Comments on: Remembering Yugoslavia – basketball, war, and a nation divided

By: Darryl

Darryl — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 01:41:52 +0000

I also watched the documentary of Vlade and was equally moved with emotions. So sad. I could also feel tears in my eyes. I hated to see them lose the chance to reconcile.

By: budgettravelsac

budgettravelsac — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:41:24 +0000

I may have to check those films out. The area and the history is fascinating. There are a lot of great places to visit but I think there are still some hard feelings on both sides (my opinion). It’s a complicated history and war and the damage done may take years to full repair.

By: joolsstone

joolsstone — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:25:23 +0000

Hi Jeremy, I haven’t seen the documentary but found the book of the BBC series the Death of Yugoslavia really good at trying to explain exactly why and how the country fell apart. The semi-factual film No Man’s Land is well worth watching too. About a serb, muslim and croat trapped together in a bunker with a deadly mine and the western media’s manipulation of the scenario.
I really would like to explore the Balkans soon and this emotive post only makes me want to more.

By: budgettravelsac

budgettravelsac — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:38:32 +0000

I’ve watched a couple of the 30 for 30 episodes and this one was my favorite.

By: Michael Hodson

Michael Hodson — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:17:05 +0000

that 30 for 30 show is getting AMAZING reviews back home. And I can see why. Such an interesting and heartfelt story. Thanks for the post.

By: budgettravelsac

budgettravelsac — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 15:45:44 +0000

The information I shared was one perspective of the war based on the documentary I watched. Of course there are many perspectives on this. When there is a war of this magnitude, all sides suffer and make mistakes. My sympathies for what happened go out to all the people of Yugoslavia. I have a great deal of respect and compassion for all the Slavic people and my opinions on this story were an attempt to share my compassion on all that happened.

I do not believe any information that I presented to be incorrect. However, the purpose was not to tell a factual event of the war but a more human side that touched me.

If there is any problem with the information I shared, please feel free to share your own perspective. If you disagree with the “facts” that are presented, your issue is with the documentary not me. Surely you can agree with my sentiments that the war was a tragedy for everyone involved. My post is an attempt to touch upon the human tragedy and emotion and not a factual retelling of it.

By: Helena Jurin

Helena Jurin — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:27:00 +0000

The worst part of telling any story, especially a supposedly reporter style story, is not having all the facts.

Rule number 1 : Do not attempt to analyze anything so serious as a war in a few sentimential, half researched sentences.
If you do not have the facts, don’t express them as true.
You may express them as your view of the situation, your emotional feelings.
But not facts.
Why?
People might take you seriously.

In WW2, Goebbles had a great PR tactic. If you said a lie enough times it would become the truth.
I, who have lived through the war in former Yugoslavia, am sick and tired of people talking about it in half-truths.
It leeds to bitterness.
If you don’t know enough about what you are talking about, skip it. For the sake of all those killed. homeless, etc. on all sides.

By: budgettravelsac

budgettravelsac — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:34:23 +0000

It is a fascinating area to visit. I love Croatia and Slovenia. However, many people go for the beaches and even to see places like Plitvice. However, not many people may be aware of the tragedies that took place.

As a high school/college kid, I didn’t understand this war but after visiting there and seeing this documentary, I understand the tragedy a little more.

Enjoy your trip. It’s a fascinating place to visit! Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia – all great places to visit and good people as well.

By: Tandem World

Tandem World — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:56:51 +0000

Really touching and thoughtful post, Jeremy. We have long marveled over photos of places like Plitvice (but have yet to visit) not knowing much about the history.

I think it is incumbent upon as, as world travelers, to go deeper than the photo op’s. So much of the joy of discovering something is understanding it’s history. Your blog post will make our future trip to the area more meaningful.

Thnaks.