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Serbia’s famous faces are many, from Wimbledon regular Novak Djokovic to actress Milla Jovovich and performance artist Marina Abramović. But there are 70,000 non-celeb Serbians living in the UK, most of them in London. Many families came here during WWII, including the upper classes, who camped out and waited for the war to end.
These days, Serbian Londoners are most likely to be young creatives and designers following in the footsteps of Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum, and fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic. Serbian artists are beginning to thrive on the London art scene, too. The Griffin Art Prize was won by Serbian artist Ana Milenkovic back in November, and the Contemporary Balkan Art organisation supports up-and-coming talent. Their current show at Library features my photography alongside work by seven fellow Serbian artists. Jovana Mladenovic
Did you know? Serbian crown prince Alexander II was born in Claridge’s during WWII. Churchill was said to have temporarily placed Suite 212 under Yugoslav sovereignty to ensure his claim to the throne.
Jovana’s favourite Serbian places in London
Serbia is famous for its meat-loving cuisine, which mixes central European and Ottoman culinary traditions. You can enjoy delicious Serbian barbecue at The Corner Terrace in Ealing – try the ‘mixed meat Balkan-style’ and then dance the night away to live traditional music!
I love Mugi’s Coffee Bar, also in Ealing, a traditional Serbian restaurant and deli where you can stock up on groceries including kajmak: Serbian cottage cheese.
Serbia House on Dering Street hosts events and expos, with a new exhibition curated by Contemporary Balkan Art opening on July 1.
The Serbian City Club is a non-profit, apolitical organisation for Serbian professionals in London, which welcomes newcomers from the Balkans and elsewhere.
Contemporary Balkan Art’s Interruption exhibition closes on Thursday May 11 with a free discussion of Marina Abramović’s book ‘Walk Through Walls’ at Library in Covent Garden.
The best of Serbian London, according to you
‘At the EXER club parties in Kensington you can dance to great Serbian tunes.’ Nick C via timeout.com
‘Fulham Kitchen – the best cevapi u somunu and karadjordjeva schnitzel in the city.’ Milan Popovic via Facebook