The most popular Serbian actors. Mysterious, interesting and amusing facts about Serbia, Belgrade and the Serbs
201,637
Switzerland 191,500
Austria 177,300
USA over 170,000
Republic of Kosovo 140,000
Canada 100,000-125,000
Netherlands 100,000-180,500
Sweden 100,000
Australia 95,000
Great Britain 90,000
France 80,000
Italy 78,174
Slovenia 38,000
Macedonia 35,939
Romania 22,518
Norway 12,500
Greece 10,000
Hungary 7,350
Russia 4,156 - 15,000 (according to Serbian sources)
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Ethnogenesis
There are several theories about the origin of the Serbs.
According to the records of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenitus, the Serbs (now as a single Slavic people) migrated south in the 7th century during the reign of the Byzantine king Heraclius and settled within modern-day Southern Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. There they mixed with the descendants of local Balkan tribes - Illyrians, Dacians, etc.
A thousand years later, during the Ottoman conquests in Europe, many Serbs, under pressure from the Turkish aggressors who ravaged the country, began to leave to the north and east beyond the Sava and Danube rivers in the territory of present-day Vojvodina, Slavonia, Transylvania and Hungary. Later, in the 18th century, thousands of Serbs went to the Russian Empire, where they were allocated lands for settlement in Novorossiya - in areas called New Serbia and Slavyanoserbia.
Ethnographic groups of Serbs
Ethnographic groups of Serbs are divided mainly according to dialects of the Serbian language. Shtokavian Serbs are the largest group. There are also Gorani and other ethnographic groups.
Settlement
The main area of residence of the Serbs is Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are also individual regions in other countries where Serbs have lived for a long time: in Macedonia (Kumanovo, Skopje), Slovenia (Bela Krajina), Romania (Banat), Hungary (Pecs, Szentendre, Szeged). Sustainable Serbian diasporas exist in many countries, the most prominent being in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States and Australia. Diasporas in New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Chile, although not as large, are not disappearing, but on the contrary, they continue to grow.
The exact number of Serbs living in diasporas outside the Balkans has not been established and, according to various sources, varies from approximately 1-2 million to 4 million people (data from the Ministry of Diaspora of the Republic of Serbia). In this regard, the total number of Serbs in the world is unknown; according to rough estimates, it ranges from 9.5 to 12 million people. The 6.5 million Serbs make up about two-thirds of Serbia's population. Before the military conflicts, 1.5 million lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 600 thousand in Croatia, and 200 thousand in Montenegro. According to the 1991 census, Serbs represented 36% of the total population of Yugoslavia, that is, about 8.5 million people in total.
The urban population is represented in Belgrade (1.5 million Serbs), Novi Sad (300 thousand), Niš (250 thousand), Banja Luka (220 thousand), Kragujevac (175 thousand), Sarajevo (130 thousand .). Outside the former Yugoslavia, Vienna is a city with the largest number Serbian residents. A significant number of Serbs live in Chicago and the surrounding area and Toronto (with Southern Ontario). Los Angeles is known as a metropolis with a significant Serbian community, as are Istanbul and Paris.
Ethnic history
Map of the settlement of the Slavs and their neighbors at the end of the 8th century.
The history of Serbia dates back to the 6th century, from the moment the ancient Slavs settled the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. In the 8th-9th centuries, the first proto-state formations of the Serbs arose. In the 11th century, the territory of modern Serbia became part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. After the establishment of the Nemanjic dynasty at the end of the 12th century, the Serbian state was freed from the rule of Byzantium and by the middle of the 14th century it developed into a major power covering almost the entire southwestern part of the Balkans. The heyday of medieval Serbia occurred during the reign of King Stefan Dusan (-). However, after his death the state collapsed. The fragmented principalities are unable to stop the Ottoman expansion, some of the princes in the south former kingdom Dushana is forced to recognize themselves as vassals Ottoman Empire. In 1389, the combined forces of some Serbian princes (together with Bosniak units) are defeated by the Ottoman army in the Battle of Kosovo, leading to Serbia's recognition of the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. Serbia was finally conquered by the Turks in 1459, after the fall of Smederevo. Over the next 350 years, Serbian lands were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, and the northern regions were part of the Austrian Empire from the end of the 17th century.
The Serbian principality was formed as a result of the First Serbian uprising in - gg. against Ottoman rule. The rebels elected Georgiy Petrovich, nicknamed Karageorgiy, who had previously served in the Austrian army as a non-commissioned officer, as their supreme leader. In 1811, at the assembly in Belgrade, Karageorgi was proclaimed the hereditary ruler of Serbia. But in 1813 the uprising was suppressed, Karageorgi fled to Austria. In 1815, the Second Serbian Uprising began, led by Milos Obrenovic, a participant in the First Uprising. It was successful, but only fifteen years later the Sultan officially recognized Milos Obrenovic as the ruler of Serbia. In 1817, Karageorge, who returned to Serbia, was killed on the orders of Milos Obrenovic. Under the terms of the Berlin Peace of 1878, Serbia gained independence, and in 1882 it was proclaimed a kingdom. By the beginning of the 20th century, a parliamentary monarchy had emerged in Serbia, and a rapid rise in the economy and culture began. Two dynasties of peasant origin - the Karadjordjevics and the Obrenoviches - succeeded each other on the throne in Serbia until 1903. In 1903, King Aleksandar Obrenovic and his wife Draga were killed in a palace coup. As a result of the Balkan Wars - gg. the territories of Kosovo, Macedonia and a significant part of the Sandjak were included in Serbia. In the First World War, Serbia took the side of the Entente countries. During the war, Serbia lost, according to some estimates, up to a third of its population. After the end of the war, Serbia became the core of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (since Yugoslavia). During the Second World War, the territory of Serbia was occupied by the troops of Nazi Germany from April 1941, part of the state's territory was transferred to Germany's satellites - Hungary and Bulgaria, as well as Albania. In - gg. Serbia was liberated Soviet Army, partisan and regular units of the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia.
In 1945, the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia was proclaimed (from 1963 to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), within which the People's Republic of Serbia was formed (from 1963 to the Socialist Republic of Serbia). In November 1945, the Assembly of Yugoslavia deprived the Karageorgievic dynasty of its rights to power. After the death of the permanent leader of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, the growth of interethnic confrontation and separatist protests supported from the outside led in the early 1990s to a series of civil wars and the collapse of Yugoslavia. The long period of socialists in power in Serbia, led by Slobodan Milosevic, ended in 2000 after the bombing of Serbian cities by NATO aircraft in March-June 1999 and the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to Kosovo. In 2006, after a referendum held in Montenegro, the state union of Serbia and Montenegro ceased to exist, the Republic of Serbia lost access to the sea.
Medieval Serbian state
Settlement of the Slavs
The process of state formation among the Serbs was slowed down by the isolation of various Serbian communities and the lack of economic ties between them. The early history of the Serbs is characterized by the formation of several centers of statehood, which in turn became centers of unification of Serbian lands. Proto-state formations were formed on the coast - the sclavinias of Pagania, Zahumje, Travuniya and Duklja, in the interior regions (the eastern part of modern Bosnia and Sandjak) - Raska. Nominally, all Serbian territories were part of Byzantium, but their dependence was weak. Already in the 7th century, the Christianization of the Serbian tribes began, which ended in the second half of the 9th century with the direct participation of the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The emergence of the first monuments of Serbian writing in the Old Church Slavonic language dates back to the same time (initially using the Glagolitic alphabet, from the 10th century the transition to the Cyrillic alphabet began).
State formation
In the middle of the 9th century, under the influence of the attack on the Serbian regions of the proto-Bulgarians, a princely power and state was formed in Raska, headed by Prince (Župan) Vlastimir, who managed to push back the Bulgarians and subjugate part of the coastal territories. The hereditary principle of transfer of power, however, did not work out, which led at the end of the 9th century to civil strife, the weakening of Raska and its transition under the rule of first the First Bulgarian Kingdom, and then, after its fall, Byzantium. Some strengthening of Raska in the middle of the 10th century during the reign of Prince Caslav, who significantly expanded the territory of the state, was replaced after his death in 950 by the collapse of the country. At the same time, the active penetration of Bogomilism from Bulgaria began, which also contributed to the weakening of the central government in Raska. In - gg. Belgrade and the Morava Valley became the center of a massive Slavic uprising led by Peter Delyan against Byzantium.
Rise of Serbia
Under the immediate successors of Stephen the First-Crown, the Serbian state experienced a short period of stagnation and increased influence of neighboring powers, primarily Hungary. At the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, Serbia found itself divided into two states: in the north, in Macva, Belgrade, the Branichev region, as well as in Usora and Soli, Stefan Dragutin, who relied on Hungary, ruled, the rest of the Serbian lands were under his rule younger brother Stefan Milutin, who focused mainly on Byzantium.
Despite the temporary division of the state, the strengthening of Serbia continued: it was formed centralized system local government, the law was reformed, a system of internal communications was created, the transition to conditional holding and a pro-nation system in land relations began. At the same time, the influence of the higher clergy and the church increased. Monasticism actively developed, many Orthodox monasteries arose (including Studenica, Zica, Milesevo, Gracanica, as well as the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos), and their churches were built in accordance with the already established original Serbian architectural tradition(“Rash school”) Serbia's affiliation with the Byzantine-Orthodox world was finally consolidated, Catholic influence was practically eliminated, and the Bogomils were expelled from the country. At the same time, the process of byzantization of the system began government controlled, a pompous royal court was created modeled on that of Constantinople. There was a rise in mining (largely due to the influx of Saxon settlers), agriculture and trade, decisive role in which Dubrovnik merchants had. The population of the country increased rapidly and cities grew.
The heyday of the medieval Serbian state occurred during the reign of Stefan Dusan (-). In a series of military campaigns, Stefan Dušan subjugated all of Macedonia, Albania, Epirus, Thessaly and the western part of Central Greece. As a result, Serbia became the largest state in South-Eastern Europe. In 1346, Stefan Dušan was crowned King of the Serbs and Greeks, and the Archbishop of Pecs was proclaimed Patriarch. Serbo-Greek Kingdom Stefan Dusan combined Serbian and Byzantine traditions, the Greeks retained the highest positions in the cities and their land holdings, and the culture was strongly influenced by Greece. The Vardar style developed in architecture, the striking examples of which were the temples in Gračanica, Pec and Lesnov. In 1349, the Law of Stefan Dušan was published, formalizing and codifying the norms of Serbian law. The central power sharply strengthened, an extensive administrative system was formed on the Byzantine model, while maintaining the essential role of the meetings (sabors) of the Serbian aristocracy. Domestic policy the king, relying on large landed nobility and leading to the expansion of its prerogatives, however, did not contribute to the strengthening and unity of the state, especially considering the ethnic diversity of Dushan’s state.
Collapse and Turkish conquest
Soon after the death of Stefan Dušan, his state collapsed. Part of the Greek lands again came under the rule of Byzantium, and semi-independent principalities were formed on the rest. In Serbia proper, large landowners (rulers) left the subordination of the central government and began to carry out own policy, mint coins and collect taxes: in Zeta, the rule of the Balšićs was established, in Macedonia - the Mrnjavčević, in Old Serbia and Kosovo - Prince Lazar, Nikola Altomanović and Vuk Branković. The unity of the Serbian lands after the death of the last representative of the Nemanjić dynasty, Stefan Uros V in 1371, was supported almost exclusively by the unity of the Orthodox Church in the person of the Peć Patriarchate, which in 1375 achieved canonical recognition by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In 1377, the Serbian crown was accepted by the ban of Bosnia, Stefan Tvrtko I, however, although his royal title was recognized by Prince Lazar and Vuk Branković, the power of Tvrtko I was purely nominal. Internecine wars between the princes greatly weakened the defense capability of the Serbian lands in the face of the growing Turkish threat. Already in 1371, in the Battle of Maritsa, the Turks defeated the troops of the southern Serbian rulers led by King Vukashin, after which Macedonia came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
An attempt to unite the Serbian lands to organize resistance to the Turks, undertaken by Prince Lazar with the support of the Serbian Orthodox Church, was unsuccessful: June 15, 1389 (on the day of St. Vitus - Vidovdan) in Battle of Kosovo Despite the heroic efforts of the Serbs, they were defeated. Prince Lazar died. Although his son Stefan Lazarevich retained his power, he was forced to recognize the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire and participate in the Turkish campaigns. The Battle of Kosovo and the feat of Miloš Obilic, who killed the Ottoman Sultan Murad I at the beginning of the battle, later became one of the most important stories in Serbian national folklore, a symbol of self-sacrifice and unity of the Serbian people in the struggle for independence.
In the first half of the 15th century, when the onslaught of the Turks temporarily weakened due to the threat from Tamerlane, Stefan Lazarević attempted to restore the Serbian state. He accepted the Byzantine title of despot and, relying on an alliance with Hungary, which handed over Belgrade and Macva to him, he again subjugated Zeta (except Primorye), Srebrenica and a number of southern Serbian regions. The central administration was revived, the power of the prince was strengthened, mining and urban crafts were actively encouraged, and the ideas of humanism and the Renaissance began to penetrate Serbia. Architecture (“Moravian school”, represented, in particular, by the monasteries of Resava and Ravanica) and literature (works of Patriarch Danilo III and Stefan Lazarevich himself) experienced a new rise. Capital Serbian despotism became Belgrade, in which a well-fortified fortress was built, partially preserved to this day. Although Nis and Kruševac were lost as a result of a new Turkish invasion in 1425, and then Belgrade came under Hungarian rule, the new capital of Serbia - Smederevo, founded by the despot George Branković, experienced its heyday and won the glory of the second Constantinople. But already in 1438 another Ottoman offensive began. In 1439 Smederevo fell. The long campaign of the Hungarian troops of Janos Hunyadi in -1444 made it possible to expel the Turks from the territory of Serbia and briefly restore its independence. However, the defeat of the Crusaders at Varna in 1444, the defeat of the Hungarian army in the Second Battle of Kosovo in 1448 and the fall of Constantinople in 1453 determined the fate of the country. In 1454, Novo Brdo and Pristina were captured, and in 1456 Belgrade was besieged. Finally, in 1459, Smederevo fell. By 1463, Bosnia had been conquered, Herzegovina and, finally, in 1499, Zeta Mountain. The Serbian state ceased to exist.
Socio-economic development
The basis of the economy of the medieval Serbian state was agriculture, primarily farming, as well as cattle breeding, especially in mountainous areas. Significantly longer than in Bulgaria and Croatia, large patriarchal families - zadrugi - and the communal system remained important in Serbia. Collective ownership of land continued to dominate the peasant economy. Gradually, however, the processes of feudalization of land relations and enslavement of peasants intensified. Already in “The Lawyer of Stefan Dusan” the dependent position of the peasantry was legally established and the right of transition was abolished.
One of the most revered saints of the Serbian Orthodox Church, religious, cultural and political figure. Was youngest son Grand Serbian Duke Stefan Nemanja. He received the blessing to create the autocephalous (independent) Serbian Orthodox Church and became its first archbishop in 1219. Thanks to Sava, the Serbian people finally established themselves in Orthodoxy, the foundations of which allowed the Serbs to withstand the era of the most difficult centuries-old Turkish yoke. Saint Sava was a great educator, so Saint Sava Day (January 27) is celebrated by all schools in Serbia as a holiday of glory.
King Stefan Dusan (Dusan the Strong)(around 1308 – 1355)
Medieval Serbian king (1331 - 1345) and the first Serbian king (1346 - 1355). He was one of the most influential rulers of Europe at that time and the most powerful medieval Serbian sovereign. Dusan significantly expanded the borders of the Serbian state, right up to the Gulf of Corinth, taking advantage of the internal strife of Byzantium. After conquering vast Byzantine territories, Stefan Dusan in 1345 proclaimed himself king of the Serbs, Greeks and Bulgarians. Dušan elevated the Serbian Orthodox Church to the rank of Patriarchate, and in 1346 received the royal crown from the first Serbian Patriarch Ioanikije. Known for the adoption of the Dusan Lawyer, which became a significant step in the establishment of Serbia as a legal power. Despite his great deeds, Dusan the Strong is the only representative of the Nemanjic dynasty who was not declared a saint.
known as Stephen the Tall (1377 – 1427)
The son of Lazar Khrebelyanovich, who died on the Kosovo field. During his reign, he was considered one of the best knights and commanders in chief. In 1403-1404. took possession of Belgrade, which he made his capital city in 1405 and turned into one of the most developed cities in Europe at that time. Thanks to the “Mine Law” he adopted, Serbia made a significant leap in the development of mining and became the largest silver producer in Europe. The despot became famous as a great patron of culture and art, who welcomed many talented people from the surrounding lands that fell under the Ottoman yoke. For his work “A Word about Love” Stefan Lazarević is considered one of the greatest medieval Serbian writers. Under the despot Stephen, the activity of copying books was also actively developing: the so-called “Resava School of Copying” was located in the monastery of Manasia, the despot’s home.
(17.04.1814 - 08.03.1888)
Serbian doctor, botanist and first president of the Royal Serbian Academy. Opened the new kind coniferous plant "Spruce Serbian", named after him (Serbian version of "Pančićeva omorika"). The name of Pancic is associated with the discovery of the first botanical garden in Belgrade and Serbia. The highest peak of the Kopaonik Mountains, Pančićev Vrkh, is named after the scientist, on the top of which there is a mausoleum with his posthumous remains.
(09.10.1854 – 12.03.1935)
Serbian and American scientist and researcher, honorary consul of Serbia in the USA. During scientific research and experiments made the most important conclusions in the field of telecommunications, wireless telegraphy and telephony, as well as radiology and electrical engineering. Creator of the so-called Pupin coils. Recipient of many scientific awards and medals, member of the US Academy of Sciences, the Royal Serbian Academy and honorary doctor of 18 universities.
(10.07.1856 – 07.01.1943)
Physicist, engineer, inventor in the field of electrical and radio engineering, a man who defined the 21st century. One of the greatest minds of all time, leaving behind as many mysteries as inventions. Nikola Tesla is the father of alternating current, creator of the theory of planetary energy, modern wireless communications, electromechanical generators, laser, x-ray and more than 700 patents. It was he who first used the term “field theory”. Many of his inventions have not been fully studied to this day. He lived most of his adult life in the USA, from where in 1957 his posthumous remains and personal belongings were transported to Belgrade, where they are currently in the Nikola Tesla Museum.
(11.10.1865 -16.01.1927)
Serbian scientist, founder of the Serbian Geographical Society, president of the Royal Serbian Academy (current SANU), professor and rector of the University of Belgrade, honorary doctor of the Sorbonne University and Charles University in Prague. He studied geography, geomorphology, ethnography, geology, anthropology and history. He laid the foundation for a new science - karstology, determined the structure and classification of the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula. He is considered the founder of Serbian geography and Balkan studies as a scientific direction.
(19.12.1875 - 04.08.1948)
One of the first women in Europe who was deeply involved in mathematics and physics. Albert Einstein's first wife. There are claims that Mileva made a significant contribution to the scientist’s early work. Official confirmations There are no facts about this, but it is a known fact that Einstein shared the funds from the Nobel Prize with her.
(28.05.1879 - 12.12.1958)
Serbian mathematician, astronomer, climatologist, geophysicist, civil engineer, Doctor of Technical Sciences and popularizer of science. The most significant contribution to fundamental science is considered to be his work “The Canon of Earth Illumination”, in which the characteristics of all planets were given solar system, and a theoretical explanation of the Earth's long-term climate cycles (including the occurrence of ice ages), known today as Milankovitch cycles. Milutin Milankovic - founder of planetary climatology and co-author of the theory of tectonic plates, creator of the New Julian calendar, adopted by a number of local Orthodox churches. A crater on the far side of the Moon was named in honor of Milutin Milankovitch in 1970.
(24.01.1847 - 17.05.1917)
Radomir Putnik (01/24/1847 - 05/17/1917) - legendary Serbian military leader, participant in six wars - two Serbian-Turkish, Serbian-Bulgarian, two Balkan wars and the First World War. During the First World War, thanks to Putnik, the first and important victory was won at the Battle of Caere. In addition, his decision to shorten the front during the Battle of Kolubara gave the Serbian troops the opportunity to rest and recover and deliver a decisive blow to the Austro-Hungarians at Suvobor. Mount Putnik in Canada is named after Radomir Putnik.
(19.07.1855 -20.01.1921)
Serbian and Yugoslav voivode (marshal), especially famous for his participation in the Balkan and First World Wars. During the Balkan Wars there was right hand General Radomir Putnik and for his services was awarded the rank of general. He gained immortal fame during the First World War. In particular, thanks to his personal efforts in difficult conditions, the Serbian army won victory in the Battle of Kolubara over a large Austro-Hungarian army. The tactics of regrouping troops that Zivojin Mišić used in the Battle of Kolubara are currently being studied in all military educational institutions all over the world. For outstanding services in this battle, Mišić was elevated to the rank of voivode, and his opponent from the Austro-Hungarian side, Oskar Počorek, was dismissed.
(09.10.1892 – 13.03.1975)
An outstanding Yugoslav writer and diplomat, born on the territory of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose works have been translated into many languages of the world, including Russian. Ivo Andrić is the only Yugoslav writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961 “for the epic force with which he expressed the themes and depicted the destinies of people at various periods in the history of his country” in his work “Bridge on the Drina”.
(05.11.1909 – 06.03.1945)
The most prominent representative of mystical overrealism, one of the most interesting European artists of the period between the two world wars. During her short, suddenly ended life, she wrote more than 300 works. Many of her paintings are in her hometown Pozharevets, Museum of Modern Art and People's Museum Belgrade and also in Rome.
(09.01.1856 -28.09.1914)
Serbian composer and choirmaster. One of the greatest works is the collection "Rukoveti" - fifteen rhapsodies, which are a plexus folk motifs various parts Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Bulgaria, to which Seaside melodies are added as the sixteenth composition. In addition, Mokranjac is known for his works for Orthodox worship.
(22.03.1912 – 01.07.2009)
American actor of Serbian-Czech origin. Over the course of his long career, he appeared in 65 films, including A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 1982, he starred in the Yugoslav film “Twilight” (Serbian: “Suton”).
Milorad Pavic (15.10.1929 – 30.11.2009)
Yugoslav and Serbian poet, prose writer, representative of postmodernism and magical realism, historian of Serbian literature of the 17th-19th centuries, translator, including the works of Pushkin and Byron, member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, professor at the University of Belgrade. He became famous thanks to the so-called “non-linear prose” in his works “The Khazar Dictionary”, “Landscape Painted with Tea” and “The Inside of the Wind”. Because of the style he invented, he was often called “the first writer XXI century", and representatives of Europe, the USA and Brazil nominated Pavic for Nobel Prize in the field of literature.
Emir Kusturica(born November 24, 1954)
Serbian director and screenwriter of Bosnian origin. Kusturica's work has been awarded many awards, including such prestigious ones as two Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for the films "Dad on a Business Trip" and "Underground." Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honor (France), laureate of the International Foundation for the Unity of Orthodox Peoples award “For outstanding activity in strengthening the unity of Orthodox peoples. For the affirmation and promotion of Christian values in the life of society" named after His Holiness Patriarch Alexia II. He is the founder of two ethno-villages in Serbia (“Drvengrad” or “Kustendorf”) and the Republika Srpska (“Kamengrad” or “Andrich-grad”).
Novak Djokovic(born May 22, 1987)
Serbian professional tennis player. Since 07/07/2014 he has been ranked first in the ATP list in singles. Many tennis critics, former players and opponents consider Djokovic to be one of the best tennis players ever. During his career (since 2003) he has won 12 tournament titles “ Grand Slam": six times the Australian Open, twice the US Open and once the Roland Garros tournament in France. With his victory at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic became the first tennis player since Rod Laver (since 1969) to win all the Grand Slam awards, and with six Australian Open awards, he is the absolute record holder. Together with the Serbian national team, he won the Davis Cup in 2010.
Milla Jovovich(birth name Milica Bogdanovna Jovovich) (born 12/17/1975)
One of famous actresses Hollywood of Serbian-Russian origin, musician, model and fashion designer. She starred in several dozen films, including the famous “The Fifth Element”, created in 1997. To this day, he continues to act in films and is actively involved in charity work.
Nick Vujicic(born December 14, 1982)
Born with a rare genetic abnormality - tetra-amelia, when a person has no limbs. Having only partially one foot and only two toes, this courageous, optimistic and persistent man leads a full life and has learned not only to walk, but also to surf and skateboard. Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker who inspires people to find their goals in life and their own purpose. Married, has two sons who are completely healthy.
Slobodan Milosevic (20.08.1941 – 11.03.2006)
A well-known and at the same time tragic figure in the history of modern Serbia. In 1984 he headed the Communist Party of Belgrade, and in 1989 he became president of Serbia. In 1999 he was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and in 2001 he was extradited to the Hague Tribunal. Milosevic died in prison in 2006 under unclear circumstances, according to official version from a heart attack. At the same time, the tribunal has not yet presented evidence of Milosevic’s guilt on any of the charges against him.
Ratko Mladic(born 03/12/1943)
General of the Army of the Republika Srpska, one of the Serbian leaders and leader of the largest military operations of the civil war in Yugoslavia in the 90s on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1996, Mladic, along with other leaders of Republika Srpska, was accused of committing war crimes and genocide during the siege of Sarajevo and the operation of Srebrenica. In 2011, he was arrested and deported to The Hague. He is still under investigation, and a final verdict is not expected until 2017. Mladic's arrest led to numerous rallies and protests among the population in many cities in Serbia and Republika Srpska.
Goran Bregovic(born 03/22/1950)
Musician and composer, director of the “Orchestra for Weddings and Funerals”. Thanks to him, the world became acquainted with folk music Serbia. After the collapse of the most famous rock band in Yugoslavia at that time, “Bijelo Dugme,” he began writing music for such celebrities as Iggy Pop and Cesaria Evora. His music can be heard in many famous films, including works by Emir Kusturica. Goran Bregovic actively tours and does charity work.
Zoran Milivojevic(born 12/01/1957)
Doctor of Medical Sciences, psychotherapist with many years of practice in the field of individual, partner and group therapy. The first specialist in Eastern Europe to receive highest degree supervisor and trainer of the International and European Transactional Analysis Associations (ITAA and EATA). The author of several outstanding textbooks and books, among which stand out the books “Emotions - psychotherapy and understanding of emotions”, “Formula of love - how not to destroy your own life in search of true love", "Games Addicts Play - A Transactional Analysis of Problematic Drug Use", and co-author of the guide "The Little Book for Big Parents". For the originality of his ideas, Milivojevic was included in the group of leading world authorities in the field of psychology of love within the framework of the Lee Bormans project “ The World Book of Love", the result of which was the publication of the "World Book of Love" in 2014. Based on the original and unique theory of emotions, set out in the book of the same name, the Institute of Criminology of the Faculty of Law Ljubljana has published a guide “Knowledge of emotions to reduce violence in schools”, which is mandatory distributed in all schools in Slovenia.
Serbs, a South Slavic people from a country both distant and close. Close, because all Slavic languages are similar, and between their speakers, willy-nilly, there is something in common. Distant, because not much is known about Serbia and the Serbs. The history of the country itself deserves a separate article, and in this one we will try to reveal what the appearance and character of the Serbs are like.
Imprint of history
Determination, perseverance, belligerence and unshakable will have long been imprinted on both their character and appearance. History itself instilled these traits. All the wars that have ever taken place in the European part of the continent have always affected this small state to one degree or another. For example, Switzerland has not been at war with anyone for 600 years. As for Serbia, it is the only state in Europe to which armed foreign aggression was applied after the end of World War II. Moreover, they were subjected not to simple military intervention, but to radioactive bombing.
But after all this, the Serbs were able not to run away wherever they could to calm countries, but to remain in their own and defend it. Having united, they gradually created a new state. They respect their culture, traditions, strive to realize national self-sufficiency and proudly declare everywhere that they are Serbs. Their appearance, however, always speaks about this better than any words.
The country's history has made them all nationalists, but not those who, like adherents of Nietzsche's theories, seek to exterminate other nations. They are proud of themselves and try in every possible way not to tarnish the reputation of their nation.
Serbs: appearance of men
Serbian men are distinguished by their warlike style. Tall stature is typical - short people are less common - broad shoulders, straight posture. The nose deserves special attention; it is at the same time thin, straight and at the same time aquiline, which is what Serbs are mainly famous for.
The appearance of a man with such characteristic features His stateliness greatly attracts Russian women. On the one hand, such a person is still a Slav, with a similar Russian mentality and the same Orthodox religion. On the other hand, this is a southern dark-haired man, like from oriental fairy tales.
By the way, Serbs have dark hair, not black; in the northern parts of the country they also have light brown hair. The stately appearance is complemented by a large Adam's apple, slightly protruding cheekbones and a proud posture.
Serbs: women's appearance
Serbian women are famous for their correctness. Everything in their faces is harmonious, located exactly as it should be. Like men, they are tall. When it comes to talking about which people in Europe are the tallest, one answer is always heard - the Serbs. The appearance of a Serbian woman is Slavic, but with a southern bias - brown eyes, dark hair.
They have a trait that today has even become a reason for jokes - a love for everything sexual. Aggressive and bright makeup, excessively revealing clothes. They often fail to find a balance between sexuality and vulgarity, and as a result, even the most decent woman can be mistaken for a depraved person.
People famous for their beauty
Among each nation it is customary to distinguish especially beautiful people. Looking at them, people of a different ethnic group can get an idea of the characteristic appearance of the nation. The list of "most beautiful Serbs" includes worldwide famous athletes:
- - a football player who plays for the national team in the position of an attacking midfielder. The twenty-seven-year-old young man has a typical militant Serbian appearance. Height - 181 cm, straight prominent nose and symmetrical facial features.
- - professional tennis player. By looking at it carefully, you can understand what the Serbs look like. Dark hair, soft brown eyes and at the same time a strong-willed figure.
Character
But the characteristic appearance for Serbs is one thing, their character is completely different. The main feature present in the majority of the population is the desire for equality. When Turkish rule loomed over them at one time, all the nobility disappeared. they left for other countries, defected to the Islamists, and died in military battles. As a result, the country was left with a population completely equal in origin.
But, by the way, despite their love of freedom, they never forget about their blood ties - even separate kinship is valued here. There is also the so-called twinning.
Serbs are born insightful psychologists. They only need to look at clothes, hairstyle, accessories and hear the timbre of their voice to understand who is in front of them. But they can only use these skills in relation to their own people.
It so happens that each social layer here has its own obvious distinctive features. Bosses speak a little louder, allow themselves to gesticulate rather wildly, and wear extremely presentable, expensive clothes. Of course, this is not a mandatory rule, but nevertheless everyone adheres to it, which allows you to identify who is in front of you.
Serbs by nature are hardy, courageous and not afraid of anything. This is not due to recklessness, but to the fact that a difficult history taught them to be fearless. Now this quality is passed on from parents to children. Like all southern nationalities, they are hospitable, they will generously welcome guests with a table set with the best dishes, they will joke and even sing songs. But in case of danger, even children will not be afraid to defend their home and country.
Traditions
According to tradition, everything significant days accompanied by music. Often people sing them themselves, gathered around a large table. They do this at weddings, birthdays and even funerals.
When a person is accepted into a circle of close people, it is simply impossible not to understand. Meetings in this case will be accompanied not by a handshake, but by a kiss on the cheek, always three times. In general, all Serbs are quite normal when it comes to kissing when meeting. These traditions do not imply anything obscene, even if two men kiss.
Serbs keep oldest tradition fees. People gather in churches public places oh and discuss something. Honor Orthodox traditions for them it is as important as national ones. Serbs go to church, celebrate all church holidays, honor wedding rites and observe fasts.
By the way, it is not customary for Serbs to take off their shoes. Even if you come to visit in winter or from a dirty street, you can safely enter the house without a twinge of conscience.
It is also interesting that the first person to visit a Serb on Christmas morning is considered by custom to be a divine guest. Depending on who exactly comes to the house, he can understand what the year will be like. Serbs sincerely believe that if no one comes to visit on this day, it is a bad sign.
It is customary here to bring new people in person and introduce them to the team. If a new person is brought in by someone whom everyone respects and trusts, then he automatically begins to enjoy the same goodwill.
Attitude to clothing
Serbs prefer to treat their clothing informally. In everyday life they wear loose clothes European clothes in casual style. However, the appearance in some places in sportswear may cause not only misunderstanding, but also become a reason for refusal to visit certain public places. In particular, this applies to restaurants, cafes, and official events. They also react in the country to excessive open clothes, beach Such outfits are considered inappropriate.
Evening dresses deserve special attention. When choosing them, Serbs are guided by their national costume. In general, he is treated with special awe and respect. Men's suit consists of a shirt with a traditional pattern and pants with a wide leg. Festive outfits are decorated with silver cords and buttons. Women's attire is represented by a loose white shirt, richly decorated with all kinds of embroidery (in different parts of the country, the ornament on clothing may differ), over which they wear an equally richly decorated sleeveless vest.
Popular bad habit
The Serbian people have one common negative addiction - smoking. In Serbia there is no division into smoking areas and areas where it is prohibited - all places, by definition, are smoking. For a long time this was allowed to be done both in train compartments and in shops. Therefore, you should not be surprised if someone suddenly lights a cigarette next to you on the bus.
But in defense of the Serbs, we can say that they drink extremely rarely, and if they do drink, they do not get rowdy, as happens in Russia. Serbs are extremely surprised when they hear that Russians, having gotten drunk, start brawls, and do not understand at all where this came from for the latter.
Youth is something to be proud of
As mentioned earlier, Serbs honor both their people and their history. And even the youngest. Young people can easily take a tour of their country and tell about its history just as well as a professional guide.
Young people, in general, all feel their responsibility to the country. They try to study well, achieve success in sports, defend the honor of their country and raise its position in the eyes of the world community. Sports grounds Cities and villages are packed from early morning until late evening.
Taboo topics
Upon arrival in Serbia, you need to learn that they don’t like to remember the war. In Russia, they often like to raise this topic for general discussion, to remember for a long time about fallen heroes and victories won. Perhaps this is due to the fact that everything is long behind us and there are practically no people left who personally remember the war times.
In Serbia, the events of the Yugoslav conflict are still fresh in memory. For this reason, the fraternal peoples of the former Yugoslavia still cannot reconcile (Bosnians, Macedonians, Slovenes, Montenegrins, Croats, Serbs). The appearance of the Serbs in such cases will say without any words that the memories of the war have not yet sunk into oblivion. It is better to choose sports or, for example, agricultural topics for conversation, without forcing these people to relive recently occurring events.
It’s better to start life in Serbia when you have confidence in permanent income From Russia. The country is still in the process of emerging from the crisis; the standard of living is quite low. But this will be your advantage; living conditions in Serbia are quite acceptable to every immigrant from Russia. You can get to know the country within 2-3 weeks, after all.
Serbia is a country where you can start your life with clean slate, Balkan beauty, untouched nature and clean air even in major cities. The former Yugoslav republic fell into small pieces, the largest of which was in Serbia.
Indeed, the largest territory in terms of area went to the Republic of Srpska, and even the fact that Yugoslav diplomatic missions around the world became Serbian speaks volumes. In general, this country was recently in a state of war; Belgrade was destroyed by the NATO army, not all of it, but the center was badly damaged. Nevertheless, life in Serbia has improved, the economy has improved, so much so that since 2012 it has been called an official candidate for the European Union.
Given that Serbia is landlocked, the country does not rely heavily on tourism. Green tourism is thriving in the provinces, since the entire territory is built up with village-type buildings, there is a lot of ethnicity in them. There are fields and lakes, forests and hills all around. The country lives agriculture, industry, and partly the service sector.
Just two years ago, Serbia was in a deep crisis, unemployment was 25%. The standard of living of the population is still low. in 2018, GDP grew by only 2%, which means that the well-being of the population is not improving. The state's external debt is still too high (about 26 billion euros), and a restructuring of state-owned enterprises is required.
Investment schedule in Serbia
However, if you decide to move there to live, now is the time. Life in Serbia for Russians will seem inexpensive; you can afford to buy real estate, open a business and start a new life.
Prices in Serbia
To understand the cost of living in the Republic in comparison with Russia, it is necessary to analyze the microeconomics of the two countries, for example, prices in Serbia and here for the same categories of goods and services. By default, let's look at the average data for both countries. To draw a conclusion about the high cost of living, let’s take information about salaries and pensions and calculate what can be purchased with the average Serbian salary.
Anyone who has been to Serbia has probably noticed the quantity and quality of vehicles. These are mainly small European cars over 10 years old, 90% of them have a manual transmission. Why? Obviously, the tax burden is too high and depends on both the amount of horsepower under the hood and the type of steering. Roads are also partially repaired only in large cities; outside the city, unpaved surfaces are most often found.
Of course, having your own business will be an excellent foundation in any situation, but you have to face the truth: you are going to another country with a different standard of living. We must be prepared for any turn of fate.
Average salary in Serbia
The average salary in Serbia for 2018 was 46,000 dinars, which is equal to 390 euros. However, in the north of the country and in Belgrade, salaries are higher and amount to about 55,000 dinars or 470 euros. And in the south and west of the country only 38,000 dinars or 320 euros. Obviously, the most promising area for living is the northern one. However, in general, for the country’s economy, such a imbalance in wages has a bad impact on its growth and development.
Most likely, you will go to Belgrade and start life in the capital. Although there will be those who would prefer to start their own farm in the provinces.
Pension in Serbia
Pensions in Serbia are very small compared to other countries on the Balkan Peninsula. The average pension is 25,000 dinars or 220 euros. However, comparisons with Russia can be made. Thus, in our country the average pension is 11,600 rubles or 178 euros, which is even less than in Serbia.
But do not forget that you will have to live with a Russian pension in Serbia until you accept Serbian citizenship, if there is such an intention. And with temporary or permanent registration in the country, you can still receive income into a Russian account.
Product prices
Perhaps it is realistic to compare food prices with Russian ones. Muscovites have long been accustomed to expensive products, people in the regions spend more modestly, and yet you will probably be pleasantly surprised. Let's compare prices in Belgrade based on the cost of goods in Russian rubles.
- 470 euros at the current rate as of December 2019 is 35,520 rubles;
- The food basket consists of: a bottle of water (1.5 l), milk (3% 1 l), bread and eggs (10 pcs.), chicken breasts (1 kg), local cheese (1 kg), potatoes (1 kg), apples (1 kg), beer (1 l);
- We will take the resulting amount as the average for one trip to the store. There will be about five purchases per month.
The analysis showed that Muscovites will find prices either the same or even lower for certain categories of products. Considering the salary and standard of living of the active population, we can say that you will have access to more benefits than local Serbs.
Apartment prices
The real estate boom has bypassed Serbia. After the collapse of Yugoslavia, foreigners began to buy real estate in Montenegro and Croatia. Yes, the prices are inflated there. But you can buy an apartment in Serbia. It all depends on the city. In this case, let's analyze the Belgrade market.
The city is divided by the Savoy River into two parts: the old city on the right bank and the new one on the left. In the old town there are mainly buildings of historical and cultural heritage, municipal buildings, restaurants and cafes. There are a lot of residential buildings and apartments, many of which have internal patios or courtyards, some even have vegetable gardens and greenhouses. In the new city there are industrial buildings, institutes and business centers with the headquarters of famous world brands. Some shopping centers, and many modern residential buildings.
Nowadays, not all foreign property buyers live in Belgrade. Many people prefer to invest or preserve their capital by investing in houses and apartments in Serbia. One sq. m. of housing can cost from 600 to 7,000 euros. At the same time, the cost of rent in similar housing per month varies from 150 to 2000 euros.
Duplexes and cottages outside the city are becoming a popular destination. Road congestion is light, so the distance of up to 25 km from the capital can be reduced to a 20-minute car ride.
The price depends on the condition of the house and the size of the plot; usually from 100 euros per 1 sq. m. up to 2,000 euros.
Serbs are a people of the South Slavic tribe, most related to, with whom many South Slavic, Western European and some Russian (for example, Florinsky) Slavists unite them under one common name Serbo-Croats, Serbo-Croatian tribe or people. The common origin of Serbs and Croats is beyond doubt, but the historical life of both peoples has drawn a boundary between them: the Serbs, with their Orthodox faith, with the Cyrillic script and the old Slavic-Serbian script, belong to the Eastern European, Greek Orthodox world, while the Croats with Catholicism, the Latin alphabet , Old Dalmatian poetry should be attributed to the Western European, Roman Catholic world.
The mutual relations of both peoples in history represent more examples of enmity than friendship. It was only in the 19th century that the Croats adopted the Shtokavian dialect spoken by the Serbs as a literary language. This adverb is almost the only connection between both peoples, who never cease to quarrel where they live “under the same roof.” Expressions such as Serbo-Croatian, etc., are a compromise, a mutual concession, but only on the part of a relatively small handful of intellectuals and scientists.
At the same time, it is almost impossible to draw an exact boundary between the settlements of Serbs and Croats back in the last century, because the Serbs during Turkish rule, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, moved to large quantities from their original places into Croatian territory. In general, we can still say that the Serbs live in compact masses in the Kingdom of Serbia and the Principality of Montenegro and the neighboring Austro-Hungarian and Turkish regions: in the Kosovo vilayet, in Dalmatia (in the Kotor district), where they were transferred as military colonists during the time of the Venetians (in the 17th century), in, in the former Military Frontier, where they moved in the 16th and 17th centuries. from Turkish possessions, in the South, where they moved from the Old at the end of the 17th century. In addition, Serbs live here and there in the Danube, in Western and in Russia.
The typical Serb is tall rather than short, broad-shouldered and stately; he has a proportional, beautifully set head with a thin, straight, often aquiline nose and somewhat prominent cheekbones; rather long neck with a large Adam's apple; The hair on the head is dark, sometimes ashen or light brown, less often black. The whole figure of the Serb, with his proudly raised head and impressive posture, is distinguished by a warlike appearance. A Serbian woman has regular facial features, slim figure and noble posture, Montenegrins do not differ in regular features, their figure is less representative, but they are much stronger, more graceful and more elastic in their movements
The main feature of the Serbian character is a boundless, almost exalted love of independence. All Serbs consider themselves equal and equal. They became equal under Turkish rule, when all their nobility disappeared, partly dying in battle, partly converting to Islam and merging with the Turks, and partly moving to other lands. In the subject lands there was only one powerless “paradise” left, in which all the remnants of the surviving noble families disappeared without a trace. The love of independence forced many to leave home and family, and go to the mountains, to the “celebration” of Haidutsk, in order to take revenge with an armed hand on the oppressors of their people; from time to time the whole people rose to their feet.
The Serbian energy does not flare up immediately; often he seems indifferent, even on important occasions without revealing externally spiritual movement. In general, Serbs are distinguished by moderation and endurance, courage and fearlessness. He sleeps both in winter and in summer on the bare ground or adobe floor of his hut, covered only with a straw mat or, in best case scenario, carpet A thrifty, thrifty Serb always has his own benefit in mind; nevertheless, like all inhabitants of the East, he is hospitable.
Family ties among Serbs are strong; kinship, even distant ones, is valued. In addition to blood kinship, there is also a named kinship - twinning and sisterhood, nepotism or nepotism, etc.
Religion is of great importance in the life of Serbs, but his religious beliefs are mixed with various superstitions and beliefs, which he stubbornly adheres to. There are many customs and rituals that accompany the most important points in a person's life, as well as famous holidays and days of the year. Serbs love music, singing and dancing. Songs accompany all ceremonies, both wedding and funeral.
The national clothing of Serbs of both sexes consists of a wide canvas shirt with folds, belted with a wide belt, into which men can tuck weapons - a dagger and pistols. Over this shirt, another jacket or half-caftan is worn, sleeveless or with sleeves, of different lengths - short to the waist and long to the knees and even below the knees. On the head there is a red fez, which for Montenegrins is replaced by a black cap with a red center bottom. In bad weather, wear a cloak made of coarse cloth. In addition, fur coats and short sheepskin coats are used, fur hats, woolen shirts. This outfit is only in villages remote from cities and roads.
The national home of the Serbs consists of an adobe hut. To construct it, roughly finished pillars or beams are driven into the ground, between which crossbars made of poles or brushwood are stretched, and then all the empty space is filled with bricks made of raw clay or a mixture of clay and chopped straw; the roof is made of wood or straw. The floor is adobe; There is usually no stove or fireplace; only a hearth is built, the smoke from which escapes through a hole in the roof.
National dishes: maize, milk, cheese, dried fish, pork fat, beans, garlic, red pepper (paprika), lamb, goat, pork.
