged our money so we had no dinars with us.
A row of low tables was covered with all sorts of goods sold
by people sitting or standing while chatting to each other
or to passing customers. An endless line of hanging belts.
The smell of handbags, wallets, leather jackets, sparkling
jewellery, weaved headscarves mixed with food and drink
smells from the nearby alfresco diners.
While looking over the market offerings we are also
keeping on eye out for anyone who would exchange our
foreign notes so we can buy something to eat. I slowly walk
towards a small table not really paying attention to whom it
belongs. I am interested in the row of cans. Ordinary cans
with “Croatian Air” printed on them. I start to chuckle and
elbow Stojan’s ribs. He turns to see what it is I am looking
at and reads out aloud: “Croatian Air”. Two lost romantics
and tins of “Croatian Air”, what a picture!
I raise my head and ask the man behind the table what is
“Croatian Air”. Is it some kind of fashion? Then he starts:
it is clean Croatian air, untouched by others, and good for
Croats. It is the only kind of air that Croats should breathe.
How can air be Croatian? Is there anything more free and
everyone’s than this air? Even here in Croatia above this
square in Zagreb?
No, no. It is “Croatian Air”. Pure. For Croats. But, there
is no line in the air around Croatia, what’s he saying? We
look at him, unsure if he is joking or serious. Just then I
notice the swastika on his denim jacket. Stojan notices
too. And on the table, behind the tins a big assortment
of swastikas, “Literature for Croats”, “History of Croats”,
badges and pendants with keys with similar slogans in
poor taste. We notice that we are the only “potential
customers” around his table, other (Croat) people are
avoiding it. Another similarly “adorned” lad arrives
promoting the same “philosophy”. Finally we manage to
shake them off. We are confused and a little shaken. We no
longer joke or laugh. A worm of doubt burrows inside us
that perhaps in our absence there is “something rotten in
the state of Denmark...” as Bregović would say.
“Croatian air!” repeats Stojan. “My God, what a pair of
nutters!”
Little did I suspect that by Saša’s third birthday I would be
abroad again, this time not for a peace-loving reason.
MUŠTULUK *
“What’s the curfew tonight then, sis?” I ask Vedrana,
almost seriously, as I put on my lipstick.
“Mmm, let me think!” She laughs and looks at me
mischievously. She wags her finger haughtily in the air, as
if rotating something on it. She rests it on her cheek and
looks at the ceiling.
“Look, you had to put the time on it. It’s been thirteen
years since I last got ready to go out in this town. I’m really
Seven Days in Sarajevo
“Seven Days in Sarajevo” by our creative editor Biljana Kristović is coming out in print before Christmas
2009! For more information please visit www.krstovic.com
Sv Petka 2009 l
37
Novella
excited. Don’t spoil it for me, can I go out after nine?”
“Don’t get overexcited! Your ex is married!” That same
smile across Vedrana’s face. Her finger now ominously
wags at me.
“Well, I’m virtually a married woman myself, what’s up
with you? And I have Stefan as a chaperone. I am only
going here somewhere, in the neighbourhood. I don’t even
know where we’re going, where do people go out here? I
should have asked Sašа.”
“I can see you don’t care for us any more. Just three days
in Sarajevo and you’re already on the prowl about town.”
“Oy! And when have I ever gone out before when I’ve
visited?” We are pretending to quarrel now.
“I admit this is a first, you’ve always been too frightened!
As if someone’s going to gobble you up. Too scared to
get out after dark. Even Saša goes out ‘til midnight on
occasion.”
My mobile rings. It’s Stefan and Stojan. They are waiting
for me in the garden of a café beneath “our” block of
flats. No problem, they will order some coffees while I get
ready. Like the good old days. I already feel like a princess.
Admittedly, a somewhat older princess…
“OK honey, go and have a lovely time”. Vedrana stands at
the door. I am listening to the sound of the approaching
elevator. Just like twenty years ago. Does nothing change?
Familiar sounds, smells. Even bombs and grenades don’t
take them away. “Don’t freeze to death, it’s cold here in the
evening. I’ll be up ‘til midnight, I’ll wait up. Don’t let the
carriage turn to a pumpkin.”
“I’ll never be out ‘til midnight...too dark!” I send her a kiss
over the warm air on the staircase and rush into the lift
without looking ahead. I nearly bump into a tall, chubby
man wearing glasses.
“Hello Milica! Is that you?” His voice thunders from
somewhere up in the heavens.
I raise my head and rearrange my skirt. The man
recognises me but I have no idea who he is. Middle-aged,
brown hair and glasses thick as jars. His cheeks hang down
with weight with deep wrinkles on either side of his nose.
He is slightly goggle-eyed. Ruddy nose. Perhaps he drinks
too much?
“Yes, that’s me!”
“When did you arrive bona*? Where are you staying? Are
you at your sister’s? What are you up to? How are you?
What’s new?” He does not wait for an answer.
“I’m fine. Yes, I’m at my sister’s.” I don’t know where to
start. I am not even sure that I want to start. I feel very
nervous answering him. “How are you? Are you married?
Have you any kids? What are you up to?” I barrage him in
defence.
He talks. He is married. Two kids. He gets by. He says he
will get a muštuluk* from the guy on the eighth floor who
is always asking after me. Wait, just wait ‘til he tells him
that he has seen me. When am I staying until so he can get
in touch?
“Just seven days. Only four more left. I won’t be around
my sister’s for much of that.”
“Why only seven days? So short?”
“I don’t have much time. Life is fast in a foreign country.”
The lift stops. I hurry outside. I pretend I am in a rush.
I’m late! My high heels clatter on the floor tiles. The skirt
rides up. My scarf falls off my shoulders.
“I’m so happy to have caught up with you!” he calls after
me. “I’ll still get that reward! He’ll buy the next round!
Good muštuluk!” It echoes in the lobby. It echoes in my
head…
With a brisk step I go towards the Miljacka. A long river
that splits Sarajevo into two halves. Shallow. Drought has
drained her vigour. Grass has grown in her riverbed. A
pigeon lands and pecks hungrily at the mud.
It is as if a fist clenches in my stomach. Bloody lift! I
could have used the stairs! I am drenched in sweat. Never
mind. The next time I will. So what? He obviously wanted
to greet you. He did not turn his face away from you,
unlike some… The man was happy to see you. You saw
it with your own eyes. A normal man. As if the war had
never been. You live over there and are a bit behind the
times, dear. Here people behave normally. Surely people
behave normally. Don’t they? And you’d prefer to get in
38
l Sv Petka 2009
touch with everyone but it can be awkward. You do not
know who wants to talk with you now and who does not.
There are those you heard abused your father during the
war. You certainly do not want to bump into them. Admit
it. You would rather not. Maybe it is better that way.
It is not your fault. You have not committed a crime by
running away from the war either. You didn’t start it! You
never fought with anyone. No one asked you. No one
knocked on your door and asked, “Hey, what do you think?
Shall we start a war?” Sure, your people started a war,
stirred things up, amongst themselves, that much is true.
And you are a part of the people, even if you were on Mars.
Blood is not water.
You cannot command the people. Milica, you fool! The
people are a somewhat dangerous collective creature. If
there is no one to control it, the creature can turn nasty.
There is no individual education or individual values.
Culture and decency are always the first casualties of war.
People are a one-eyed monster with many confused heads!
Blind to everything ahead of it. Frenzied and horned, it
bolts. Once out of control it is hard to rein it in again.
How were you to know? Never mind. You didn’t need to
know. Even if someone told you there will be a war, you
would not have believed it. Then it all blew up. Right there
underneath your window. You did not believe it even then.
And then it took forever to go away. Has it gone yet?
slap me? And those four years. You didn’t hand over your
passport until it expired. Unlike everyone else. Couldn’t
get it in any quicker. You were holding onto your passport,
your fading, expiring identity. Years until you took it to
Luna House.
When that English woman at the immigration desk gave
you a four years visa for UK you felt terrible. You wished
she gave you a smack on a head instead. Physical pain
would be better, somehow. Easier to deal with.
And then you brought a passport from a country which
does not exist. It is useless to try explaining. When the
lady in the kiosk says you have to fill out a form stating
“country does not exist” that is what you have to do! If you
do not, they will not accept it. “Country does not exist” she
told me. How is that? Did someone erase it with a rubber?
Where was I then? Ah, my dear, you were a refugee. R-EF-U-G-E-E! It’s here in black and white on the form. And
in English, all posh and in case you forgot srpski. You are
protected by law; the convention is no laughing matter. We
have regulations for your type. If your own people cannot
keep you under control, someone else has to. It is the duty
of a civilised world! Your head is screaming in silence.
Not of a “refugee, unregulated, uncivilised savage country
which does not exist!” Is that what you wanted to say
Madam? Is it?
Had you have known the language fluently you would have
argued with her there and then. You would asked her to
correct it. Make it less time. This is a bad omen Madam,
please don’t make it that long. Can we make this shorter?
That is how mad you were. But you could not speak. Either
way. Tongue shrunk, thinned and glued to your mouth..
You showed her your six-months-only return ticket, but it
is nothing to her. Four years! She gave you four years. A
sentence. Four years. Sonja’s efforts to explain to you that
someone would pay big bucks to for that kind of visa were
pointless. Four years! Bad omen. Four years. A sentence.
You knew it instantly. At the passport control there was
just one woman, the rest were men. Not two and two but
this irregular four. Three men and one woman. Isolated. In
those days you watched for omens everywhere. You had
nothing else to go by. News lied, papers lied, politicians
lied. Serbs were a politically incorrect nation. You knew
this even you did not understand the language. Look on
peoples faces told you so. Anyway, this out-of-balanceone-woman-and-three-men greeted you first. An omen.
And you came to her line. You knew it was bad luck, you
knew it. But it was your turn. Four years! Why doesn’t she
*MUŠTULUK is a Turcism, used to symbolise the bringing
of good news. The person who brings muštuluk is usually
expected to be rewarded for it. Nowadays it might be
used to announce the birth of a child, passing an exam and
could be rewarded financially.
*BONA (female) or BOLAN (for male) has no English
translation. Whilst it is derived from bolestan (meaning ill)
its meaning relies heavily on context, for example “what’s
the matter with you bona?” or “don’t do that bolan” and its
original connotation is lost.
Sv Petka 2009 l
39
Church Services
Gooooooogle
remembers
Tesla
Google commemorated Nikola Tesla’s birthday in style on 10 July with this special logo.
The Tesla coil is very evident. Google acknowledged our debt of Tesla with this tribute
“Without electricity, no computers, no computers, no Internet, no Internet, no Google.”
Church Services
Bedford (parohija sv. Andreja)
St. Paul’s Church, St. Paul’s Square
NOV 1 Sun 11.30am
DEC 6 Sun 11.30am
13 Sun 11.30am Parohijska
Slava
Bradford (parohija sv. Trojice)
9
10
19
20
31
FEB 7
14
21
28
MAR 7
14
21
27
Sat
Sun
Tue
Wed
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sat
10am sv Stefan
11.30am
10am Bogojavljenje
10am sv Jovan
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
10am Lazareva
Subota
28 Sun 11.30am Cveti
98 Little Horton Lane
OCT 25 Sun 11.30am
NOV 1 Sun 11.30am
7 Sat 10am Zadušnicе at
Bradford Cemetry
8 Sun 11.30am
15 Sun 11.30am
Corby (parohija sv. Andreja)
21 Sat 9am Archangel
Crkva sv. Proroka Ilije,
Michael
47 Rockingham Rd
22 Sun 11.30am Memorial
OCT 24 Sat 6am
for Father Valerijan
31 Sat 6am
29 Sun 11.30am
NOV 7 Sat 6am
DEC 6 Sun 11.30am Memorial
14 Sat 6am
for victims of Pađeni
15 Sun 10am
13 Sun 11.30am
21 Sat 6am
20 Sun 11.30am
28 Sat 6am
27 Sun 11.30am
DEC
5 Sat 6am
JAN 3 Sun 11.30am
12
Sat 6am
6 Wed 5pm Badnje Večе
19
Sat 6am
7 Thu 10am Božić
20
Sun
10am
8
Fri 10am Drugi dan
26 Sat 6am
Božića
40
l Sv Petka 2009
Derby (parohija sv. Apostola)
Sv. Apostola Petra i Pavla,
Normanton Rd.
OCT 27 Тue 11am sv Petka
NOV 8 Sun 10am Osvećenje
slavskih kolača
11am sv Dimitrije
DEC 13 Sun 10am Confession
11am sv Andrej &
Communion
19 Sat 8am Osvećenje
slavskih kolača sv
Nikola
Donington
(parohija sv. Apostola)
Heap Street, Boothtown
NOV 22 Sun 11am
DEC 20 Sun 10.30am Confession
11am Detinjci
Halifax (parohija sv. Jovana
Krstitelja)
Heap Street, Boothtown
OCT 25 Sun 11am Kolo Srpskih
Sestara sv Paraskevi
NOV 1 Sun 11.30am
7 Sat 11am Zadušnice at
Bradford Schoolemore Cemetry
1pm Zadušnice at
Halifac Stoney Royd
Cemetry
8 Sun 11.30am sv Dimitrije
15
21
22
29
DEC 6
13
19
20
27
Sun
Sat
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sun
Sat
Sun
Sun
11.30am
9am Aranđelovdan
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
11.30am
9am sv Nikolaj
11.30am Detinjci
11.30am Materice
Leicester (parohija sv. Apostola)
Sv. Đurđica, Rutland Street
OCT 24 Sat 6pm sv. Petka slava
at Dom Pokreta
27 Tue 7pm sv Petka
NOV 1 Sun 11am
7 Sat 11am Mitrovske
Zadušnice
15 Sun 11am Church slava
Đurđic
12.30pm Osvećenje
Slavskog kolača
1pm Luncheon and
events
21 Sat 10am and 12.30pm
Osvećenje Slavskih
kolača
11am Aranđelovdan
DEC 4
Fri 10am Confession
11am Vavedenje
Bogorodice & Communion
6 Sun 10am Confession
11am Communion
19 Sat 10.30am Osvećenje
Slavskog kolača sv
Nikola
31
NOV 1
5
7
8
12
14
15
16
19
21
22
26
28
29
DEC 3
4
5
6
9
10
12
13
17
19
20
24
26
27
31
Sat 10.30am sv Luka i sv
Petar Cetinjski
6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 10.30am Zadušnice
6pm
Sun 10.30am sv Dimitrije
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 6pm
Sun 10.30am
Mon 10.30am Đurđic
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 10.30am
Aranđelovdan
6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Fri 10.30am Vavadenje
Sat 6pm
Sun 10.30am
Wed 10.30am sv Amplije
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 10.30am sv Nikolaj
6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Sat 6pm
Sun 10.30am
Thu 8.30pm
Letchford (parohija sv. Andreja) Northampton
OCT 29 Sun 11.45am
(parohija sv. Andreja)
NOV 8 Sun 11.45pm
London (parohija sv. Save)
Crkva sv. Save, 89 Lancaster Road
OCT 25 Sun 10.30am
27 Tue 10.30am sv Petka
29 Thu 8.30pm
Oxford (parohija sv. Vaznesenja)
St. Alban’s Church, Charles Street
NOV 8 Sun 11.30am
15 Sun 11.30am
DEC 20 Sun 11.30am
Peterborough
(parohija sv. Andreja)
OCT 25 Sun 11am
NOV 22 Sun 11am
DEC 27 Sun 11am
Reading (parohija sv. Vaznesenja)
St. Batholomew’s Church,
St. Batholomew’s Road
OCT 25 Sun 11am
NOV 22 Sun 11am
DEC 27 Sun 11am
Stoke (parohija sv. Apostola)
St. Marks Church
OCT 25 Sun 11.30am sv Otaca
NOV 29 Sun 1.30am sv Matej
DEC 27 Sun 11am confession
11.30am sv Praotaca
& Communion
Waltham Cross
(parohija sv. Save)
St. George’s Church, 706 Hertford Rd,
Enfield, EN3 6NR
NOV 1 Sun 11.30am
West Wycombe
(parohija sv. Vaznesenja)
St. Paul’s Church, High Street
NOV 1 Sun 10.30am
DEC 6 Sun 10.30am
Did you know?
Karađorđe (Black George)
founder of a royal Serbian
dynasty started out life as
a humble cattle-keeper.
Did you know?
You can sail from London to
Belgrade.
Sv Petka 2009 l
41
Events Diary
Church Calendar
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
NOVEMBER
2
3
4
5
6
7 Zadušnice 8 Mitrovdan
9
10
11 sv Avramije 12
13
20
14 sv Kozma i 15
Damjan
21
22
DECEMBER
JANUARY
16
Đurđic 17
18
19
23
24
25
30
1
2
7
8 sv Kliment 9
sv Filip 28
26 sv Jovan 27 Zlatousti
3
4 Vavedenje 5
Bogorodice
10 11
12
14
15
16
17 18
13 sv Andrej
19 Nikoljdan 20 Detinjci
21
22
23 24
25
26 28
29
30
31
1
4
5
6 Badnjidan 7
11
12
13
14
Bogorodice
15
16
17 18 Krstovdan 19
25
26
20
21
22
23
24
27
28
29
30
31
Fasting guide:
Vegan
Vegan, no oil
Vegetarian ( diary allowed)
Božić 8
29
sv Matej
6
27 Materice
2 sv Ignjatije 3
Bogonosac
Sabor 9
sv Stefan 10
Oci
Vegan, fish and wine allowed
No food, or bread and water only
See www.sv-luka.org for more information about fasting.
Events Diary
NOV
42
High
Wycombe
Stoke-OnTrent
After Liturgy, sv Petka Slava Kolo Srpska Setara. Tickets £15 at
British Army Legion, Loudwater, High Wycombe.
Thu
London
‘FREE BALKAN WOMEN’ with Ljiljana Blagojevic and Ljiljana Lasic.
Tickets £18 & £15. POSK Polish Club 238-246 King Street London W6 0RF
Bookings and info: Tel. 01273 694 117 or 07748 313 566 (Miki Stoiljkovic)
Tel. 0208 740 4109 or 0775 424 0394 (Olga Gakovic)
Tel 07930 959 669 (Natasha Kocsis)
Email: office@serbiansociety.org.uk
6
Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
7
Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
1
Sun
4
Wed
5
l Sv Petka 2009
9.45pm Alex Karić performing various folk songs.
Free entry at the Coachmakers Arms 65, Lichfield St, Hanley, StokeOn-Trent ST1 3EA
DEC
13 Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
14 Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
15 Sun
Leicester
11am Church slava sv Đurđic at Rutland Street
12.30pm Osvećenje Slavskog kolača
1pm Luncheon and events
18 Wed
London
Noon. BRANCO STOYSIN - TRIO at the LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL 09
at IGNITE concert series. Free entry. Call 020 7589 8212 . Address
is CONSORT door 12 ROYAL ALBERT HALL Kensington Gore, SW7
2AP. Nearest rail is Victoria. Nearest tube is S. Kensington, High St.
Kensington and Knightsbridge
20 Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
21 Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
22 Sun
London
1.30pm Branco Stoysin jazz duet. See www.brancostoysin.co.uk or
call 020 7370 2626 . Free entry. Food available. At The Courtfield Pub
187 Earls Court Road London SW5 9AN. Nearest tube Earls Court
27 Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
28 Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
2
Wed
9.45pm Alex Karić performing various folk songs. Free entry at the
Coachmakers Arms 65, Lichfield St, Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent ST1 3EA
4
Fri
Stoke-OnTrent
London
5
Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
12 Sat
London
10pm-4am live music Rale at BOOMBAR – New Club Black George
Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA http://www.
boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
18 Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
25 Fri
London
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
10pm-4am live music Zvonce at BOOMBAR – New Club Black
George Pub ,181 Uxbridge Road , West Ealing, London W13 9AA
http://www.boombarclub.com or call 07957 178 361
See www.britic.co.uk, www.serbiansociety.org.uk and www.serbiancouncil.org.uk for latest events information.
Serbian City Club organise a monthly event see www.serbiancityclub.org for details.
Email: events@britic.co.uk for free events listing (first 20 words) or see page 35 by 31st January 2010 for
events after Vaskrs on 4th April 2010.
Did you know?
Half of the population of Slovenia visited Serbia in 2008.
Sv Petka 2009 l
43
Sport
by Dragan Obrenović
Blastić from the Pastić
M
ost of us probably know
something about the present
Serbian players who ply their trade
in the Premiership. In this edition
we are going to turn our spotlight on
some players that left a considerable
trace in English football during the
70s, 80s and 90s. The most obvious
choices would be two of the best
known names in goalkeeping.
Lukić signed for Leeds United as
a schoolboy to be understudy for
legendary Pat Jennings. Another
goalkeeping legend, David Seaman,
was Lukić’s understudy and then
later the roles reversed. A story was
doing the rounds that Lukić’s mother
survived the Munich Air Disaster (in
which the Manchester United “Busby
babes” lost their lives) while pregnant
with him. That was obviously
impossible as John was born in 1960.
John Lukić has earned only one cap
for the England B team, although
he played regularly for the younger
selections.
Steve Ogrizović started his career with
Chesterfield in 1977, before a spell
with Liverpool where he played in
only four games. With Liverpool he
won two European Cups (1978 and
1981). He eventually joined Coventry
City, where he made his name. Steve
currently holds the record for number
of appearances for the Sky Blues (at
601) and won the FA Cup with them
in 1987. Steve is generally regarded
as best goalkeeper never to have
achieved a full England cap, largely
due to a playing for a “minor” team.
Steve Ogrizović is also a competent
cricketer and has played at List
A level for Shropshire and some
games for the Minor Counties.
Two other players from the
past are somewhat less-known
John Lukić played for only two clubs,
Leeds United (1978-1983 and 1990-1996)
back home. Mike Pejić made
and Arsenal (1983- 1990 and 1996-2001)
his name with Stoke City
and played also for Everton
Nemanja, a product of the Red Star youth
and Aston Villa. During his career
academy, was sent to lowly Jedinstvo Ub
he achieved four caps for the full
to gain some experience, but impressed
England squad. Mike’s brother, Mel,
Košice who bought him in 2007 and were
has also played for Stoke City, while
rewarded when he helped his side win
his son Shaun, currently plays for
the Slovakian Cup. His pursuit started
York City and the U-21 Wales team.
last season when it was reported that
Milija Aleksić was another goalkeeper
Middleborough, Tottenham and Chelsea
of Serbian descent. Milija started his
were hot on his heels.
career in the second Stoke-on-Trent
Although, I believe that the greatest
club, Port Vale. After a string in
success will lie with Nenad Milijaš
non-league teams he joined Plymouth
this year. Milijaš moved from Crvena
Argyle, Luton Town and finally
Zvezda to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Tottenham Hotspurs. While at Spurs
this summer for an undisclosed fee
he took part in FА Cup final in 1981.
after holding down a starting place in
Steve Ogrizović and John Lukić are
the Serbia team. He made his debut in a
among only four players to have
2-0 loss against West Ham but went on
played in top football in England over
later to be voted man of the match and
four different decades. The other
has played a big part in the goals that
two are the world famous Sir Stanley
Wolves have scored so far this season.
Mathews and Peter Shilton.
His set-pieces are quality and this alone
could be enough to save Wolves from
relegation, we can look forward to see
how he fares against some of the best
central midfielders in the world.
Fresh blood
in Premiership
Already established Serbian players
have been reinforced with the arrival
of two young gifted players to the
Premiership.
Chelsea added 21 year old Nemanja
Matić to their ranks for a reported
£1.5 million on a four-year contract.
We are also glad to see that Nemanja
Vidić remained at Manchester United
this year despite rumours that his wife,
Ana was unhappy in England, which
alerted Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter
Milan. We also wish his fellow Serb
teammates Zoran Tošić and Adem Ljajić
the best of luck for the upcoming year.
Serbia travel 5-Star to South Africa
S
erbia started the game with
attacking intentions with shots
from Stanković and Žigić. They
should have gone ahead early in
the game but Pantelić was unable
to connect to the ball on several
occasions. The deadlock was broken
44
l Sv Petka 2009
on 36 minutes when Nikola Žigić
headed in from a Miloš Krasić
corner. Cristea had a chance to
equalise just before half time but
blazed it over the crossbar. The
second half started as the first. A
terrific run by Miloš Krasić split the
by Stevo Popović
Romania defence leaving Pantelić
to slot the ball into the left hand
corner. Serbia continued attacking
and was rewarded 77 minutes into
the game with substitute Zdravko
Kuzmanović’s venomous volley into
the back of the net from a Pantelić
Team
Serbia
France
Lithuania
Austria
Romania
Faroe Islands
MP
10
10
10
10
10
10
W
7
6
4
4
3
1
D
1
3
2
0
3
1
L
2
1
4
6
4
8
GF
22
18
14
10
12
5
GA
8
9
15
11
18
20
Pts
22
21
14
12
12
4
Serbia sealed World Cup qualification
with a stunning 5:0 victory against
Romania at home to guarantee them
top spot!
pass. The night got worse for
Romania when Christian Chivu was
sent off for elbowing Nikola Žigić.
Milan Jovanović had his shooting
boots on by adding two more goals
late on to make it 5. Credit has to go
to Radomir Antić for getting Serbia
to win a group which everyone
realistically was thinking about
getting second place. This is the man
who managed both Real Madrid and
Barcelona, perhaps we were wrong to
doubt him? Winning the group does
not automatically mean that Serbia
will have a successful World Cup. I
won’t go into the painful details of
what happened in Germany 2006 as
many fans are still recovering from
the debacle. This will be the first
time that Serbia has qualified on its
own not as Yugoslavia or Serbia and
Montenegro. As a result the seeding
system in the World Cup draw does
not take into account how well
you finished in qualifying. Instead
it looks at previous World Cup
performances, this means Serbia will
be one of the lowest seeded teams.
So it is likely they will be facing
top-seeded teams like Holland and
Argentina, making their chances of
escaping from the group stages very
slim.
by Jovan Matijas
Serbia wins Last Rolo in World Water polo
The Serbian water polo team were crowned world champions in Rome after a
dramatic victory over Spain in the FINA world championships final!
S
erbia were drawn in Group B
alongside Kazakhstan, Australia
and the eventual runners-up Spain.
Despite losing our opening group
encounter against Spain (9-11) Serbia
went on to humiliate Kazakhstan
(20-3) and struggle to an 8-8 draw
with Australia.
This meant that Serbia would face
Italy in the second-round for a
spot in the last eight. Serb captain
Vanja Udovičić led by example with
two goals against the Italians and a
convincing 7-5 victory.
An eventful fixture with Olympic
champions Hungary saw Serbia come
out on top 10-9 after extra-time but
the match was filled with drama. A
late Filip Filipović goal, his second of
the match late into extra time meant
that Serbia were victorious.
Serbia was to play Croatia in the
semi-finals in what was expected to
be a feisty encounter with the Serbians
being the underdogs. The Croatians
went into the match looking to defend
their title as world champions but a
heroic display from the Serbia side
ended their reign and meant that
Serbia went through to the final.
Twelve days after suffering a
group defeat at the hands of Spain,
Sv Petka 2009 l
45
Sport
they would meet again in the
championship final.
Star captain Vanja Udovičić made
a storming start by scoring three
goals in the first quarter for Serbia
to take a 3-2 lead. The sold-out
crowd was enjoying impressive play
from both sides but the drama was
yet to come. Midway through the
third quarter, Garcia levelled the
scoring but Filipović quickly restored
Serbia’s lead with a stunning lob.
Two minutes later, a Spanish shot
squeezed under Slobodan Soro, the
Serbian goalkeeper to level the scores
at 4-4 going into the final quarter.
Immediately, Filipović scored his
second of the match and then Duško
Pijetlović scored to hand Serbia
a 6-4 lead but with three minutes
remaining Spanish danger man
Garcia pounced with a well-taken
strike to pull a goal back. With 11
seconds remaining on the clock,
much to the horror of the travelling
Serb supporters, Garcia scored his
fifth goal of the match to take the
game into extra-time. Spain earned
an extra man in the first half of extra
time and Guillermo Molina scored
past Soro to give Spain the initiative.
With just under a minute left of the
first-half, Nikola Rađen fired in a
shot off the post to equalise and what
turned out to be the final goal in
extra-time.
A penalty shoot-out was upon us
and Spain had won the toss and
elected to shoot first. Molina missed
the first Spanish shot but was soon
made up when Prlainović had the
third Serbia shot saved. Živko Gocić
had the opportunity to win the
championship for Serbia when the
last of the five Spanish penalty-takers
shot cannoned back off the crossbar
but Gocić missed and it went to
sudden-death. The next six shooters
all dispatched their penalties before
an outstanding Soro block denied
Spain. Milan Aleksić shot past the
Spanish goalkeeper to make Serbia
world champions in Rome.
The tournament was rounded off with
goalkeeper Slobodan Soro winning
the goalkeeper of the tournament
award, captain Vanja Udovičić
winning player of the tournament as
well as being joint runner-up in the
top scorer charts with 18 goals and
Filip Filipović being top scorer with
20 goals. Congratulations go out to
the Serbia water polo team!
Sizzling Serbian Sports Summer
by Andrija Bošković
T
he summer started with the 25th
Universiade games hosted by
Belgrade with 6,500 student athletes
from 145 countries. The event was
years in the planning and included a
new complex of flats in New Belgrade
for student accommodation plus
upgraded sports facilities throughout
the city. Serbia’s athletes competed
well with some notable success
particularly by Ivana Španović who
this year became European Junior
long jump champion and a girl we
will see on our television screens
regularly at major athletic meets. The
Serbian basketball team performed
well as expected and beat Russia in
the Final by 20 points in a sold-out
Belgrade Arena.
At the end of July, Belgrade hosted
the Volleyball world league finals
where the six top nations play-off
to win through and collect the
annual $1million first prize. This
annual event was hosted in Belgrade
previously in 2005 and as then the
final was between Brazil and Serbia
played in front of 20,000 fans ended
46
l Sv Petka 2009
in a thrilling five-set match with
Brazil just edging to victory.
Serbia achieved World Swimming
Championship success in the
sweltering heat of Rome as our
swimmers pushed Serbia into the
media spotlight once again. Milorad
Čavić started the week by winning
the 50m butterfly in world record
time whilst big rival Michael Phelps
was beaten in another race and
looked out of sorts. As the week
progressed towards a climax certain
media quotes from both swimmers
raised tensions to such a point that
even the BBC TV presenters were
eagerly awaiting this showdown
which produced another exciting
race with Michael Phelps edging this
100m race by a short hand touch. Still
after all the hype Milorad was very
complementary in defeat and show
the media what a laidback guy he is.
Nađa Higl caused a major shock in
the women’s 200m breaststroke where
she came from fifth place to take gold
on the last 50m lap, Nađa’s suprise
victory was acknowledged by her
home town Pančevo which awarded
her with a new 60m2 apartment for
her efforts.
Joining the gold medallist Water
Polo team and swimmers at the
Belgrade City hall reception was also
the Serbian Men’s U-18s basketball
team who triumphed in Metz, France
by beating the French hosts in the
final.
Nađa Higl
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+381.11.21.30.553 tel
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You will enjoy exploring every
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Sv Petka 2009 l
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Your Rewiew
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l Sv Petka 2009