An Englishman in the Balkans.

Weaving Fantasies from Cultural Threads - with Mile Mićić. On this episode of the podcast I meet Mile Mićić originally from Mrkonjić Grad in Bosnia and Herzegovina, now living in Andalusia , Spain. He has created an animation project called “Bosana”, a fantasy world inspired by Bosnia. I find out about his inspirations, cultural heritage, struggles in creation, and the value of financial support t...

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 chal...

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. To hear more, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalka...

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 English...

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 Balkan s. 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 c...

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 litt...

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 Herzeg...

I n 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...

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 S...

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...

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 experienc...

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...

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 th...

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...

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...

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 coun...

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 ab...

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 passio...

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, a...

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 saf...

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 Sha...

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...

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 dis...

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 de...

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 i...