In this episode I chat with Bela Dominković, a Swiss wine expert now residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk about the unique wine culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country's potential for wine tourism, the unique characteristics of Bosnian wines, and the challenges faced by local winemakers. Bela, an experienced sommelier and food & wine pairing expert, shares her knowledge about the local wine scene and her ambition for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become recognised as a quality...

In this episode we bring you up to date with our Christmas and New Years experiences, through catching COVID, preparations for David's Christmas, and our plans for Serbian Christmas. Tamara also shares her adventures in sourdough bread making. Find out more on our Substack at: https://anenglishmaninthebalkans.com Leave Your Comments or Questions.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...

This episode is about David's adventure to Travnik, a charming town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the assistance of local guide Ben, David unveils the rich history, mouth-watering cuisine, captivating architecture and stunning nature of Travnik. Highlighting the efforts of passionate locals, this episode explores Travnik's potential as a top tourist destination. Discover unique experiences such as sheep shearing, taking a swing on an Instagram-famous spot, cherishing the view...

Join me in this heart-touching podcast with the inspiring Sabina Vajrača, a Bosnian film director making her mark in the film industry. Sabina shares the trials and tribulations she faced, from fleeing Bosnia on her own at the age of 14, to making it big in Hollywood. She gives a glimpse into her journey and the power of perseverance. During the conversation, Sabina also discusses her film 'Sevap Mitzvah', revealing the emotional moments and key lessons in the story. It's an enlightening...

Coffee Talk Episode 4 - Village Life, Stollen, Uštipci and Canada Experiences. In this episode, Tamara and I discuss an upcoming podcast interview with Sabina Vajrača, a director from Banja Luka who is nominated for an Oscar in the short film category. We also talk about Tamara's experience baking Stollen and our love for this traditional German Christmas bread. Tamara shares her stories about emigrating to Canada and learning English. We also discuss the many cultural differences between...

A nostalgic dive into the history, culture, and experiences of an Englishman living in the Balkans during Yugoslavia's era. Martin Gannon shares his journey from England to Yugoslavia in the 20th century, his experiences of working in the tourism sector, including establishing a pilgrimage route to Međugorje, and his life in Yugoslav Airlines. He also discusses how the country has changed after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the future of tourism in both Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia....

Coffee Talk Episode 3 - Cross-Cultural Experiences and Preparing for Christmas. In this episode of Coffee Talk, Tamara and I explore the concept of cross-cultural experiences and the influence of different cultures on individual experiences and perceptions. We update on our lives here in Čardačani, in northern Bosnia Herzegovina, and how being so close to the European Union and Croatia impacts the understanding of European identity. We talk about 'Stollen', a traditional German Christmas...

Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to a rich tapestry of stories, many of which are still undiscovered even by those who live in the country. In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the extraordinary connection between Ladino and Sevdah music, and how a Jewish prayer sparked a musical journey that resonates deeply with the soul of this nation. Sevdah, known as the music of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a genre of traditional folk music that captivates listeners with its emotional and evocative...

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Village Life, Epileptic Dogs, and Seasonal Festivities In this podcast episode, we talk about various aspects of village life, including our two dogs. Our small dog Fibi (Phoebe), a mix of chihuahua and terrier, has epilepsy and we talk about the implications. Our other dog Mari, is a German terrier mix. The conversation shifts to climate change, the importance of spaying pets, and traditional footwear called priglavci. David shares his fondness for scented candles...

Dr. Samir Osmanagić an anthropology professor and pyramid researcher, provides a deep-dive into the pyramids discovered in Visoko, Bosnia Herzegovina. He offers a profound analysis of the pyramid phenomenon worldwide as he unveils the true potential of pyramids, not just as architectural marvels, but as providers of energy and healing forces. Listen as Dr. Osmanagić demystifies the impact of these ancient structures on water molecular structure, human health, communication, and other...

In this first episode of Coffee Talk, we share a glimpse of our life in Čardačani, Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk about launching tour new podcast and share interesting experiences from our daily life. We touch on various topics, including our affinity for cooking, traveling, and sharing anecdotes. Our Coffee Conversation also revolves around our home village, our pets, the significance of sterilising animals in the country, local and Turkish cuisines, our fascination with Turkish...

Today, I have a truly inspiring guest, Sheila Savanović, a resilient lady from Micronesia who has made an extraordinary journey from the eastern Pacific to Southeastern Europe. Sheila shares her fascinating story of meeting her husband in China, settling in Banja Luka, and the cultural adjustments she had to make along the way. From learning the local language ,to living in this misunderstood country, and experiencing some tough moments during her motherhood, Sheila’s story is a testament...

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 explains how he transformed his initial curiosity about these striking monuments into a comprehensive online resource. Sharing his experiences and...

In this compelling podcast, Dijana Tepšić shares her journey; from a radio presenter during demanding times to a successful entrepreneur in the Balkan media industry. I caught up with Dijana on a sunny November day in Banja Luka. Dijana talks about her varied career path, her adventures in radio presenting, her inspiring work in women's rights, and being a DJ. Dijana also opens up about her passion for entrepreneurship, the establishment of a creative agency, and the extraordinary work of...

This episode is a bit different from our usual ones. Instead of interviewing fascinating individuals about Bosnia and Herzegovina, I’m sharing some personal experiences and observations from my life in this heart-shaped country. I had an interesting episode planned for you today. I was going to take you on a walk through my village, describing the beautiful forestry and local landmarks. However, an unexpected bout of dizziness forced me to cut the walk short. Despite this setback, I’m sharing...

In this episode I explore the emotional journey of Ivana Štrbac-Alfonso, who was forced to leave her home in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the 1990s. Ivana, who was only five to six years old at the time, lived in a village outside Zenica, a moderately large town in middle Bosnia. The episode delves into the pain and struggle of leaving one’s country amidst conflict and seeking safety elsewhere. Ivana eventually found a new home on Australia’s Gold Coast. The episode sheds...

Welcome to this special throwback episode of the podcast, celebrating 10 years of “An Englishman in the Balkans”. The journey began in 2007 in Canada, and after a brief hiatus, it was relaunched in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2013. Over the years, the podcast has evolved, even changing titles a couple of times. This episode revisits the very first one from 2013, featuring a conversation with Kev Shannon, a young Brit who was walking across Serbia at the time. As we celebrate a decade of...

Hello, this episode is a bit different from normal, because I’m replaying a podcast episode thats not mine. Let me explain. Back in may I was a guest on a fantastic podcast hosted by Slavenka Vuković- Bryan called Two Worlds, One Me. I think the podcast title is pretty explanatory, but basically my two world have been and are, the UK and my now adopted home of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now, many of you have asked time and time again for me to talk about how I arrived here in Bosnia. It’s a...

Painting Pictures with Words and Sound.In this episode I want to share an intriguing conversation I had with Alexandra Bučko, a passionate podcasting enthusiast in the Western Balkans. In this interview, we delve into the world of podcasting and the challenges and opportunities it presents in the region. The Balkans is a place of rich culture and history, where people gather in coffee bars to discuss their ideas and thoughts. However, when it comes to mainstream media, the landscape is...

In this special episode, I delve into the captivating world of the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the world's rarest and most significant historical documents. Join me as i unravel the mysteries and stories surrounding this ancient manuscript, which resides in the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. My guest for this episode is Aleksandra Bunčić, a passionate scholar and art historian who has dedicated her life to studying the Sarajevo Haggadah. Together, we embark on a fascinating...

In this episode I talk to Martin Fletcher, a British traveler and podcaster who is currently on a journey through the Balkans in his van. Martin shares his experiences living the van life and traveling through Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as his plans to head to Turkey for the winter. We discuss Martin's reasons for choosing a nomadic lifestyle, his work as a digital nomad, and his adventures in various countries. During our conversation, we touch on topics like language barriers, local...

Welcome, to a replay edition of the podcast, where we're taking a trip down memory lane to 3 years ago, when Tamara and I sat down to discuss a cherished tradition here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zimnica (or winter food). You can Download Tamara's Recipe HERE Preserving Tradition: Exploring Zimnica in Bosnia and Herzegovina I’ve experienced this tradition since I got together with Tamara, so I thought I’d give a little backgrounder, some context if you will. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a land...

In this episode of we're delving into a topic that holds immense significance in the region: independent media in the Balkans. Joining me to discuss this is seasoned journalist, media analyst, and Balkans expert, Bojan Stojkovski. Bojan and I embark on a thought-provoking journey through the complex landscape of media independence in the Balkans. We delve deep into the challenges, triumphs, and unique circumstances that shape the media environment in this diverse and historically rich...

In this episode I give you a brief update about our return from our holiday in Montenegro. I post a weekly newsletter update on my substack and thought that maybe you might like to hear it as a podcast. Let me know what you think of that idea? Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future. You can support my work, by maybe leaving a Tip or by becoming a member of our podcast family...

Welcome to this final episode of our mini series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield. This is the third instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia. Mark gives some valuable insights into daily life living in the north of Croatia near the small town of Štrigova. You can find out more about Mark's Glamping business in Štrigova Croatia HERE. I hope that this micro-series...