I enjoyed this journey in Serbia: beautiful landscapes and nice encounters.
Some words about the cultural life in Belgrade: Sacha Mirkovic , manager of the B92 radio station tells the story of the radio station: the opposition to the nationalisms and to the war, the defense of the human rights in Serbia. Marija Milosavljevic, editor of the City Guide explains that in Belgrade there are every day exhibitions or concerts.
About music Serbia is the country of the brass bands (Goran Bregovic and Emir Kusturica have promoted this Serbian music); the brass bands play in the restaurants, but also in the public celebrations and family celebrations (marriages).
Guca is the capital of the brass bands: Gvozdar Rosic, the leader of the brass band of Guca tells about the Brass bands festival (during 5 days in August): the trumpetists are training for winning the Gold Trumpet.
Some words about the icons: Tanja Bilic , manager of the Bilic workshop explains that they paint the icons with egg yolk and gold leaves. Some rules about the colors are quite strict. Besides the icons help to the Christians to pray.
Then we travel to the Sumadija in the center of Serbia: Milja Obrdovic is making every day the cheese called kajmak, Dobrila Obradovic is making every day maize flat bread.
Besides Mile Obradovic has an old alembic and distillates the rakia (or rakija), a fruit spirit made with plums , apples, or quinces. Marija Sredic-Lukovic and Zeljko Sredc manage 5 bungalows (about 30 beds) for the guests: they produce fresh food for the guests. It's the begin of the ecotourism in Serbia.
Near Valjevo the Natura Association is protecting the griffon vulture: Dragan Deki, the park ranger is observing these pray birds and tells that the number of griffon vultures has increased n this protected area.
I enjoyed the encounters of Sophie with Pedja Ranitovic, the guide, with Andjela Stamenkovic , the "Gajba" bar, with Pesic Miodrag, the painter, with Jovan Iguman at the Kujan Monastery, with Tomislav Mitrovic in Küstendorf and the Tara National Park, with the guests of the mountain cabin and the speleologists in the Petnica cave: very nice encounters with very kind Serbian men and women.