real estate magazine and belgrade guide I www.vosmediator.co.yu free copy I spring 2008 Alexander Alexeyev Stefan Arsenijevic The Serbian Dynasties’ Palaces luxury properties for rental/sale apartments houses offi ces Editorial Contents elgrade, the city between the past and the future. It is also the capital with the most beautiful location in the whole Europe, at the mouth of Btwo big rivers. The Danube River that pours in form the depths of the Old Continent and flows all the way to the border of Asia and the Sava River that used to be the ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV borderline of big empires like the Roman and Byzantine, Austrian, and the Turkish ones. I Would Bring the Danube Today in Belgrade it is possible to recognize River over to Moscow 04 this specific mix as well as frequently unexpected bond of styles in architecture. This is especially visible in New Belgrade that has emerged sixty years ago after the idea of the big dormitory for workers and has ended during the last decade in the real exhibition of the modern architecture. All about this can be read in this issue of the VOS MEDIATOR stated by the younger Stefan ARESENIJEVIC generation film director Stefan Arsenijevic Mediterranean Spirit 07 who has recently presented himself with his last film to the Berlin festival audience also. Building of the Dorcol Marina also fits THE BELGRADE CITY into the Belgrade of the future. About this, we are talking to Mr. David Ericson, the The Serbian Dynasties’ Palaces 10 Manager, who has become the citizen of the Serbian capital and will be the one during the years to come thanks to this project. His impressions on the city on the banks of the Rivers Sava and Danube also expresses His Excellency the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia Mr. Alexander Alexeyev. Our readers also have the opportunity to get to know the historical sights of the Serbian Travelling RESIDENCY capital through the texts that are on the Tito’s Blue Train 12 history, the present times and the future. Beside all mentioned, in this issue VOS MEDIATOR also offers the review of luxury DORCOL MARINA suites, apartments, and houses that are for Miniature Paradise on the Roman Road 18 rent or for sale. In addition, you can find an exclusive offer of short renting apartments as well as lots that can attract investors. short RENTING 23 apartments 24 IMPRESSUM Publisher: VOS MEDIATOR d.o.o., HOUses 34 Belgrade 34, Strahinjica Bana St. Tel/Fax: (+381 11) 29-20-466 E-mail: [email protected] offices 40 Editor: COMMERCIAL REAL estate-INVESTMENTS 50 Vojislav Noveski Design&layout: DJAVOLJA VAROS Grigorije Lazarevic E-mail:[email protected] Petrified Wedding-Party 58 Print: Forma B, Belgrade MUSEUM OF BROKEN Relationships Holograms of Memories 60 CIP, katalogizacija u publikaciji Narodne biblioteke Srbije, Beograd ISSN 1452-7154 COBISS. SR-ID 136370700 ALEXANDER ALEXEYEV, THE AMBASSADOR OF RUSSIAN federation I Would Bring the Danube River over to Moscow Diplomats are usually shown with the glass of wine in their hand, talking on climate and similar topics and having excessive spare time. Maybe in the past this was the case but today it is absolutely different, says His Excellency the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Serbia elgrade has always been of the former Yugoslavia dissolution you obtained upon arriving to the the target of diplomats. Its have made this city erupt to the city? Has something surprised you history, location on the two very top of the world capitals – we asked Mr. Alexeyev at the big rivers, ultiethnic cha- that require an exquisite skill, beginning of our conversation. Bracter, the capacity of long surviving at professionalism, patience from the the border of two empires – Turkish diplomats working there. There are many things that and Austro-Hungarian – have created In such Belgrade arrived three years can surprise you in Belgrade. It the special atmosphere within which and four months ago the Ambassador of is astonishing city, its people are the place could easily be found by the Russian Federation Mr. Alexander tremendous. I think nobody, before those who believed this very Alexeyev. By a stroke of historical coming to Belgrade, can have precise surroundings is the best for business, circumstances, as well as his numerous plan that could definitely materialize making new contacts and the startup Belgrade colleagues, he also will be in it. That is, to my opinion, one great for the world… Exactly thanks to able to note down in his professional advantage of the people living in this liveliness, that has always been curriculum vitae that he has been Belgrade, the people who definitely attiring it and even mystery that has serving in the two countries – the State know how to find the pleasures of been connected to it, Belgrade has Union of Serbia and Montenegro and living and are capable of transferring naturally imposed itself as well as a the Republic of Serbia, without even that joy to others. diplomatic centre, the one that has leaving Belgrade. been the sphere of different interests As events turned out, you of the East and the West over Has your idea of Belgrade before have been very busy indeed as centuries. Nevertheless, the years coming to it matched the impression an ambassador in Belgrade. Is 4 there a part of our city that you Mr. Vitaly Churkin, the current The point is the following: if the have willingly frequented and Permanent Representative diplomat really works hard his work relaxed in after getting tired from (Ambassador) of the Russian does not look like a fashion show but everything? Federation to the United Nations, has very much like the mine work. One once said: “The diplomat’s private goes down and works all day long. I love water. Unfortunately, there life is not at all such a glittering one Unfortunately, I have to say that are no big rivers flowing through as it looks like to those who judge we are the victims of stereotype. Moscow and therefore, for me, the this profession through the movies. Diplomats are usually shown with the best part of the city is the Usce. Luxurious balls and grandiose glass of wine in their hand, talking on Especially beautiful view is from the receptions are very rare and, as climate and similar topics and having Kalemegdan Park. Whenever I want to a rule, there are very strict rules excessive spare time. Maybe in the relax and feel fine, I go there. I think reigning them. Going to such events past this was the case but today it is the view of the Usce is one of the for diplomats is the same as going absolutely different. Every reception unique sights in Europe. to work. They have to be extremely is the opportunity for opinion exchange This is what is called – brand. serious and they must take special between colleagues, for something to Completely different question regards care of their behaviour and the things agree upon, make some new points the way you use that brand. Now we they are going to say. Such gatherings, and evaluations and this really is come to the point where the city has by all means, do not allow you to one part of the job… However, this to be more active. You have to work a relax and enjoy yourself since dozens is only the surface. The main part is lot more on the tourism development. of eyes are constantly looking at you. down there, in the mine. You have many friends in Russia. You In addition, of course, all the time you should just offer them such views have to pay special attention not to The Russian community in as the one of the Usce and many ruin the reputation and honour of the Belgrade, consisting before all others that you have. You will see country you are representing.“ Has of diplomats as well as its other that the economic effect will be your time in Belgrade been like the members, is pretty large. overly favourable. However, before one in the movies or you have spent all, you have to show the people what it the way Mr. Churkin experienced I would not say we currently you possess. the diplomat’s work? have large Russian community. Russian Cultural Centre 5 Nevertheless, I am perfectly confident this: lawlessness provokes lawlessness that with the development of and violence provokes violence. economic relations between our two countries numerous Russian citizens Had you spent this diplomatic will come to Belgrade. office in some other more peaceful country, somewhere in Asia, Africa, In Belgrade, there are the Russian South America and not in Belgrade, Cultural Centre, and primary and what do you think, would you have secondary school that satisfy all been more contended? generations and spheres. Do all these make it easier for diplomats I think I was lucky to have been to create the impression of being at in Belgrade during this period. I do home, in Russia? understand what you are aiming at. However, I think being the Russian You are absolutely right. However, Federation ambassador in Belgrade in in principle, the importance of this moment is very important thing. the things you have mentioned is Moreover, very responsible one for even bigger. Many diplomats have that matter. As a professional person, schoolchildren. For that reason, when I think I was very lucky. We have deciding whether to go to Belgrade, already talked about that slippery the possibility of going to the Russian balance between professional school for their children is often the life of an ambassador and his/her key one.That way the family stays other obligations.