AUGUST 2010 – SOUTHEAST EUROPE: PEOPLE AND CULTUREWelcome to the August newsletter edition of Southeast Europe: People and Culture! Summer is when southeast Europe’s vibrant culture bursts outdoors and this summer was no different with countless music, art and literary festivals across the region. These events, from the lavish Dubrovnik Summer Festival in Croatia to the more modest but no less impressive Struga Poetry Evenings in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, often play a powerful role in bringing the cultures of southeast Europe to a wider audience, including other people in the region. Some festivals in southeast Europe have even been recognised by UNESCO either for their contribution to national cultural life or for their role in contributing to cultural rapprochement. We will be highlighting two of these UNESCO recognised festivals this month – the cultural festival KotorArt in Montenegro and Demofest, a leading music festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will also be taking a look at the European Film Festival in Palić, Serbia. |
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THIS MONTH’S NEW FEATURESSome festivals have a significance that goes beyond their cultural impact, and this is certainly true of the three festivals we have chosen to highlight this month. We start by looking at Demofest – a rock music festival held every year in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has become a major focal point in the musical calendar for as yet little known rock bands from across the region. We then move to Serbia to look at the European Film Festival in Palić, which has provided a vital cultural link between the country and the outside world since its inception in 1992. Kotor in Montenegro, with its wide ranging cultural activities, including this year’s symbolic 18th anniversary of the Children’s Festival, is the last of the events we will visit. We hope you enjoy the journey through this summer’s many cultural delights! |
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Demofest - bringing the former Yugoslavia together with rock music The third annual Demofest held in Banja Luka from July 21 to July 24, is en route to becoming the leading event for aspiring rock bands in the region of former Yugoslavia. This year's Demofest received applications from 378 bands from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Montenegro. Click here to read more about this UNESCO recognised festival Palić Festival Shows Diversity of European Film This year's 17th annual Palić European Film Festival was held from July 17-23, in the scenic setting of Lake Palić, near Subotica, a town in northern Serbia. In addition to Russian director Aleksei Popogrebsky's Click here to read more European film in Palić Kotor: The City of Art Despite the financial crisis, the organisers of this year’s KotorArt festival managed to produce a remarkable programme. The Art directors of KotorArt, Croatian theatre director Paolo Magelli and producer Janko Ljumović, director of the Montenegrin National Theatre, ensured that quality was not compromised. The festival was sponsored by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organisation. |
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WHAT’S ONPristina International Film Festival, Kosovo* Bee Fest, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
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RECIPE FROM THE REGIONAs summer turns into autumn, it’s time to stock up on recipes for hearty, comforting food. For perfect ‘comfort food’, try İzmir Köfte – or Izmir Meatballs – from Turkey. Filling, tasty and healthy! Love to cook food from Southeast Europe? Why not share the taste of the region and send your traditional recipes to: |
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| * Under UNSCR 1244/1999 | |
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