An Englishman in the Balkans Archive 2013-2025 – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode David recounts the story of Helge Kristensen, a Norwegian who first visited Bosnia and Herzegovina seven years ago for its affordable skiing on Jahorina Mountain.

Initially drawn by curiosity and the economic appeal, Helge was captivated by the locale's unique charm and warm people.

Years later, true to his word, he returns not for skiing but for hiking through Bosnia's rugged landscapes with Ćejf Reisen, a local travel agency.

Helge's journey highlights the country's unspoiled nature, hospitable locals, and the lasting impressions Bosnia leaves on its visitors.

David hopes Helge's experience will inspire others to explore this often-overlooked gem.

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Surviving the 1969 Banja Luka Earthquake: Personal Stories of Strength and Recovery Join me in this moving episode, as we journey back to October 1969 when the catastrophic Banja Luka earthquake struck Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hear the emotional account of an 18-year-old Hasna, who vividly remembers the terror and the community's resilience in the aftermath. We'll explore the extensive damage, the massive rebuild effort led by the Yugoslav government, and the lasting impacts on urban planning and emergency preparedness. Through poignant stories and heartfelt reflections, learn how this disaster transformed Banja Luka and revealed the indomitable spirit of its people.

Support the Podcast by buying me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/davidbailey

The script is an interview with Mile Mićić about his project Bosana, a fantasy world inspired by Bosnia. He discusses his inspirations, cultural heritage, struggles in creation, and the value of financial support through platforms like Patreon. Mile shares his hopes of connecting people through storytelling and invites audiences to join the Bosana community.Exploring Bosnia, Andalusia, and the Fantasy World of Bosana with Mile Mićić

In this podcast episode, the host shares an insightful conversation with Mile Mićić, a native of Bosnia Herzegovina who is currently residing in Andalusia, Spain. Mićić discusses his deep connection to his Bosnian roots, his move to Spain influenced by love, and his profound appreciation for cultural heritage. He elaborates on the cultural similarities and differences between Bosnia and Andalusia, particularly focusing on their unique approaches to food and hospitality. The episode also delves into Mićić's creation, Bosana, a fantasy world that mirrors the complexities, culture, and conflicts of Bosnia. Mićić explains how Bosana serves as a canvas for his experiences and observations, aiming to connect with readers through its characters and stories. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling, cultural preservation, and the challenges and rewards of creative work. Mićić expresses his hopes for Bosana to inspire creativity and resilience among its audience.

00:00 Welcome to the Journey: Exploring New Worlds and Cultures

00:38 Meet Mile Mićić: A Bosnian's Tale of Moving to Spain

03:16 Cultural Connections: From Bosnia to Andalusia

06:52 Language and Integration: Navigating New Linguistic Landscapes

10:00 Creating Bosana: A Fantasy World Inspired by Real-Life Experiences

12:08 The Art of Storytelling and Character Creation

23:03 Facing Challenges and Embracing Support in Creative Projects

29:16 Bosana's Future: Dreams, Aspirations, and Community Engagement

35:18 A Personal Invitation: Joining the World of Bosana

I talk to Dirk Uhlig a "master bolter" about what bolting really means and some of the experiences he has had.

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Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

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Drilling and Chilling.

I find out about the "Drill and Chill" festival organised by David Lemmerer.

It's a climbing experience and extravaganza, located in the wonderful Vrbas Canyon just to the south of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To find out more the event and how to attend, check out the following links:

https://www.facebook.com/drillandchillfestival (https://www.facebook.com/drillandchillfestival)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1607144349567426/ (https://www.facebook.com/events/1607144349567426/)

http://drillandchillfestival.com/ (http://drillandchillfestival.com/)

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Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

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At the recent Kozara Etno Festival held in Banja Luka I was introduced to an amazing Ethno-Fusion Group called “Iva”.

I say introduced, when I should really say that I saw them perform, was amazingly impressed, and immediately the following morning started to find out more about them.

As well as being dynamic and creative musicians they also hail from Doboj a town about 2 hours drive away.

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If you would like to support our podcast you can, by maybe buying us a coffee or a sandwich?

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Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe

A few days ago I realised that I would be back in Banja Luka at the same time as the 2015 European Rafting Championships were being held at Rafting Klub “Kanjon“ on the River Vrbas to the south of the city.

I knew that Team GB would be attending so tentatively asked the Ladies Team if I could come along and cover their attendance.

Answer? “Of Course”

Although I couldn’t get to a cool vantage point to take any video, I did manage to snap a few shots and more importantly, find out more about their team from coach Deb Cook.

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?

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Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe

I recently covered the 2015 European Rafting Championships (for this blog) being held at Karanovac, on the River Vrbas, just to the south of Banja Luka. It was an overcast and rainy Sunday.

On arrival I was looking out for the person I was to meet from the Great Britain Ladies Team, when I caught sight of someone wearing a Union Flag designed T shirt. I just had to go over and ask if he was British.

That’s how I met Steve Lodge, adventurer, rafter and “non boring” person.

Oh, and author too.

Steve was here at the championship to support his son, who is the captain of the GB1 team.

So, here is part of the amazing chat we had. Enjoy!

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.com/davidbaileymbe)

Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe

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.com/davidbaileymbe)

Read Our Blog at https://livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com/ (Living in Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina (https://www.facebook.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/lifeinbosniaandherzegovina/ (lifeinbosniaandherzegovina)

Ask us any questions or give a suggestion for a Podcast.

Come and visit us and holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

E-Mail us at info@livinginbosniaandherzegovina.com

Support this podcast

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe

I talk to Brit Kev Shannon about his ambitious adventure to walk across Serbia. It took Kevin Shannon only one kilometre before he found his first Serbian friend. The young British adventurer was bicycling across Europe in 2010 and had just crossed the Serbian border for the first time when a running man flagged him down. Unsure of what to expect from a yelling stranger in Serbia, a country he only knew from war reporting and stereotypes, Shannon was pleasantly surprised when the man invited him for a beer. “I ended up staying with that man and his family for three days, as long as I had planned on being in Serbia,” Shannon recalls. Find out more about Kevin's Serbian exploIts https://balkaninsight.com/2016/02/02/briton-s-long-walk-into-serbia-s-heart-01-25-2016/ (HERE)

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans 🇧🇦 at www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe