Waves, writers, warblers

Good morning, here's something to get you started.

Listen (or watch) the debut our new podcast, Adriatic Waves; we explore the recent accolades given to contentious Austrian author, Peter Handke; and share a peek into the weekend habits of Better's An?e Droljc. The Regional Snapshot delves into the deepening political divide in Montenegro, President Zelenskyy's appeals to Balkan nations, and Serbia's celebration of the Lunar New Year. The Pulse?features an in-depth look at Keanu Reeves' musical career and the forthcoming IPO security conference.

—?Maja Dragovi?, Editor at?The Adriatic

Facing 2024 in the Adriatic

Exciting news! Our podcast,?Adriatic Waves, has officially launched! In our debut episode, we look at the top three risks facing the Adriatic region in 2024. Join us as we sit down with Dr. Jure Stojan, Head of Research at the Institute of Strategic Solutions, and Dr. Faris Ko?an, a researcher at the University of Ljubljana. They are the brains behind the Strategic Foresight published in the 2024 edition of?The Adriatic?magazine. In this conversation, we take a quick look at the region's pressing challenges: an aging population, climate change, and the imperative of maximising the EU growth plan.

Listen to the podcast on?Spotify, Apple Podcasts or watch it on?YouTube.

Handke's truth

Discerning truth in modern society is akin to the mythical labour of Sisyphus, as we're overwhelmed by an information overload far beyond what our minds are equipped to process fully. In this deluge, there's a temptation to find refuge in contrarian perspectives, tempted by the thought dissenting notions may unveil hidden knowledge. Believing we're 'in the know' more than others not only strokes our ego but feels more manageable, given the smaller pool to draw from compared to the endless sea of mainstream narratives.

The disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1991 saw Western intellectuals largely adopting a cohesive stance on the ensuing conflict, with few exceptions lending their support to Serbia, aside from Russia. An outlier was Austrian novelist and playwright Peter Handke, whose essays in?A Journey to the Rivers: Justice for Serbia?criticized the Western media's portrayal of the war. His staunch support for Serbia, coupled with contentious comments on the Srebrenica genocide, ignited a firestorm of criticism from journalists and survivors alike.

Despite the controversy surrounding his views, Handke was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2019 and recently received Austria's highest honor from President Van der Bellen, recognizing the country's Nobel laureates. This prompts a debate on whether controversial figures like Handke should be acknowledged for “the most outstanding work in an ideal direction," or, according to the Austrian president, for being the role model of the next generation. The celebration of literary achievements does not equate to an endorsement of genocide denial. But it does expose an uncomfortable notion: human suffering is the perennial backdrop to history — only literature is exceptional.

Handke went to Serbia in 1995 to uncover the truth within the chaos of the Yugoslav wars?— a quest he claims was fruitful. For the rest of us, we should be judicius not only in the truths we seek but also how we interpret them.

Beyond Better

An?e Droljc, director of business development at Better, a healthcare software company, opens up about his weekend routines, offering a mix of relaxation, family engagement, and the occasional treat. By enjoying simple delights such as Milka chocolates and spending time reading, Droljc provides insight into his approach to maintaining a healthy work-life balance outside the corporate environment.

Where will we find you this weekend?

At the airport in Levec, at home in the garden and at my mom's for Sunday lunch.

Sunday mornings: slow or zippy??

I am not a morning person. I?try not to get up too early,?take it slow, have coffee, read?something intersting or easy to get my brain and body going.

Weekend breakfast?

Coffee, vanilla doughnut, black Doma?ica biscuits or Milka with nuts.

Books or news??

Rereading Clayton Christensen’s?Innovators Prescription. Great book describing still relevant challenges of healthcare and the much needed innovations.?

What's on the speakers?

Spotify family playlist... Usually dominated by selection of songs from my youngest daughter Lili and a lot of repeats of the same songs.

Weekend lunch: in or out?

This weekend at home, maybe time to bring out bbq on Saturday, while Sunday will be at my mom's.

Whiskey or wine?

Whiskey Macallan & Jameson. But lately a shot of a good tequila - Codigo - is also a nice substitute when it's an occasion for a toast.

Sunday lunch topics?

Plans for Easter and how many chocolate eggs do we need to get this year to keep the kids busy searching for them around the garden.

Any weekend traditions?

Whenever the weather permits, we go for a walk or a trip to the nature. Otherwise, we take it easy, enjoy ourselves in our garden and meet with friends.

Cultural event you attended recently?

Does skiing count? It was amazing and helped us recharge.

Any tips for aspiring leaders?

Trust yourself, never ever give up, never stop learning and respect others around you.

Regional Snapshot

Europe Now?

Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovi? has left Europe Now! (PES), his exit followed by the removal of Justice Minister Andrej Milovi?.?Taking to X (previously Twitter) President Milatovi? aired his grievances with his former party, pinpointing a lack of transparency and an?inability to promote meaningful internal discourse. The removal of Milovi? occurred amidst allegations of corruption brought forth by the head of the Special Police, Predrag ?ukovi?. Meanwhile, reports from the Montenegrin daily Vijesti suggest that Milovi?'s outspoken criticism of the country's politicised security apparatus?played a pivotal role in his departure.

In last year's elections, PES won 24 out of 81 parliamentary seats. However, the party's unity has since frayed, evidenced by the exit of two lawmakers and speculative reports suggesting the possible alignment of at least?two more parliamentarians with Milatovi?. Prime Minister Spaji? intends an overhaul of the government, introducing further uncertainty into the prevailing political deadlock. The existing coalition, which includes PES, the Democrats, the Socialist People's Party, and parties representing the Albanian national minority, is poised for a reshuffle that might accommodate pro-Serbian and pro-Russian elements, under the leadership of Andrija Mandi? and Milan Kne?evi?.

Scraping the barrel

President Vladimir Zelenskyy was in Albania this week in a bid to drum up support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression.?During the two-day summit in Tirana, Zelenskyy proposed partnering with the Balkans to ramp up arms production.

As Russian forces gain ground, Ukraine's reliance on international financial and military assistance is set to grow. With elections looming in the U.S. and the hold up of a?$50 billion aid package in Congress, European nations are faced with the predicament of having to significantly boost their production of ammunition. Despite the EU's lofty commitment to equip Ukraine with a million artillery shells by March, the reality fell markedly short,?achieving only half its goal.

The dire shortage of artillery shells in Ukraine's arsenal severely hampers its ability to mount effective counteroffensive operations. There are significant arms industries in parts of the Balkans, especially Serbia and Bosnia. According to?documents leaked last year, Serbia had covertly sent lethal aid to Ukraine, while Bosnia presents a reservoir of untapped potential. Near its peak, the country accounted for?more than half?of the armaments manufactured in Yugoslavia. Political scientist and consultant Jasmin Mujanovi? contends that, with an initial investment, Bosnia could begin churning out "hundreds, if not thousands, of 155 mm shells for Ukraine per day."

To Xi, or not to Xi

At a reception in Villa Mir, to toast the end of the Lunar New Year, President Vu?i? announced a forthcoming visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.?Likely to coincide with a trip to Paris sometime in the spring, it will mark President Xi's first visit to Europe in over four years.?

All of last week, Serbia was awash with festivities commemorating the Year of the Dragon. Cities across the country featured cultural jubilation, performances by Chinese dancers and spectacular pyrotechnics. This year's celebrations marked the sixth consecutive observation of the Lunar New Year, as Prime Minister Brnabi? heralded a?new decade of continued engagement.

The partnership has yielded a portfolio of joint projects valued at over €18 billion. By the end of last year, Serbia and China had finalized a free-trade agreement and?established a yuan clearing arrangement, facilitating smoother cross-border transactions. The latter is part of a broader effort by Beijing to promote the use of its currency and reduce reliance on the dollar. Since 2022, new yuan clearing banks have been set up in Laos, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Brazil.

The Pulse

Keanu's bass slapping

The news in Ljubljana was all aflutter last week as people spotted Keanu Reeves on the streets. Making his way to Slovenia for a commercial tie-up with Akrapovi?, it's no mystery how the exhaust manufacturer managed to lure the motorbike-loving Reeves. The celebrated blockbuster film star also harbours a lesser-known passion for music, which he's decided to put right.

It's not unusual for celebrities to explore their interests in music, embarking on passion projects beyond their cinematic fame. Keanu Reeves' musical venture manifests through Dogstar, a band born from a serendipitous meeting between two hockey enthusiasts in a San Francisco supermarket. It didn't initially settle on the name — it was a more family-friendly choice that emerged later. With Dogstar scheduled to perform at the?Arsenal Festival in Kragujevac?and the?INMusic Festival in Zagreb?in June, we thought it worth your time to answer the questions:?Why is Keanu Reeves in a band named Dogstar and are they any good?

Let's go to the movies

The Slovenian branch of the International Police Organisation is gearing up for its second annual security conference, taking place at Cineplexx on the?11th of April. Security is the watchword for the forseeable future, becoming increasingly vital in the face of rising intolerance and violence. Whether it's rooted in ethnic, religious differences, or stemming from everyday bullying in schools,? the Emergency Response & Awareness Conference (ERAC) has assembled a broad range of security boffins, spanning counterterrorism, digital surveillance, and mental health. With a firm belief in the necessity of elevating the public consciousness, ERAC is aims to provide the most effective strategies to brace for and confront the security challenges that lie ahead.

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Image credits:?X, YouTube, Office of the President of Montenegro, Office of the President of Ukraine, Serbian government, ERAC