Parhaat Balkans Podcastit (2024)

1
Bosnia's short coastline 6:18

7d ago6:18

6:18

Even for the Balkans, a region with more than its fair share of crazy national borders, it’s an oddity—a twelve-mile stretch of Bosnia on the Adriatic coast separating Croatia’s top tourist destination, Dubrovnik, from the rest of the country. As with most territorial issues in the Balkans, Bosnia’s short coastline is a quirk of history, the outcom…

1
The Norwegian that Returned to Bosnia. 15:36

7d ago15:36

15:36

In this episode David recounts the story of Helge Kristensen, a Norwegian who first visited Bosnia and Herzegovina seven years ago for its affordable skiing on Jahorina Mountain. Initially drawn by curiosity and the economic appeal, Helge was captivated by the locale's unique charm and warm people. Years later, true to his word, he returns not for …

1
Bosnia: A work in progress 7:02

7d ago7:02

7:02

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Bosnia was torn apart by ethnic conflict, a three-way war between Serbs (mostly Eastern Orthodox), Croats (Roman Catholic) and Muslim Bosniaks. It was not until the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men at Srebrenica and TV coverage of the siege of Sarajevo horrified the world that NATO stepped in, bombed Bosnian Serb positi…

1
Croatia: Cheese hunting on Pag Island 5:54

7d ago5:54

5:54

The long, skinny island of Pag on Croatia’s Adriatic coast, historically a center of the salt industry, is famous for its sheep’s milk cheese. Salt has been produced in the region for more than one thousand years, but the industry could be even older, dating from Roman times. The basic process of salt extraction has not changed much. Sea water is c…

1
Why is Depopulation a Threat to Balkan Security? | A Debrief with Majlinda Bregu 31:02

8d ago31:02

31:02

Ilva Tare, a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, sits down with Majlinda Bregu, the outgoing Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, in this compelling #BalkansDebrief episode to discuss the current challenges of the region’s integration and cooperation as well as the gap between signing regional agreements and the…

1
The Earthquake That Changed Banja Luka Forever 22:36

21d ago22:36

22:36

Surviving the 1969 Banja Luka Earthquake: Personal Stories of Strength and RecoveryJoin me in this moving episode, as we journey back to October 1969 when the catastrophic Banja Luka earthquake struck Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hear the emotional account of an 18-year-old Hasna, who vividly remembers the terror and the community's resilience in the af…

1
Albania's bunker mentality 3:40

23d ago3:40

3:40

One of the legacies of Albania’s communist era are concrete bunkers. Around 175,000 were constructed all over the country. They range in size from small, shallow bunkers for a couple of soldiers to massive underground complexes with rooms, corridors and heating, electrical and water systems. Although the regime sometimes put out the line that the A…

1
Albania: No hippies, please 6:55

23d ago6:55

6:55

For half a century after World War II, Albania was ruled by a communist regime so paranoid that its leaders believed that even the Soviet Union and China had sold out to capitalism. Albania zealously guarded its borders to stop anyone from leaving the socialist paradise, and to closely control anyone crazy enough to want to visit. Among those who w…

1
Bosnian Superstitions - Threads of Tradition and Caution 13:17

27d ago13:17

13:17

In this episode, Tamara and I explore an array of fascinating Bosnian superstitions and traditions. We discuss the myth of 'promaja,' the belief in the harmful effects of drafts, along with rituals like throwing water behind travellers for luck and the significance of breaking mirrors. We delve into Christmas customs such as baking Česnica bread an…

1
How was the CEFTA deal secured before the Berlin Process Summit? | A Debrief with Manuel Sarrazin 18:30

29d ago18:30

18:30

A last-minute breakthrough enabled the Western Balkans to sign key regional cooperation agreements at the Berlin Process Summit on October 14 of 2024. This was thanks to the skilled diplomacy of Manuel Sarrazin, Germany’s Special Representative for the Western Balkans, and the political will of regional leaders. In a crucial compromise, Kosovo agre…

1
What’s next for the Berlin Process? | A Debrief with Simonida Kacarska & Klodjan Seferaj 22:37

1M ago22:37

22:37

As the Berlin Process celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024, over 115 organizations gathered at the Civil Society and Think Tank Forum on October 9-11 this year to raise alarms about shrinking civic spaces, threats to democracy, and rising intimidation across the Western Balkans. In this insightful episode of #BalkansDebrief, Ilva Tare, Resident …

1
From California to the Balkans 51:41

1M ago51:41

51:41

Embracing a New Life: One Woman's Journey from Silicon Valley to Slovenia. In this episode of “An Englishman in the Balkans’, I share the fascinating journey of Camilla Dugonjić as she transitions from a tech-centric upbringing in California to a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle in Northern Slovenia. Discover her experiences of adapting to a…

1
Rab Travel Diaries 🇭🇷 Part 2 26:05

1M ago26:05

26:05

In this Episode, I dive deeper into our travel diary, exploring the picturesque island of Rab off Croatia's coast. After leaving Bihać in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tamara and I made a seamless early morning border crossing into Croatia. Encounter breathtaking landscapes, historical reminders of the past, and personal anecdotes as we journey along the…

1
The Art of Homemade Rakija 7:10

1M ago7:10

7:10

In this episode of the podcast, I delve into one of Bosnia's cherished traditions, the art of making rakija. Join me as I recount a delightful journey to Slatina with Tamara, where we witnessed the age-old process of distilling pear rakija at her cousin's orchard. The visit, filled with breathtaking views, vibrant community spirit, and the rich aro…

1
How do cyber-attacks threaten the Balkans? | A Debrief with Dan Ilazi and Filip Stojanovski 23:24

2M ago23:24

23:24

Cyber-attacks are on the rise in the Western Balkans, with 1.2 million personal records exposed to data breaches and a 200% surge in ransomware attacks over the past two years. Businesses across the region have paid millions of euros to recover compromised data, and 75% of companies report facing phishing attacks. Cyber-actors are exploiting intern…

1
Българското присъствие в Космоса и ролята на България в съвременните космически изследвания 40:01

2M ago40:01

40:01

В този епизод, посветен на 55-годишнината от създаването на Института за космически изследвания и технологии при Българската академия на науките и 45 години от излитането в Космоса на първия български и балкански космонавт Георги Иванов, д-р Стела Стефанова разговаря с проф. Георги Желев за българското присъствие в Космоса и ролята на България в съ…

1
Upscale beef language 5:02

2M ago5:02

5:02

After Turkish investors backed out, the first international hotel in Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek officially became a “Joint Kyrgyz-Malaysian Venture.” Because English is widely spoken in Malaysia, you’d expect the new foreign partner to have tidied up the English grammar and spelling on the hotel’s printed materials. No way. The room service menu …

1
This is how Russians live? 3:55

2M ago3:55

3:55

As the train pulled out of Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Valery opened the first bottle of cognac and was figuring out how much alcohol our compartment would need for the 15-hour overnight trip. It was only 4:30 p.m. and, with several hours of daylight left, I wanted to look out of the window, not drink. But to be sociable, I agreed to a couple of s…

1
Soviet gerrymandering 7:07

2M ago7:07

7:07

Before the Soviet era, there were no national borders between the peoples of Centra Asia, and identity was defined by religion, family, clan and place. The Soviets attempted to counter pan-Islamic and pan-Turkic tendencies by constructing nationalities, giving each a defined territory with national borders, along with a ready-made history, language…

1
Lost in Stanland 8:51

2M ago8:51

8:51

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 gave us fourteen new countries (plus Russia) including the five “stans” of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. We can be grateful the Soviet Union did not break up any further, or we would have to deal with Bashkortostan, Dagestan, and Tatarstan, all now Russian rep…

1
From southern Kyrgyzstan to suburban Maryland 6:21

2M ago6:21

6:21

On Christmas Eve 1995, my wife, Stephanie, picked me up at Washington’s Dulles airport. After almost a month in Central Asia, I looked forward to returning to the United States. Instead, I experienced, for the first time in my life, reverse culture shock. One of the blessings—but also one of the curses—of international air travel is that in the spa…

1
Central Asia frequent flier 6:41

2M ago6:41

6:41

When the Soviet Union broke up, its national airline Aeroflot suffered the same fate. The governments of cash-strapped new republics seized the aircraft sitting on the tarmac, repainted them in the new national colors and hoped they could round up enough spare parts to keep them flying. National airlines have since modernized their fleets, adding B…

1
Camping Indoors, Soviet style 6:17

2M ago6:17

6:17

Provincial Soviet-era hotels reflect the ostentatious public architecture of the Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev eras. The impressive facades often conceal dark and drab interiors, with poor heating and ventilation, dangerous wiring, and leaky pipes. Even small cities boasted establishments with several hundred rooms. Of course, the number bore no …

1
Rab Travel Diaries 🇭🇷 Part 1 11:33

2M ago11:33

11:33

Join us on a relaxed and scenic journey from Bosnia to Croatia as Tamara and I embark on a much-needed vacation. Starting early in the morning, we drive through the breathtaking Krajina region, with stops at the charming Bosanska Krupa and the historic Ostražec Castle. Our day is filled with stunning landscapes, a cozy lunch by the Una River, and a…

1
The New Sound of An Englishman in the Balkans 4:40

2M ago4:40

4:40

Hello, it's David here from 'An Englishman in the Balkans'. After a brief hiatus since May, I'm excited to be back and share some updates. Over the years, the podcast has focused on bringing stories from fascinating people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I've decided to explore new formats and storytelling methods. Moving forward, I'll continue with…

1
From London to the Adriatic 35:00

2M ago35:00

35:00

In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Martin Gannon, a British expatriate with deep ties to the former Yugoslavia. Martin shares his experiences of first moving to Yugoslavia in 1980, initially as a holiday job opportunity, which evolved into a long-term career in tourism. He discusses his early days working in places like Poreč and later organ…

1
Shanghaied 4:31

2M ago4:31

4:31

It was a classic Catch-22. I did not have a confirmed itinerary or a China transit visa. The Malaysian Airlines agent in Kuala Lumpur could have refused to rebook me, but he realized that the problem was not of my making. “Here’s your boarding card,” he said. “I’m just not sure what will happen in Shanghai.” The arrival of an itinerary-less, visa-l…

1
Bangladesh: The barrels of Barishal 6:51

2M ago6:51

6:51

Since the Mughal era, Barishal has been the commercial gateway to the southwest delta. It’s been whimsically described as the “Venice of Bengal.” although if you’re just counting waterways, almost any large town in southwestern Bangladesh is a Venice. At its commercial dock, brightly colored barges were drawn up on the muddy, litter-strewn beach, w…

1
Bangladesh: Land of rivers 8:25

2M ago8:25

8:25

For a small country, Bangladesh has a lot of rivers, around 700 according to most estimates. Roughly 10 percent of its total area is water, a high proportion considering that it has no large lakes. In other words, most of that water is moving. For the rural population, the rivers are interwoven with every aspect of their lives. They sustain agricul…

1
The $2.50 phone bill 2:58

2M ago2:58

2:58

Even for those with good language skills, getting things done in Kyrgyzstan in the mid-1990s was a challenge. A seemingly straightforward task, such as banking or paying a utility bill, often turned out to be a complex, time-consuming activity that required visiting several offices, filling out forms and slips of paper, and obtaining signatures and…

1
India-Bangladesh: The world's craziest border 8:52

2M ago8:52

8:52

The 1947 partition of British India into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan created artificial borders that are still hotly disputed today. In Bengal, the zigzagging border with East Pakistan (and from 1971, Bangladesh) was dotted with enclaves—little islands of one country surrounded by the territory of the other. In total, there we…

1
South Africa: Allemand right to Elsburg 7:24

2M ago7:24

7:24

I drive out to a Johannesburg suburb for a church dinner and barn dance and find myself deep in Afrikaner country. Descendants of the Boers who trekked north from the Cape from the 1830s settled on the High Veld, a plateau region of grassland and scrub bushes. More than 4,000 feet above sea level, it resembles the High Plains of Montana or Wyoming.…

1
South Africa: The borders of Johannesburg 12:09

2M ago12:09

12:09

It tells you something about how South Africa has changed that the sprawling townships of Soweto outside Johannesburg are now on the tourist bus routes. Soweto came to world attention in 1976, when police opened fire on 10,000 secondary school students marching to protest the policy of enforcing Afrikaans as the only language of instruction in scho…

1
Malawi: The bus to Blantyre 7:10

2M ago7:10

7:10

The main north-south highway from Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, to Blantyre, the commercial capital, passes through a dry, flat landscape of scrub grass and small trees, broken by cultivated fields, with goats and cattle wandering close to the road and groups of men squatting under trees. The bus passed roadside stalls selling fruits, vegetables, hou…

1
Malawi: Incredible miracles and supernatural breakthroughs 8:45

2M ago8:45

8:45

According to the census, two out of three Malawians claim to be Christian. One in five is Catholic, with others scattered among the mainstream Protestant groups; Muslims make up about one quarter of the population. Christianity is mixed with traditional beliefs drawn from animism and witchcraft, and often has a revivalist fringe. In storefront chur…

1
Malawi: South Africa's only ally 6:27

2M ago6:27

6:27

It is a paradox of history that South Africa’s apartheid regime, sanctioned and shunned by the international community, had a friend in Malawi. Its long-time authoritarian president, Hastings Banda, was politically conservative, suspicious and fearful of the socialist regimes of other countries in the region. Malawi was the only country in Africa t…

1
Who drew the borders? 8:11

2M ago8:11

8:11

As a history student, it was challenging enough to keep up with the shifting borders of European countries. When I opened the atlas and turned to other continents, the borders of some countries seemed to make no sense at all. Why were some strangely shaped, with portions of their territory protruding into other countries? Why were there straight li…

1
Crossing borders 6:01

2M ago6:01

6:01

A shakedown by cops at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan provides a glimpse of life in a post-Soviet society undergoing wrenching social and economic transition. And as travel writer Thomas Swick notes, travel only becomes interesting (and therefore worth writing about) when things go wrong.Kirjoittanut davidhmould

1
Passport from adolescence 6:40

2M ago6:40

6:40

It was a proud day in 1965 when, at the age of 15, I was issued my first British passport. Looking back, the stern instruction in elaborate cursive not to mess with the Queen’s loyal subject seems like the pompous posturing of a country that had surrendered its empire but was not yet ready to accept its new, reduced role in the world. I’ve held a U…

1
Nairobi Airport: No time for the lion park 7:55

2M ago7:55

7:55

After a 12-hour delay on a return flight from Madagascar, I engage in a polite but frustrating battle with the Kenya Airways customer service staff at Nairobi International Airport.Kirjoittanut davidhmould

1
What are the challenges for Mickoski's North Macedonia? | A Debrief with Malinka Jordanova, Branimir Jovanovic and Lura Pollozhani 30:13

3M ago30:13

30:13

Following the significant power shift in North Macedonia’s May 8 elections, the VRMO-DPMNE party, led by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski faces a complex landscape. Six renowned experts have crafted a strategy brief for the Atlantic Council, outlining crucial recommendations for the new government, including democratic reforms, the fight against c…

1
Does the new EU-Serbia lithium deal undermine democracy? A Debrief with Ivan Vejvoda 16:16

4M ago16:16

16:16

The European Union's recent memorandum of understanding with Serbia on raw materials has sparked debate across the Balkans. Signed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit, the MoU revives a controversial lithium mining project, drawing opposition from many Serbians. In this episode, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined by Ivan Vejvoda…

1
What EU reforms will make enlargement successful? A Debrief with Enrico Letta 24:14

4M ago24:14

24:14

Why should Europe focus on the Balkans? What are the potential opportunities and challenges for EU enlargement and the Growth Plan for this region? Join Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare in this episode of #BalkansDebrief as she interviews Enrico Letta, former Prime Minister of Italy and current President of the Institut Jacques Delors. With his …

1
Опознай Гърция 28:12

4M ago28:12

28:12

В този епизод д-р Александра Миланова разговаря с Георги Грънчаров. Георги Грънчаров завършва Националната гимназия за древни езици и култури „Св. Константин Кирил Философ“, където изучава древногръцки език, история и култура. Продължава образованието си в Историческия факултет на Софийския университет „Св. Климент Охридски“, а по-късно придобива м…

1
Where next for Serbian foreign policy? | A Debrief with Igor Bandovic and Nikola Burazer 30:13

5M ago30:13

30:13

For decades, the United States and Serbia have engaged in a delicate diplomatic dance. Recently, Serbian think tank representatives visited Washington, DC, for critical talks with US policymakers. Their agenda? Navigating the complexities of Serbia's democratic health and evolving foreign policy, including unpacking its shifting alliances with Russ…

1
Do Balkan nationalist chants at EURO 2024 fuel ethnic tensions? | A Debrief with Florian Bieber 18:17

5M ago18:17

18:17

Football and politics are deeply intertwined, especially in the Balkans, where the mix can be volatile. At the UEFA Euro Cup in Germany this year, nationalistic chants and provocative acts highlighted the ongoing tensions among Balkan nations. Serbia, Albania, and Croatia clashed not only in the stadiums but also in a display of ethnic rivalries. I…

1
Арабистиката в България и на Балканите 35:48

5M ago35:48

35:48

В този епизод д-р Самуил Камбуров разговаря с Пънар Тахсин Ваид по темата „Арабистиката в България и на Балканите“. Пънар Тахсин Ваид завършва специалност „Арабистика“ към катедра „Арабистика и семитология“ в Софийския университет „Св. Климент Охридски“. По време на следването си прекарва един семестър във Висшия институт за изучаване на чужди езиц…

1
Why is distrust in institutions alarming for the Balkans? | A debrief with Amila Karačić 21:53

6M ago21:53

21:53

The recent International Republican Institute (IRI) poll on the Western Balkans has revealed some concerning trends for the region's aspirations of joining the European Union. While the war in Ukraine presented a potential opening, the path to membership appears to be facing significant challenges. Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined by A…

1
Exploring Spomeniks. 30:13

6M ago30:13

30:13

In this episode, I discuss the brutalist Spomenik monuments of the former Yugoslavia with Donald Niebel - founder of the Spomenik Database. Donald is an environmental scientist turned researcher from the United States We delve into the historical significance, architectural design, and location details of these unique, massive structures. Donald ex…

1
What is the US role amidst fragility in the Western Balkans? | A debrief with Gabriel Escobar 29:08

6M ago29:08

29:08

The Western Balkans stand at a pivotal moment. Regional stability, security, and prosperity require a more robust US engagement. EU accession remains the goal but simmering ethnic tensions and resurgent nationalism demand a comprehensive US strategy that includes specific and actionable commitments. In the light of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukrai…

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