Trees Without Roots: The Importance of Telling Our Parents' Stories with Ella Čolić

Trees Without Roots: The Importance of Telling Our Parents' Stories with Ella Čolić

Author: Emina Pelja January 12, 2021 Duration: 42:04

Like many first-generation kids, Ella Čolić has always been curious about her identity. While she's fully embraced all of the cultural traditions and holidays that come with living in a "mixed" Balkan household, it wasn't until her aunt Amela handed her a pink envelope that eventually became the Pandora's Box in uncovering her family's history. After spending several years translating the letters in the envelope, interviewing close relatives, and editing dozens of drafts, Ella published Trees Without Roots, a novel dedicated specifically to those who have grown up without a clear sense of identity or family. 

More info on Ella's book can be found HERE: treeswithoutroots.com

The book is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. 

Keep up with Ella on Instagram: @treeswithoutroots + @ella.colic

Trees Without Roots is also our January Book of the Month in our Balkan Book Club. Join our group HERE: patreon.com/balkanbred

Follow us on Instagram @balkanbred

Use code WELCOME10 for 10% OFF your little piece of home: balkanbred.com


Hosted by Emina Pelja, Balkan Bred is a conversation about the spaces between here and there, built from the voices of those who live in them. This isn't about nostalgia or simple definitions of home; it's about the complex, often unspoken realities of building a life across cultures. Each episode is built around a personal story from within the diaspora, exploring how heritage shapes identity in subtle and surprising ways-from the food we crave to the languages we dream in, the traditions we keep and those we quietly reshape. You'll hear about the challenges of belonging, the unexpected joys of a hybrid existence, and the quiet threads that connect people across miles and generations. It’s a raw and intimate look at the ongoing negotiation between the past we inherit and the future we create, offering a sense of community and understanding for anyone who has ever felt split between two worlds. Tune into this podcast for genuine narratives that move beyond stereotype, finding connection not in geography, but in shared human experience.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Balkan Bred
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