Sarajevo's Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasa turns 476

The Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasa in Sarajevo.
(Source: hijab-bosnia.blogspot.com)

The oldest educational institution in Bosnia-Herzegovina celebrated its 476th birthday today.

The Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasa, located in the old Turkish quarter of Sarajevo, has been in continuous operation since its foundation on January 8, 1537.

A vocational school specialising in the teachings of Islam -- whilst retaining much of the traditional curriculum taught across other BiH institutions -- the Madrasa was established by Gazi Husrev-Beg, the grandson of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II.

Since its inception, the school has been credited as shaping the lives and careers of many prominent Bosnian identities, with its honour roll including the nation's Grand Mufti, Husein Kavazovic, as well as the current Mayor of Zenica, Husejin Smajlovic.

Both men were present at a Sarajevo ceremony today to celebrate the anniversary, with Kavazovic telling an audience of the effect the Madrasa had on his life.

"In this school I spent four years," Kavazovic said. "The best in my life happened right here under this roof.

"This school has shaped my life and was always with me. The thing that will remain with those of us who attended this school is the generosity of the people who raised and taught us."

For a greater history lesson on the Gazi Husrev-Beg Madrasa, check out THIS 2008 piece from 'Hijab-Bosnia.'

Srecan Bozic

A very big Merry Christmas or Srecan Bozic to all Orthodox Christians out there who are today marking Christmas, according to the Julian calendar.

Here is a photo from David Ruvic (REUTERS) showing Bosnian Serbs praying in a Zenica church on the eve of Orthodox Christmas:

Balkan Quiz - Week Six

(Source: csj.org)

After hearing a couple of murmurs that the previous quizzes were, well, "too bloody hard," I have tried to make this week's instalment a little bit easier for you all (but - hey - not too easy!).

Good luck!

       QUESTIONS (1 point):

1. TRUE OR FALSE?: The An Aussie in Bosnia blog has never been named anything else.
2. I celebrated the 2013 New Year in which Bosnian city?
3. 'Luk' often makes people cry when looking at it. What is the English translation of 'luk'?
4. What are the two traditional colours of the Celik Zenica football side?
5. Bosanska Gradiska is a Bosnian town bordering which neighbouring nation?
6. What is the capital city of the Republic of Macedonia?
7. NK Maribor are a football club from which ex-Yugoslav nation?
8. Which Balkan city was known as Titograd between 1946 and 1992?
9. Which internationally-renowned Irish rock-star reportedly dined with the Bosnian foreign minister - among others - for the 1996 New Year in Sarajevo?
10. Which Macedonian multi-genre musician was killed in a car crash in Croatia during 2007?

       BONUS (3 points):

1. Who is this?

[**Click 'Read more' - or scroll - for answers >>**]

Two Saturday Satires - Mujo, Haso, Fata and Suljo

These jokes should provide
you with some comic relief.
(Source: photodictionary.com)

1.
Mujo and Fata are sitting in a cafe drinking coffee. Suddenly, an attractive blonde girl approaches Mujo and kisses him.

Fata, surprised, asks Mujo:
- Tell me, who is this girl?

Mujo answers:
- Well, this is my mistress.

A bit confused, Fata asks:
- And what is a mistress?

So Mujo explains to Fata that, in a modern world, every man has a mistress. Fata listens to him and falls silent. After some time, Mujo points at an attractive brunette sitting a few tables away.
- Look, Fata, there is Suljo's mistress.

Fata responds with pride in her voice:
- Well, I must say that our mistress is much prettier.

New Year 2013 in Sarajevo

Who would have thought?

It is 2013 already. Another New Year's Eve has gone just as quickly as it had come.

Now, we're not interested in being all 'mopey' and sad about it. We want to know: how were your celebrations?

The stage is set and in place outside Sarajevo's BBI Centar
hours before New Year's Eve celebrations are due to kick off.

Were they what you expected to be? Was it all just the same as other years? Did you do anything?

Personally, I am not much of a New Year's Eve fan.

There have been some occasions where I have gone all-out and celebrated in style -- spending hundreds of Aussie dollars on tickets to world-famous DJs -- but there have been plenty more times where I have been content to sit at home and save my money, or even spend the night on the job!

However, unlike the previous twenty New Year's during my lifetime, I found myself located on the other side of the world on this occasion. In the city of Sarajevo, no less.

Alright then, do I sit inside and put my feet up all night? Heck no! I go out and experience how this city and its people celebrate this event!

Top 10 most popular articles in 2012

There's little doubting 2012 was a special year for myself. Among the many events which were going on in my life last year, creating the Aussie in Bosnia page ranks up there as one of the most memorable.

Since its launch in June, 189 posts have been published on the blog, in the process attracting in excess of 33,000 views, at an average of more than 170 views per day.

Listed here are the 10 most popular Aussie in Bosnia articles from 2012.

Taking out the top two spots were stories about Senad Hadzic's trek on foot from his northern Bosnian home-town to the Saudi city of Mecca as part of the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage.

Also featuring highly were articles I penned involving some of my personal experiences in Bosnia, including my first introduction to the Bajram (Bayram) religious holiday, as well as attending a local football match in Zenica.


1. Senad Hadzic closes in on Saudi Arabia - 2025 hits

Readers back BiH to reach football World Cup

More than 68 percent of readers believe BiH has what it
takes to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
(Source: bbc.co.uk)

After more than a month of voting, Aussie in Bosnia readers have overwhelmingly backed Bosnia's national football side to reach the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

A total of 52 votes were tallied for the question, 'Will Bosnia-Herzegovina qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil?', with more than 2 out of 3 voters believing the 'Zmajevi' side has what it takes to qualify for their first-ever major international tournament.

Only two people think BiH will fail in their task, while another two are of the opinion that it is all just a bit too difficult to decide whether the footballers will succeed.

A large portion of you - one-quarter, in fact - were obviously nursing 'grumbly' or empty stomachs when answering the poll question, indicating you did not care too much about the World Cup fate of Bosnia's football team - you simply wanted a taste of cevapi.

Hmm, can't really blame you for feeling that way!