The Ethno Muzej at Ljubačke Doline.

A captivating open-air museum located near Banja Luka.

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I have always been fascinated by history. Looking back in time and learning about how people lived, their experiences and stories that lead to the way we live our lives today.

History has incredibly good as well as incredibly bad moments. For every nation and every culture.

Sadly, the realities of bad events seem to be white-washed too often, where factual history is re-written to be replaced with legends.

Flying over Ethno Village Lijubačke Doline ⬆️

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Hello I’m David, and Coffee and Rakija is a Digital Magazine about my life and experiences in a rural village in North-West Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’ll be giving you a unique look, through the eyes of an immigrant (me), of this much misunderstood country. My goal is to replace the many negative perceptions of both the country and its people, that you’ll be served by international media outlets. Thank you so much for dropping by.

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That's why I love visiting living museums.

To see and touch things as they were "back in the day".

Visiting the Ethno Village with guests from The Netherlands ⬆️

Not too far south of Banja Luka is an amazing cultural " living museum", in the village of Lijubačke Doline.

Tamara and I have visited the museum a number of times in the past.

So this year we said we would go before the tourist season so as to have more space and time to explore.

We were almost alone there, so had the freedom to photograph, video and fly our small drone without getting in people's way.

The owner and founder of the museum (Nedeljko Branković) was kind enough to give us his time and to tell us a lot about his dream and what he wants to achieve with this "Living History" project.

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The primary purpose of the village is to showcase the life of the community that once inhabited this area.

The village features traditional architecture, material culture, and furniture from the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Within the village are approximately 40 different buildings, each authentic and sourced from various locations across the region.

These buildings include houses, barns, vajats (sleeping houses), a corn storage facility, a stable, a shepherd’s cottage, and more.

If you’re ever in the area, don’t miss the chance to explore this unique blend of history, culture, and craftsmanship!

All the furniture and household items within these structures are also authentic, reflecting the historical period of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

On one side of the village, you’ll find a reconstructed blacksmith, carpenter, and cooper shops, among others.

The shops are furnished with tools and machines and the centre of the village is the market, which doubles as an exhibition space, where you’ll discover a tavern, an antique shop, a tailor, a weaver, a barber, and even a pharmacist/herbalist.

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You can also visit outside of the “Tourist Season” as well ⬇️

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Come and Visit Us in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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And Finally

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Tamara and I appreciate your faithful readership, your comments, and your generosity! 

Until our next post.

THANKS SO MUCH ❤️

As ever stay safe wherever you are.

Bests

David and Tamara.

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