Along with the film 'Uzavreli Grad' ('Burning City'), 'ZENICA' is one of the best-known feature-length movies about the city created during the mid-twentieth century.
Filmed in 1957 -- no less than 56 years ago -- the 78-minute black-and-white production revolves around the industrialisation of Zenica, which is also widely referred to as Steel City due to its long history of metal production.
Although the film is obviously in Bosnian language, and therefore a large number of you (including me!) will not be able to understand much, it is still worth skipping through the video and checking out the scenery of this city as it was more than half a century ago.
Following the tens of thousands viewers we have acclaimed over the past six-and-a-half months, the Aussie in Bosnia blog has knocked over another milestone today, reaching the 200-post mark.
I can tell you first-hand it has been a journey that was far from easy; but one that I have enjoyed throughout.
Hopefully you will all stick around a bit longer - and, hey, thanks for staying with me on the ride for this long!
Recently performing shows in Australia, turbo-folk singer 'Ceca' hails from which nation?
What is the name of the Croatian TV Soap Opera which has been sold to over 17 countries and was turned into a film titled 'Izgubljeni Princ' last year? (Hint: 'Larin ......'?)
'Karlovacko' is a beer originating from the city of Karlovac. In which country is Karlovac located?
Which USA state is home to two cevapi restaurants known as 'Cevabdzinica Sarajevo'?
Which Sarajevo institution last week celebrated 476 years of continuous operation?
Which major international airline began running commercial flights last year between Zagreb and the Middle East, via Budapest?
TRUE OR FALSE? The Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled Bosnia and Herzegovina until 1941.
As part of their EURO Gap Year program, Australian TV personalities 'Hamish and Andy' jumped from the Stari Most ('Old Bridge') in which Bosnian city?
What am I asking for if I say, "Moze li jedna kafa?"?
Yugoslavia were eliminated from the 1990 Football World Cup by which South American nation?
BONUS (3 points):
What food is this called?
[**Click 'Read more' - or scroll - for answers >>**]
Free time in Bosnia allowed me to catch up with my Aussie mate Dimitri Hantas on several occasions to discuss, among other things, all to do with the local lifestyle.
Spare time for reflection
"Every cloud has a silver lining."
It is a quote that has survived centuries, and one that I find perfectly apt to describe the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Whilst this country has many -- and I mean many -- problems, it simultaneously possesses some unique traits which should be appreciated by the inhabitants here.
(The jury might come out after what I am about to say, but here goes anyway.)
So, what specific so-called traits am I referring to?
It's quite simple: the mass amounts of free time Bosnians have, allowing one to live their life free of the numerous obligations which tie down many of us Australians (or Westerners, even).
Woah, woah .. step back, bolan. I know this is not all good news.
It's been a pretty slow day, so lets brighten it up a little bit with some Mujo and Haso gags.
1.
Mujo and Haso catch kids smoking cigarettes. Haso:
- What are you doing!?
Mujo:
- Do you know smoking takes away 50% of your life!? How old are you?
Kid:
- 12. Mujo:
- Well if you hadn't smoked, you would be 24 now!
Snowfall in Sarajevo during 2012. On a side note, this is quite possibly the street I was residing in during my few months in Sarajevo last year. (Source: snow-forecast.com)
When there was no snow on Christmas Day, I was disappointed, but re-assured myself: "Don't worry, mate, there'll probably be some snowfall on New Year's Eve."
There wasn't.
Now we are ten days into January and there is still no snow - at least not here in Zenica.
Early yesterday morning, there was a bit of a fall, but it was all too brief, with all build-up melting away in minutes as soon as the sun reared itself.
With my return to Australia merely a matter of weeks away, I am starting to ponder if I will ever see a decent snowfall here again.
Take a look at this video of the old Yugoslavian national football side which made it to the Quarter-Finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
Facing stiff opposition in Argentina -- led by Diego Maradona, no less -- the Yugoslavs lost out 2-3 on penalties after holding the South Americans to a 0-0 stalemate throughout normal time.
As seen on this video, the Yugoslavs actually had a chance to go ahead 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out when Dragoljub Brnovic stepped up to the spot, however his shot was parried away by Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Goycoechea.
Sadly -- at least for Yugoslavia -- Argentina would go on to win the shoot-out and face tournament hosts Italy in the semi-final (who they also defeated on penalties, before being defeated in the final by West Germany).
A friend recently uttered to me his belief that the bloody break-up of Yugoslavia, several years after the 1990 World Cup, could possibly have been avoided had the Yugoslavs somehow been successful in Italy.
Really, who knows?
That is a proposition far beyond my capabilities to answer, so lets just watch the video.
