Christmas Eve in New Belgrade

Yesterday was Christmas Eve according to the old, Julian calendar. Streets of my neighbourhood were empty, and the only sounds were those of snow softly falling on the ground. 

In spite of the cold weather, I couldn't pass the opportunity to go for a walk and take a few snapshots...

International Podcast Day 2018

It's September 30, which in my personal calendar marks a special occasion: it's International Podcast Day! 

I've been an avid podcast listener ever since I first discovered the world of podcasting. That was in the autumn of 2004, at the time when I had two jobs, and had to take long and boring daily commutes. Thanks to my first iPod, those countless hours spent in public transport - which would otherwise have been totally wasted - transformed into hours spent listening to thought-provoking interviews, exciting radio drama series, and educational programmes.

Podcasting market has since grown exponentially, with podcasts on pretty much every subject imaginable. As with YouTube channels, not all are good, and it can take time to find the ones that will really resonate with you while being at a high level of production quality. To help sift through thousands of podcasts out there, I've compiled a list of top 5 podcasts that caught my attention since last September. This is my third annual list, and since I still regularly listen to all of the podcasts I mentioned back in 2016 and 2017, do have a look at those earlier lists as well.

Ideas from CBC Radio

At the moment I'm subscribed to over seventy podcasts. Granted, I don't listen to all of them on a weekly - let alone daily - basis, but one that I make sure to follow regularly is Ideas, coming from Canada's public broadcaster. First launched in 1965, it's one of CBC Radio's flagship programmes, now available also as a podcast. It's described as a series of "documentaries in which thoughts are gathered, contexts explored, and connections made." If you're into humanities, or just have an inquisitive mind, don't miss this one.

Heaven's Gate

Remember Heaven's Gate, a religious cult involved in a 1997 mass suicide? This 10-episode documentary series presents a unique insight into the workings of this group and the kind of mentality that ultimately led to thirty-nine deaths. It's a captivating story, including interviews with former members, and authentic audio material that wasn't previously publicly available.

Ancient Greek History

There are loads and loads of audio lectures in podcast format, released by prominent universities. With background in Classics, I'm partial to this one. I used it as a kind of refresher course in Greek history, also curious to see how the subject is taught at Yale. Lectures are held by Prof. Donald Kagan (recorded in 2007), and are also available on YouTube, and the Open Yale Courses website, where you can download additional material. The subject matter is presented in a simple and inviting way: it's an introductory course, and you definitely needn't worry that you wouldn't be able to follow. The entire course consists of 24 lectures, each about an hour long. 

And in case the name Donald Kagan doesn't ring a bell, have a look at the 2013 article on him in the Chronicle of Higher Education. He may not be to everyone's liking (ideologically speaking), but as a historian and classicist, he knows his stuff.

The Folklore Podcast

A treasure among podcasts. Hosted by Mark Norman, a British folklorist and researcher, affiliated with the Folklore Society and the celebrated Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. As the title indicates, the podcast - continuously running since 2016 - deals with traditions, customs and myths. Episodes include interviews with leading experts in this fascinating field. On the website, you can support Mark's work by purchasing supplementary e-zines and merchandise. 

Shift Your Spirits

I always aim to feature at least one podcast from the Religion & Spirituality category, which continues to be one of my favourite ones. Over the years, my interests within that category have largely shifted, from more conventional onto those dealing with pagan spirituality or the paranormal. Luckily, there's a good deal of podcasts on these and related subjects, and one of the best ones is Shift Your Spirits hosted by Slade Robertson. It contains talks and interviews in which Slade and his guests address a range of topics, from spiritualism and witchcraft to wellness and astrology. There's something here for everyone who is more into, shall we say, an alternative way of looking at things.

Miško's 6th monthiversary

Last year a beloved pet of mine died, and I publicly vowed never to own a pet again. Mourning will make you say such things. I turned into a plant hoarder instead, cramming my balcony and most of the rooms in the apartment with all kinds of greenery. Without a cat to ruin all my nice things, I could finally dabble in a bit of indoor horticulture.

Now, plants are wonderful as decor, and gardening itself is a perfectly satisfying hobby. However, after a while I started reconsidering my vow. First, there were some things that led me to conclude I might not be a natural born talent for gardening, after all. My once lush specimens of Fatsia japonica, pots overflowing with Hedera helix, a number of supposedly sturdy succulents - plus a few other species - within months all became but a faint memory. I'll save my experience with growing vegetables for another post. Suffice it to say that my home garden proved to be an experiment in survival of the fittest.

More importantly, I just missed having a pet. Plants cannot be a substitute; nor can humans while we're at it. There's simply a unique quality to the bond that develops between a person and his or her animal companion. And so by February, I found myself obsessively googling for dog breeds that would be suitable for a small apartment. In spite of realising that no dog breed would in fact be suitable, ever, I kept visualising my hypothetical dog, and even gave him a name (Bruno). And just when I was on the verge of getting a Boston terrier, Miško showed up.

Showed up in a Twitter feed, that is. In a long line of abysmally depressing political tweets, there were these images of a cutest little male kitten that quickly needed to be adopted. 

I was in two minds for a few minutes, various lists of pros and cons flashing before my eyes. And then I simply messaged the person behind the Twitter account to check if he was still available for adoption. That was 12 June, and by the following Monday, 18 June, he was brought to my place by a woman from one of the local shelters. He was so shy and fearful; a three-month old, with impressively large ears and a long tail. And meowing incessantly while inspecting the new surroundings.

By Day 3 he was comfortable enough to sit and nap near me, but still not too keen on cuddling.

It was by the end of that first week that he started sitting on my desk, closely monitoring what I was up to, but still running away if I attempted to hold him.

Fast forward to September, and we're inseparable. I literally can't do anything without him close by. 

Sometimes too close...

The only exception is when I go to bed: since I had to evacuate all my remaining plants to the bedroom (most of which happen to be toxic to cats), that one is a no-go zone for him. Unless I'm there wide awake to keep an eye on him, reading - or trying to...

Teatime is when he turns into a cuddle monster; by now those afternoon snuggles have become a well established routine.

So, that's us and our first three months together. Maybe I don't have green fingers (the plants I bought in Ikea, RIP), but I dare say I've given this little lad a good home.

P.S. A final thought, for those considering getting a pet: adopt, don't buy.

Avala revisited

After a long while, I finally got to visit Avala again. If you're unfamiliar with the geography of Serbia (or at least the wider Belgrade area), Avala is a mountain some 20 km from the Serbian capital. It feels funny to refer to it as a mountain, since it isn't exactly tall. However, it stands at 511 metres above sea level, and thus apparently does meet the technical requirement to be considered a proper mountain - by just 11 metres!

During all the years I've lived in Belgrade, I'm ashamed to admit I've visited only a handful of times. Each one was memorable, though, and it made me want to go back there and explore some more. And there's definitely lots to do and see. Since this time I visited with family, we did a touristy thing and went to check out the two most visited spots there: the TV tower and the Monument to the Unknown Hero.

The original television tower, built in 1965, was completely destroyed in the NATO-led airstrikes in 1999. It was reconstructed and eventually reopened in 2009. It's 205 metres tall, and I don't think there's a better place for a panoramic view of Belgrade - provided it isn't cloudy as it unfortunately was at the time of my visit. Still, less than perfect weather didn't prove to be much of a deterrent for numerous visitors including hordes of unruly kids on their school trip.

Feeling slightly dizzy...

You may not notice it from that lookout point at the top of the TV tower, but one of the surrounding hills is where the Monument to the Unknown Hero is found. Not counting the tower itself, that hill also happens to be Avala's highest point.

Before the memorial complex was built there in 1938, it used to be the location of a medieval fortress Žrnov. And even before that, there was a Roman outpost. And even before that, there's evidence of mining conducted by some of the pre-Roman inhabitants of this part of the Balkans (in this case, the Celtic tribe of Scordisci). Sadly, none of that can be seen now: in order to make space for the Monument, Žrnov was razed to the ground by a royal decree in 1934, but the toponym lives on in academic papers due to numerous archaeological findings excavated there prior to the demolition. There are more fanciful explanations as to why King Alexander insisted on demolishing Žrnov, but as much as I love a good conspiracy theory, let's just leave those aside.

Žrnov, as seen on an old postcard (that I've stolen from the internet).

Designed by the celebrated Croatian-Yugoslav sculptor Ivan Meštrović, the black granite monument is simple, majestic and temple-like. Approaching it always seems to me like going on a pilgrimage of sorts. It was built to commemorate soldiers fallen in the First World War as well as in the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913.

A wreath laid inside on behalf of the current Serbian President Vučić, commemorating victory over fascism, seemed misplaced given that the monument has no connection with WW2, nor has Mr. Vučić any political or ideological connection with anti-fascism. I guess it's just protocol.

"To the glory of victory over fascism"

To me personally this monument also serves as a reminder of Yugoslavia, the country that no longer exists, but whose legacy can't be erased in spite of the onslaught of historical revisionism. Standing there, among the caryatids representing the peoples of Yugoslavia, I know exactly why I will always identify as a Yugoslav.

Apart from the nice walk from the tower to the Monument, I didn't do much of actual hiking. But now that I've figured out how to get to Avala by public transport, I'm sure to visit again soon. Next time, I'm going to venture off the beaten path...

Ceramic pan baptism of fire

Once upon a time, I swore to myself I wouldn't turn into one of those people who constantly post their lunch photos on social networks. However, autumn is here, with all its wonderful, fresh produce, and I'm very much in the mood for experimenting with new dishes and cookware. And you know what they say: if it didn't appear on social media, it didn't happen. So, here's a little report on my latest feat.

Last week I bought a dreamy, rustic ceramic pan by Tognana, from its Linea Vulcania collection. It was a bit pricey, but it was love at first sight. As I'd never used ceramic cookware before, it felt like an extra challenge.

Photo: tognana.com

To try it out, I decided to make a simple dish, with seasonal veggies that I already had in my kitchen, based on Giada de Laurentiis' Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips, and Brussels Sprouts. Actually, the name of the dish says it all - you just add olive oil, salt and herbs to the above ingredients, mix them all together, place in a pan and bake. For up to 40 minutes, said Giada. Easy peasy!

Well, for whatever reason, it took much, much longer than that. As I had to leave for a meeting, I had to turn off the oven after over an hour, and leave it all unfinished. Instead of enjoying a delicious lunch, I only had time for a quick peanut butter sandwich before I had to dash off. Frustrating business!

Once back home, I continued baking, slightly worried about what would become of it. Within an hour, my roasted potatoes were finally ready. It will take me another try or two to figure out whether baking took so impossibly long because of the pan, or the brand of potato that I used. I'm hoping for the latter, obviously, as I definitely intend to continue using this pan.

The dish itself turned out unbelievably delicious! Parsnips and carrots gave it that earthy, autumnal taste that I love so much. Equally important, nothing exploded, as ceramic ware is apparently prone to. So, I must count this as a double success - energy efficiency notwithstanding...

International Podcast Day 2017

Today, September 30, is the International Podcast Day. Here on Life & Letters I traditionally post a Top 5 list of podcasts I've most enjoyed listening to over the past year. While I continue to regularly listen to all of the podcasts I've singled out in 2016, I'd like to draw attention to some new titles, including those in languages other than English, namely in German and Esperanto.

The Art of Manliness
The Art of Manliness has been described as a "podcast that aims to make men become better men." Hosted by Brett McKay, it's a treasure trove of practical advice and stimulating ideas, done through interviews with acclaimed authors, researchers, athletes, and others. Some might say that the podcast promotes a bit old-fashioned notion of masculinity, but I'd say it's part of its charm. Highly recommended.

Radio Prague
I first started listening to Radio Prague back when it was a daily English language shortwave broadcast of the Czech public radio. It has since switched to online streaming and podcasts only. I think of Radio Prague as the very best of what international radio used to be, and so I always listen to it with a sense of nostalgia. Daily 30-minute podcasts typically consist of a brief news roundup, followed by interesting feature stories about the Czech culture, history, sports, etc. There's also a regular monthly quiz, with nice prizes for the lucky winners.

Fitness mit M.A.R.K.
There are several fitness podcasts I've been following, but none are as dynamic, informative and quite as motivating as this one. It's in German, and has been consistently at the top of the German iTunes list of health podcasts. It's hosted by Mark Maslow, who is also a bestselling author and a prominent speaker on the subject of training. I've found each and every episode useful, plus it provided me with another opportunity to practice my German listening skills.

Modern Witch
This one I've discovered only a few months ago, and it has definitely caught my attention. Modern Witch deals with the subject of "witchcraft, the occult and mysticism in the 21st century". Sounds cool, eh? The host, Devin Hunter, sits down with intriguing guests from all sorts of different neo-pagan and occult backgrounds, which makes for a fascinating listen.

3ZZZ Esperanto Radio
As I've been working on improving my Esperanto, listening to this podcast has been of great value. Hosted by several members of the Esperanto Association of Melbourne, each podcast includes news from the Esperanto community, contemporary music in Esperanto, and other features. When it comes to radio, this show - originally broadcast on Melbourne's local ethnic radio station 3ZZZ - is an invaluable resource for Esperantists.

To learn more about the International Podcast Day, and podcasting in general, have a look at the official IPD website.

International Podcast Day 2016

It was in the autumn of 2004 that I first discovered podcasting. My first iPod has since been replaced, but I still don't go anywhere without whatever device I can play podcasts on. Whether I'm cooking, going for a long walk, shopping or commuting, it's more than likely I'll be catching up on my favourite ones. On the occasion of September 30, International Podcast Day, I'm sharing my list of top 5 podcasts I've enjoyed the most during the past year.

On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Coming from WBUR/NPR, On Point is done in the best tradition of public radio. It has been one of those shows that initially got me into listening to podcasts. It covers a range of issues, from current affairs to science and history to medicine. Each show consists of an interview conduced by Tom Ashbrook and listeners calling in, asking questions and commenting. You can count on it always being informative, concise, and up-to-date.

Beyond Belief
Beyond Belief is BBC Radio 4's flagship series on religion. Each thirty-minute episode is a panel with several experts discussing a particular subject from different angles. Topics greatly vary, and among the recent ones were Rumi, debt, pacifism, mercy, trauma, and ghosts. The show is presented by Bernie Rea, a Northern Irish theologian who's been with the BBC since the 1970s.

Inspirational Living
The full title of this podcast is Inspirational Living: Motivation, Self-help, Spirituality & Positive Thinking. Weekly episodes last up to 20 minutes and consist of a reading from an inspirational piece of writing. What I particularly like about this podcast, is that a lot of the readings are from the early 1900s, a period that I love. It just gives the whole show an air of old-time radio.

The Black Tapes
This year has been the first in which I gave radio drama a shot - it's been a format I've never particularly enjoyed. Well, until now. The Black Tapes is produced by Pacific Northwest Stories and Minnow Beats Whale (both worth checking out for other projects). So far, the show has had two seasons with another one coming up. It's a docudrama about the supernatural and the paranormal, revolving around the enigmatic figure of Dr Strand and the journalist Alex Reagan. The podcast has quite a dedicated fan base, as can be seen on the podcast's Twitter account.

The Big Seance
Speaking of the supernatural, my single biggest discovery of 2016 has been The Big Seance podcast hosted by Patrick Keller. It's the podcast for "paranerds" - a word I first heard on this show and have since adopted with gusto. Episodes consist of interviews with people who are into different aspects of the paranormal / supernatural: book authors, photographers, psychics etc. Another regular feature is Spectral Edition with Tim Prasil - a brief segment reporting on ghost sightings mentioned in the 19th and early 20th century newspapers. It's all great fun!

All of the podcasts listed here are available on iTunes (et sim.) or on the individual websites. Please share your favourite podcasts in the comment section below. And happy Podcast Day!