Aleksandar

Aleksandar is 30 years old and graduated as a journalist. He now works as a freelancer. He loves video games, history, sports, and foosball.

In the future, Aleksandar believes Serbia should be an autonomous country that enjoys the benefits of its autonomy. ‘It’s crucial for Serbia to understand its place in the world and recognize that we are a small country with little global importance. If the United States or China were to disappear tomorrow, the world would take notice. If Serbia vanished tomorrow, the world wouldn’t even notice. Serbians need to comprehend how insignificant we are in the grand geopolitical scheme. Powerful countries will always make decisions and attract international attention. A country that lacks importance, like Finland, for example – and I don’t mean this derogatorily – simply isn’t involved in major conflicts or decisions and lacks a significant say. It’s a country left to its own devices, developing on its own terms.’

Historic heritage is something that every citizen of Serbia can take pride in. ‘We have an immense historical legacy, with numerous remarkable achievements by this nation despite its small size, not to mention our ability to maintain unity during times of crisis. We possess stunning natural beauty, excel in sports despite our small population, and have contributed to popular culture, both in music and film. We have a good sense of humor, we’re known for our stubbornness and love for fun. Overall, we remain positive despite our circumstances.’

Discord and apathy are the main negative characteristics observed in people in Serbia. ‘Our most significant issue is that we are often our own worst enemies. Generally, people in Serbia, especially those in positions of authority, lack the ability to develop their own independent thought. They tend to seek advice from others and fall under their influence. Discord is also a problem. Up until World War II, Serbs were united during moments of crisis. Our way of thinking and self-evaluation has changed considerably. I’m not suggesting it was a paradise before WWII, but people were more united and had a clearer sense of purpose. Nowadays, people lack ideas and long-term goals. Social circumstances have bred apathy, and many focus solely on day-to-day living without a vision for the future. Consequently, our value system has deteriorated significantly. This is a major challenge; we are our own worst enemies. If we were to be presented with an alternative to democracy, we’d likely accept democracy as it stands. We struggle to keep up with the times and frequently make poor decisions.’

Despite not being religious, Aleksandar follows Buddhist principles and prioritizes morality above all. He considers himself quick-tempered and is a blend of philosophy, a religion he doesn’t believe in, free political thought that’s largely absent, and a love for things that may not always deserve it.