Celebrating Balkan Heritage: How My Background Shaped My Book

The creation of “The Balkan Voyage” is a deeply personal journey for me, rooted in my heritage and childhood memories. Growing up, my ties to the Western Balkans—specifically Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia—shaped my identity and inspired this project.

Serbia
I am Serbian on both sides of my family. Although we visited only a few cities during my childhood, my mother’s family settled in Sombor, one of the greenest towns in Serbia. There, I felt safe and cherished. I remember learning to swim with my uncle and biking to town with my aunt.

At 21, I began visiting Belgrade and instantly fell in love with it. It’s my favorite city in the world, filled with art, history, and vibrant people. I could write a whole book about my love for Belgrade.

Montenegro
My father’s family hails from Montenegro, specifically Mojkovac. We spent summers along the coast and in the mountains, creating many childhood memories.

Montenegro’s unique landscape, where you can travel from mountain sheep herds to luxurious beaches in just a couple of hours, is something I deeply admire.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
My family’s history from Bosnia and Herzegovina is tragic. My grandfather on my mother’s side witnessed horrific events during the Second World War, escaping with his brother and grandmother. They settled in an area that would later become modern-day Croatia.

Croatia
My mother grew up in Croatia, and we spent many vacations in Beli Manastir. My parents had plans to return there from Switzerland one day, as we loved our time there.

Unfortunately, during the war, my family had to leave and moved to Serbia. I fondly remember my aunt and uncle’s home in Sečerana and my grandparents’ house in Majske Medje with its cows and chickens.

In middle and high school, I made a Croatian best friend who introduced me to the beautiful Croatian coast in Vodice, an experience for which I am incredibly grateful.

Our aim is to promote peace and unity through this project and organization.

Awareness of the War
Living in Switzerland, I knew there was a conflict in the 90s, but I didn’t fully understand it was a war of ethnicity.

Speaking the same language and sharing similar backgrounds, my friends and I were oblivious to the divisions that existed.

I appreciate that I grew up without hatred toward other nationalities, even as my family was affected by the war.

My first awareness of the fractured unity came at 17 when my Croatian friend and I traveled to her family’s home in Croatia. On a bus to Vodice, we befriended a group of girls. When they realized I was Serbian and my friend was Croatian, the whole bus turned to us, surprised that we were friends.

We had no idea why it was unusual, but later discussions with my parents helped me understand the historical context.

Present
Growing up in Switzerland, I never felt personal animosity toward any ethnic group.

Yes, there were political tensions, but my personal experiences told a different story. I had friends from various backgrounds: a Bosnian best friend in elementary school, a Croatian best friend during my teenage years, and Serbian and Macedonian friends in adulthood.

These friendships inspired my book, “The Balkan Voyage.”

Contrary to the divisive narratives often portrayed in the media, my life experience has shown me that unity is possible.

I want children, including my own, to see friendships across ethnic lines reflected in literature. Unfortunately, there are few, if any, children’s books that represent these realities.

I hope sharing my personal journey provides insight into the motivations behind my charity and this book series.

If you’d like to support our cause, you can purchase “The Balkan Voyage” on our website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more.

All profits will go to our charity, supporting projects for Balkan children. Your purchase can truly make a difference in their lives, helping to foster hope and unity in a region that needs it.

Together, we can show children that friendship knows no boundaries. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Shop my Book “The Balkan Voyage” now.

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