An Englishman in the Balkans.

An Englishman in the Balkans.

Author: David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE Language: English Episodes: 101
David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE hosts An Englishman in the Balkans, a series that moves beyond travelogue clichés to offer a grounded, personal account of building a life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This isn't a tour guide; it's a collection of audio journals from someone who has chosen to make his home there. Listeners hear candid reflections on the nuances of daily life, from navigating bureaucracy and language to finding unexpected comfort in local traditions. The podcast often features conversations with the fascinating individuals David encounters-artists, neighbors, historians, and everyday people-whose stories add rich layers to the understanding of a region frequently defined by its past conflicts. Episodes might delve into the complex tapestry of Balkan history over a coffee, or explore the simple joy of a shared meal, all framed through the perspective of an immigrant learning to see a place not as a visitor, but as a resident. The result is a thoughtful, sometimes humorous, and always humanizing portrait of a country and its culture, recorded from the inside. For anyone curious about the realities of displacement, belonging, or the specific textures of life in Southeast Europe, this podcast provides an authentic and engaging listen.
Episodes
Exploring Travnik: The Heartbeat of Bosnia and Herzegovina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:00
This episode is about David's adventure to Travnik, a charming town in central Bosnia and Herzegovina. With the assistance of local guide Ben, David unveils the rich history, mouth-watering cuisine, captivating architect…
Sevap Mitzvah - Discovering Sabina Vajrača, a Trailblazing Filmmaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:28
Join me in this heart-touching podcast with the inspiring Sabina Vajrača, a Bosnian film director making her mark in the film industry. Sabina shares the trials and tribulations she faced, from fleeing Bosnia on her own…
Exploring the Bosnian Pyramids: [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
Dr. Samir Osmanagić an anthropology professor and pyramid researcher, provides a deep-dive into the pyramids discovered in Visoko, Bosnia Herzegovina. He offers a profound analysis of the pyramid phenomenon worldwide as…
Embracing Diversity: From Micronesia to Bosnia with Sheila Savanović [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
Today, I have a truly inspiring guest, Sheila Savanović, a resilient lady from Micronesia who has made an extraordinary journey from the eastern Pacific to Southeastern Europe. Sheila shares her fascinating story of meet…
Exploring Spomeniks: The Brutalist Monuments of Former Yugoslavia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
In this episode, I discuss the brutalist Spomenik monuments of the former Yugoslavia with Donald Niebel - founder of the Spomenik Database. Donald is an environmental scientist turned researcher from the United StatesWe…
Dijana Tepšić - From Radio Presenter to Entrepreneur [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:52
In this compelling podcast, Dijana Tepšić shares her journey; from a radio presenter during demanding times to a successful entrepreneur in the Balkan media industry. I caught up with Dijana on a sunny November day in Ba…
Losing My Balance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:38
This episode is a bit different from our usual ones. Instead of interviewing fascinating individuals about Bosnia and Herzegovina, I’m sharing some personal experiences and observations from my life in this heart-shaped…
"Forced Out" - A story of Surviving Conflict [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:11
In this episode I explore the emotional journey of Ivana Štrbac-Alfonso, who was forced to leave her home in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the 1990s. Ivana, who was only five to six years old at the time,…