Any concert in the Balkans?

[Okudzhava]

Bok, Tom!

Only now saw this thread - I was paying more attention to "Cohen in Belgrade" thread... anyway:

"whose representative says it's one the best selling events in recent history of Serbia"

- haw haw! Utter nonsense. (the statement, not your translation of course which is great) I don't know if this person was joking with your reporters or was she that uninformed, but pretty much all other 'big name' performers this year (Ennio Morricone, AC DC, Santana, and now -ugh!- Madonna), and not to mention "recent history of Serbia" (Rolling Stones, Metallica, RHC Peppers, etc) sold more tickets and faster - especially AC DC, whose tickets for Serbia were all sold in the first couple of days (around 25000, the other 20000 were for countries in the region; Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, etc). The sale for Lenny tickets was going so poorly (great shame for us), that the promoters even started an action in july - with every bought ticket you get "I'm your man" DVD as a gift. Wish I knew that earlier! But of course, I got mine the very first day of the sale here (see "Cohen in Belgrade" thread), and you were right about the prices too - the most expensive one was 50 euros... and that's mine (and Paul in Zagreb's), can't wait!

Are you coming, Tom? I was thinking of opening a "meet up in Belgrade" thread, but then again I'm a newbie here and didn't dare... see ya all there!

[Paul Zagreb]

I was thinking of opening a "meet up in Belgrade" thread, but then again I'm a newbie here and didn't dare... see ya all there!

možeš i hoćeš! (translation for non BHS speakers - just do it!) I have friends in Belgrade, Zagreb and Sarajevo all planning to come to the concert but it needs a true 'domaćin' to suggest when and where to meet up !!!!

[Okudzhava]

Heh heh, pozdrav care... I was also hesitant to start such a thread, because - I'm in Novi Sad (for uninformed - northern Serbia, 90 minutes ride from Belgrade), so:

a) I'm arriving in an organised bus full of Novi Sad's Cohen fans, probably only an hour before the concert starts, we're leaving 15, max. 30 minutes after the last encore number is finished;

b) I don't know that part of Belgrade at all, or the local cafes and bars; like I said before, I was only once in Belgrade's Arena, for Morricone's monumental concert in february, the concert venue is really nice, acoustics were great, but I couldn't notice anything interesting outside.

No, you want a true host like you said, the one who actually knows the area, and I suggest one of your Belgrade friends!

I could start a thread here, of course, for the sake of starting a topic, but I'm afraid I won't be able to do anything more than that - except perhaps (if there's time) to have a drink or two upon my arrival, once some kind of meeting arrangement is found... and even if I don't manage that, there's a great chance I'll bump into you - as I recall you'll be one row in front of me, so when you hear a yell "PAUL IN ZAGREB!". just turn around, ok?

Anyhow, surely there must be some members from Beograd on this forum.

[tomsakic]

Hi guys,

unfortunately this time of year I'm spending in Dubrovnik, working in a summer school, so I went to Venice 2 weeks ago to see Leonard (and Jarkko and many others).

Just make a meet-up! I know MANY people from Zagreb going, dozens of them... But of course, they don't know about Forum, so... But the meet-up is even when 2 Forumers do meet;)

I think that Ta Ken was planning to go to Belgrade, but in Venice he said he decided not to go.


There are some Forum members there (and in Zagreb), they were writing in this thread, I think. Also, our Forum member Nenad is from Novi Sad (he's renown scholar) - but he lives in Budapest, so I think he's going to the show there. Sadly I can't come otherwise it would be quite the meet-up, because Vlado Bajac, Leonard's translator from 1980s and Serbian writer and publisher, will be there, and bunch of interesting people from both Belgrade and Zagreb. Little post-Yugoslav gathering of intellectuals and artists, I dare to say, and I even have free transport but can't go... Everybody coming to see Mr. Leonard Cohen on stage. After all, his music and writing accompanied so many writers and artists in former Yugoslavia in last 4 decades that I dare to say his fame here (=ex-Yu) is something special and I do hope the show in Belgrade will be something to remember, very special night for many people.

[MaryB]

Happy Birthday Tom!