Russian Belgrade: In the Footsteps of White Emigrants of the Early 20th Century
About this experience
The Serbian capital became a Mecca for emigrants who left their homeland with the establishment of Soviet power. But why Belgrade? What was it like to live here after the Russian Empire? What annoyed and what impressed the locals about the emigrants? We will walk through the city center, where you will see the iconic places for every white emigrant and find answers to all the questions.
What to expect
A guide who will captivate you
As a journalist, I try to look at the past through the prism of the present, identify patterns, highlight similarities and differences. This tour is not a monotonous lecture, but a dynamic journey into the past through the streets, houses, and squares of Belgrade that remember the most important historical events.
Belgrade - center of white emigration
Kvass, nudist beaches, love for animals, and flowers as gifts for ladies - Russians who arrived in their country 100 years ago were associated with so many things by the Serbs... And there were quite a few of them: in the early 1920s - thousands of inhabitants of the Russian Empire. During the walk in Belgrade, we will talk about why many refugees chose the Balkans, how they adapted to the new life, and what problems they faced.
In the footsteps of emigrants
We will walk through the most 'Russian places' of the capital: you will see how the city has changed thanks to architects from the Russian Empire, learn about the Kremlin agents and the most difficult political choice that each 'white' person faced in the Balkans before the Second World War: whom to support - Stalin or Hitler, Bolshevism or Fascism? During the tour you will:
- visit the church where Wrangel is buried;
- evaluate the facade of the Main Post Office according to the project of the Russian architect, which caused (and still causes) many questions;
- learn why Serbs feel warmly towards the last Emperor of Russia at the monument to Nicholas II;
- see the Russian House, where I will tell you how emigrants loved to have fun and spend time;
- follow the path that Russians took after arriving at Belgrade train station, and see the city through their eyes;
- have coffee at the 'Moskva' hotel and learn how Serbia's political course changed at the beginning of the 20th century and what it meant for Russia;
- understand where Russian emigrants disappeared during the fascist occupation under Josip Broz Tito.
Organizational details
Additional expenses (optional) - snack at the 'Moskva' hotel cafe.
