Episodes
The script is an interview with Mile Mićić about his project Bosana, a fantasy world inspired by Bosnia. He discusses his inspirations, cultural heritage, struggles in creation, and the value of financial support through platforms like Patreon. Mile shares his hopes of connecting people through storytelling and invites audiences to join the Bosana community.Exploring Bosnia, Andalusia, and the Fantasy World of Bosana with Mile Mićić In this podcast episode, the host shares an insightful...
Published 04/14/24
Life and Love Beyond Borders: Arianna's Journey from Venezuela to the Balkans This episode of the 'Englishman in the Balkans' podcast features an in-depth conversation with Arianna, a vibrant Latin woman who has made Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, her home. Arianna shares her experiences of moving for love, transitioning from a glamorous life aboard cruise ships to setting roots in a new country. With discussions ranging from cultural shocks, embracing new traditions, to overcoming...
Published 04/07/24
This episode of the podcast features an in-depth conversation with Arianna, a vibrant Latin woman who has made Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, her home. Arianna shares her experiences of moving for love, transitioning from a glamorous life aboard cruise ships to setting roots in a new country. With discussions ranging from cultural shocks, embracing new traditions, to overcoming personal challenges, Arianna's tale is a heartwarming testament to adaptability, resilience, and finding one's...
Published 04/07/24
We have spent the past 6 days hosting returning guests from the Franconia region of northern Bavaria in Germany. Chris, together with his son Jake, daughter Hannah and her boyfriend Lukas based themselves with us here in the village and took to opportunity to explore Banja Luka, Travnik, the Kozara National park and Jajce. I managed to persuade Hannah to chat with me for a Coffee Talk Podcast episode where she shares her experiences exploring this unique country with her family. From the...
Published 03/17/24
In this podcast I talk to Kathi and Numa Numić, who discuss the development and plans for their travel agency, Ćejf, which focuses on mindful and sustainable travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We look back on their successful first year, highlighting challenges, achievements, and the desire to expand their offerings beyond the well-known tourist spots. Get full access to Coffee and Rakija at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe
Published 03/10/24
Adventure, Sustainability and Growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this podcast I talk to Kathi and Numa Numić, who discuss the development and plans for their travel agency, Ćejf, which focuses on mindful and sustainable travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We look back on their successful first year, highlighting challenges, achievements, and the desire to expand their offerings beyond the well-known tourist spots. Their preferred platforms for engagement are their website and Instagram,...
Published 03/10/24
Navigating Life, Language and Parenthood in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this podcast I talk to my Argentinian friend, Denise. We chat about our experiences as expats and immigrants living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Denise shares her experiences with the language barrier, the quality of life, and the challenges and joys of raising a child in a foreign land. She also delves into cultural differences, food, work, and the impact of social media in shaping perceptions about the Balkans. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿...
Published 02/29/24
In This Episode. In this episode of the podcast I talk to Ramajana Mabita, originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina but presently living in Harare in Zimbabwe. I find out what, if any, similarities there are between the two countries, Ramajana’s culture shocks, her love of Zimbabwean fashion and also hear one of her favourite music tracks from this African nation, plus much more. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work,...
Published 02/25/24
Hello, I’m David and I write about my life and adventures in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Subscribe for free to enjoy occasional posts, podcasts and vlogs from this much misunderstood heart shaped country in the western Balkans. The National Anthem of the Socialist Federated Republic of Yugoslavia - “Hej Slaveni” The Olympic Games in Sarajevo in February 1984, brought together 1,272 athletes from 49 countries as well as the most eminent figures from the world's sporting, cultural, and...
Published 02/18/24
The Olympic Games in Sarajevo in February 1984, brought together 1,272 athletes from 49 countries as well as the most eminent figures from the world's sporting, cultural, and socio-political life in one place. To find out more as well as view videos from this important event in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina check out our SUBSTACK. Please also do share this episode and maybe leave a 5 start review on the podcast platform you listened to this on. Stay tuned for more exciting stories...
Published 02/15/24
It seems that wherever I go in Bosnia and Herzegovina, traditional skills and cultural activities are slowly disappearing. From making instruments, to dancing and much more, the latest generations of young people, don't seem interested, and that could mean a massive impact on the heritage of not only this misunderstood country but also the wider region. I talk to Nemanja Knežević, to learn a little about the challenges he faces as the director of Banja Luka's biggest traditional dance...
Published 02/11/24
Nemanja Knizović, a dedicated member of the traditional dance ensemble from Banja Luka, delves into his vast experience and commitment to preserving local culture. Nemanja discusses the fusion of culture, tradition, and dance in Banja Luka, the importance of folklore in presenting Serbian culture to the world, and the intricacies of musical storytelling. He also highlights the ensemble's ability to adapt to modern times by utilising social media and the need for professionalisation in the...
Published 02/08/24
A bit over a week ago, I had a touch of unease which required medical attention. Without delving into the specifics, I'll simply say that the really professional medical system here provided me with antibiotics for a minor infection. My recovery therefore entails no alcohol on my birthday (in a few days), and a somewhat slower pace, but nothing's stopping my walks. In other news, we're about to witness the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Olympics held in Sarajevo. I've been reaching out to...
Published 02/07/24
This episode takes us from the picturesque landscapes of the Lake District in the United Kingdom to the rugged mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I catch up with equine photographer Ruth Chamberlain, who last year (2022), embarked on a remarkable journey to document the captivating lives of the wild horses of Livno. I find out about how Ruth's made this unexpected connection to Bosnia and Herzegovina, fuelled by a chance encounter with a breathtaking photograph that led her on an...
Published 02/04/24
In this episode, join me as I explore the captivating journey of Helen Reynolds Brown, a British expat living in Belgium, who found her dream holiday home in the picturesque coastal region of Montenegro, near the ancient city of Kotor. Helen shares her incredible experiences, insights, and adventures in this enchanting Balkan paradise. Discover why Montenegro, with its stunning landscapes, diverse community, and unique charm, has stolen her heart. From the challenges of navigating the local...
Published 01/29/24
Hello, it's episode 7 of Coffee Talk. I'm David, joined by my lovely wife Tamara. Today, we're taking you on a delightful journey through our podcast's journey, discussing some compelling survey results, and sharing our latest escapades. To better shape our content, we recently ran a survey, which saw some impressive participation. Interesting to note, the leading podcast theme that our audience enjoy revolves around our daily life, followed by interviews and tales of intriguing travel...
Published 01/25/24
Banja Luka is the birthplace of Nataša Konjević a female muralist. At the time of recording this episode, Nataša is the only female muralist in Bosnia and Herzegovina, doing big scale murals on buildings. Yes, there are more women and men doing murals, (but none of the other girls paint on a large scale of 10 or 15 meters high In my opinion, Nataša is a Unique, Trail Blazing person.In the following podcast I find out about her. Not only as a person, but why she chose to paint these huge...
Published 01/25/24
In this episode I get to talk to Biljana Lipić, a resident of Cornwall in the United Kingdom but originally from Sarajevo.Biljana lives on a boat anchored on a Cornish river. I first found out about Biljana from a story that I stumbled across online. I have to admit that I have always had an interest in narrow boating, and living on the water in general, so when I saw that someone from Sarajevo had achieved what was one of my dreams back in the day, I just had to find out more.Please also do...
Published 01/21/24
In this episode, we delve into the fascinating story of the Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka, highlighting its destruction and subsequent rebuilding process. This story of resilience, determination, and the power of community showcases the efforts of many unsung heroes, including the remarkable Donald Reeves and his NGO, the Soul of Europe. Join us as we explore the history, challenges, and triumphs of rebuilding Ferhadija, symbolising hope and reconciliation in the Western Balkans. 00:00...
Published 01/19/24
Hello and welcome to Čardačani in northwest Bosnia. Normally today Tamara and I are in the studio here recording an episode of our Coffee Talk podcast where we keep you up to date with all the things that are happening for us in our life here during the past week. Today, we're going to just take a little pause for this week, because we've been running the podcast, not only Coffee Talk, but also an Englishman in the Balkans podcast for a little over eight months. And in that time, it's been...
Published 01/18/24
This interview was recorded with a few hiccups due to buffering across our feed 😞 In this episode I get to talk to Biljana Lipić, a resident of Cornwall in the United Kingdom but originally from Sarajevo.Biljana lives on a boat anchored on a Cornish river. I first found out about Biljana from a story that I stumbled across online. I have to admit that I have always had an interest in narrow boating, and living on the water in general, so when I saw that someone from Sarajevo had achieved what...
Published 01/18/24
In this episode I catch up with Vesna Djukić to find out about how she celebrates Serbian Orthodox Christmas in the United Kingdom. With Vesna's Serbian background and David's enthusiasm for embracing different cultures, they delve into topics such as maintaining cultural identity, introducing Serbian customs to British friends, and the challenges of finding authentic ingredients for traditional Serbian dishes. They also share heartwarming stories of celebrating Christmas in Bosnia and...
Published 01/15/24
In this episode I catch up with Vesna Djukić to find out about how she celebrates Serbian Orthodox Christmas in the United Kingdom. With Vesna's Serbian background and David's enthusiasm for embracing different cultures, they delve into topics such as maintaining cultural identity, introducing Serbian customs to British friends, and the challenges of finding authentic ingredients for traditional Serbian dishes. They also share heartwarming stories of celebrating Christmas in Bosnia and...
Published 01/15/24
In this episode Tamara and I talk about Sourdough baking, the different types of yeast used, and our attempts at making sourdough bread and English muffins. We are both really excited about the process and the rewards of making homemade sourdough bread. Here's our sourdough journey! We mentioned Aleksandar Trifunoviċ's Sourdough Instagram account: https://instagram.com/dasampekar Find out more on our Substack at: https://anenglishmaninthebalkans.com Leave Your Comments or Questions.Please...
Published 01/11/24