
From London to the Adriatic
An Englishman in the Balkans
09/11/24
•35m
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In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Martin Gannon, a British expatriate with deep ties to the former Yugoslavia. Martin shares his experiences of first moving to Yugoslavia in 1980, initially as a holiday job opportunity, which evolved into a long-term career in tourism. He discusses his early days working in places like Poreč and later organising tours across the region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro. Martin reflects on cultural differences, the impact of Tito's death, the ease of working in tourism, and navigating the local languages. He reminisces about the vibrant tourism scene of the 1980s, his work with Yugoslav Airlines, and developing pilgrimage tours to Medjugorje. The discussion also touches on the current state of tourism in former Yugoslavian regions, emphasising Bosnia and Herzegovina's untapped potential.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:00 Meeting Martin Gannon
01:51 Martin's Journey to Yugoslavia
03:31 Life and Work in Yugoslavia
05:33 Navigating Language and Residency
08:25 Exploring the Region
11:40 Involvement with Yugoslav Airlines
16:15 Reflections on Tourism Then and Now
19:42 The Impact of COVID and Future Plans
29:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Previous Episode

Exploring Spomeniks.
May 26, 2024
•25m
In this episode, I discuss the brutalist Spomenik monuments of the former Yugoslavia with Donald Niebel - founder of the Spomenik Database.
Donald is an environmental scientist turned researcher from the United States
We delve into the historical significance, architectural design, and location details of these unique, massive structures.
Donald explains how he transformed his initial curiosity about these striking monuments into a comprehensive online resource.
Sharing his experiences and insights, Donald reveals the value of the Spomeniks as instruments for studying local and regional histories.
The Spomenik Database can be accessed at https://spomenikdatabase.org
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:06 Exploring the Spomeniks of Yugoslavia
01:02 Discovering the Spomenik Database
01:33 Interview with Donald Niebel: The Man Behind the Spomenik Database
02:40 The Journey of Documenting the Spomeniks
04:39 The Challenges of Cataloging the Monuments
07:35 The Significance and Interpretation of the Spomeniks
08:25 Public Reactions to the Spomeniks
14:23 The Role of the Spomenik Database in Education
16:51 The Community's Connection to the Spomeniks
18:30 Future Plans for the Spomenik Database
24:23 Donald's Personal Connection to the Spomeniks
25:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Next Episode

The New Sound of An Englishman in the Balkans
September 12, 2024
•4m
Hello, it's David here from 'An Englishman in the Balkans'. After a brief hiatus since May, I'm excited to be back and share some updates. Over the years, the podcast has focused on bringing stories from fascinating people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but I've decided to explore new formats and storytelling methods. Moving forward, I'll continue with interviews but also dive deeper into local cultures through narratives, tours, and experiences. This means more variety and texture in the stories I share. Thanks for sticking around, and I can't wait to take you on this new journey!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe
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