Guca recap can be found here. Beth Kampschror gives her impressions here (via YG)
Most will have heard of the Guca Festival by now. It earns its place here at the Belgrade blog on account of its increasing popularity with foreign tourists and its branding potential.
Recorded in Guca last year by Sini Vlaisavljevic
The Guca Festival is excellent precisely because it is rural or historic Serbia and something that all can take part in. It would be a tragedy if only modern events like the Exit Festival were to be associated with Serbia. Apart from that one can have a bloody good time there sampling some of the best plum brandies in Europe and eating tasty (ok we are talking about eating meat in a macho way) food in the traditional way – gathered around a spit. Though I have criticised Kusturica here and elsewhere some of the popularity of Guca and trumpet playing in general being associated with Serbia (or the former Yugoslavia) is down to him.
Guca began today and will continue until the 3rd of September. This year organisers expect upwards of 600,000 visitors and there will be more events held during the festival than ever including a Japanese documentary about Guca Festival. Boban Markovic and his orchestra are headlining but there are plenty of other musicians present including ordinary types who just take their trumpets with them to provide impromptu performances. These type of experiences can be very rewarding to the foreign visitor (or city dwelling Serb). The bearded man you might normally fear elsewhere – at Guca quite often turns out to be the kindest and most welcoming person you meet.
Do visit the official link of Guca. There is an English language section, photos, help with accommodation and much more.
Don’t know about the rest of you but I remain convinced that the world has yet to see the best of Serbia. We will be here to ensure that they do!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi John,
nice to have you back. Thanks for this one and previous comments. Your profile is still invisible so i dont know the address of your blog now… the old one doesn’t exist on the same place (was it johnanderson275?)
i found it now… you are zvanichno in the blogroll
Guča was and I am sure will remain great thing, place worth visiting, and music worth listening to! Wish I could be there!
Yes I saw Boban Markovic and his band play last night (sadly only on tv) but it looked like a carnival style atmosphere.
And the dreaded rain has finally been replaced by blazing sunshine!
Wish I could be there too. Maybe next year.