ABC WEDNESDAY - "N" is for "night"

The shadow of the statue of Prince Mihailo Obrenović that I've shown you many times before, cast on a nearby building, at night, of course.

Never Noticed the shadow before....

See other N's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Once more from behind.

This post may remind you of another rear view from a short while ago. This large lady angel stands not far from the Cvijeta Zuzorić Pavilion, used primarily as an art exhibit venue.

SKYWATCH --Sit on an ear

Kalemegdan's famous statue, seen from the (ahem) rear. There was a gray sky to view if you chose to sit on one of these ear-shaped benches, donated to parks around Belgrade by Telenor, the mobile phone folks. You can see a watermelon to sit on right here.

Check out other skies at SKYWATCH.

SKYWATCH--Prince Miloš Obrenović

Prince Miloš Obrenović (MEE-lush O-bren-o-veetch, 1780-1860) was Prince of Serbia twice (1815-1839 and 1858-1860). He participated in the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire and later led the Serbs in the Second Serbian Uprising in Takovo, Serbia. Under him, Serbia became an autonomous duchy within the Ottoman Empire. I used to drive down Belgrade’s main boulevard, Kneza Miloša, just about every day and never noticed this statue...until I walked by. Slow down and see.... Photo taken before our big snow...since then, I pick my way along sidewalks, lest I slip or be hit by a falling icicle.

See other skies on SKYWATCH.

ABC Wednesday "D" is for "Dalí " look-alike?

Laza Kostić (1841-1910) was a Serbian poet, prose writer, lawyer, philosopher, polyglot, publicist, and politician, considered to be one of the greatest minds of Serbian literature. I do not think he ever picked up a paintbrush, but I do think this bust of him is reminiscent of the eccentric Surrealist Painter, Salvador Dali.

According to Wikipedia, Laza Kostić was characterized as an eccentric but had a spark of genius all his own. His writings abound in coined words, and in devious turns and twists of expression. He was the first to introduce iambic meter into the dramatic poetry, and the first translator of Shakespeare into Serbian. At a European authors' convention at the turn of the century he once tried to explain the relationship between the culture of Serbia and those of major Western European cultures using the scenario of a phone conversation, in which the speaker in Belgrade keeps repeating, “Can you hear us? We hear you. Can you hear us?” with the other end of the line not responding whatsoever. His scenario accurately expressed the frustration the smaller European cultures at not being heard, or not being understood.

There exists a Laza Kostić Fund, with offices in Belgrade and London.

See other D's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

ABC Wednesday -- "B" is for "Begone, bird!"

I've already shown you this statue called The Struggle once before, and now it seems that not only is our hero having trouble getting rid of a snake, but a defiant bird as well.

See other B's on ABC WEDNESDAY.

Radoje Domanović --a short life, but long-remembered

Radoje Domanović (RAH-do-yeh Do-MAHN-o-veetch) (1873 - 1908) was a Serbian writer and teacher, most famous for his satirical short stories. He died of tuberculosis. This illness, along with the affection he inspired in all who knew him, surrounded his work with a romantic, sentimental aura.

During his short literary career he developed the great powers of the satirical novel, although some of his stories are distorted by pessimism. Below are two examples:

The Suffering, an allegory in which he castigated the ruthlessness of the authority and submissiveness of its subjects.

The Leader, a story about incompetent leadership: people who chose a person they'd never seen before to lead them to a better place. After suffering through a long trip, they realize that their leader is blind.