WHAT IS BELGRADE BECOMING? THE TWO FACES OF BELGRADE — WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?

In this video, I’ll take you on a summer Saturday through Belgrade—from the peaceful slopes of Mount Avala and its monuments to the lively, rapidly changing city center. Along the way, I’ll share some history, personal observations, and useful English expressions for language learners. This video is a good opportunity to practise your English. I speak only English in the video, but you can find a Serbian translation and explanation at the link below. This will help you check your progress. When you can understand the whole video without translation, you will probably be able to understand many other videos by native English speakers as well. Our Visit to Avala Here we are on Mount Avala. Avala is a mountain near Belgrade, and its highest point is 511 metres above sea level. It is a popular place for people who want to escape the city, especially during hot summer days. Avala is famous for the Monument to the Unknown Hero, which stands at the top of the mountain. The monument was designed by the famous sculptor Ivan Meštrović and built between 1934 and 1938. A few words about Ivan Meštrović: He was one of the most important sculptors of the twentieth century and the first modern artist from the Balkans to gain international recognition. His work combines monumental classical forms with strong emotion. Apart from this monument, he also created the famous Victor Monument at Kalemegdan in Belgrade and the Njegoš Mausoleum in Montenegro. The Monument to the Unknown Hero is dedicated to all the unknown soldiers who lost their lives defending Serbia and Yugoslavia. It was built on the site of the medieval fortress of Žrnov, which was demolished before the construction began. The monument is also an important place for official ceremonies. Serbian politicians and foreign leaders lay wreaths there on important national holidays. Wreaths are often laid on Armistice Day, 11 November, and on other occasions dedicated to the victims of war. Sometimes I wonder whether all these shopping malls and new high-rise buildings are bringing us a better future—or whether we are losing something important along the way. Belgrade is changing very quickly. Some people enjoy the new buildings and modern lifestyle, while others miss the quieter and more traditional city. What do you think? Is Belgrade becoming a better place, or is too much changing too fast?