SocialErasmus 2015

Last week was all about SocialErasmus! ESN BelUPgrade joined other ESN sections in our Network, and organized SocialErasmus week. Main idea of SocialErasmus Week is for ESNers and Erasmus students to give back to the community and city you've called home over the past couple of months. ESN BelUPgrade organized the following activities:

On May the 12th and 14th we went to The National Association of Parents of Children with Cancer (NURDOR) where we assisted parents and staff in cleaning houses, front yards and storage rooms. 

On May the 15th we donated blood on the Students Square.

We decided to finish this successful week with a little treat for our lovely ESNers. On Sunday, May 17th, ESN BelUPgrade organized a team building event for its members. We spent an amazing day at Ada Ciganlija. Activities included salsa, a get-to-now-each-other energizer, recycling and an ESN quiz. The most exciting was the ESN quiz! Our members have shown exceptional knowledge and competitive spirit. We also had the pleasure of having Jonathan Jelves and Jovana Stanković, current and newly elected Treasurer of ESN AISBL, as our guests. BelUPgradians decided to use this opportunity to find out a litter bit more about ESN from our Treasures.

We were very socially engaged last week, but don't think ESN BelUPgrade helps only during SocialErasmus week, our member are active throughout the whole year!

(Co-written by Bojana Zimonjić & Uroš Jovanović)

Exchange Students in Belgrade: Say hello to Alberto!

     We sat down with Alberto, our good friend and exchange student from Spain, who has spent more than seven months in Belgrade so far...

            (Alberto, disguised as a pumpkin, pictured with fellow exchange students and ESNers during the Halloween trip in Transylvania)

Hey Alberto, tell me a few things about yourself?

Hey, I am Alberto Suárez, I am from Ronda, a small town in Andalucía and I am 22 years old. I study Communication in the beautiful city of Granada. I am completing my degree and for my last credits I have received a scholarship in the city of Belgrade.

I have received the scholarship for the whole academic year, so I will be here until mid-July.

Is there a place in Belgrade that you like most?

In my opinion, the best points in Belgrade are the number of places where you can go, likes cafés and very cool clubs where you can drink for reasonable prices.

Belgrade is definitely a very recommendable place for visiting because here you can find and do whatever you want.

What was your favorite event organized by ESN?

They organize great events but, in my opinion, the most interesting and the best event is The Welcome Week.

In this period they give us the chance to get to know the city properly with guided and free tours, to meet all of the international students who are here, they show us the nightlife, and they even organize the International dinner where students from around the world bring typical food from their countries.

     (Photo taken during the Welcome Week City Tour  at the Kalemegdan fortress)

Do you agree that Serbian girls are the prettiest in Europe? :)

Haha yes, actually they are one of the prettiest. I say this because Spanish girls are also very beautiful.

But the truth is that girls from here are prettier and more attractive than girls from all the other European countries that I have visited.

Describe the perfect night-out in Belgrade.

I would start off my perfect night-out by going to one of the great bars where you can have a beer for a really good price. I really like The Black Turtle because they have so many types of beers, even homemade beer and sometimes live music.

Then it’s time to go to Savamala, the coolest part of Belgrade. There I can find many clubs playing different kinds of music, so during the night I can change places easily and have a great time.

What is the first thing you told your friends about Belgrade?

“Belgrade is awesome” was the first thing I told them. I told them about the great nightlife, the places, the good quality for good prices, and how they should forget all of the stereotypes about Serbia and come here because they would enjoy it.

Did Belgrade fulfill expectations you had before coming here?

Belgrade has exceeded my expectations. I thought that Belgrade was different. I thought all of these cool and modern places did not exist. On the other hand, I believed that the city in general was more depressed and that there were more poor people, but it isn’t like that.

Regarding the people, they are very friendly and they are always willing to give you a hand if you need help, so at this point I am also very happy. Another positive thing is a very good level of English skills that people have here, and not only English, but Spanish too!

Would you repeat this experience? And why?

I would repeat it undoubtedly! I am even surer about it as time goes by. The experience here has been incredible and I am still making new friends and getting to know incredible things about Serbia. Belgrade and the country in general never cease to amaze me in a good way.

(Interview conducted by Jovana Ružić)

Italian Cultural Night

Celebrating diversity is what the Erasmus Student Network is all about! Every now and again, our local section throws parties and gatherings in homage to a country of our incoming students.

Last weekend, with the help of the Italian contingent of exchange students in Belgrade, we organized the Italian Cultural Night. Domestic and international students had the opportunity to experience this Mediterranean country in the heart of the Serbian capital.

The event took place in the cool and comfy ambient of L’Ora Bar, located a walk away from the beautiful temple of Saint Sava.

The evening kicked off with a short presentation of Italy, followed by the performance of the Los Jaleos choir from the Faculty of Philology. Their rendition of the Italian classic Volare drew massive applause from guests. Even the visitors had the chance to showcase their singing talent (or lack of), in the karaoke session that followed.

While listening to Italian tunes, guests could enjoy free carbonara and arrabiata pasta, delivered by the best pasta-house in town, “Agi Pasta Away”. The dishes were very tasty and made with fresh ingredients which gave them even more flavor.

The atmosphere was really Italian, as everyone was loud, talkative and smiling! Exactly what makes true Italians so endearing!

It was a night of fun, friendship and good food. Definitely a night to remember!

Big thanks to our ragazzi italiani and Italian language students for their contribution!

Theater in Serbia

Were you startled and confused by the long line of people in King Milan Street a couple of days ago? The Yugoslav Drama Theater launched a special project offering extremely cheap tickets to all January and February shows, garnering massive interest and media attention.

It’s no secret that hard economic times have hindered theater popularity in recent decades, however, Serbia boasts a vibrant and long-lasting theater culture... So here’s a little look back at its history...

Theater in Serbia dates back to the middle ages. The first plays were held mainly to amuse or help people get through tough times. At the time, they were considered devilish acts, thus church authorities did the best they could to stop this form of street art. Serbian acting troupes traveled to towns and kingdoms across the Balkan Peninsula, such as Dubrovnik and Zeta. 

The first known Serbian actor was Radoje Vukosalić who led a group of artists performing in Dubrovnik in the 15th century. The first Serbian play was a school play “Tragiokomedija” by Manuel Kozačinski in the 18th century. Acting as a profession started in the 1830s, with the establishment of the first professional theater group in Novi Sad.

Actor, dramatist and writer Joakim Vujić is considered the “father of Serbian theater”. He was the first director of the Serbian Royal Theater, founded in 1835 in Kragujevac. Another prominent name is Jovan Sterija Popović, one of the leading 19th century Serbian intellectuals, poets and playwrights. He was the pioneer of theatrical realism in Serbia, as he sought to truly depict the mentality and temperament of Serbian people in his plays. The 20th century theatrical scene was marked by the work of Branislav Nušić who specialized in comedy plays.

(From left to right: Joakim Vujić, Jovan Sterija Popović and Branislav Nušić)

Serbian theatre developed under German, French, Russian and other influences, but has managed to create its own distinctive style – with original pieces and a “domestic twist” to popular pieces from around the world. 

(Written by Uroš Jovanović)