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The Art of Living (TV Political Entertainment programme)

This was the first independently produced political-entertainment programme in the former Yugoslavia, broadcast on state television from 1990 to 1991. Hosted by three renowned journalists, each episode featured uncensored interviews with three high-profile guests before a live audience. By combining political satire with investigative journalism, this TV talk show marked a turning point in freedom of speech and remains a significant media-historical document that highlights the complexity of society and the early signs of disintegration on the eve of war.

After the period of communism and tightly controlled, censored media, we were the first to introduce free speech, uncensored questions, and humour at the expense of politics and politicians. We raised difficult and dangerous issues by posing them directly to those in power, some of whom, as it would later turn out, were preparing for war.

List of Episodes and Guests:

Journalists: Dragan Babić, Mirjana Bobić-Mojsilović, Aleksandar Tijanić.

  • Episode #1 - Guests: Nijaz Duraković, Alija Izetbegović, and Srđa Popović [episode not available as the original videotape was lost during the siege of Sarajevo]
  • Episode #2 - Guests: Stipe Mesić, Radovan Karadžić and Stipe Šuvar
  • Episode #3 - Guests: Ivan Zvonimir Čičak, Milovan Đilas and Vasil Tupurkovski
  • Episode #4 - Guests: Stevan Mirković, Momir Bulatović and Vuk Drašković
  • Episode #5 - Guests: Bogić Bogićević, Vane Ivanović and Slaven Letica
  • Episode #6 - Guests: Jovan Rašković, Rasim Kadić and Dragoljub Mićunović
  • Episode #7 - Guests: Branko Horvat, Stjepan Kljujić and Dušan Mitević [episode not available as the original videotape was lost during the siege of Sarajevo]
  • Episode #8 - Guests: Vladimir Velebit, Jovo Kapičić and Ljupčo Georgievski

Note:
All of these projects have since demonstrated that this method is key to documenting events if we want our efforts to serve as a meaningful contribution to the interpretation and understanding of the 1991–1999 period in the former Yugoslavia, for both local and global education. This project has already proven and continues to prove to be a valuable contribution to the process of truth and reconciliation, as well as to the democratisation of post-war society.

ThemeAnalysis of the political, economic, social, and cultural issues in the former Yugoslavia.
Research period1990–1991
Original FormatThe first independent media production of a political-entertainment programme broadcast by TV stations across the former Yugoslavia.
LanguageBosnian / Croatian / Serbian
Project contentOne season, eight episodes (each 60–75 minutes) - live TV broadcast.
Three renowned journalists interview high-profile guests - including presidents, politicians, intellectuals, journalists, and businesspeople - on stage in front of a live audience.
ProductionSarajevo (1990-1991)
NoteEpisodes 1 and 7 are unavailable, as the original videotapes were lost during the siege of Sarajevo.
Associated content