I always like coming to Belgrade. The city definitely has a spirit of its own, it’s cosmopolitan, lively and open for its visitors in all its beauty. But this time, I was there for business and I meant business. I got prepared for the interviews that awaited me, took my lap top, a map and I mentally prepared for a working week…  

And I was off on a good start, met with an NGO that works on the matter of trafficking, then had a very good briefing at the Office for EU integrations with their spokeswoman Ivana Gjuric. I recommend her as a very interesting interviewee, very informal and witty. To quote one of her statements regarding visa policies “I think that when the Shengen wall falls, Serbian citizens won’t give a damn about the rest of the package we call EU integration” or in Serbian “gragjane boli ih uvo za sve ostalo…” Such a well-known truth coming from an official in such expression.  

But, pretty much at this point, I got caught up in Belgrade charm. As I was unsuccessfully trying to set up an appointment at the Ministry of internal affairs and awaited for the meeting with another NGO that works with women,  victims of trafficking, I noticed thousands of people going towards the fortress Kalemegdan. The reason – Beer Fest. All my friends instantly rushed towards the gallons of beer and excellent music, so I had no choice other than to join that festivity of beer (regardless of the fact that I don’t consume any alcohol). And there… thousands of people enjoying great rock bands. So, I investigated mobility, intercultural cooperation, economic mobility and cooperation through the sight and taste of beer.  

I tried to keep things professional in Belgrade. But, it is the city – it has corruptive influence on whoever steps foot there. Beware!