Many of the buildings of Belgrade are interesting because of their lack of interest, built for function, not form. I like minimalist design, but these are something different again, and the repetition in architecture continues all through the regions where the influence of decades of hard times is obvious. Of course, in the former Yugoslavian countries, the memories of the civil war are not far distant and one doesn't have to be much past an adult to remember the conflicts as they ended in 2001.
As I mentioned, over dinner with clients I talked a little with them about it and how the recovery has been and my host looked around the table of people laughing and eating who represented all regions and said, "Look, here we are", she went on to say, "Times change, one has to learn to let go of the past". I think that this pragmatic view of the world comes from experience, pain and understanding that one does not ever want to see that past again.
In the room I trained in at the client company there was a quote from Einstein on the wall:
“The only source of knowledge is experience.”
I do not know much of the history of Yugoslavia and while Google can provide details, it can never provide the experience that living circumstances do - It will always be detached, limited, insensitive. Knowing the events of the past doesn't mean one has the understanding of what came to pass, so I will stay away from the historical sides.
This is a series of architectural images except for the first, which is the very last image I took from Belgrade before the battery in my camera died. I wasn't even sure if it saved it to the card. It was a dog and I while it was wearing a collar, I couldn't see an owner in sight. I gave it a pat and it would have been happy to get some more but I had to rush away.
I think that this next image is a good place to start the building set however, for as it reads at the bottom across the windows, "The cultural centre of Belgrade", which I think is fitting.
I like the repetition and even though I think that many might see this series as depressing, after spending a little time there and getting to know a few of the locals over dinner, I see them as kind of inspiring. Having my hosts talk about the changing world, about eating well but never wasting food, the environment, the economy, the debt cycles and how there must be a better way forward from here was uplifting.
Not one person I met seemed to hold resentment of the past nor bitterness, even though there was still a pain and discomfort in the way they spoke. All of them looked forward, all of them had optimism and hope that a better life is possible.
I had a chance to speak alone with the main host as she and her husband gave me a ride back to the hotel one night and there was one thing that we both agreed on heavily. It is a better life to try for better and fail, than to live a life on repeat.
This was another quote from Einstein on their wall:
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]