Following Her Intuition: Nadja Gydat's 'Move to Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina
An Englishman in the Balkans Archive 2013-2025
08/20/23
•32m
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Welcome to "An Englishman in the Balkans," the podcast that aims to encourage people to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina. We talk to fascinating individuals not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina but also those who have come to this country or, like me, live here.
Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to Nadja Gydat, an extraordinary woman who hails from Switzerland but has now made Visoko, just outside Sarajevo, her home. Nadja is on the verge of launching a wool-based eco-product, and her journey to this point is as intriguing as her upcoming venture.
Nadja describes herself as a real woman, a citizen of Europe, a mother to a few dogs, and someone born into a lineage of wise women who possess a unique gift passed down through generations. She is a believer in creating win-win situations in every aspect of life and sees herself as being on a journey to continuously expand her knowledge, spirituality, and understanding of people and mentalities.
Her early life was anything but conventional, with parents who were ahead of their time and raised her with open-mindedness and an appreciation for diverse cultures. Growing up in Italy and Africa,
Nadja was exposed to art, music, and different languages from an early age, shaping her curious and adventurous spirit.
Despite finding success in the luxury PR industry, Nadja realized the glitzy lifestyle wasn't fulfilling her. It lacked authenticity and became too stressful due to external factors beyond her control.
Feeling disconnected, she embarked on a quest to discover her true path.
Nadja's journey led her to Visoko, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she felt a strong connection with the energetic power of the pyramids and the abundance of negative ions in the tunnels. Prompted by a dream, she decided to make a life-changing move to Bosnia.
Initially, Nadja planned to open a health resort but found herself drawn to the untapped potential of Bosnian wool. She fell in love with the material and decided to create a product series based on wool, promoting its ecological and sustainable qualities.
She believes this venture will not only showcase Bosnian craftsmanship but also shine a light on the beauty and richness of Bosnia beyond its war-torn history.
Nadja's bold move to Bosnia has been met with admiration and curiosity from her friends and associates in Switzerland. She hopes to inspire others to explore the country's opportunities and beauty and intends to become a commercial and touristic ambassador for Bosnia in the future.
As we look forward to the launch of Nadja's eco-product line, she emphasizes the need to support young Bosnian entrepreneurs and give back to the community. She plans to become a business angel, supporting promising talents and projects.
For those intrigued by Nadja's story and interested in her wool-based products, you can connect with her on Instagram. Nadja encourages fellow Bosnians from the diaspora to return to their homeland and contribute to its growth and development, highlighting the untapped potential within this beautiful country.
Join us in celebrating Nadja's inspiring journey and be sure to check out her eco-product line as she showcases the beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, both through her products and her passion for this remarkable nation. Let's all embark on this adventure together and discover the hidden gems that lie within Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Mentioned in this episode:
Tamara Intro Tip
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Previous Episode
The Future of Folklore in Bosnia and Herzegovina
August 13, 2023
•38m
In this episode of the podcast, ! we are delving into the vibrant world of folklore in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country where culture and tradition play an essential role in its identity.
Dita Bajrami-Vrbanjac, the current Director of the folklore troupe based in Travnik, and passionate folklore enthusiast, explains the fascinating realm of Bosnian folklore.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, each major ethnic group has its unique way of portraying and preserving folklore, making it a colourful tapestry of tradition. Dita, shares her profound connection with folklore that dates back 34 years. From her first encounter with traditional dances, she has become an integral part of her group, currently involved in directing.
The essence of Bosnian folklore lies in its ability to inspire and motivate, and for Dita, love is the driving force behind her dedication. The aspects of identity, expressed through traditional music, costumes, stories, and lyrics, are what fuel her passion to preserve and promote this cultural heritage.
However, in the face of modern technologies and changing lifestyles, there are challenges to the continuation of folklore. Younger generations, engrossed in social media and digital distractions, are becoming less engaged with this rich tradition. Thus, there is a need to work on instilling the value of folklore in young minds, as it is essential for understanding one's roots and cultural heritage.
Bosnian folklore is a unifying tradition that transcends ethnic boundaries. While there might be different ethnic groups, their folkloric traditions share common roots and elements, weaving together the diverse cultural fabric of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The preservation of traditional costumes, intricate and handmade, poses a challenge as fewer skilled artisans remain to pass on this invaluable knowledge. Once the older generation of skilled costume makers fades away, the future of these unique costumes may be at risk.
Financial support is crucial in maintaining the cultural identity of the region. With government and local council funding, dance troupes can thrive and act as cultural ambassadors, showcasing Bosnian tradition to the world. Traveling to various locations and participating in folklore festivals helps to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the country.
To encourage young individuals to actively participate in preserving and promoting folklore, Dita suggests joining a dance troupe or participating in activities that involve a team spirit. Such experiences not only provide opportunities to learn traditional dances but also instill valuable life skills and foster a sense of national pride.
In the end, the future of Bosnian folklore lies in the hands of those who genuinely love and cherish this cultural treasure. As the torchbearers of tradition, it is their responsibility to ensure its preservation for generations to come.
Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future.
You can support my work, by maybe leaving a Tip or by becoming a member of our podcast family at: https://anenglishmaninthebalkanspodcast.com/support
Get full access to 🏴 An Englishman in the Balkans Blog 🇧🇦 at https://www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/subscribe
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Tamara Intro Tip
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coffeeandrakija.com/subscribe
Next Episode
Living in Croatia with Mark Whitfield - Part 3
August 27, 2023
•52m
Welcome to this final episode of our mini series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield.
This is the third instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how difficult it is, or maybe not so, a business in Croatia.
Mark gives some valuable insights into daily life living in the north of Croatia near the small town of Štrigova.
You can find out more about Mark's Glamping business in Štrigova Croatia HERE.
I hope that this micro-series will give let you experience another aspect of life for “foreigners” who choose to make this region their home.
Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future.
You can support my work, by maybe leaving a Tip or by becoming a member of our podcast family at:
https://anenglishmaninthebalkanspodcast.com/support
Get full access to 🏴 An Englishman in the Balkans Blog 🇧🇦 at anenglishmaninthebalkans.com
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
Mentioned in this episode:
Tamara Intro Tip
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coffeeandrakija.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.coffeeandrakija.com/subscribe
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