You may already know about the world famous Testicle cookbook by a Serbian chef, but do you know about the testicle cooking championship? Read the report in Guardian and NPR. I don't know why it's considered a Serbian specialty, I personally never tried it, nor do I know anyone who has, but hey -- maybe I just don't know the right people. Have you tried it? (comment on Testicle cooking championship)
Jim Jarmusch is making a movie about Nikola Tesla - I can tell already now that it's gonna be a must-see. Plus - it's not just a movie, but an opera! In case you missed it, check out this old article where I argue that Tesla is one of the greatest mad scientists of our time, if not the maddest of them all. (comment on Jim Jarmusch making a movie/opera based on NIkola Tesla)
Teofil Pancic, columnist of "Vreme" and several other watchdog journalism medias, was attacked last night by two men in a bus to Zemun. He is recovering from injuries made by metal bars, his head and arm are injured but his life is not in danger. The list of suspects is long, since Pancic has been known for criticizing all sorts of nationalists, and religious fanatics, and Serbia is unfortunately full of both kinds of assholes. Read more reactions from Serbian bloggers on Global voices. Also, read more about this topic on google news or twitter. (comment on Teofil Pancic attacked)
Maybe it's just some of Macy's ironic quips, I don't know - in a recent interview to London's tube paper Metro, she stated that Belgrade "wasn’t so good. It was very racist and behind the times. The streets were full of fat, ugly people;" I mean, racist - ok, it could be that something unpleasant happened to her, so she was upset. And yes, we can be behind the times sometimes. But the streets full of fat and ugly people? Hmmm. (comment on Macy Gray unimpressed with Belgrade)
History and break-up of Yugoslavia are difficult enough to comprehend for the locals, and we always have a tough time explaining it to the curious foreigners (usually drunk at parties). You would say that those actually studying Balkans would know a great deal about it, but it seems it simply is a subject beyond mere mortal's comprehension. Take a look at some of the student thoughts on Yugoslavia collected by Florian Bieber from the University of Kent. Enjoy! (comment on Yugoslavia Was One Big Mess)
Srdan Golubovic, Serbian director known mostly by his previous movie The Trap, managed to secure funding for his next project, a movie entitled "Circles" (Serbian: Krugovi). What's interesting about the movie is that it's inspired by the heroic deed by Srdjan Aleksic, Bosnian Serb soldier who lost his life while trying to protect a Bosniak civilian [belgraded article here]. The movie will focus on the aftermath of the murder and follow life paths of those involved in the tragic event. [via @ieishah] (comment on Srdan Golubovic to film a movie inspired by Srdjan Aleksic)
Gerard Butler is filming in Belgrade these days, and when he is not listening to the director Ralph Fiennes' orders, he having a typical tourist time. He already managed to wind up in a hospital because of too much Serbian food and alcohol, he's visiting sport matches, and he's a frequent nightclub partygoer. The only thing that sets him apart from the other average Belgrade male tourists (that and the presidential suite in Hyatt) is that women are chasing him, and not vice versa. First one that managed to actually catch him is a certain Martina Rajic, local model [pic] (comment on Gerard Butler as a Belgrade tourist)
I already mentioned Boogie the photographer on this website before. Boogie has recently moved to Serbia and he takes some great pictures of his neighborhood, while setting up a studio in Belgrade - take a look, explore it and enjoy. Be sure to check out his other blog too. (comment on Boogie: from Brooklyn to Belgrade)
Ksenija Pajcin (32), Serbian turbo-pop singer and dancer and her boyfriend Filip Kapisoda (22), Montenegrin model have just been found dead in her apartment in Vozdovac, part of Belgrade. So far, there is a lot of speculation, but the theory that has been confirmed so far is that Pajcin was killed by Kapisoda who committed suicide afterwards. What is interesting about the case is that both of them were very young and that this could be the first such case of Serbian celebrities (albeit minor ones) who ended their lives in such a manner. Other rumors suggest drug overdose, as well as the possible double murder, because of Pajcin's rumored former affairs with people involved in drug trade in Serbia.
Subscribe to the site feed to get future updates on culture, society and politics from Belgrade and Serbia. (comment on
Ksenija Pajcin and Filip Kapisoda found dead)
One of Belgrade's off-landmarks, the fast-food stand Loki was forced to shut down it's operation two days ago. David Dowse posts a fitting farewell to this charming fast food joint. I must say that I can't really feel sorry for Loki's demise, because the owner could have prevented it if he really tried. Not to worry, I'm sure another Loki will eventually pop out somewhere soon. Until then, here's a 360 panorama to remind you how Loki looked like. (comment on Loki is no more)
The downside is that they are located out of town, although some people find that his is actually the positive thing. The connection with the Belgrade city isn’t so good, so if you don’t have a car, it will take you at least two hours bus ride every day to the city and back, and taxi can be a bit expensive on these relations. Nevertheless, the positive sides are cheaper prices and often better service than in most of the hotels in Belgrade city center.
MOTEL SARIC
Address: Ibarski put bb
Tel. +381 11 832-5419, fax +381 11 832-5420
(Ibarska magistrala, 17 km from Belgrade)
Prices: 1/1 – 35 EUR, 1/2 – 49 EUR
Tax: included in the price
Breakfast: included in the price
Credit cards: Diners Club, Visa
Facilities: restaurant, parking, exchange office, wakeup service, TV in the room, mini bar and air-conditioning
AVALA
Tel. +381 11 390-6621
(top of the Avala mountain, 15 km from Belgrade)
Rates: 1/1 -17 EUR, 1/2 – 20 EUR, App – 24 EUR
Tax: not included in the price (1 EUR/ day)
Breakfast: not included in the price
Credit cards: Visa
Facilities: restaurant, parking, apartments with TV and mini bar
RADMILOVAC
Smederevski put bb
Tel. +381 11 341-6131, fax +381 11 341-6140
(12 km from Belgrade)
Rates: 1/1 – 36 EUR, 1/2 – 47 EUR
Tax: included in the price
Breakfast: buffet, included in the price
Credit cards: Diners Club
Facilities: restaurant, parking, conference hall (60 seats), exchange
office, TV in the room, hair-drier, room service, wakeup service
OBRENOVAC
Obrenovac, Miloša Obrenovica 189
Tel. +381 11 872-1039, fax +381 11 872-1268
(26 km from Belgrade)
Rates: 1/1 – 17 EUR, 1/2 – 30-34 EUR
Tax: included in the price
Breakfast: continental, included in the price
Credit cards: Diners Club
Facilities: restaurant, parking, garage (paid separately), lift,
conference hall (120 seats), hair salon, massage, mini bar, TV and
air-conditioning in some rooms
HOTEL IMPORIUM – SMALL GUEST HOUSE
Address: Partizanska 19 a,11080 Zemun (8 km from centre)
Telephone: + 381 (0)11 / 193 837
Mobile: + 381 (0)64 1399 587
Telefax: + 381 (0)11 / 316 4773
Bed and breakfast price: 20 EUR
All rooms are with twin beds
SUCEVIC M
Dugo Polje 1a
Tel: 390-8115, Fax: 390-7487
e-mail: suchevich@eunet.yu
www.suchevich.com
(13 km from Belgrade, 30 km from airport)
Rates: 1/1 – 52 EUR, 1/2 – 60 EUR
Tax: not included (1 EUR/day)
Breakfast: buffet, included in the price
Credit cards: Visa, Yuba, Dinacard
Facilities: restaurant, conference hall, parking, cable TV, Internet access, safe box, direct phone line, air-conditioning
ROMEO i JULIJA
Address: Barajevo, 29. Novembra 1b
Telephone: +381 11 8325 419
1000 RUZA
Address: Avala bb
Telephone: +381 11 649 248
JAPANSKI CVET
Address: Zrenjaninski put bb
Telephone: +381 11 8182 071
JEZERO
Address: Mladenovac, Marsala Tita 20
Telephone: +381 11 8211 205
LIPOVACKA SUMA
Address: Barajevo, Ibarski put bb
Telephone: +381 11 8302 184
TAKOVO
Address: Krnjaca, Pancevacki put 20
Telephone: +381 13 712 153
Country club hotel "Babe"
Milovana Milinkovica 3, village Babe
Tel/fax 826-0077
e-mail: info@cch-babe.com
www.country-club-hotel-babe.com
(68 km from Belgrade, 72 km from airport)
Rates: 1/1 – 50 EUR, 1/2 – 52 EUR, Bungalow – 125 EUR
Tax: not included in the price (1 EUR/day)
Breakfast: buffet, not included in the price (10 EUR)
Credit cards: Visa, Yuba, Dinacard, Master, Maestro, Diners Club
Facilities: restaurant, conference hall, parking, TV, telephone, mini bar in room