Warhol in Sarajevo

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In today's newsletter: celebrating forty years since the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo; measuring climate change and geopolitical risk in Skopje; our weekend conversation with General Secretary of the National Assembly Ur?ula Zore Tav?ar. The Regional Snapshot looks into Croatia's contested appointment of its new Attorney General, NLB Funds' predictions for the economy, and the Serbian company facing EU sanctions. In the Pulse, we look at a storied history of tattooing in the region,?paired with fresh music discoveries as the MENT festival reveals its lineup.

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— Maja Dragovi?, Editor at?The Adriatic

The artistic legacy of the Sarajevo Olympics

Reflecting on the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, it's worth revisiting the effort that brought a cultural and artistic flair to the games.?Led by Lazo Vuji? and his wife ?iva ?kodlar Vuji?, who run the Visconti Fine Art gallery in Ljubljana, the Sarajevo Olympics Art Project brought together 18 famous artists from across the globe, featuring legends?like Andy Warhol and Henry Moore.

The water is rising

The Institute for Strategic Solutions, Slovenia's leading private think-tank, convened its annual corporate strategy event in Skopje.?The roundtable discussion?The water is rising: Running businesses during times of crises,?centered on climate change and geopolitics, sparking a conversation among business leaders about navigating an increasingly hectic environment.

"At first, you're hit with this wave of disbelief or denial. Then, as it starts to sink in, you might find yourself getting really angry. But eventually, you come to terms with what's happening, accepting the new reality, at which point you're ready to roll up your sleeves and start coming up with solutions,"?said one speaker.

Managing democracy

Ur?ula Zore Tav?ar has dedicated over three decades of her career to the Slovenian parliament, holding the position of General Secretary for the last ten years across four successive governments. Having never been a member of any political party, her openness and innate fairness toward all political perspectives has ensured her selection by each new composition of parliament, without a single dissenting vote.

Where will we find you this weekend?

I'm looking forward to enjoying the beauty of the capital, taking it easy after an incredibly hectic week filled with numerous meetings, discussions, an extraordinary session of parliament, and the retirement of my longtime secretary (who spent 19 years at the National Assembly), and to whom we wish a delightful retirement!

Sunday mornings: slow or zippy??

Slow, with a cup of coffee, digital edition of The Sunday Times and its weekend magazines and a morning walk up to Ljubljana castle with my daughter and sister (and any other family members that deign to join, like our family dog Jaka).

Weekend breakfast?

No weekend is complete without croissants from one of Ljubljana's artisan bakeries.

Books or news??

News. I check digital editions of Slovenian and international papers.

What's on the speakers?

Peace and quiet, with frequent interruptions by the lounge music my husband puts on.

Weekend lunch; in or out?

Mostly in with the extended family. Usually, our lunches are a fusion of traditional cuisine with a dash of international flavour.

Whiskey or wine?

Neither! I've come to realise that beyond a certain age, my ability to tolerate alcohol is directly tied to my readiness to endure a headache the next day.

Sunday lunch topics?

Our lunches are quite varied, encompassing both the food we eat and the topics we discuss. We cover politics, current affairs, culture, global issues, and family challenges—but mostly politics. Then it's a coin-toss ?to decide who's going to do the dishes and make the coffee.

Any weekend traditions?

Visiting the market on Saturdays, although sometimes my husband takes on the task.

Cultural event you attended recently?

The most recent cultural event I attended was the official commemoration of Slovene Cultural Day. However, the most memorable event for me was the latest adaptation of?Antigone?at the Slovenian National Theatre Drama.?

Favourite place in Ljubljana?

Aside from enjoying coffee in our garden on a beautiful summer morning, Eipprova Street in Trnovo, with its cafes and restaurants, is a favorite spot. You can find all the meals of the day along that street.?

Any tips for aspiring leaders?

Be passionate about your values and beliefs, and to quote a famous sports brand, "Just do it!"

Regional Snapshot

Di si EU

In a move that has ignited controversy, Croatia's Sabor confirmed Ivan Turudi? as Attorney General, sparking public outcry over allegations of misconduct.?Reports by Croatian daily Jutranji list revealing?Turudi?'s text conversations with Josipa Rimac, former official arrested on corruption charges, along with his frequent contacts with Zdravko Mami?, the embattled ex-Dinamo Zagreb chief facing charges of abuse of power and bribery, have cast a shadow over his appointment. The situation has thrust Prime Minister Plenkovi? into the limelight, forcing him to defend the selection amidst claims that, under his influence, the Croatian Bureau for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK)?neglected to conduct a security assessment of Turudi?.

The opposition party, Mo?emo!, has announced plans to file a complaint against Plenkovi?'s administration with the European Commission, accusing it of violating EU justice and human rights standards. However, with parliamentary elections on the horizon in Croatia, political scientist and sociologist An?elko Milardovi? is?skeptical about the effectiveness of such a move. "It could even be counterproductive for the opposition if they support Plenkovi? in Brussels,” he said.

Betting on the sunrise

With concerns over a looming recession fading, NLB Funds ( NLB Skladi, upravljanje premo?enja, d.o.o. ) is optimistic about the economic outlook for 2024.?In our coverage, Slovenia's leading asset manager?forecasts unemployment and inflation rates to fall?below their end-of-2023 levels, easing worries about investment. "We're feeling positive about the prospects for both asset classes this year, though we're slightly more bullish on stocks than bonds," commented Rok Poto?nik, NLB's senior asset manager. He added a note of caution, however, indicating that the firm is tempering its expectations, and doesn't expect the lofty returns witnessed last year.

Maintaining a neutral stance on its engagements in American and European markets, NLB Funds is looking towards Asia. As Beijing grapples with a slowing economy and U.S. sanctions, economists project India to maintain an annual growth rate of 6% or more over the decade. Moreover, following a period of stagnation after the asset bubble burst, Japan's economy is showing signs of revival with the Nikkei index briefly topping 38,000 points on Tuesday, touching its historical high and signaling a potential turnaround for the Japanese market.

Designed in Europe, assembled in Russia

The EU is mulling extending sanctions to Serbia ahead of the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24.With an eye on stifling Russia's procurement of dual-use technologies, Brussels is looking for ways to reinforce its sanction regime in response to increased Russian missile production with Western-made chips. According to a document seen by RFE/RL,?the list targets entities in six foreign countries, Serbia among them. Notably, the Belgrade-based consulting firm Conex,?owned by Aleksandar Ivanovi?—who also owned the now-defunct electrical appliance company Elektro Concept Valjevo. Despite banking data showing no evidence of Conex engaging in foreign trade with Russia or any other country, its potential inclusion on the EU's sanctions list would set a new precedent as the first Serbian company to face such measures by the bloc.

Nevertheless, there is a likelihood that the EU and its allies may prioritize the more rigorous enforcement of existing sanctions over introducing new ones, aiming to ensure that the new package is passed without opposition.

The Pulse

ZNAMEN / The Sign

The text illustrates drawings of hands adorned with intricate lines and simple motifs: radiant suns, crosses with forked ends, and crescent moons embellished with boughs that encircle wrists, hands, and fingers. These descriptions are part of Vesna Haluga's?book on?sicanje, or?to prick, shedding light on the ancient practice of tattooing among women in Bosnia.

Deeply rooted in symbolizing identity, beauty, and protection, the tradition dates back millennia, though its significance stems from the 15th century, as it evolved to become a symbol of defiance against Ottoman rule. In a bid to protect themselves, women began to extensively tattoo themselves to deter Ottoman soldiers, using their inked skin of Christian symbols as a shield against enslavement, forced marriage or being taken to the Sultan's harem. Although the tradition has since waned, it endures as a powerful mark of resilience and stands as a stark reminder of the toll war exacts on women.

MENT Ljubljana, 2024

The MENT festival, a key highlight of Ljubljana's cultural calendar, is soon to commence, offering an eclectic mix of cross-genre music. Globally recognised for its role in unveiling new musical talents, MENT brings together an array of European musicians for both industry professionals and enthusiasts. For those looking to avoid the bustle and heat of Gala Hala and Metelkova, an alternative programme is scheduled at Ljubljana Castle on the 23rd of February,?including the syncoptic jazz rhythms of Oholo! and the mesmerising ballads of Kitty Florentine.

"Ljubav je valjda jedina stvar na svijetu koju ne treba obja?njavati ni tra?iti razlog."

— Me?a Selimovi?, writer and author of?Death and Dervish

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