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Halid Beslic: Toronto Concert Preview

Halid Beslic doesn’t need any introductions. As someone who has been on the ex-YU/Bosnian music scene since the late 70s, he nothing short of a well recognized, respected and adored name when it comes to folk and sevdah music. Born in 1953 and at the age of 59, he continues to be a dominant force in the Bosnian folk and sevdah music genre across the Balkans and the world. Over his 30+ year career, has has recorded more than 15 studio albums and performed in hundreds of concerts.

Wherever he appears, he has been warmly welcomed with open arms. Like fine wine, the desire for his music only continues to get stronger over the years. However, as much as Halid is know for his upbeat music, he is equally known for openly displaying his empathetic side through numerous humanitarian concerts and generous contributions.

This Saturday, May 18th, the Balkan community of Toronto, including other parts of southern-Ontario and northern-United States will have the opportunity to see Halid Beslic at the Sound Academy perform what’s expected to be a sold-out and exciting concert that will feature many hits from his new album, ‘Romanija’ as well as many of his older hits.

The concert will be opened by Toronto’s famous Lemon Bucket Orkestra, who are  a Canadian self-described “Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Punk-Super-Party-Band” formed in 2010. The concert will also feature Croatian folk-pop singer Alka Vuica, who, if you recall, ran for Croatia’s presidency in 2010.

Needless to say, Saturday May 18th will be an event for the ages.

Hoping to see everyone there!

Photo Credit (HalidBeslicToronto)

Tihana Nemcic Still the Coach of NK Viktorija Vojakovac

Eight months ago Tihana Nemcic broke new ground in soccer and society by becoming the first female coach in men’s soccer. A former model and current professional soccer player on Croatia’s Women’s National Team, Tihana was named the head coach of Croatian fifth division club NK Viktorija Vojkovac last year in October.
Eight months later, Tihana is still in full control of NK Viktorija Vojkovac.
At the time of her hiring, many thought that this was just a publicity stunt by the team. But as time went on, she has displayed her seriousness about coaching in Croatia. And why not? Tihana brought with her wealth of experience from years of playing for the women’s team of Croatian giant Dinamo Zagreb, as well as country’s national team and schooling from the University of Sport in Croatia.
Nemcic got interested in soccer when she used to follow her boyfriend to training. She was also among 15 finalists for the beauty title of Croatia Miss Sport in 2008.
Photo Credits (Daily Mail)

Car Part Manufacturing in Gorazde

Since Bosnia’s deceleration of independence in March 1992, two decades later there is little to be excited about the Bosnian economy. The independence led to a four-year armed conflict that saw over 150,000 people killed and over 2.2 million people displaced, which easily became Europe’s most devastating war since World War II. Since the war, the replacement of damaged infrastructure across the country remains slow and ongoing, but one major issue remains is the country’s unemployment rate which sits at an estimated 45 per cent – easily making Bosnia one of Europe’s poorest countries.

But there is one spot shining brightly in the town of Gorazde. Bekto Precisa factory is not only expanding to take on more work, but it also happens to employ 357 employees and is open for a full 24 hours and 352 days a year. The factory is responsible for making plastic parts for car lights for Porsche, BMW and Audi. It also manufactures parts for skis and street lamps, in a joint venture with German firm Hella.

Even though Bosnia suffers from a horrible economy, high unemployment rate and a dysfunctional government, you’d the surprised to know that town’s such as Gordazde, Tesanj, Sanski Most, Bijeljina and Visoko are responsible for manufacturing for some of Europe’s biggest companies. It only makes sense for countries such as Germany, Netherlands, France and Brittani to export some manufacturing elsewhere nearby to offset some costs and in turn increase the profits.

Even though the wages are only a fraction of those in any developed European country, the work is very much welcome, especially when the average monthly salary for a Bekto employee is €664 ($864), comfortably above the Bosnian norm of €421. But the important factory is that there’s work and no shortage of it either. Just recently the factory advertised 30 news jobs and in return received 3,000 applications. But the wages are not as low as in China for example, yet the quality and the delivery times are superb.

Prior to the war Bosnia used to the biggest exporter in former Yugoslavia. As a country it had a good education system that produced high quality working force. Bosnian diaspora continues to make strong gains all around world and many are doing well thank to strong work ethics that we gained back home or passed down. For example, Bosnia was one of the biggest producer of high voltage middle power switches that are in use for electrical distribution. That product was completely developed by University in Sarajevo and exported in many corners of the world. Most of military industry of then Yugoslavia was based in Bosnia, while the textile industry was one of the biggest employers in all of the country. Prior to the war and today, and in large thanks to rivers and coal mines, Bosnia was and still is an important energy producer. It also helps to have a huge reserves of drinking water and unpolluted nature.

Credit (The Economist) Photo (Precisa)