An Englishman in the Balkans

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 sees me talking to Ivy Sibincic a former journalist and chef from the Philippines who is now a Sustainable living evangelist. Ivy lives with her Husband, Slaven, and two daughters, In a small village in the north of Bosnia and Herzegovina, close to the border with Croatia. Ivy tells me about embracing the culture of her new home country, finding a more peaceful life and growing asian...

This past week I finally caught up with  Denise from Argentina  who lives in Banja Luka. We discussed life as foreigners here. Denise has her own  YouTube channel  but also has a very dynamic  Instagram account .If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwich? https://buymeacoffee....

In this episode of the podcast I catch up with Hubert Nijmeijer, the CEO of Netherlands based "HiHi Guide". Hubert has a new take on travelling (not tourism per se), which he feels is the way to go, especially in what will be our new "Post COVID World". You can find out more about HiHi Guide HERE If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to suppor...

David talks to Arch Grieve a Mediation expert from Dayton Ohio. David and Arch talk about Arch's impressions of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and his work with a project helping Bosnian youth determine their future. You can find out more about Arch Grieve: https://www.dayton.com/entertainment/personalities/dayton-punching-above-our-weight-internationally-group-leader-says/Frlh58juuh9HAd7zBK719M/...

Today’s episode its a bit different. Today I talk to Tom Beck who’s originally from Watford in the UK but now lives near Potsdam in Germany. Tom has recently published a Book called “Goodbye Britain” I am a Brit who left and settled in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tom interviewed me for his book, and after reading it, I wanted to find out about the stories that others who have left Britain had to tell....

In this episode Tamara and I talk about International Women’s Day or Dan Žen, but simply referred to as osmi mart (8th March). So find out a little history and culture from not only Bosnia and Herzegovina but also the former Yugoslavia. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwi...

Tamara and David answer some of your questions: 1. Are there many houses made of wood in BiH? Seems that most houses are made of bricks. In Norway 90% of the houses are made of wood. 2. Is Herzegovina a separate geographical area within BiH? 3. What are the various culture that made up Banja Luka and the various cultures in present day? What about the people living there. What are their occupation...

Tamara and Me look at some Facts concerning Bosnia and Herzegovina. When researching somewhere to visit, I invariably land on links that say 5 fun facts about wherever, or 6 stunning places you must visit. So, on this episode we look at some fun facts from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Without giving too much away, a few of them are quirky and not well known at all. If you enjoy the podcast please subsc...

Hello and welcome to the living in Bosnia and Herzegovina podcast. A podcast that tells stories from this much misunderstood country. In today's episode, we'll be finding out more about folklore, and in particular, traditional dancing. Back in 2019, I became aware of a young lady from South Holland, who had been dancing with a folklore ensemble in the nearby city of Banja Luka. She was at that tim...

Sounds of The Balkans In this edition of the podcast, we play some eclectic Balkan music mixed with some Balkan gossip . The tracks we featured are: Balkan - https://www.facebook.com/omikimusic/ (Omiki ) I Daje - https://www.facebook.com/SassjaSassja/about/ (Sassja) Baila Leila - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goran_Bregovi%C4%87 (Goran Bregović) Lasting Kind of Love - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

Sounds of The Balkans In this edition of the podcast, we focus on music from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia and Serbia. Some old tracks and some really up to date ones too. The tracks we featured are: https://www.divanhana.ba/en/biography2/ (Divanhana) - Oj safete, sajo, sarajlijo https://amiramedunjanin.com/ (Amira Medunjanin) - Ajde Jano Kolo Da Igramo http://www.snailrecords.nl/artis...

Today it's a bit of a look back episode, to an interview I did in 2016, when the Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka was re-opened after some 23 years. The Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka was originally commissioned by, Ferhat Pasha Sokolovic and built in 1579. It stood near the centre of Banja Luka until the night of  6–7 May 1993, some 27 years ago, when it was destroyed by explosion. The Ferhadija's...

In this edition of the Podcast, I’ll be focussing on Spomenik. Spomenik are large monuments from the former Yugoslavia, and you see them across the whole of the Western Balkans and in particular here in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Normally, they're massive structures built out of concrete, and I think the architectural design is called “Brutalism” but they are very, very impressive. The Spomenik Datab...

On this edition of the podcast Tamara and I visit the wooden church at Romanovci. Over the years, I have developed an interest in wooden chapels and churches, and mosques with wooden minarets, that are to be seen across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today I travelled the short distance to Romanovci, to see the church of St Nicholas (Sv Nikola). Sadly it was closed but I will come back to see inside. Thi...

Hello and welcome to this edition of the Podcast. In this episode, I catch up with Jose Angelo Gallegos a YouTuber and Filmmaker from California. Last year I interviewed Jose, who had arrived in Banja Luka, having previously produced and published "Bitter Sweet Bosnia", his first film about BiH on YouTube.   We talked about filmmaking, social media, the region, BIH AND much more. Especially what a...

Hello and welcome to this edition of the Podcast. In this episode, I catch up with Andy Dunn, a New Zealander who is visiting his parents in law in Banja Luka. We talk about his views and experiences in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Western Balkans and his off beat love with Uštipci. Andys Website is:  https://flukeartist.weebly.com/ ( https://flukeartist.weebly.com/ ) I highly recommend following A...

In this episode I get to talk to Jose Gallegos from California, who is back in the Balkans making films. After a brief visit to Serbia, Jose gave up his job to travel and make films. To find out more about jose you can follow him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/joseangelo/ ( https://www.instagram.com/joseangelo/ ) On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ReturnTheFavor ( https://www.fac...

In this edition of the podcast I catch up with Alisa Teletović who is exhibiting her works in the Trogir City Museum. Alisa focusses on positivity and I just had to find out more from "An Artist Who Left and Came Back". Alisa was born in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1974. Fleeing the war, she moved to Australia where she completed Bachelor of Fine Arts and Advanced Diploma in Electronic design and Intera...

This episode is a somewhat collaborative episode between The Balkan Adventures Podcast and Balkan Stories. My good friend and Vienna based blogger, Christoph Baumgarten caught up with Nick Semwogerere, a Londoner and Musician to find out why Nick had somewhat "fallen in love" with Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans in general. Nick has had a passion for writing since a young age. Initi...

I like to seek out success stories from Bosnia and Herzegovina.   Why?  Because this beautiful country and it's everyday citizens deserve it. After all, just use your favourite browser and search Bosnia (or any combination theteof) and you'll see what I mean.   So in this episode I catch up with Nikola Galić from Banja Luka, who has turned his hobby of home brewing into what he hopes will become a...

In this episode I catch up with Sheila Savanović, who, I think, is the only Micronesian living in South East Europe. If I’m wrong here then please drop me a message or an email. Sheila's story is one of adventure, and in every adventure there are ups and downs. So, lets crack on and meet Sheila Savanović, a girl from the Pacific. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a fr...

In this episode, I talk to Dijana Tepšić, a Digital Entrepreneur in Banja Luka. Dijana is a former Broadcaster, Singer and Club DJ and is also, today, an advocate for a Healthy Lifestyle. We discuss launching a successful business in today's dysfunctional Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Dijana offers some practical advice for those who dream of, but are too scared to, launch their own companies. If yo...

In this edition of the podcast (and the final one for 2017), I play nearly an hour of Sevdah Music, a style thats allegedly the traditional music of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe/follow and share with a friend! If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwich? https://www.paypal.com/davidbaileymbe ( https://www.paypal.c...

On the 24th of March 2017, Eva left Amsterdam to hike for a while. "Walking back to the Balkans". Why? Because she can, because she likes hiking. Because it's slow, because it's a perfect way to really see a country. To feel and experience. Because she feels good, being "on the road". And because she thought it would be a good idea to (re)discover her own country, before heading off to the Balkans...