The Death of Balašević (an American's guide)

I didn't want to make this video, but I needed to. I clumsily try to explain how this death of a singer is so much more than the death of a singer.

[@daliborstupavski2981]

You know, Yugoslavia was just a territory and state, but Balasevic's Yugoslavia is a state of mind. The themes of his poems are universal, but found in ordinary characters and stories, cleaned, polished and presented as a treasure. Balasevic was one of the people who gave us meaning to our lives in best way, for us ordinary people. That's why we loved him so much.

[@sistematikajgana1985]

This is beautifully said Dalibor. And professor Skye, thank you for another beautiful video about Balaševic, about humanity and importance of connectedness between people. I am from Belgrade and, similarly to your wife, I grew up listening Balašević’s music. His spirit helped me to survive ( emotionally but probably physically too) all the horrible things that civil war in ex-Yugoslavia brought. My partner is Australian and I thought I could never ever explain to him why I am crying for days because “ one musician from Serbia died”. It doesn’t happen in his world. But now, after watching this video, I think he may get it, if I show it to him. Not sure that I will, for the same reasons your wife waited for so long to play you Balaševic’s music. And just one more thing about one of the quotes you mentioned in this video. Sentence “ how many times one country can die?” is from not so great article “Smrt u porodici” ( Death in family) written by Dejan Ilic. Without getting into details why the article is not that good ( e.g.he characterised both Balashevic’s music and emotional attachment of his listeners to Yugoslavian cultural space as kitsch, although -not ordinary, but “ morally superior kitsch”) I would prefer to say that death of Balashevic was not another death of Yugoslavia but rather another birth, or reincarnation of it. I think the more valid question here would be - how many times one country can be reborn? And in broader sense, how many times humanity, kindness, empathy, connectedness can be reborn? Question for all post-conflict zones in the world. (for someone more academic than myself it could be a nice thesis for PhD I guess ). Regarding comments about your pronunciation - it’s not incorrect, it’s just the thing that all of us who have Š in our names carry through English speaking world as some sort of cultural cross. People here ( in Australia) are calling me Natasa all the time, when I am actually Natasha ( Nataša). Š=SH So, Think of him as Balashevich. He is yours too. Legitimately. Because you get him more than many people in Ex-Yu do, especially those who are so fckupdly poisoned with, what you so nicely call tribalism ( I have more aggressive and ugly words for it) . Anyway You are a very special human being. Thank you ❤️

[@nemanjamilic2129]

@@sistematikajgana1985 Svaka čast!!! Niste daleko od phD ukoliko se malo potrudite 😉

[@battlepuli9301]

"Balasevic's Yugoslavia is a state of mind" You said it perfectly brother. Hats off.

[@elvismalkic3024]

Boze dragi Dalibore... ne pisem komentare.. jebe mi se za internet poene, nije mi bitno odakle si, ali u mojoj kuci si zbog ovog komenatara uvijek dobrodosao. To be a Yugoslawian meant so much more than what ethnicity you belonged, we were living in brotherhood and unity (bratstvo i jedinstvo), for me the idea will never die. I am a bosnian muslim, born and raised, a war refugee. I married a catholic / orthodox wife which spent her childhood in the basement in Sarajevo. If we teach our kids the values of Yugoslawie, we might have a generation which will progress, if we live the post war Yugoslawia philosophies, we will just die out, its as simple as that... we are one people who are bound not only by geography, but by culture (we still argue whom belongs Ivo Andric :D ), by language, by history, and its a shame where "THEY" brought us, while WE let them

[@daliborstupavski2981]

@@elvismalkic3024 Da, ideja Bratstva i jedinstva je jedna od najboljih tekovina te države. Mi smo odgajani ne da tolerišemo jedni druge, već da priglimo međusobne razlike i da obogatimo živote jedni drugima, a da opet ostanemo svoji, svak na svome. Zapravo to je humanistička ideja koju je Đole prepoznao i širio ceo svoj vek. Oni ljudi koji ne razumeju da iznad nacije mora prvo postojati humanost su i napravili sav ovaj nered na Balkanu, naravno uz alavost prema novcu i moći. Zapravo mi sve ovo vreme nemamo problem sa (što je i Đole rekao) Srbima, Hrvatima ili Bošnjacima već sa budalama zadojenim nacionalizmom. I da dodam, ta ideja bratstva i jedinstva se nije odnosila samo na Južne Slovene, već i na ostale: Mađare, Albance, Rumune, Rome, Italijane, Nemce itd, barem smo mi ovde u Vojvodini to tako shvatili. Zato je Đoletovo B&J u stvari bilo kosmopolitsko, tj ljubav prema svim ljudima.

[@Mukica84]

A very accurate description of what Balasevic's death means to us. People who don't know him often react to his death with the sentence "It's like someone mine died." Greetings from Zagreb. 💔

[@Astro90909]

Balasevic was last Slavic soul that kept all Yugoslav souls together wherever they are... we all grew up, we laughed, we cried, we had happiest and saddest moment in life with his music... throughout decades, throughout generations. Music is one thing, but lyrics are main thing. Balasevic was one of the greatest poets ever born in Balkans... he had a way with words that no one ever had. We will never forget him... Balasevic je prosta dobra duša Slovenska.... Panonski mornar... kojem želimo mirno more i koji nas sada odozgo gleda sve... Big hug for your wife and thank you for this video...

[@seeds_mn]

Thank you. This is my first ever and most probably the last ever comment on KZbin. I don't do that usually. But, you so deserve to know this. Professor Skye, you know what is the easiest way to understand the importance and the legacy of Balašević: When he died there was a guy on the other side of the planet who maybe can’t really pronounce “Balašević”, or understand every word he wrote, but who nevertheless cried with us. And you didn’t do it because of your wife. She is your wife because of what made you cry. Nekad smo se bratimili po pogledu, sluteći da isto sanjamo… You don't need words for this. You understood everything. Long before you knew about Balašević. Sve su ostalo nijanse. And btw, just so you know, you’ve failed epically to hide those tears with that gym excuse. That’s how we know that nothing and no one really died. Not even Yugoslavia. She wasn’t a country anyway, she was, and still is an idea. You call this idea humanism, our parents and grandparents called it brotherhood and unity, we for whatever (political) reason had to lose the word for it, but it plays no role at all dok je nama nas. And you very obviously are naš. Hvala ti. love, m

[@professorskye]

Thank you for this comment. It was very touching. And yes, I know that I don't pronounce his name correctly! Quite embarrassing for a language teacher.

[@seeds_mn]

@@professorskye :-) you pronounce it perfectly fine. Thanks for your kind response.

[@biserkasertic1208]

@@seeds_mn 💜💜💜👍!

[@aidaferaget6788]

ko god da je iza ovog profila, šaljem ogroman zagrljaj. onaj balkanski, da kosti pucaju jer se duse razumiju...predivan komentar (jos da znam staviti srce.....)

[@yukiyu6241]

Nicely put: DOK JE NAMA NAS!!! it explains everything. Bless you!

[@dankamilic3458]

I have to notice that You love Your wife the way Balašević loved his Olivera and that is priceless 💞

[@CaslavMitic]

True, I just write about it, this guy is awesome.

[@miroslavhuzjak7135]

Some say - if Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for poetry, Balasevic should have won at least two of them. I think that it is not possible to translate Balasevic's texts into English, not only because of the play on words he used and completely unusual rhymes, but primarily because of the cultural context of these areas, which he spoke about in his poems (and his books, series and films). He was an absolute and unique genius.

[@biserkasertic1208]

I agree 100% -one more big difference between Balasević and world famous pop stars: his fans treat him as a friend, or family member.He avoided any kind of glamour, and behave like ordinary guy from your street.I was on the projection of his movie "Vasa Ladački" on the old austro-hungarian fortress in Pula.There's a small bridge you have to coss before you came in. He was standing there, and gave personally some sweets, and candy's to evrery visitor, as a welcome gesture! He never used bodyguards, or anything wich can separate, or alienate him from his audience......very unique...."one and only"....excellent talent, and extraordinry human person! (Probably the best "admiral" of the "navy" we ever had....)

[@BojanBojovic]

Agree, and this is the saddest thing about his poetry and work, it will stay only between Yugoslavia's borders more or less. There is only a handful of people who do not like Balasevic and all of them are in Serbia, those right wing nationalists that do not understand his sarcasm about Serbian and Croatian being actually the same language, which is so funny as all others find him acceptable, even those who went through the horror of wars we had.

[@vladimirmerkovic6272]

@@biserkasertic1208 Slažem se sa svim što ste napisali, jedino bih Vas ispravio u jednom segmentu pošto se film koji je Balašević snimio ne zove "Vasa Ladački" već "Kao rani mraz".

[@biserkasertic1208]

@@vladimirmerkovic6272 U pravu ste - tako se zove i CD sa pjesmama koje su tematski vezane za radnju filma.Kod te projekcije u Puli - kad smo prilazili tvrdjavi čula se muzička tema iz jedne od pjesama - mislio samda je sound track, medjutim kad smo prišli, na tom mostu kod ulaza su stajali Djoletovi tamburaši koji su to u živo svirali.Pozdrav.

[@mawla14]

Honestly, dylan is ok, but if you eant to listen to an american musical poet, lookup sixto rodriguez.

[@IvanStipic_Stiiv]

An American who understands... Great video!

[@dijanasalihagic1058]

Thank you for this video. You described his meaning to Balkan. When he came to Sarajevo after the war, they tried to scare him that sniper will kill him. He said at the concert: If these people could be under siege and sniper for four years, then it's opportunity for me to be one them for one day. He spread love, positive energy and forces the audience to believe in better life without nationalism and hate. One of a kind. Greetings to your wife and you from Sarajevo.

[@titanatito]

E vala Dijana. Umjesto da držiš fokus na našem dragom Đorđu,ti opet garnirala priču sa Sarajevom. Komentiraj njegove pjesme i ovaj super film. Pusti Sarajevo.

[@birthday2902]

@@titanatito Zena govori istinu I prica o Balasevicu..... ne vidim u cemu je problem sto se spominje Sarajevo??!!

[@rrijecanka]

Hahaha žena kaže ono sto je on rekao, a u ostalom prvi dolazak nakon rata bilo di je bio zaista poseban - Sarajevo ‘98 i Pula 2001., ta energija se neda opisati... godinama prije nego je došao prvi put u hr je gostovao jako često u Ljubljani i koncert otvarao ovako: “Dobro večer Zagreb”...

[@titanatito]

@Nikoladin Da da fokus bi trebao biti na njegovim tekstovima, a ne na posjetama u prostoru i vremenu.

[@britvica]

@@titanatito fokusiraj se onda na coveka sa mesecom u ocima i sevdalinku.fokusiraj se na tekstove covjeka kojem nisi dostojna ni svijecu zapaliti, egoisticna spodobo. Ne koristi balasevica kao celofan za svoj smrad. On takve nije volio.

[@NoBobPro]

An anegdote my friend told me. Long time ago at a concert, she is a Croat and she was kneeling to him in the middle of Novi Sad, Serbia. She said to him "It's my honor to meet someone who marked my childhood." And his reply was "Please... Let's go for a coffee. It's my honor to meet you! You have heard of me, but I still haven't heard of you". Just goes to show what a great man he was. Also, she has pictures as proof.

[@biserkasertic1208]

He alwasy beheave like ordinary guy from your neighborhood, not as a pop starr.

[@fifi23o5]

Yes, he wad such a nice and normal guy. Once I spent a good part of a day with him. I was a photographer, i wanted to document his first visit in Ljubljana and first concert after the breakup of Yugoslavia. We started talking and went for a "coffee", we called it coffee++. Smart, polite, normal, unpretentious.... BTW, my photo of him ended up on the cover of one of our magazines.

[@majabrajkovic817]

Odlican prikaz, samo bih nadodala jos nesto, na sred Ilice, u centru Zagreba, za Balasevica i jedino za njega, napisan je becarac čirilicom. 🖤

[@Astro90909]

Fantastično... Zagreb se zaista odužio predivno... potresli ste me možda i najviše od svih... Ja sam mator momak, ali evo ovih dana svako veče mi suze teku slušajući ga satima...

[@Martin-wj6um]

Hvala Vam. Pozdrav iz Novog Sada ❤

[@majabrajkovic817]

@@Martin-wj6um duboku sućut šaljem, neizmjerna tuga i bol, Novi Sad je izgubio najviše ali s druge strane imali ste privilegij godinama živjeti i uživati u neposrednoj blizini največeg od svih nas ❤️

[@majabrajkovic817]

@@Astro90909 same all, every day i think, not today, today I will be happy, i’ll listen just a funny and happy songs, but every song of him is deep, poetic and beyond this world and I cant stop cry, my hart is broken, and I feel as my childhood is lost at some way. I hope, I”ll stop cry one day, but that day is not today, jet. ❤️❤️❤️

[@biserkasertic1208]

@@Astro90909 Pozdrav generaciji! Iz Zagreba sam i sjećam se vremena iz sredine 70-ih kad sam se družio sa novosadjanima i često dolazio u Novi Sad.Još tada mi je moj drug Ivan pričao za nekog otkačenog lika iz njegove gimnazije koji svojim doskočicama zabavlja cijelo društvo........Zadnjih godina je otišlo dosta velikana na drugi svijet, ali nikad nisam imao takvu "knedlu u grlu"....ne mogu prestati gledati snimke starih koncerata.....na nekima sam i sam bio.....da, ovaj potez sa "ćirilicom" je dostojan Djoleta, a ujedno dokaz da nitko neće ikad imati takvu publiku! Pozdrav od "starog momka" (profil mi je od žene, jer moj trenutno ne radi) 💜👍

[@tanjaotkovic9889]

I felt the need to try to explain why “Svirajte mi jesen stize” remains one of Balasevic’s most popular songs since your review was not particularly favorable. It’s a song about the emotional impact of a song. In the patriarchal culture of the Balkans where real men don’t cry, there is one occasion where men are allowed to express their emotion without any limits or bounds and that is while listening to a song that particularly touches their heart. That emotional outburst or climax, whether due to intense suffering or intense love or joy, has untranslatable names like dert, merak, sevdah. When they order a song to be played by a band in a tavern, it’s like giving themselves permission to let all the pent-up emotions out - they scream the lyrics, raise their hands, cry, break glasses...When the man in the Balasevic’s song finds out that the girl he secretly loves (not even his mother knows) is getting married that very day, he says nothing and gives casual comments about the wedding. But the gypsy band recognizes him, and they are the only ones who know his heartbreak. Ignoring other guests, they tell him to “command” them what to play. And he knows straight away the song that will be an emotional release for him, and allow him to cry, break “the whole world if it were made of glass” and scream about his lover’s betrayal to high heavens with the lyrics of a song “Jesen stize dunjo moja”(Autumn’s coming my quince). Everyone here in exYu and across the Balkans has such songs, the ones they order from the band when they are happy and the ones they order when they are sad, and if you like to better understand the extent of emotional catharsis reached by a proper “dert”, ask your wife to show you a scene from the film “Skupljaci perja”. Of course, there are many other layers of meaning, but I hope this will make you give that song another chance.

[@mojcakobal4534]

I'm from Slovenia and I was 14 when Moja prva ljubav (1979) was a hit. My son Martin was born 1986 and he love his music, he can play on a guitar and understand the liricks even though our languague is Slovene. Your video explains my feelinghs for him also. Thanke you so much for sharing. 🙏❤

[@darijavukoman9877]

Hvala lepo💔! Hvala lijepo💔! Thank you very much💔 ! Veliki pozdrav iz Vojvodine❤️

[@MsBrainsmasher]

I'm Hungarian (his grandma was also) born in Belgrade. I grow up in province of Vojvodina which Capitol is Novi Sad. From my perspektive, you sir are my beloved countrymen because of your words and your feelings about Balašević and his art. He was the voice of human brotherhood the musician of humanity. The proof that LOVE IS THE GREATEST POWER. God bless you and your family and all the good people around the World. "Živeti slobodno" ❤😭💔

[@goranlojancic8420]

Funny thing. I turned on generic translator just in case I miss something from your video and at one moment, when you said "when Balasevic died" it translated "when philosophy died". This blunt internet instrument actually accidentally made a shortest and most accurate epitaph on his death. Because, for my generation, refugees from Yugoslavia to many other countries although in many cases without moving or changing the home address, his death in a way is death of Yugoslav philosophy that physically perished in blaze of nationalistic guns long time ago. In short, Balasevic was kind of a chronicle of our personal and political philosophy for such a long time. He recorded our first loves, first summer holidays, first outdoor meetings with an acoustic guitar and bottle of drink, first marriages, first children, but also first disappointments, first resentments to a harsh reality of bloody dissolution of Yugoslavia, first fears for the future, first despairs and first sorrows. He was a ghost writer of all our autobiographies, someone to put on paper everything we didn't know how. He saved our personal histories from not being written, from being forgotten. Altogether, all those stories in a way are some kind of philosophy of living, so generic internet translator was right. We were simply lucky to have him. Thus the sorrow.

[@2671ajim]

Wel sad my friend ❤️

[@Milica-zu7nd]

Fenomenalno. Hvala. 🌞🍀❤

[@Martin-wj6um]

You Sir are a wise and noble man, even trying to understand what happened in this part of Europe is not easy. Even us who are born here often dont get it. Much respect!

[@CaslavMitic]

So true

[@mélunatique]

Thanks for explaining it so clearly, I can now really understand my friend's sorrow.

[@milicavukelicfit]

Omg, thank you for this. I was born in 1995. and my parents listens to Balasevic in their younger days, they learned me that way of life, they learned me to love Balasevic. Balasevic was more than an artist, he was the way of thinking, the way of living. He was that bridge between all of the countries from Yugoslavia... We lost a lot. I would like to thank you for this video. Appriciate that so much. (sry if my english was bad) Hugs from Serbia!

[@doscotrue7209]

You are absolutely right . I am Croatian 48 y old now living abroad . I can tell you we all love and respect Balasevic . His song were promoting love , understanding and made fun of racism or any kind of discrimination. He was just a good human with positive message which all normal people support. 🐇 🐇 singer with rabbits Regards from Hrvoje in Bangkok

[@djketi]

Hvala! Well put👍 I am as well a foreigner (Norwegian) who love Balašević for the same reasons as you explain!

[@adrijanao.9819]

Vi elsker Balasevic ❤️

[@biserkasertic1208]

It's very rare that foreigner dicover his legacy.Congratulation! 🏅👍

[@sakicasakic782]

Jättetrevlig. :)

[@dixiecroatie]

Once I asked a German lady how she managed to learn a language? She said two loves happened in my life... my husband and Balašević He will be always in his legacy songs and ours ❤️❤️❤️

[@Tpajko]

This is perhaps the best eulogy of Balašević that I have seen, and it’s given by an American. Maybe that’s why it is so appealing, as it takes Balašević out of regional, and places him in pan-human context that anyone can relate to. I really like your observation that the story of Yugoslavia is a story of both success and failure of humanity - our better angels and our darker daemons. I still feel at loss. Even now, when people ask him where I am from, it’s not easy to give an answer. I was born and lived my formative years in Yugoslavia, and “became” Serbian in my 20s, so, I think I will be forever split. Thank you very much for this video.

[@Ik1973.]

Born in Croatia and grew up with Balasevic songs all my life !!! Whole jugoslavija is in tears now and we all sing his songs now for him while he was singing his songs for us :(

[@miriamktz]

I was crying for days, I have been on 3 of his concerts and I will remember that experience as long as I breathe.. I also leave abroad more than 25 years.. this was a huge loss.. He was unique in what he was doing! He was playing with a words like nobody else!!! I was born Yugoslavian and I will die as Serbian.. But those days after Balašević died, I felt at some moments like Yugoslavia still exists.. That was magical moment for me..!!! Thank You for this video.. Regards from Athens☺

[@lutalice]

"They don't hate each other when Balašević comes on...they sing together." Beautifully said 🖤 made me emotional. Music has always been the bridge that continues to connect the people of former Yugoslavia. Great video.

[@mirasplace]

As a naturalized American born in Sarajevo who lived there through the war, I have so much love for Balašević. As I wrote somewhere yesterday, Đole Balašević was like a covert, undercover guru, devotee and sage. All his life he pretended to be an ordinary man, a singer or whatever. No, he was sent from above as our shaman, our priest and our dervish, to secretly heal our souls. Without a stethoscope and instead of a prescription, he wrote and freely shared those mantras and his 'medicine' poems with everyone; he secretly cured us from the traps of life, from war and hate, applying his words and his verses to our deepest wounds. I'm sorry he had to leave so early. Thank you for your videos. I'm a BCS (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian) language instructor and I will share your videos with my students.

[@professorskye]

As a language teacher myself, it really makes me smile to think of you showing my video to your students. It’s an honor!

[@Prelude_Si]

Great video! I would make only one correction: Yugoslavia wasn't communist for decades although the communist party was active until the very end. It actually switched to one of the earliest forms of democratic socialism back in early 1950s. Greetings to you and your wife from a Sarajevan who survived the siege, lost many dear people, but still doesn't hate Serbs. Like you said, many of us are well above those tribal instincts, and we just lost a great human being who helped us get there. :(

[@professorskye]

Thank you for that. My wife said the same thing after she saw the video!

[@ivand.4177]

democratic socialism? omgggg lmaooo u must be hi or smth

[@Prelude_Si]

@@ivand.4177 as I said, "one of the earliest forms" Don't take things out of context for no reason. Besides, when you have unions where workers have a say in what goes on with the companies they work for, what do you call that??? Communism? Gulag? Spare me...

[@chrisnine8487]

@@ivand.4177 Ma jok nego je kapitalizam demokratski. Pa znaš li nesretniče šta znači reč socijalizam, koji je koren te reči?

[@jadrankamedakovic8424]

@@chrisnine8487 znaš li ti kako se zvala Zemlja u kojoj su rodjeni tvoji roditelji? Predpostavljam da nisi rodjen u SFRJ! Svi koji su rodjeni u njoj su bili sretni i slobodni( školovani, besplatno, i lijeceni besplatno) Nisu nas nagrizali, mrznja i nejmastina( kopanje po kontejnerima) Voljeli smo se i poštovali bez prokletih nacionalista sto mnoge umobolne zavedose i pocinise zvjerski rat. Ti umobolni zlotvori donesose nesrecu ne slucenih razmjera. Cijeli Svijet nas duboko postovao. Sada te nesretnike, koji se predstavljaju liderima, niko posten , skolovan i human ( COVJEK) ne prihvata kao dobronamjerne . Oni su trulez bez ideje o zdravom zivljenju, racionalnom . Svakom zdravo razumnom je dosta takvih. Kako bi Nas Narod govorio: Bljuje mi se od njih( da bi bolje razumjeli oni koji su zaboravili staru rijec : povraca mi se! U Jugi koji ne podnose neki, koji horski ponavljaju otrcane fraze ( ne razumiju ni oni sami razlog. U Bivsoj Jugoslaviji je bilo dosta propusta u sistemu ali ne uporedivo manje nego sada u rascjepljenim nesretnim nemocnim drzavicama u kojima vlada kriminal glad ne zaposlenost i očaj! Đorđe Balasević je bio stub razuma, hrabrosti humanosti, ljubavi među najrazličitijim Narodima , kulturama ( dobrota, ljubav, pjesma i zajednistvo koje je protkano , postojalo i postojati će generacijama. Dobri i racionalni ljudi to dobro znaju! Voljeni Đole , Legendo, Ti si besmrtan! Počivaj u miru!

[@darinbosnjak8126]

Thank you for doing this video. You brought tears to my eyes. I'm truly amazed that someone outside of former Yugoslavia could have such an understanding of what he realy meant to all of us. So THANK YOU!

[@Martin-wj6um]

I think his wife has hard time trying to translate him those wondeful lyrics. Love to you all. That is his legacy.

[@TheGovernor-qt9uu]

Thank you so much for this video, but also the videos about "Pub" and "Celovečernji the Kid". Balašević meant a great deal to many of us. Even though I wasn't born in Yugoslavia, my friends and classmates grieve as we speak because of his untimely death. What he did and stood for as well as who he was - that is something that will never be repeated. There is no artist that can even come close to his music and lyrics. Greetings from a 17 year old guy from Sarajevo :)

[@professorskye]

We visited Sarajevo two years ago. What a wonderful city with such wonderful cevapi.

[@TheGovernor-qt9uu]

@@professorskye I'm glad you came to visit before the pandemic... I hope you and your family are safe :)

[@Stitch8]

@@professorskye I've noticed that "Buregdzinica Bosna" poster on your wall in "Pub" video :) hope you had a good meal :)

[@zlatdjuric1619]

I appreciate greatly you’ve taken time to explain the significance of this man to a lot of us, Balašević represents truly the ethos of the former country and all those innocent people who didn’t want to see it torn apart from inside and outside and leave it in shambles as it is now. A noble and benign poet who could paint with words and make you visualize stories with his storylike poems and evoke deep emotional response from his fans in only a verse or two. A wordsmith that transcended boundaries, as he wrote the lyrics for his songs, composed the music, and performed it and embodied it with his persona and life. RIP Djole, we will miss you forever!

[@polaris7314]

Man, what you say is so true! I am Slovenian (the country from former Yugoslavia) and yes that special feeling of brotherhood between different ethnic and religious groups in this former country was sincere and heart-lifting for many decades, at least for a prevailing part of citizens. Balašević was a symbol of that brotherhood for all of us and what he gave us and what he left in our hearts is immortal indeed. In moments I almost believe socialism in Yugoslavia was an experiment (of somebody...) that results turns to be too good to be left intact for long. Now many may say it was an illusion so it was destined to fail. But in the end, what is not an illusion? Maybee hatred? In reality, this feeling of brotherhood was a sentiment of the highest type every human heart is capable to express in rare special moments when feels free of burdens of fear and frustrations. Djorde Balašević with his poetry, music, and unique personality was capable to bring that special feeling of freedom in our hearts.

[@Milica-zu7nd]

Divno 🌞🍀❤

[@vojislavakalajdzic1349]

Thank you, good man. We have to keep the music as world's mission. That was the Djole's mission.

[@mkonforta]

Balše❤ić was one of THE kind and his death really is a big sorrow for the whole region. His songs, words, emotions, stories…didn’t care about the nationality, religion, country, gender or even age. Almost everybody (able to understand his language) were able to find part of her/his soul in them, memory of childhood visualized by his words, picked up pieces of a broken heart while listening his songs, finding peace, strength to go on. He was a huge patriot but his “country” had different shapes than actual borders look like. He was timeless. His mission on “Earth” was to teach us to love and share, to care, to be tolerant, to be humble and modest, to be human! He didn’t count tickets he sold for his concerts but he counted hearts he had a chance to worm up, open, plant the seed of goodness and love, hearts on which he hoped he could count when all the madness started on our region. The way that he and his songs and messages even came at your door and manage to touch you in a way makes his a winner on that path he decided he’ll take at the beginning, not the easy path, …but this one other. One of the biggest man died in this area - I hope his life work will continue for a long long time, this legacy he left behind to us to treasure it and share with our kids…and their kids… Thank you for this video, you helped his “mission” a lot so a word of Balašević would be easier to spread further! Respect from Zagreb! ❤

[@ProApple111]

❤

[@zo2779]

On that day, I sat in Skenderija in Sarajevo, and cried, while listening to him. Balasevic was, funny as it may sound, a brother-figure, a shining light for all of us who loved him; his music guarded me wherever I went. A mythical figure, always countering evil, fascism, while writing the best poetry I had the pleasure of intwining into myself. Music is vital to me and I know English-language authors very well, from Nirvana or Radiohead to Johnny Cash, as well as the Spanish world. I can assure you of one thing: never has there been an author like him in second part of XX century AND just for that fact, learning Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian is worth it (there is the a fantastic world waiting for you).

[@dubravkadobrijevic1758]

You managed to explain us to ourselves the best possible way. Thank you. I was born in Yugoslavia, my parents are Croatian (mother) and Serbian from Bosnia (father), I grew up in Serbia... Who the frick am I? Well - Yugoslovenka. Osećam se kao da mi je umro neko moj, to je tačno. Umro je deo nas

[@franfinesim]

moji bosanski hrvati, korijeni germanski s germanskim imenom i prezimenom hahahaha. dečko pola srbin, pola hrvat. mi se dvoje šalili, dijete će nam biti Jugoslavija :))

[@Milica-zu7nd]

🌞🍀❤

[@tatjanamicevic-maruna1697]

Excellent speech. You are a man who loves your wife. Like you said when Balasevic died former Yugoslavia is in absolute tears. That's true and what more can I say. I feel that a wonderful part of my youth and part of my heart went with him . Day before yesterday, the citizens of Novi Sad said goodbye to their Pannonian sailor on the quay on the Danube. That evening my husband and I were there to say goodbye to him. Lanterns were released from the Petrovaradin fortress while musicians played saxophones on boats. It was dignified and sad. People were singing and crying... Greetings from Novi Sad

[@vanja11novisad71]

I am from Novi Sad, hvala ti na ovim prelepim i istinitim rečima i puno pozdrava tebi i tvojoj supruzi! 🙏🙂💙

[@Mrsfreetree]

thanks for this wonderful analysis .Đorđe Balasevic was a UNHCR goodwill ambassador for the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The beauty of his poetry promoted love, tolerance between different nations and religions. This world that we live in should be as it was promoted by Đorđe Balašević. We are very sad .

[@texwiller1645]

After years, just now I've created KZbin account . Just to say - genius! With this video you have touched hearts of all normal people across ex Yugoslavia. You understand what the people of ex Yu, unfortunately, did not understand. Thank you Professor , for emotions. Wish you and your family every happiness. And to all good people too. Hope you will have at least 22 milione views 🙂

[@eminabrestovac]

Thank you for this - hvala ti za ovo! He meant a world to me. He was my one and true rolemodel of how to be a human being. I am forever in love with his mind, his heart and his soul and all words that came out of those places. His death broke my heart and I am still in disbelief, like no, he cannot be gone. I just can't bear it. With his death, a piece of my heart is gone too and nothing will ever be the same. "Ti si bio svugdje u mom svemu"

[@SonjaGrbovic]

exactly - rolemodel "normal, or not normal" only exist, thank you

[@martinap2863]

Your knowledge about Balasevic and ex-Yu is impressive ♥️

[@igorcvitanovic1148]

beautiful, you get it perfectly and you brought tears to my eyes. greetings to you and your wife from split, croatia!

[@ivanmkg]

Thank you for your effort. His songs followed us since childhood. On that sad day Yugoslavia was present again, rising above this pathetic tribal lands we are all living in now. His poetry will live in harts of normal people forever. Greetings from Serbia.

[@ejlasad]

Thank you from Sarajevo❤️You made me cry ❤️Are you sure you are not from ex Yugoslavia 😊😉🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RonSwansonn]

You sir are far away from Serbia (yugoslavia) but you're right on point what he was trying to teach people thru his songs. I inherited that love from my father who's a huge fan of Balašević. Kudos to you and your wife for passing on something like that to you, something that can't be so easily explained but HE knew how to make you laugh, cry, think deeply and smile thru out his concert, every time jam packed regardless of where he was performing. Humanity needs more people like that (the ones who fight for love and not hate, enough of that...) and it makes me so happy that someone from so far away is so appreciative of that. Cheers 🥂 živeli

[@tanyadoslov2692]

Thank you for this heartfelt video, wonderful words, and your love and appreciation for, although your wife's, a foreign culture. That shows how great human being you are. And that is what Balašević was, and will forever remain in the hearts of those who understood him , an incredible human being.

[@slobodanvracar4741]

Ap[solutno ste u pravu za sve sto ste rekli. Cinjenica je da srecom jos uvek postoji zajednicki kulturni prostor na podrucju bivse Jugoslavije koji nisu uspeli da uniste.

[@borutp]

Interesting video. Imam 49 godina u Mariboru, Slovenija. Balaševič je simbol svega pozitivnog u bivšoj Jugoslaviji. Djole nam je držao zrcalo, da vidimo kakvi možemo biti ako prestanemo slušati politiku. Nadam se da smo naučili nešto od njega. Djole, računaj na nas! ❤️

[@goranapo376]

I have watched yours two parts of "An Americans Guide to Balasevic" and it is good enough for a person who is not living in these parts of the world. Đole is a "local" legend in so many layers and an outsider cant get it it as whole. Your love for your wife helps you to come close, but you are not even the half the way to understand it completely. As an American, you have done the great job. First thing is culture heritage, second - the living in the specific time an the place to get the right impact of his lyrics and the third is you have to be native serbian-croat language speaker to understand the whole thing. Đole was digging so deep in the words and vocabulary and he always chose the perfect word to describe the precise thought (our language is very rich and often has dozens of terms for the same thing and every one has slightly different meaning). About his music: Đole was poet first, comedian second, musician after that and the singer at last. That's why he surrounded himself with great musicians who were not real music's authors and that made them use the known popular and universal music matrices to make the songs right. In time, they got better in that and songs were better lately. I find your way of organizing his path wrong, because his main worth and value was not in his albums, but in his concerts, which were much better and the main thing. Song, joke, song, story, song, joke... - the way of life. Not everybody in Serbia understood it, you had to have the right soul and mind. Todays nationalists and quasi patriots cant get it, because it was meant for all of Yugoslavia, not the parts. You can try to make Balasevics concerts guide for your wife, instead of albums, more often than yearly to make it count. Not in particular order, chose one year , than another. That will make your wife cry tears of joy. Its a much harder job, I know, but product could be worth it... I appreciate your work...

[@nenastojcic2368]

Thank you so much for putting the meaning of our loss into words. I have been having a hard time to explain to my American friends. God Bless you and your wife and the whole humanity.

[@vk-tt2sk]

Thank you! Let me share something told to me by one of my best friends who came to Belgrade (to study) 3 years after the war ended as a Serb from a Croatian village that had been in the middle of all that chaos. After Balasevic' passing he said: "There was so many people that came to lectures, it was a large University and I didn't know anyone. However, I chose you, my friends, very easily - I felt those who "knew" and understood Balasevic as "my people". We could have had different personalities or interests, but our values and life philosophy were the same." And that is it. Very simple, yet impossible to explain to those who are not at that "wavelength"... You seem to be. Both of you. Take care!

[@professorskye]

thank you for sharing the story.

[@ruzica1974]

Singer of humanity just about sums it up. Thank you for the video!

[@joaodrcaodeflores5161]

Amazing perspective from someone who did not grew up in Jugoslavija! The greatness of Djordje Balasevic can be summoned in a widespread belief that people who loved him cannot be bad. I am not aware of any other artist in the world that can be described in such terms.

[@TheOlivera939]

All I can say is, thank you for understanding! Hvala! Nas Djole...i nasa Jugoslavija...nikad vise "Od Vardara pa do Triglava!" A deep wound that will never heal for many of us. And so many losses on all sides....Again, thank you!!! Thank you so much for understanding and taking the time to express what many of us feel...I came to California in 1972..., and I did not leave Jugoslavia for political reasons. I was shocked and devastated when that bloody civil war started and when people who knew nothing about Yugoslavia actively helped to destroy it. The suffering on all sides...the pain...the fear.... Even though I am physically so far away, I have never and will never forget what Yugoslavia meant to me...it did not have to be dismembered and it should not have been dismembered...it is a profound failure, a tragic failure of humanity....And, it is not true that we hated each other...it is simply not true. Djole knew that, Djole understood that, Djole was the symbol of what was and could have been, and he was not afraid to say it and live it and stand up for it.💔💔💔💔

[@biserkasertic1208]

He was a Wizzard of Words, and had more poetry in one verse than others in 10 songs! A mortal man, with immortal songs.One example how much he means to people on Balkan: You couldn't hear not even one of his songs on the radio, or TV during 90-s in Croatia.Friend of mine works on radio, and was frustrated because it was not alowed to play his songs. Balasević made his first concert in Zagreb (after the war) after 15 years of total media silence, and it was sold out a hall of 15ooo seats two evenings in the row! Doesn't matter in wich part of ex YU he played, it was customary whole audience sings along with him all evning long knowing every word of his songs by heart. His performance before sellout audiences was unforgetible experience.An unbelieveble mixure of joker, gifted poet, natural philosofer, musician, and most important, man of great inner integrity, and moral dignity. The most famous street on Balkan is Ulica Jovana Cvijića (Jovan Cviyich Street) in his home town.

[@goranbig2611]

U pravu ste. On jeste bio carobnjak na recima .On sam je rekao "Reci jesu moje igracke...".Tokom nesretnih 90tih bio je sklonjen iz medija i u drugim ex yu drzavama zbog antiranih stavova i anti sovinistickih stavova ,politicarima je smetao takav a sada ga ti isti kao zale.Nove posleratne ex yu ganaracije moraju da uce iz njegovih pesama i knjiga da im se 90te nebi ponovile jer svi smo mi samo ljudi i imamo jedan izbor biti covek ili ne .Sve ostalo (vera ,nacija teritorijalna pripadnost) je manje bitna.Zalosno je to sto mnogi danasnji novosadjani neznaju gde je ulica Jovana Cvijica( ja sam njom mnogo puta prosao iako nisam iz Novog Sada vec iz okolina)

[@yukiyu6241]

Tacno! Bio je uklonjen jer je bio nepodoban., i ovde i tamo., jer nije bio nacionalista zedan mrznje. To mu nikada nisu oprostili., a nama je vredan i znaci nam bas zbog toga. Hey Sertic, drago mi je da si ziv i da te lizardi nisu pojeli! Obrisase nam dusmani prepisku, mora da smo ih mnogo nervirali., Puuuno te pozdravljam i nedaj se.

[@biserkasertic1208]

@@yukiyu6241 Ja vas kanda znam sa interneta! Baš šteta, jer smo imali solidnu inspiraciju! Utjeha je da Djoletove tekstove ne mogu izbrisati - naprosto su vanvremenski i bitni za "ravnotežu medju zvezdama!"👍

[@yukiyu6241]

@@biserkasertic1208 Pa da, znamo se sa sajta Nade limunade i vesti iz vise galaksije., secas se? slatko smo se ismejali! I obrisase nam video bas kad sam htela da te pozdravim. Sad, Djoletova smrt i nije neka vesela tema., jos uvek ne kapiram sta se desilo, ili jos bolje zasto? nikome nista nije jasno., pod cudnim okolnostima je samo nestao. Imam utisak da nam ga je neko ukrao., bez objasnjenja. Opet nam ostaje da nagadjamo....., sto stvara jos vecu konfuziju pored tuge. Taman sto sam nekako prezalila Miru Furlan koju sam obozavala., sad ode Djole??? i tako na precac.

[@biserkasertic1208]

@@yukiyu6241 Jako "kosi" zadnje vrijeme.Meni su i neki prijatelji otišli u zadnjih pa mjeseci, pa čak i Astra, naš Bernski planinski "andjeo na 4 šape" - nakon 9 godina što je bila s nama. Djole je preplivao "nebeski Dunav".Mislim da je neko rekao "svi pjesnici odlaze mladi" jer je uvijek prerano! Nisam već dugo pratio što se novo dešava u Nadinoj paralelnoj stvarnosti, ali očekujem da ona i Mila snime svoju verziju "im'o bi ja štogod kas'ti i a konto ove vlasti....!" Puno pozdrava uz "Stih na asfaltu"🎵!

[@MrSpoznaja]

Oh my friend, you touched on many things that we still fear touching on, you threaded carefully and, by the grace of your own humanity and kindness, you managed to cross over to the other side. That was the language of Balasevic, and why we all shall miss him.

[@ninaverenac7266]

My sincere compliments for this heartbreaking video Prof. Skye and, every single word and every single sentence was spot on. I am truly impressed with your short but the most accurate summary of Djordje Balasevic's life and career and the knowledge of events (war) that unfolded in the former Yugoslavia. You made me cry, you made me ache... but, for Djordje's passing - pain will never go away.

[@SanjaAlihodzic]

One of the most emotional moments of my life was listening to Balasevic sing at his concert in Sarajevo in 1998. It was not only healing but so beautifully pointed out the senselessness of what we have been through for years. But at that moment we were together again and it was magic.

[@KaleunMaender77]

Balašević encapsulated the ethos, attitudes, innocence and guilt, the joys and the fears, the highs and the lows, that persisted during his career from the seventies until today. He was social. He was political. He was rational. He was emotional. He was romantic. He was childlike, fraternal, sometimes paternal. He was hopeful. He was fearful. He was jovial and comical. He was cold and serious. But above all, he was a human being who wanted the best for all other human beings. His songs for me encapsulate those tiny properties and attributes which define what it means to be a human being capable of sympathy, empathy, emotion, rationality. That's what many consider the old Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and Tito mainly, to be: the symbol of a history before the chaos of the present day; the symbol of a pride that became shame through war; the symbol that fraternalised and united in a particular way that nothing and no one else could. Balašević was the symbol of the best aspects of humanity in the Balkans. He spoke the truth. He lived the truth. He spoke morals. He lived morals. He spoke justice. He lived justice. He hid nothing in his songs, and he lived openly in public and in private. He didn't censor anyone. But he was censored himself, because he spoke and lived objective truth and objective morals and objective justice, and he didn't shy away from being public and vocal about objective truth, morals, and justice. That's why Balašević is celebrated from Vardar to Triglav, from the Đerdap Mountains to the Adriatic. I personally don't necessarily care for another Yugoslavia. That's a lofty fantasy. All I care for is that there is a great awakening and a great enlightenment that overcomes the Balkans, and that all of the Balkan peoples regain and abide by the virtues and values that we have lost and so desperately need again. Najlakša ti crna zemlja, Đorđe. Zauvek ću biti zahvalan tebi što si postojao.

[@sujadera]

He always be in my heart ❤! On je simbol mog djetinjstva, odrastanja..prvih ljubavi. Bilo je lijepo živjeti u zemlji gdje je zdravstvo bilo besplatno, školovanje besplatno. Radnici su imali kuhani topli obrok i mnogo veća prava nego mi danas. Balašević je vidio nepravdu i bio je veliki čovjek. Hvala mu na predivnim pjesmama.🙏

[@lemanasaran8596]

I am very grateful to Professor Skye for this clear, quite accurate, and respectful video dedicated to Djordje Balasevic and his accomplishments in the world of Yugoslavian music and larger. I was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and grew up influenced by the beauty of Balasevic's meaningful lyrics. I can freely say that, in a way, his songs and messages expressed in different ways made me the person who I am today and I am very proud that I lived in his time. Balasevic was a great poet, musician, performer, but above all he was a pacifist and a beacon always shedding light on what is wrong and what is right. He was a great man fearlessly speaking on behalf of disenfranchised people and against the corrupted politicians. Him and his family suffered a long number of years for this reason. I lost my father to COVID 19 several days before Djordje Balasevic lost his life the same way. I grieve for my father but I don't grieve less for Djordje Balasevic. The both will be in my heart as long as I live.

[@b_markovic]

I think you hit the nail in the head with that remark about him first and foremost being a human artist, rather than Yugoslavian one. That is what a lot of his audience recognizes really. Yes, his songs are intertwined with imagery of our shared childhood (or for many of his fans, imagery of their parents' childhoods) but the true impact is really that even the pretty Balkan-specific social/political commentary from those lyrics comes from a place that would be relatable to any human, because of the humanist, universalist core. The touching points with Yugoslavia and Yugonostalgicism are really just: 1) (mind you I was a kid in the 80s) we truly believed in that brotherhood and that the future is forward and full of hope, most of us grew up believing in that, and most of us still feel everyone in former Yugoslavian countries as their kinsmen (which is most clearly visible if you ever find a group of us from different today's countries anywhere in the West) and he became the lone beacon of that hope, 2) he sung in a language we all understand, using metaphors we all understand and with references to the cultural space that most of us actually still share (I can be a fan of Dubioza Kolektiv, Nipplepeople and SARS and I enjoy them as "local music" category, in a space that is effectively separate from my enjoyment of Herbie Hancock, Pink Floyd or Shpongle etc), 3) his lyrics and these references are impossible to translate properly - I always felt Balasevic in that sense belonged to the tradition of the best French chansonniers, where much like their work, that which is most beloved by the French, it's equally completely opaque to people outside that cultural space unless they learn the language deep enough to immerse themselves into that culture. And yes, his music and lyrics did sing to that painful wound of that "paradise lost" many people born in 50s, 60s and 70s felt after the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia, but outside these touching points the gist of why he was so deeply and universally loved was the humanism he was coming from. Because his audience was growing younger and with time, slowly, the majority of people in attendance of his concerts were toddlers or weren't even born when the war happened.

[@sasarakic5438]

He knew how to turn every emotion of the soul into a song ... A good man left, a poet whose every song was a little masterpiece! All good people will miss him a lot ...

[@MisaLoncarevic]

Thank you for trying to explain what Balasevic means to us. As someone said: This is a greatest tradegy for Balkans since Tito died. I was two days in tears, stronger then when my father died. For more than 20 years I dances, kissed, cryied, be happy and sad with his songs. You will hear Lepa protina kci. You will understand then.

[@nenadjezdic5883]

Drago mi je sto je jedan Amerikanac shvatio sta je poenta price iza Balasevica, a u isto vreme mi je zao sto ga ovde mnogi nisu shvatili i pribegli nacionalizmu...

[@sime2818]

Well said, Balašević is a state of mind.. Thank U for the video, greetings from Croatia!

[@nolejd50]

I'm from Montenegro, one of the 6 ex-Yugoslav states. Many crappy things happened to me in the last couple of months. I have been "curing my blues" with his songs for a long time anyway, since the first time I had heard the first song from him some 20 years ago, when I was still a kid. But in the last couple of months it had increased. And then he died, adding salt to my wounds, gasoline to the fire. I can't fucking believe it, it's just not fucking fair. Đorđe Balašević had died - it can't be true, I thought. Such a personification doesn't just simply die and disappear like average people, taking SO MUCH with him. But he did die, reminding me of our limited time here on Earth. He did something that no politican, alive or dead, could ever even dream of thinking of doing, regardless of his eventual good intentions. Đorđe Balašević himself was Yugoslavia, its Youth, its Elderly, its Love and Sadness. He was our shot of rakia, and we were the Vasa Ladački. And now it's all... Here to fucking stay for centuries. His name and his songs will never be forgotten, as long as there's a Yugoslav alive. I'm sure of it.

[@vladimir9586]

Great video professor, everything what you said stands and I can see only by this video that you are a great professor. Balašević was a soul that will never repeat again. If he was living in the west he would be as famous or even greater than Bob Dylan. Because he was so brave when few were, because he was so human when few could, because he did best stand up comedy in these neighbouring countries and because he was such amazing song writer in a manner of a master painter or genius level story teller he would take you in to his beautiful world of music, humanity, joy, love and tears. Many got to have some of their favourable and intimate memories with their loved ones trough his songs and concerts. He was a flower that attracted bees. And millions came to listen and feast on the nectar of his songs during decades of his work. At least we had him. He hated the fact that he became a foriner in new countries that came after Yugoslavia because he always saw all of us as his people. And he called us "my people". Oneness was his signature behind his life work. All of that is why Croatians and other nations loved him. And his legacy will continue and new generations will continue to have some of their favourable and intimate memories with their loved ones trough his songs. As you do professor with your wife. So keep up your great work and celebrate life with this great artist. He will be most happy. Greetings and love to everyone from Croatia.

[@miodragdimic5813]

Perfectly understood my friend. Your wife should be really proud of you.We should all have listened more to what Balasevic was saying instead of letting "mean old grandpas " ruin everything. He was warning us years before the war, but we were not wise enough to pay attention to what he was singing about.

[@nerminsnowhuseinbasic9340]

His death united Yugoslavs, first time after death of Tito. His music means and will continue to mean a lot to me. I would cry,laugh,contemplate, dance etc with his songs. He was the greatest and will be remembered. You explained it really good here.

[@drazenkadordevich8963]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain the importance and the influence Đorđe had on us, our community and our people. Really a great question- how many tones can one country die? We have become better people having grown up with his music, courage and love for humanity.

[@jerryzondervan2220]

Thanks for the picture you drew. Like you I am with an "ex Yugo" and I totally relate to your words. Balašević was the other Yugoslavia, of the people and he leaves an enormous hole.

[@mirallaround]

I am amazed and speechless at the moment. Thank you a lot.

[@borisjukic5779]

Thank you for explaining it to me why I have been so shaken by his death. I loved him and his music but the sadness I have been feeling seemed to have many dimensions. Also, it is hard to understate his genius as a poet. He has this extremely rare ability to stir deep emotions without being manipulative.

[@TheMplaco]

Thank you very much for such informative video. Even though I am from that region, it is nice to refresh the memory. Being a big fan of Him through His music, and especially for His contributions to humanity I will always miss Him. It is great loss for all of us, but will be in our memory FOREVER.

[@cristinaelena7267]

Hvala from Spain. I am croatian, born in Argentina, and my best years was when I listen Balasevic, a great human being who always touch our hearts and make us a better humans. Thank you.

[@franfinesim]

my parents are from Bosnia, but we live in Croatia. they were devastated after hearing about Balasevic's death. I'm not a hardcore fan, but I lit a candle for him, because he was a great artist and a great guy... I never saw people all across ex-Yu crying about someone. except Tito perhaps. very sad....I read so many postive comments all over the internet, but also there were some radical right people commented how nobody mourned like this over Kico Slabinac and Oliver Dragojevic. Well, they forget that they're not the same genre, and Balasevic rejected hat and war.... he was welcomed everywhere. nice video. it surprised me to see someone from America to make a video about Balasevic :D

[@sinisagosnjic4776]

Thank you, man. Thank you for the true and amazing words about him. And thank Him for being such a Human Being. Sleep well, Djole. Sleep well, teacher. See you in One of Those Lives.

[@eminaa83]

You Sir are amazing! And your wife too, cause I suspect she introduced you to this force/legend that is (almost wrote WAS but he will never cease to exist) Balašević and all of of his wonderful work. Someone wrote in the comments that it is astounding that many people from Balkans don't understand the concept of Yugoslavia or meaning of Balašević, yet you nailed it in this short video. A man that is more than a singer, a human being that transcends borders, languages, race and speaks directly to the soul. This is your first video that I watched but I look forward to watching more and also subscribe to your channel and support you. You brought tears to my eyes but also made me so happy for understanding. Thank you. Greetings from Croatia

[@milos_mladenovic]

Thank you professor Skye! Maybe you did not do 'research' but you nailed Balasevic's role in the region of former Yugoslavia perfectly. He was a unifier, a poet whose words could produce love, peace, tolerance and empathy. His death has hurt millions and indeed is a loss for humanity.

[@nula0043]

Po naški - You rocked it. His lyrics were almost above anything ever seen...it's a true loss for Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina....Macedonia, Slovenia, we're all hit by this, because, even though the hate was spread...I still believe in unity and family that had been created from the purest of reason....slava Jugoslaviji i socijalizmu.

[@marijatomlinson2054]

On my 18th birthday I went to the DJ in my favourite club and asked him to play a song by Balasevic. Any song. He was reluctant, afraid he might agitate someone and create an incident. It was 1992 in Pula, club that mostly played rock music (but quite eclectic really) in the middle of old town with Roman ruins literally all around us. At the time Pula was spared from war destruction but it was filled with refugees living in hotels and soldiers on training and veterans having a break from war. DJ was a friend of mine and I pressed, I wanted Balasevic and it was my birthday. So he agreed, he'd play Zivot je more (I was a depressed sort of teen :D ) as a final song for the night. He did and nothing happened, nobody came up to smack his face, nobody drew weapons, nobody reacted in any way negative. So next weekend he put another Balasevic song and again, nothing happened. I don't remember he played other hugely popular Serbian bands like EKV or specially bands like Riblja Corba, but at least, in one part of Croatia, in one club you could hear this artist from Serbia playing all throughout the 90s.

[@professorskye]

I just listened to Zivot je more for the first time just minutes ago. Not exactly a club banger! :) This story is wonderful and says so much.

[@marijatomlinson2054]

@@professorskye Ah you know how it goes, it's closing time and nobody is budging, everybody still dancing, drinking and waiting for one more song :D So to call it "fajrunt" they'd turn on all lights and play something contemplative and slow, I think The Doors' Riders of the storm or something like that was a usual signal to move on. But also it was a big time for grunge, Nirvana and Pearl jam and others really resonated with us in ex-yu of the time. You'd get a little bit of those mixed up with all sorts of rock music, small town club couldn't afford to play repertoire that was super narrow. Still there was the line you couldn't cross, there were kids that listened to rock, there were kids that listened to pop, there were kids that listened to hm I wonder if you can get your wife to explain cajke lol and they all despised eachother. There were even secret organised fights between them. Fun times! But when I think about it, Balasevic could fit with any of those groups, he was kinda universal in that too. So strange, I never thought it was weird back then. Anyways, thank you for these videos, I know exactly what you meant when you were telling the story of your wife keeping Balasevic secret from you, I do exactly the same thing with my British husband. I'm about to come out of the closet now and send him the link. Greetings from Zagreb

[@zop6922]

Beautiful... in more ways than one! Thank you for sharing this video, for your insight, for understanding, and above all, for a lovely story on the beauty of humanity. Yes, Balašević was and remains a synonym for the three - poetry, beauty and humanity.

[@KristijanSremec]

Thank you for this video, and thank you for good explane one od the gratest Singer EVER. IM FROM Croatia and i cant stop crying. ☹️

[@tomislavcindric4031]

Thank you for this video. We lost great man and great poet who´s songs reminds us of some better times, when life was slower and with less things to worry about, first loves and guitars on the beach. I don´t think that he was symbol of Yugoslavia as country, he was symbol of all that was good in Yugoslavia (and there was more good things than bad, but bad is always heavier) and that why we are so sad

[@netko0071]

He taught us how to love in times when it was so popular to hate. He was a poet, a peacemaker, a singer, a great performer, he was funny, honest, brave..but most of all, he was our only hope that normal people are still out there. No matter where they were born, what was the color of their skin, what was the name of their God, and what flag they were carrying in their hearts or passports. It's was all about being a human. It was all about understanding each other. It was all about love.

[@sanja74]

Odlicno video. I Makedonija tuguje ....

[@tijanaristanovic7465]

Balašević je najmanje bio pevač. Najveći pesnik današnjice sa takvim šarmom da je mogao da osvoji sve devojke ovog sveta, a osvojio je samo jednu. 💖💖💖

[@Mikrokozma33]

3:08 Thank you!!! I agree and I was always comprehending it just like this. Thank you for this words. ❤️

[@branislavazdjelar1870]

In a short video you've explained it pretty accurate.I am amazed.congrats to your wife.I agree with you both.he was a part of my life too and it it isn't only Yougoslavia diying again,a part of each one of us is..that's why so many tears💔

[@aleksovskialeksandar3577]

Svaka čast za ovaj video. Đorđe Balašević je bio vanvremenski čovek, neponovljiv u svakom pogledu. Samo bih dodao da su za većinu ružnih stvari koje su se desile Jugoslaviji i njenim narodima, krivi političari koji su vodili ili vode Ameriku. Drago mi je da ima i Amerikanaca koji razumu nas Balkance i neka se bave nama kao ovaj čovek, nikako drugačije.

[@miloradvukosav660]

Hvala ti, dobri čoveče, na ovako lepim rečima i emocijama. Zahvaljujem ti se iz razloga što me ne prolazi osećaj da sam izgubio jednu od najdražih osoba u životu. Što reče beogradski glumac Boris Pingović, dok je Đole bio živ, osećao sam se kao dete, bezbrižno, nasmejano i srećno, naročito uz njegove pesme, a od 19.02. sam počeo da starim.

[@samkun3297]

Sir , you made my cry. Your video gets me. The world is so small. I can hardly breathe.

[@anavanjakbielen8571]

I have always thought that it took a Slavic man to truly understand Balašević. I could not be more wrong. It's a Slavic soul that it takes and you, prof. Skye, have one. Among all the beautiful things Balašević said about us, his fans, once he said that we can easily be recognized - having the same code in our eyes. And we recognize one another, instantly, often without a word spoken. Welcome to the club, prof. Skye.

[@gameison2014]

Don't worry, Jugoslavija only died politically. It lives on culturally, linguistically, historically, socially, romantic, sentimentally, even economically, and of course geographically. Good on you👍

[@biserkasertic1208]

And musicaly.

[@colinafobe2152]

True it died politically and we still share many things in common, but Balasevic death reminded us how blessed we were to have such a great country and what we lost

[@plavi7214]

zajedno smo jaci ✊- together we are stronger ✊

[@daliborperkovic3918]

@@plavi7214 Ne, ne zajedno smo skupa! :)

[@vladjovan2744]

Jedini veći zločin od razaranja Jugoslavije bio je njeno stvaranje.

[@aidaferaget6788]

Big hugs, HUGE hugs actually, from both Sarajevo and from the one that managed to convince that Canadian diplomat that Balasevic was the best option for Sarajevo and the region. I wish I had you by my side back then, that would be a great help. I LOVE the way you describe him. Maybe, you should do some sort of "Balasevic for dummies" and help us spread all the values he was promoting, since the whole world can benefit from them. After all "Srce se svugde kaže srce i tu Boga nema" Thank you for this video!

[@professorskye]

Wow, it is an honor that you saw this video! My wife has started to show me the documentary that was made about the concerts and it is an amazing story. I'm trying to do a "Balasevic for Dummies" with my one album a year for my wife's birthday. :)

[@Tamara-nj6qp]

Thank you for understanding the point! Love from Koper, Slovenia

[@dorijangirl]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT!EVERY WORD!BRAVO

[@dteljigovic]

When he died most of us from Balkans have felt that something was taken out of our souls!

[@Comithen]

Much respect my good man. Every word is like a drop of blood we bleed and tears we cried in our great country of Yugoslavia. Sending love to your wife, your family and people that stayed humans after all.