Secret by Branislav Sekulić at the Centre for Modern Arts in Podgorica, Montenegro

June 7, 2024

I travelled to see Secret by Branislav Sekulić at the Centre for Modern Arts in Podgorica, Montenegro. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Branislav Bane Sekulić, born in 1952 in Prokuplje, is a renowned Montenegrin painter. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade in 1978 and earned his master’s degree there in 1980. Sekulić founded the art group “Generacija 9” and was vice-president of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro. He worked as an editor and teacher while creating his art. His style evolved from hyperrealism to magical realism and surrealism. Sekulić’s works are featured in many museums and private collections. He has participated in numerous exhibitions and received significant awards throughout

Vesa Luma Live Rehearsal

June 7, 2024

Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Vesa Luma is a Kosovo-Albanian singer and songwriter known for her hit singles and albums, with millions of streams and downloads. In 2012, she was chosen as a judge and mentor on Albania’s X Factor TV series, and she also participated in Dancing with the Stars. Her dynamic presence and vocal talent have established her as a prominent figure in the Balkan music industry. I was privileged to attend her rehearsal whilst I was in Pristina, Kosovo and she was live and accompanied with a full orchestra. Here is part of the rehearsals. Raw. I hope you enjoy. By Anthony King (c)

Eternal Flame in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

June 7, 2024

I travelled to see The Eternal Flame in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The Eternal Flame in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, commemorates military and civilian victims of World War II. Dedicated on 6 April 1946, the first anniversary of Sarajevo’s liberation from Nazi and fascist occupation, it was designed by architect Juraj Neidhardt. Located at the junction of key streets in the city centre, the memorial draws attendees every April 6 to lay flowers and honour the liberators and victims of both World War II and the 1992–1996 Siege of Sarajevo, which began around the same date. The Flame is a central symbol of remembrance and resilience for the city. By

Reclining Female by Besart Papa in Tirana, Albania

June 6, 2024

I travelled to see Reclining Female by Besart Papa in Tirana, Albania. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. “Reclining Female” by Besart Papa is a modern sculpture in Tirana, Albania right next to the Cathedral in the centre. It was created by Besart Papa, the son of renowned Albanian artist Thanas Papa. As you can see, the artwork depicts a reclining female figure with elegance and grace. I feel like Besart Papa’s creation pays homage to his father’s legacy while establishing his own mark in Albanian contemporary art. Tirana is obviously beginning to take it’s civic art seriously because you find that it has placed quite a few statues and sculptures around as well as street

Stari Most (The Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

June 6, 2024

I travelled to see the Stari Most (The Old Bridge) in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Stari Most, also known as Mostar Bridge, is a rebuilt 16th-century Ottoman bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Originally commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent and designed by Mimar Hayruddin, it spans the Neretva River and connects the city. Destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War, the bridge was reconstructed and reopened on 23 July 2004. The destruction was filmed and available to see online. The bridge, a significant example of Balkan Islamic architecture, is 4 meters wide and 30 meters long, rising 24 meters above the river. It hosts an annual diving competition and is

Claude Monet’s The Orchard

June 5, 2024

Today we’ll be looking at Claude Monet’s The Orchard. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. By Anthony King (c)

Robert the Bruce Statue outside Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland

June 5, 2024

I travelled to see the Robert the Bruce Statue outside Marischal College in Aberdeen, Scotland. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. The magnificent Robert the Bruce statue, unveiled on May 9, 2011, was meticulously crafted over four years by sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot. It now proudly stands outside the former Marischal College, serving as the Aberdeen City Council Headquarters. Robert the Bruce has a deep connection with Aberdeen, evident through him being granted six charters to the city. He is depicted on horseback, Bruce holds a charter from 1319, symbolizing Aberdeen’s feudal rights over the Forest of Stocket, still owned by the city. This charter also established Aberdeen’s Common Good Fund. The statue portrays Bruce as

The Sarajevo Railway Station in Bosnia and Herzegovina

June 5, 2024

I travelled to see the Sarajevo Railway Station in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Come join me there too. Welcome to Art, Culture & Travel with me, Anthony King. Sarajevo’s main railway station, located 3 kilometres from downtown, was originally built in 1882 under Austro-Hungarian rule. It underwent major reconstruction post-World War II, led by Czechoslovak and later Bosnian architects, culminating in its 1953 completion. German POWs contributed to its construction, and it was one of the few projects not influenced by socialist realism. The station was electrified in 1967, enhancing connections, particularly to the Adriatic coast. Despite damage during the 1992-1995 war, it was rebuilt in the late 1990s and declared a national monument in 2016. Today, it remains a historic taste of the former Yugoslavia.