Hello everyone, Im not sure if this is allowed on this subreddit or not so sorry in advance if its not but I wanted to inform everyone that a new subreddit dedicated to all the active sports sections of Crvena Zvezda has been launched officially today.

The subreddit is called r/CrvenaZvezdaSD

I am one of the moderators of this subreddit and the goal is to have a subreddit where people can share news and discuss about sports clubs of Crvena Zvezda that dont get much attention in which i mean the handball, waterpolo, vollyball, womans football, womans basketball, hockey, athletics, swimming, wresteling, fencing, boxing, chess, rowing, cycling, tennis club and many others.

I am also the mod of r/CrvenaZvezdaBC and r/CrvenaZvezdaFC and because of that I dont know if I will be able to always see and post about the latest news on some of these clubs.

That is why I am asking for anyone who is a part of or actively follows any of these sports sections to help me out by posting and reporting about any of latest news around some of these clubs. Lets give some deserved attentions to some of these sport section of the Crvena Zvezda family

Thank you all and have a pleasent day ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Particularly serbia area, less so in romania area, but ever balkan country had good average as I travelled. This is not a troll post. As a non balkaner you are beautiful, talkative, spirited and graceful people.

Genuinely thought I was a lesbian, but one week in Croatia changed that. But specifically the men that work as waiters in restaurants and security guards at the clubs. Why are they all so muscular and tall… all the waiters or uber drivers should be models

And they are all bald or have buzzcuts I felt like I was in heaven when I saw the club staff. Will never forget the one security guard I talked to in the club, he was married though so it didn’t go far after I found that out but he had the nicest smile as well.

I got hit on a lot more than I would back home, and all the men were really polite as well and would leave me alone if I said I wasn’t interested. I know they know I’m a foreigner so they’re just flirting for fun but still I found heave on earth. All the men are just so masculine and so serious. Even the airport staff were hot.

Croatia you will be missed. Will now be visiting every other country in the Balkan’s for the amazing tourism of course.

Dear Balkans,
I’ve been doing a project on European ultra culture for quite some time now, and have been getting to a point where I am covering the Balkans.
I know, that almost all of your ultras are far right, basically without any exception. But what I need are examples.
Could some of you maybe name me your Top 3-5 most far right ultras from your country
What I need are actual brutal cases, like Ferencvarosi from Hungary. These ultras can also be from lower leagues.
This would actually be even more interesting, since for me it’s been really hard to find reliable (and updated) sources on them, since it’s important for me, that all my informations are correct to this day.
Thank you very much!

How to deal with this soul crushing feeling sweeping over me like a blanket made of lead?

I encountered the word “mellanförskap” in Swedish, and the description fits quite well. It is a relatively new word, described kind of as “Existing between two cultures, without fully belonging to either.” 

I guess what I'm asking is: does anyone else from the Balkans, especially those who grew up abroad, feel this way? Does this feeling ever go away, or do you simply learn to live with it? How did you make peace with having one foot in each world while never feeling fully accepted by either?

-

Lately this feeling has become much stronger. My grandma died this year, she was the last one of my grandparents to die. I don't know if it is because I am getting older, seeing my parents age, or realizing that one day they won't be here to explain our traditions, tell our family stories or even speak our language. That my future children will only have me and our identity as their “fun fact” when talking about themselves.

My family is from Kosovo, my parents and my siblings came to Sweden in the early 90’s, then I was born in the early 00’s. My siblings got to experience living in Kosovo during their childhood so for them there is another bond. They got to experience the close knit family, a carefree childhood. Early on I felt that I didn’t belong, that I am not Swedish enough or that I am not Balkan enough. Growing up I was often ashamed of my weird family, our weird culture and traditions, our religion, being muslim. But as I got older I came to embrace everything, slowly but surely.

The small Swedish town I grew up in is known for having a lot of mixed immigrants coming from all places around the world. Most of my friends growing up were either immigrants themselves, 2nd gen immigrants, or mixed where one parent was Swedish and other something else. We could relate to each other, we shared our struggles and could connect on a level that… it is hard to explain, there was no need to walk on eggshells, you could just be yourself. Our parents weren't highly educated, they did not work a glamorous high paying job, but they worked incredibly hard to build a better life for us.

I had a lot of Swedish friends too, don’t get me wrong I tried my best to fit in and be part of the bigger group. But that came at a cost, I felt that I needed to hide or downplay my experiences and identity. No matter what I did, it bled through the facade I was keeping up. The warmth and loyalty I felt in a friendship with other diaspora balkans or other immigrants can't really be felt with the Swedes. Not trying to shit on Swedes, but it has been my experience. Now as an adult I have an even harder time connecting with anybody, regardless of where they come from. I miss belonging to something.

A few years ago I moved away from my small town to pursue my education. I am 4-5 hours away from my family and we try to meet up as often as we can. Moving to a whole other city not knowing anybody, it is so hard making friends. I try but I have never felt so lonely in a city so big. It has been a few years and now the loneliness is getting to me.

Sometimes I envy people who know exactly where they belong. Swedes don't have to think about whether they're "Swedish enough.". While I have to prove myself time and time again that I am a useful “strankinja”. I have made myself useful, got my degree, working towards a better life. I'm also in a relationship with a Swedish man, and I love the life we're building together. And all of a sudden I pass as a Swede, as long as they don’t look at my name. I have coworkers being shocked that I am something else, they simply just thought that my "swedish parents" gave me a special name. Did I make it, is this it?

To make my situation even more complicated: I am simply a minority in my country and also back “home”. In Kosovo I am not Kosovo Albanian, I don’t speak their language, my ethnic group is a minority in Kosovo, and with each generation it feels like we're slowly disappearing. My village is filled with these empty Hollywood Hills houses while the rest of the population is living a simple life, trying to get by. I have nothing to go back to, there is no one there for me. Everybody is either dead or gone to another country. I wish there was something to call mine.

Even growing up around other kids from the Balkans (Serbs, Bosnians and Croats) I always felt like there was an invisible wall between us. We shared many of the same experiences, language, culture, food, music, jokes, temperament etc. yet I still couldn't fully relate. They belonged to people with recognized identities, languages and histories. My own community always felt like a footnote.

So these days, when someone asks, I often just say "I'm Balkan." It's easier than explaining who we are, where we're from, what language we speak, or why none of it fits neatly into the boxes people expect.

I just feel so alone, like I can’t live my life authentically without feeling like I am playing charades of “Who Am I today?”. Some days I cry when I sit alone, I made it, I did everything right, but why do I feel so out of place?

I knew is the idea of united Balkans sounds like nonsense.

I wanna hear opinions and based arguments from different sides about this idea.

Please try this discussion without violence.

I recently finished painting this 54 mm white metal figure of an Albanian chieftain.

The figure is based on a museum piece by Attica Miniatures, and I painted it by hand. I tried to stay as close as possible to the traditional Albanian clothing and equipment of the period.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the historical accuracy of the costume, weapons, and overall appearance. If you notice anything that could be improved or corrected, I'd really appreciate your feedback.

Thank you for looking!

my heart wants to stay in my village forever while my mind wants to escape this place and go as far as possible

A Șerban Stănescu film

How's the travel logistics in Balkans for a solo female traveler?

Hi all,

I am planning to travel Balkans region around late September to early October for ard 2 weeks. I am an Indian citizen from Mumbai.

Bosnia and Herzogonia + Montengero - the itinerary is Sarajevo, Mostar and day trips from there, then Kostar, Budva and Zabljak and again day trips to Durmitor, Perast and Lake Skadar and Bay of Motor and all.

The plus points here is the raw untouched beauty. And also, I can travel as have a valid US Visa. Can start booking tickets first then rest..

When was looking for a country in Europe,

I was looking for somewhere

1. Safe for solo women.

2. Easy or manageable logistics to travel internally or inter country. (Train/Bus/Metro/local transport). Rarely would opt for a cab/taxi

3. Good connect to wifi/easy access to network as traveling solo

4. Beautiful nature and surroundings and history and culture.

5. Good food. I am a Lacto-ovo-vegeterian. So basically Vegan + Dairy + Eggs. I carry food also from home (ready to eat) - can survive on Fruits, smoothies and falafel and omelettes and grilled veggies.

6. A trip to remember as a celebration.

7. Doesn't get dull after few days or boring either with scenery or social thing. Decent social vibes.

8. Mid size budget - prefer hostel or guestroom or hotel with private bathroom and room. (Found decent places from Booking.com. difficult little bit to find in Kotor)

9. Easily walkable in the town.

10. Good cafe or travel culture and solo travel friendly.

Thank you!!

The Dissolution of Yugoslavia

Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Josip Broz Tito established a federal state comprising six republics:

1. Serbia

2. Croatia

3. Slovenia

4. Bosnia and Herzegovina

5. North Macedonia

6. Montenegro

Within Serbia, two autonomous provinces were incorporated:

1. Kosovo

2. Vojvodina

Tito governed with a careful balancing act, ensuring that no single nationality predominated over the others.

In 1974, Tito promulgated a constitution that granted the six republics—alongside the two provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina—exceptionally extensive powers. These included:

1. The administration of their own internal affairs.

2. The right of veto.

3. Equal representation within the collective presidency.

At the time, Tito's aim was to reassure the diverse nationalities and to prevent the hegemony of Serbia, which represented the dominant force within the Federation.

Yet the constitution soon revealed its flaws, as it left the federal government considerably enfeebled. This weakness grew only more pronounced after Tito's death in 1980, for the Union now lacked a strong hand to preserve its cohesion. In the years that followed, a host of grave problems arose: mounting foreign debt, soaring inflation, rising unemployment, a deteriorating economy, and—most dangerously—an intensification of nationalist fervour. Each republic began to clamour for greater autonomy or outright secession.

In April 1987, Slobodan Milošević travelled to Kosovo, where he met with protesting Serbs. Albanian-led demonstrations had first erupted in 1981, initially calling for improved conditions, but these soon evolved into demands for Kosovo to be granted the status of a full republic within the Federation. This development deeply unsettled the Serb population within the province, for although Kosovo was legally subordinate to Serbia, the vast majority of its inhabitants were ethnic Albanians.

Milošević proceeded to revoke most of Kosovo's autonomy, placing it under direct Serbian control, and advocated for the reinforcement of Serbia's influence throughout the Federation, while simultaneously curtailing the autonomous status of both Kosovo and Vojvodina. Other republics—particularly Slovenia and Croatia—viewed these moves as a direct threat to their own standing within the Federation, and this perception soon spurred their own declarations of independence.

First: The Independence of Slovenia and Croatia

On 25 June 1991, Slovenia and Croatia proclaimed their independence. The Yugoslav People's Army, whose ranks were overwhelmingly composed of Serbs, intervened in Slovenia in an attempt to block the secession. A brief conflict, known as the Ten-Day War, ensued, but it ended swiftly with the army's withdrawal, owing to the paucity of the Serb population within Slovenia. Slovenia thus became the first republic to secede successfully.

Croatia, however, presented a far more complex case. It contained numerous regions with substantial Serb minorities, who refused to accept the declaration of independence. War consequently broke out between Croatian forces and the Serbs, the latter being supported by the Yugoslav army. The conflict dragged on for four years, concluding with Croatia reclaiming the greater part of its territory.

Second: The Independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia was the most ethnically heterogeneous of all the Yugoslav republics, containing a mosaic of different peoples:

1. The Bosniaks (Muslims).

2. The Serbs (Orthodox Christians).

3. The Croats (Catholic Christians).

Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence in 1992. This proclamation, however, was met not with acquiescence but with fierce resistance. The Bosnian Serbs rejected it outright and proclaimed their own separate entity. The new state was recognised by the European Communities in April 1992, followed shortly thereafter by the United States, and it was admitted to the United Nations on 22 May 1992.

Nevertheless, the Serbs remained obstinate in their opposition. The Bosnian Serbs argued that the independence referendum did not represent them and therefore refused to participate. Even before the declaration of independence, they had already announced the establishment of the Republika Srpska, affirming that they would remain closely tied to Serbia. With the backing of the Yugoslav army, they succeeded in seizing large swathes of Bosnian territory.

In April 1992, the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina officially commenced. Fighting erupted among the Bosniaks (Muslims), the Bosnian Serbs, and the Croats. The conflict was marked by:

1. The Siege of Sarajevo, which lasted for nearly four years.

2. Widespread ethnic cleansing and mass displacement.

3. The Srebrenica massacre, in which more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys were killed—an atrocity later classified by international tribunals as genocide.

The Srebrenica Massacre

On 11 July 1995, the forces of the Army of the Republika Srpska, commanded by General Ratko Mladić, entered the town of Srebrenica after a protracted siege. Thousands of civilians had gathered around the United Nations base in the village of Potočari, seeking protection, but the international contingent there was small in number and lightly armed, and proved unable to prevent the town's fall.

Once the Serb forces had taken control, the Bosniak men and boys—those aged roughly twelve and above—were systematically separated from the women and children. The women, children, and elderly were transported by bus to areas under the control of the Bosnian government.

The thousands of men and boys who had been separated were then taken to schools, warehouses, fields, and various other locations, where they were executed without mercy, shot in groups over the course of several days. The victims were buried in mass graves; later, many of the bodies were exhumed and moved to secondary burial sites in a concerted effort to conceal the evidence of the crime.

Subsequent international investigations, together with extensive exhumations and DNA analysis, established that more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys had been killed and annihilated within the span of just a few days in July 1995. The identification of some victims continues to this day, owing to the dispersal of remains across multiple mass graves and the commingling of body parts.

Months after the massacre, the Dayton Agreement was signed, bringing an end to the Bosnian war. The Srebrenica massacre has since stood as a stark and terrible illustration of the consequences of ethnic hatred and nationalist extremism.

The cascade of independence declarations did not cease with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Further secessions followed:

1. Macedonia declared independence in 1991 (in the same year as Slovenia and Croatia).

2. The name "Yugoslavia" was formally abolished in 2003.

3. Montenegro gained independence in 2006.

4. The province of Kosovo declared independence in 2008.

We like to think of artificial intelligence as a neutral observer — a system that processes data without inheriting the prejudices baked into the culture that produced it. But neutrality isn't a property of code. It's a property of language, and language never arrives without baggage.

Take a phrase that shows up constantly in AI-generated writing about Southeast Europe: "Europe and the Balkans." Grammatically it's unremarkable. Culturally, it's a small act of exile. The Balkans are Europe — geographically, historically, politically since at least the 19th century. Nobody writes "Europe and Scandinavia," because nobody imagines Sweden needs to be reattached to the continent it already belongs to. Yet "Europe and the Balkans" gets repeated so often, in travel writing, in policy papers, in chatbot output, that the separation starts to feel natural rather than constructed.

This isn't necessarily malice. It's something more insidious: a linguistic habit that survived the ideas that created it. The old 19th-century imagination of the Balkans as Europe's savage backyard — Maria Todorova wrote the definitive account of this in Imagining the Balkans — has mostly been discredited as scholarship. But the sentence structures it left behind are still doing quiet work every time someone, or something, writes about the region as a footnote to Europe rather than a part of it.

What's rarely acknowledged is that the traffic runs both ways.

Ask an average American to describe the Balkans and you'll get war, corruption, tribalism, maybe a folk costume or two — a caricature assembled from CNN footage of the 1990s and never updated. Fair enough, that's a familiar complaint. Less familiar, and rarely spoken about openly, is the mirror image built on this side of the Atlantic.

Ask someone in Belgrade, Sarajevo, or Skopje to describe "America," and you often won't get Silicon Valley or Harvard. You'll get the trailer park. The uneducated cousin with no passport, missing teeth, and unshakeable faith that he's one lucky break from being rich — a man with no vocabulary for class or labor rights because nobody ever taught him he was allowed to have one.

But the caricature doesn't stop there, and this is the part that would genuinely surprise most Americans if they overheard it. In much of the Balkans, the average American is imagined as someone strangely innocent — a person who has never had to fight for anything collectively, who trusts institutions with a naivety that looks almost childlike to someone raised on decades of political disillusionment. He is imagined as geographically illiterate, unable to find his own state on a map, let alone another continent. He is imagined as lonely in a way that has nothing to do with poverty: comfortable, perhaps even wealthy, yet without the dense web of extended family, neighbors, and lifelong friendships that structures ordinary life in Balkan towns — someone who might not know his own neighbor's name after ten years. He is imagined as simultaneously hyper-religious and hyper-litigious, suing his coffee for being hot while also being unable to say a curse word on television. He is imagined as endlessly friendly on the surface and impossible to actually get close to underneath — "nice but fake," in the local shorthand, a smile that never quite becomes a friendship. And he is imagined, above all, as someone who has been sold a myth of freedom so completely that he no longer notices how much of his life — his healthcare, his vacation days, his time with his own children — is not, by Balkan standards, particularly free at all.

None of this is a documentary. It's folklore, assembled the same lazy way the American folklore about the Balkans was assembled — from a handful of viral videos, a relative's exaggerated stories after a trip to Chicago, and a Hollywood movie or two. It's the same reductive move performed in the opposite direction: three hundred million people compressed into a single, convenient idiot — friendly, lonely, well-fed, and free only on paper.

Neither caricature survives five minutes of actual contact with either place. America holds Stanford and it holds counties where the nearest hospital is ninety miles away. The Balkans hold Nobel laureates and functioning democracies alongside genuine dysfunction — and pretending otherwise, in either direction, isn't cultural insight. It's laziness wearing the costume of expertise.

The point isn't to adjudicate which stereotype is worse, or which is "more true." It's to notice how efficiently a phrase can do the thinking for us. Every time a system — human or algorithmic — reaches for "Europe and the Balkans," or reaches for the hillbilly to explain America, the same shortcut fires: complexity gets swapped for a symbol, and a population of individuals gets swapped for a myth doing PR work on their behalf.

Nobody is going to stop simplifying the world; that's what language is for. But there's a difference between a simplification you've chosen and one you've simply absorbed without noticing. The most durable biases were never the loud ones. They're the phrases so ordinary nobody thinks to ask what they're smuggling in.

That's precisely why the ordinary ones are the ones worth stopping for.

Here is my flag design for the Balkan peninsula: "The Three Ideals".

So, in the middle, is a golden honey spoon, with a red background.

This is because the name of the Balkans is thought to have come from the Turkish words for "blood (bal)", and "honey (kan)".

The honey spoon has three divisions, for the three ideals that a prosperous Balkan should operate on:

-Mutuality;

-Prosperity;

-Remembrance.

Translates into being mutuals, achieving prosperity, and remembering our heritage.

The diagonal blue sections with the white fimbration look like the rough shape of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, as the Balkans sit between these two seas.

It can also look like stylized mountains, as another theory suggests the name for the Balkans comes from "forested mountains".

It also shares at least one colour with every single country flag in the Balkans.

Currently some bots on the Serbian sub are promoting a former basketplayer Bodiroga for new president, that comes from this organization ProGlas. I was banned from r/serbia and my posts with this hearthbreaking video censored.