OCTOBER 2010 – SOUTHEAST EUROPE: PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Welcome to the October newsletter edition of Southeast Europe: People and Culture!

Are you interested in music from Southeast Europe? Then don't miss the opportunity to take part in our ‘Album of the Month’ competition, which has been launched today! Every month we will be offering visitors of the website the chance to win a music album from the region!

Regular readers of the website will already be familiar with the talented young classical guitar player  Petrit Çeku. Only 25 years old, he is already making waves across the world.

Featuring a fiendishly difficult transposition of J.S. Bach’s Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor as well as works by G. Regondi, V. Asencio and J. Rodrigo, this album is certain to both impress and soothe any fans of classical music. Do not miss out!!

 Click here to take part in the ‘Album of the Month’ competition!

THIS MONTH’S NEW FEATURES

This month’s highlights include an interview with Tefik Tefikovski from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, who has returned to his native country after years of working in the construction industry in Italy, and is now promoting the use of local and natural building materials. We will also introduce you to several Albanian film directors, who discuss the influence of the recently deceased British actor, Norman Wisdom on the country’s film industry.  Our video of the month looks at the MESS theatre festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

  Return to Traditional Construction
- The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: 16 October 2010

A man with a vision, Tefik Tefikoski, nicknamed “Tutto”, has been working for several years on an exciting project in his native village of Jance, in the  National Park Mavrovo. An expert in construction – he ran his own construction company in Italy for over 15 years – Tefik has launched a project of restoring old houses using only natural materials and reconstructs the houses with their original, traditional look.

 Click here to read more

  Sir Norman Wisdom: the "Clown Prince of Albania"
- Albania: 13 October 2010

The British comedian, Sir Norman Wisdom, who passed away in the beginning of this month, was a cult figure in Albania. His movies were some of the few Western films that were permitted to be shown in the country, where he was affectionately known by the name of his most famous character – Norman Pitkin.

 Click here to read more

WHAT’S ON

29th Istanbul Book Fair

Istanbul, one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture will be hosting its 29th annual book fair from 30 October – 7 November. It will be open to the public from 30 October – 2 November. The guest of honour this year will be Spain, with special focus on Spanish literature and translators of Spanish literature. 45 world-renowned authors will attend the festival.

 Click here to read more

St Martin’s Day, Croatia

11 November is the day when must traditionally turns to wine in Croatia. It is celebrated widely throughout the country, where public feasts are held in a number of cities. The dish of the day is roast goose. A must for all gourmands!

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RECIPE FROM THE REGION

This weekend, the clocks turn back one hour. Warm yourselves up in the dark winter months with this
 Serbian Musaka recipe, from Serbia!

All the recipes on Southeast Europe: People and Culture are now also  available to download as pdfs on the site. Go and collect them –and build your very own cook book!

Love to cook food from Southeast Europe? Why not share the taste of the region and send your traditional recipes to: [email protected]

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