In our new column Meet a local we present interesting individuals from different professional fields living in Belgrade. The idea is to get to know some locals and their favorite neighborhoods and venues in the city.
Please introduce yourself to our readers:
Hi, I’m Dunja Jovanović and I work as a freelance journalist, and since 2017 as a freelance PR as well.
Has there been a new project lately?
Together with my colleague journalist Marija Radaković I have started exploring and writing about sustainability or, more precisely, sustainability in the fashion industry, in order to educate and raise awareness of what is happening in the industry in terms of ecology and ethics. Last month we organized and hosted a panel show called – Who made our clothes? that dealt with sustainability. The panel was held at Dorćol Platz venue and the place was crowded! Also, we’re hosting a podcast on the same subject, called F.Fm. Aside from that I write for two websites – 42magazin (42magazine.com) and MILICA magazine (milicamagazine.com).
As a PR I mostly work on projects in arts and culture. Recently I had an opportunity to work on the campaign for the new jazz season opening in one of the Belgrade’s iconic spots – The writer’s club (Klub Književnika). We successfully opened the season with the performance of famous Serbian jazz pianist/composer – Vasil Hadžimanov. I was honored that members of Still In Belgrade editorial staff came to the event.
What do you like about Belgrade?
I love the contrasts of the city – it’s old, historical part on one side of the river and brutalist and modernist vibes on the other side.
Where do you like to go out?
I mostly go to restaurants, bars and cafes. I don’t go to clubs that much but when I do, it’s usually Boat 20/44 or KC Grad.
Name 3 of your favorite restaurants in the city?
The coolest place in the city for me is a small restaurant in Zemun, called Galerija. It’s not easy to find it because it’s literally hidden in one of the smallest streets in Belgrade – called Čunarska. The menu is always changing, the food is fresh, and the crowd is usually very interesting too. Aside from that I love to eat in restaurants TRI, Proleće, Mornar and Dokolica. Recently I have discovered restaurant Grmeč, their dish called ribić na kajmaku (pork loin with kajmak – traditional Serbian cheese) I strongly recommend!
Where do you drink coffee?
I don’t drink coffee so often. I prefer tea and hot chocolate. For the tea I go to cafe/bookstore Apropo, and for the chocolate to Valentina i Karanfil.
Where do you spend your leisure time?
I run, so that’s what I do when I have some free time. I love to run on the riverbanks at 25th May, at the track in Tašmajdan park and on the New Belgrade’s riverbanks.
Name your 3 favorite locations in Belgrade and justify your choice.
Cetinjska street – It’s not my favorite location in the city, but I’d recommend it to every tourist. The street is packed with cool bars, so If you go – you’ll find everything your heart desires: from great local bands, DJs, to poetry readings and private plays. And some pretty good craft beer of course.
Košutnjak and Topčider – a forest/park; it takes 25-30 min by bus to get there from the city center. The name, Košutnjak, is derived from the medieval hunting forests of the Serbian nobility, meaning doe breeder (In Serbian, košuta means doe, hind), as does used to live freely in the park until the World War I. Sadly, today you won’t stumble upon does, but in Topčider you will find the oldest Platanus tree in the city, Hajdučka česma – a natural spring and Milošev Konak museum – a pretty cool place to visit if you’re interested in Serbian history.
Museum of Contemporary Art – was finally reopened for visitors in 2017! In it you will find collections of artworks produced in Serbia since 1900. The museum hosts and organizes New Media exhibitions, and, in that context, we’re all looking forward to seeing Marina Abramović’s pieces which will be presented in the museum next September.
Writer. Blogger. Traveler. Researcher. Electronic Music Lover.