I’m a man in search of inspiration.
Looking for a way to keep belgradestreets fresh, alive.
One way is to spread further afield, I have barely scratched the surface of Novi Beograd and countless other communities that make up this captivating city?
Another would be to search for a more thematic approach, I’m toying with “hidden places” or “underneath Belgrade”?
Maybe I should think about inviting others to take part? I will not live on belgradestreets for ever and it would be wonderful to find a way to keep this project alive as the city, its streets, its people face the challenges of the next few years…
It will soon be the second anniversary of my arrival on belgradestreets, only a little over a year or so since this blog first saw the light of day.
What began small, and with zero aspirations, has become a big draw on my time and richly rewarding on many levels.
My blog has attracted over one thousand followers from well over 100 countries scattered over the globe, it has given birth to a book, a short film on the TV and its pages turned almost 52,000 times…
None of that would have been possible without you, my readers and followers.
So, I would value your views on where belgradestreets should go in 2013?
For now, images from тиршова, captured whilst out walking on Sunday.
As ever, a street full of surprise, drama, art and hidden meanings.
The street dominated by clinical facilities and the Russian Embassy.
At the top of the street, a park with the mighty Hram Svetog Save dominating the skyline.
What struck me, the fences, the bars, the cages.
The mother and child behind bars.
The fences framed by fences and locked gates.
The man trapped in poverty scouring the open bin for a scrap of sustenance on a cold day.
And yet, the sunshine, the love encapsulated in that statue of the mother and child suggest there is hope. There is, there always is.
If the fences, the bars, the cages are thrown down, in our own hearts and souls, in the fabric of this scarred nation looking for its place in the world.
As I write this, I have an old Genesis vinyl album, “The Lamb Lies down on Broadway”, spinning on the turntable.
These words from “In the cage” struck a chord…
“I’m dressed up in a white costume
Padding out leftover room.
Body stretching, feel the wretching
In the cage
Get me out of the cage!”
belgradestreets 
Interesting thoughts about expanding, finding new inspiration, Andy. I’d definitely be interested in seeing images from other towns and cities – The Streets of Serbia?
Thanks Mike, interesting idea, really appreciate you taking the time. Would you suggest doing that as a separate “spin off” blog or a kind of rebrand of the existing site? I’m torn between the pull to maintain the simplicity of the original idea and my own desire to spread my wings a little…?
That’s a tricky one, but my instincts tell me to start it as another site. Readers landing on Belgrade Streets could easily be redirected. I have a good friend who lives in Cacac, have never been there myself but would love to see images. And with casting your net wider, new ideas will come.
That sounds like a great plan Mike, I have a bunch of images that could help with that. I’d like to capture the smaller regional towns and villages which have a feel long since gone in many parts of Western Europe… Once again, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment.
No problem at all, I’m always interested in looking at your site and would certainly like to see life beyond Belgrade (having only been to Belgrade myself)!
Belgrade reality ❤
🙂
Stay the course, please!
You’re capable of elevating any subject to greatness!
Wow, that’s a great compliment! Thank you…