Archives for November 30th, 2004

On Nov. 29, 1945, the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia was declared.

Yesterday would have been the 59th anniversary of socialist Yugoslavia. As it was, Yugoslavia only lived to be 47 — lower than the average life expectancy in Liberia.

Nevertheless, here are five patriotic songs (and one speech) that would have been appropriate back then:

1. Hej Slaveni.mp3 — The national anthem of Yugoslavia. It literally means "Hey Slavs!" and had versions in Serbo-Croatian, Macedonian and Slovenian. This is the instrumental version. [History and lyrics]
2. Druže Tito mi ti se kunemo.mp3 — Literally, "Comrade Tito, we pledge ourselves to you." A bombastic, patriotic song performed by the former Yugoslav superstar (and still active) Zdravko ÄŒolić. The Zagreb Philharmonic backs him up.
3. Yugoslavia.mp3 — During one of the final communist party meetings between delegates from all the republics: "It seemed that they could not agree on a single thing. They even quarreled about what song should open the extraordinary Fourteenth Congress of the Yugoslav Communist Party; the Internationale, the national anthem, "Hej Slaveni" (Hey Slavs), or the popular song, "Yugoslavia." At one point, [Croatia’s communist leader] RaÄ?an said: "It is not important how we begin, but it is important to finish with Yugoslavia," apparently missing the irony until the others broke out in laughter." [From Yugoslavia: Death of a Nation, page 79]
4. Svobodna Slovenija.mp3 — "Free Slovenia."
5. Na juriÅ¡.mp3 — A popular partisan song meaning "Charge!" During World War II, Yugoslavia lost around 1.7 million people — an astounding 10% of its population. In terms of total losses, it finished in sixth place, globally. More Yugoslavs died than British and Americans combined. In fact, even if you double American and British losses, the Yugoslavs still have more dead. Like in other countries with heavy losses, the majority of people killed were civilians.
6. Excerpt of a speech by Tito.mp3 — A prophetic excerpt from a speech by Tito. He says: "We spilled a sea of blood for our brotherhood and for the unity of our nations. We won’t allow anyone to touch or undermine it from inside, so that our brotherhood and unity would be destroyed." Yugoslavia outlived Tito by only ten years.

There are many more songs available here.

(Thanks Miran!)