Today's episode is a full one. life has been full.
we open with a birthday. sretan rođendan mama. 67 years old, a pensioner at last, and the most selfless woman i know. this episode is dedicated to you.
but it's been a mixed bag since we last spoke, and i wanted to come on and share all of it with you. the joy, the grief, and everything in between.
we talk about little Tessa, who lost her battle with cancer at only six years old. we talk about a family friend who passed, and what it means to be trusted with someone's final moments. we talk about how you carry two things at once. pain and love. and why you have to keep dancing anyway.
i recapped Bosanski Vitez, the Bosnian film doing the rounds in Australia right now. go watch it. type it in wherever you are. it's important.
shout out to my cousin Vlad. Macedonian Aussie comedian, absolute legend. go find his podcast This That and give it a listen.
then i tell you about recording with my Strina Slavica. she's turning 80 in July and she is one of the most extraordinary women i have ever sat across from. part of the recording was lost and i am devastated about it, but we will do it again. ask your elders questions. record them. write it down. you will not regret it.
and then the wedding. my cousin Daniel married his Laticia. East Timorese and Croatian cultures in the same room, and it was nothing short of magic. the tea ceremony, the kolo, the dragon dancers, the rakia, my son Vito holding his third cousin's hand on the dance floor. three generations. pure joy. don't wait. go to the wedding.
huge thank you to Martina, my last guest. a Macedonian woman who works for NASA. i am so proud she came on and shared her story with us.
and a massive thank you to our first ever sponsor. Mark, the Burek Guy, based in Liverpool Sydney. an absolutely incredible family-run business and an even better human. if you want to collaborate or sponsor Balkan Sis, reach out. this is completely bootstrapped and your support keeps it alive.
COMING UP:
next weekend. Burek on Wheels and Baba's Milk are hosting a pita workshop on the Gold Coast at Enzo's Cucina, Surfers Paradise, right on the Esplanade. there will be music, food, goodie bags and good people. tickets are limited so reach out to Lepa directly. i will be there shooting content and i would love to see you.
also coming up. Seljačka Večer at the Croatian Club in Rocklea, Brisbane. 13th of June, starting from 3pm. Stona Sat will be there. there is talk of a bus running from the Gold Coast. get in, get your dose of good music and rakia, and support your local club.
huge shout out to Prva Liga, the band who played at Daniel and Leticia's wedding on Saturday and Sunday. Steven, Marco and the boys. if you need a band for your next event, reach out to them. talented, warm-hearted men keeping our culture alive in the most beautiful way.
we close with a reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, 12:31 to 13:8a. and then a song for Mum.
love does not come to an end. živjeli.
cheers to being different, cheers to not being mainstream, živjeli.
find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. follow @balkansispodcast and @ivanastrbacalfonso.
