Why is Belgrade special for me?

December, 2018.
I am on the flight from Amsterdam to Athens. After two hours of flight and on the height of 11.000 meters, Belgrade appears under me. It is middle of the night and it is not clear which part of the city I had seen above me, but in that moment that was not important. I was trilled to see it. I imagined the people in their warm houses with their loved ones. 

Knowing that I am so close to the city although so far, made me feel fragile. At the same time I felt like Belgrade is my baby and I could protect it from above by holding in my arms. I want to cuddle and touch the face of it, my Belgrade. After a while I was feeling like a ghost looking at a crystal ball. The ball in this occasion was the city. All kinds of thoughts passed through my mind. A few minutes later Belgrade stayed behind me and my thoughts about it continue to fly with me. Till the end of the flight I thought about some places, parts of the city that are in my heart. Rewinding my memories and it’s own particularities.

Why is Belgrade special for me? 

I was seven years old when I arrived in Belgrade for the first time. My  memory of arriving there was in front of the building of  Belgrade Railway Station. Built in 1884, immediately after the first railroad was introduced in Serbia. The author of the concept was Austrian architect Von Vlatich, and the design was developed by architect Dragiša Milutinović. I was impressed by the look of that monumental symbol of the city, recently transformed into museum. My father moved to Belgrade two years before the rest of the family. My connection with Belgrade from Zagreb in that period was by  train. I was young, but I can still bring back memories from that day. My father is no longer with us and that’s why every time when I see that beautiful building I remember my father. Special place – Belgrade Railway Station.

 My puberty period was difficult for me. As an adolescent I was feeling bad and Belgrade was the only one who knew that. Sounds weird, but the city was always there for me to bear my moods. In that period I spent a lot of my free time alone sleeping in my room. Belgrade didn’t patronize me or make me feel even worse. We passed that period together successfully. Thank you Bg!

Kalemegdan is the largest park in the city. It is located at the junction of the rivers Sava and Danube. This park  was the place where I was going alone with my friends with the permission of my parents. That was a nice feeling of freedom. We would just sit in the park on some bench  and enjoy the view on New Belgrade and the rivers. I felt adult in those days.The period of being a kid and thinking that you are old enough was precious for me. That was my first going out in the city and returning home before midnight. Special place – Kalemegdan.

Club Akademija, night club where I started going out in my high-school days. I couldn’t wait Friday to come to go out where adults were hanging out. That was also period of returning home in the morning. I was coming home while my parents were going to work. Usually I would come in front of our door and I can easily hear my father snoring. Then I was relax and I would got in the house. Sometimes I was afraid of their reaction and I waited outside where I can see them leaving to work. In those following days I was hoping they will not ask me much about coming late. They didn’t, luckily,  I guess they were happy I came in one piece, or maybe they trusted me. With every next weekend I was looking forward to go to Akademija. It was the place where I could come alone and just mingle. Very often it happened I just bump into someone I met there before. It was a cult place during 80’s and I feel happy to experienced that atmosphere. Unfortunately, Akademija doesn’t exist anymore. Special place – Akademija.

The parts of the city called Dorcol and Vracar were two of my favorite parts to stroll around. Beautiful houses and buildins in those areas always made me think about the history of the city and  of the period when they were built and who was living in  them. In those neighborhoods I preferred to have my camera with me to record some moments and people in the city. Special places – Dorcol and Vracar.

Sava centar, international congress, cultural and business center of various multi-functional activities. One of the activity that I was attending there was the film festival called Fest. From all the cinemas in the city, Sava centar stayed my favorite one. Sometimes I would stay there to watch few movies in a row. I was feeling cozy there also because I like the architectural idea of the building. Press used to name it “spaceship” or “glass garden”. Special place – Sava centar.

Kurosava, a raft on the river Sava. Very modestly organised place with relax atmosphere and beautiful  sunset view on the Ada bridge. Music and food there were almost always great choice after one or two beers. Special place – Kurosava.

Riding a bike from the place on river called 25. maj till Ada Ciganlija lake. I wasn’t a freak-vent rider, maybe that’s why I enjoyed every  ride very much. Special place – rivers.

Sweet shop “Zlata” were I liked to come in the autumn to eat the best chestnut puree in the city. I still remember a day when I ate three portions of chestnut puree in three different sweet shops. I wanted to find some other sweet shop with better offer. I didn’t find it. I proved to myself that “Zlata” is the best one. Special place – Zlata.

The list of places can go on and on. By the way this list was not made in some specific order. I was just writing things  that got first on my mind. It doesn’t include my friends and family members. If I would start making a list of people, colleagues and people that are known in Belgrade and abroad, it would be long.  When I think about Belgrade I think about its people. 

The people make up the charm of the city.  Belgrade has that charm. Since I am not living anymore in Belgrade, every visit is special.  I have limited time to be in the city,  so I pay more attention to the details. Observing  architecture, people around me, bars, new shops, parks and simply atmosphere.  People are complaining  about political and economical situation in the country. I know most of the people are not satisfied. I have different feeling about the city.  Since I am coming  as a tourist, I  see mostly nice things. I don’t get upset with daily things around me.  I can understand the people,  but in the same time, I am just happy to be there. It looks like I am enjoying now more spending time in Belgrade!

I love you Belgrade!