You can contribute to our Podcasts by leaving a message or feedback
We received this message for Los Angeles about an upcoming Episode.
To leave your message all you need to do is click on the Start Recording button at the end of this post ⬇️
From Folklore to the Future
It seems that wherever I go in Bosnia and Herzegovina, traditional skills and cultural activities are slowly disappearing.
From making instruments, to dancing and much more, the latest generations of young people, don't seem interested, and that could mean a massive impact on the heritage of not only this misunderstood country but also the wider region.
I talk to Nemanja Knežević, to learn a little about the challenges he faces as the director of Banja Luka's biggest traditional dance ensemble.
Nemanja discusses the fusion of culture, tradition, and dance in Banja Luka, the importance of folklore in presenting Serbian culture to the world, and the intricacies of musical storytelling.
He also highlights the ensemble's ability to adapt to modern times by utilising social media and the need for professionalisation in the field.
Ultimately, Nemanja's goal is to leave a legacy of a professional or semi-professional ensemble, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional folklore in the region.
In the interview we mention Efie Derksen, a lady from the Netherlands who is also passionate about protecting local folklore and helping to promote its survival.
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
00:30 Meeting Nemanja Knizovic: The Keeper of Tradition
01:18 Nemanja's Journey into Folklore
01:48 The Importance of Tradition and Culture
04:38 The Evolution of Folklore and Tradition
07:29 The Complexity of Heritage
10:59 The Significance of Ensemble Names
13:04 The Role of Tradition in Modern Society
22:40 The Challenges of Choreography
27:22 The Storytelling Aspect of Folklore
30:49 The Influence of Foreign Culture on Local Tradition
35:03 The Challenges and Future of Folklore
38:00 Nemanja's Vision for the Future.
Check out our follow-up Podcast on the Future of Folklore ⬇️
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast.
Stay tuned for more stories and adventures from the Englishman in the Balkans podcast!
Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future.
And Finally
Don’t forget that you can read back editions of the newsletter, listen to previous podcasts (we have quite an archive now), or catch other content, all this is available on the web interface, just like a regular blog.
Oh, and please share the newsletter with friends, relatives and colleagues using the button below.
Tamara and I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity!
Until our next post.
THANKS SO MUCH ❤️
From Folklore to the Future