Ian Bancroft
@ianbancroft.bsky.social
Writer & former diplomat. Peacebuilding @pci_org. #Wine @autochthoinos. Wrote a novel 'Luka' (http://bit.ly/LukaNovel) & a north Kosovo book (https://bit.ly/NKosovo).
Reposted by Ian Bancroft
The cold weather emergency is leaving Kiev and the rest of the country in darkness and freezing temperatures, while disagreements are emerging between President Volodymyr Zelensky and the capital’s mayor, Vitaly Klychko. Meanwhile, Europe is struggling to find a unified response
Ukraine, a long winter of frost, bombs, and tensions - Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa
The cold weather emergency is leaving Kiev and the rest of the country in darkness and freezing temperatures, while disagreements are emerging between President Volodymyr Zelensky and the capital's…
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 11:27 AM
The cold weather emergency is leaving Kiev and the rest of the country in darkness and freezing temperatures, while disagreements are emerging between President Volodymyr Zelensky and the capital’s mayor, Vitaly Klychko. Meanwhile, Europe is struggling to find a unified response
By focusing on vertical tastings, archive vintages, and indigenous varieties, Grand Tasting 2026 reaffirmed its position not just as a quality wine fair, but as a serious institution for wine education and appreciation in the #Balkans. #Serbia #Wine. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/a-grand-ta...
A Grand Tasting in Belgrade
By focusing on vertical tastings, archive vintages, and indigenous varieties, Grand Tasting 2026 reaffirmed its position not just as a quality wine fair, but as a serious institution for wine educatio...
autochthoinos.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:02 PM
By focusing on vertical tastings, archive vintages, and indigenous varieties, Grand Tasting 2026 reaffirmed its position not just as a quality wine fair, but as a serious institution for wine education and appreciation in the #Balkans. #Serbia #Wine. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/a-grand-ta...
An artist looks past the history books to uncover the hidden landscape of #Sicily's capital. #Italy. www.aramcoworld.com/articles/202...
'Sarab' Reimagines Palermo's Arab Days
An artist looks past the history books to uncover the hidden landscape of Sicily's capital.
www.aramcoworld.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:18 PM
An artist looks past the history books to uncover the hidden landscape of #Sicily's capital. #Italy. www.aramcoworld.com/articles/202...
#Belgrade rewards those willing to look beyond the bargain flights...the real draw is a city as intriguing and welcoming as it is complex. In a continent of over-touristed destinations, Belgrade still feels like a discovery. #Serbia. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 2:18 PM
#Belgrade rewards those willing to look beyond the bargain flights...the real draw is a city as intriguing and welcoming as it is complex. In a continent of over-touristed destinations, Belgrade still feels like a discovery. #Serbia. www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/desti...
ICYMI, my piece about the #War Childhood Museum in #Sarajevo for @TheNewWorldmag. A unique collection that explores the devastating effects of war on children. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.thenewworld.co.uk/ian-bancroft...
The childhoods lost to war
A collection of mementoes and testimonies at the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo is a timely reminder of the devastating effects of war on children
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 6, 2026 at 11:20 AM
ICYMI, my piece about the #War Childhood Museum in #Sarajevo for @TheNewWorldmag. A unique collection that explores the devastating effects of war on children. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.thenewworld.co.uk/ian-bancroft...
#Manx dancing has been enjoying a growing revival, with new classes attracting people of all ages. It was grown into a cultural movement on the Isle of Man, reflecting a wider appetite for reconnecting with Manx traditions. #IsleofMan. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Ongoing cultural revival putting Manx dancing 'back on the map'
A teacher says growth in Manx dancing reflects a growing appetite for reconnecting with traditions.
www.bbc.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:14 AM
#Manx dancing has been enjoying a growing revival, with new classes attracting people of all ages. It was grown into a cultural movement on the Isle of Man, reflecting a wider appetite for reconnecting with Manx traditions. #IsleofMan. www.bbc.com/news/article...
An elderly Italian man is under investigation as part of an investigation by prosecutors in Milan into individuals who allegedly paid members of the Bosnian Serb army for trips to #Sarajevo so they could kill citizens in the 1990s. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Italian investigated over claims he paid to shoot people during siege of Sarajevo
Former truck driver, now 80, allegedly one of many ‘sniper tourists’ who paid Bosnian Serb soldiers to be allowed fire on city
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
An elderly Italian man is under investigation as part of an investigation by prosecutors in Milan into individuals who allegedly paid members of the Bosnian Serb army for trips to #Sarajevo so they could kill citizens in the 1990s. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Josip Brkić began building his family’s wine brand during the bloodshed of the #Bosnian War; today he is prospering. This article, published by Wine Spectator back in 2021, tells his fascinating story. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/wine-after...
Wine After War in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Josip Brkić began building his family’s wine brand during the bloodshed of the Bosnian War; today he is prospering.
autochthoinos.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Josip Brkić began building his family’s wine brand during the bloodshed of the #Bosnian War; today he is prospering. This article, published by Wine Spectator back in 2021, tells his fascinating story. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/wine-after...
Read about the incredible work of the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo in my new piece for The New World mag. The Museum collects mementoes and testimonies that serve as a timely reminder of the devastating effects of war on children. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.thenewworld.co.uk/ian-bancroft...
The childhoods lost to war
A collection of mementoes and testimonies at the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo is a timely reminder of the devastating effects of war on children
www.thenewworld.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Read about the incredible work of the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo in my new piece for The New World mag. The Museum collects mementoes and testimonies that serve as a timely reminder of the devastating effects of war on children. #Bosnia-#Herzegovina. www.thenewworld.co.uk/ian-bancroft...
'Old man in a hat', by Oliver.
February 1, 2026 at 1:59 PM
'Old man in a hat', by Oliver.
This is an incredible resource - over 300 stećak (unique medieval tombstones) sites mapped, primarily in #Bosnia-#Herzegovina, but also in #Serbia, #Montenegro, and #Croatia. stecakmap.info/karta/
Karta – Stecak Map
stecakmap.info
February 1, 2026 at 12:52 PM
This is an incredible resource - over 300 stećak (unique medieval tombstones) sites mapped, primarily in #Bosnia-#Herzegovina, but also in #Serbia, #Montenegro, and #Croatia. stecakmap.info/karta/
When GOAT comparisons are made in twenty years time, #Djokovic's victory against #Alcaraz in the Olympics and at the #AustralianOpen2026 against #Sinner will be widely referenced. Two heroic performances. Unfortunately not enough left in the tank today.
February 1, 2026 at 12:41 PM
When GOAT comparisons are made in twenty years time, #Djokovic's victory against #Alcaraz in the Olympics and at the #AustralianOpen2026 against #Sinner will be widely referenced. Two heroic performances. Unfortunately not enough left in the tank today.
A lovely piece by @marynovakovich.bsky.social about Zvuci Srca in #Belgrade, a cafe where staff with 'developmental disabilities are finding creative outlets, new skills and a sense of community.' An inspiring place creating opportunities for all. #Serbia. www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/i...
This Belgrade cafe changes lives, one Serbian coffee at a time
With Intrepid, sip Serbian coffee at an inclusive cafe in Belgrade, where staff with developmental disabilities build skills and community.
www.intrepidtravel.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM
A lovely piece by @marynovakovich.bsky.social about Zvuci Srca in #Belgrade, a cafe where staff with 'developmental disabilities are finding creative outlets, new skills and a sense of community.' An inspiring place creating opportunities for all. #Serbia. www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/i...
The Woodbourne hotel on the Isle of Man is my local when back home - a good account of the characters and atmosphere you'll find there. #IsleofMan. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
The pub that changed me: ‘I saw an Isle of Man that had been largely unknown to me’
‘The Woody’ was crammed and chaotic, and nobody could be rushed. There was always time for another pint and conversation
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:27 PM
The Woodbourne hotel on the Isle of Man is my local when back home - a good account of the characters and atmosphere you'll find there. #IsleofMan. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Some rare positive news from the #Belgrade-#Pristina dialogue - the Joint Commission on Missing Persons convened in a trilateral format for the first time. Let's hope this helps shed light on the fate of the remaining missing persons. #Serbia #Kosovo. www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/stateme...
Statement by the EUSR for the Belgrade Pristina Dialogue on the occasion of the first trilateral meeting of the Joint Commission on Missing Persons
On 22 January, the Chief Negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia, together with the EUSR, convened, for the first time in a trilateral format, the Joint Commission on Missing Persons. The establishment of th...
www.eeas.europa.eu
January 27, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Some rare positive news from the #Belgrade-#Pristina dialogue - the Joint Commission on Missing Persons convened in a trilateral format for the first time. Let's hope this helps shed light on the fate of the remaining missing persons. #Serbia #Kosovo. www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/stateme...
An intriguing question - 'Are public services in the Western Balkans ready for the challenges of AI? Research highlights the creation of basic institutional and ethical frameworks, but digital transition and AI management remain insufficient.' www.balcanicaucaso.org/en/cp_articl...
Public media and AI: the Western Balkans between light and shadow - Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa
Are public services in the Western Balkans ready for the challenges of artificial intelligence? Research highlights the creation of basic institutional and ethical frameworks, but digital transition a...
www.balcanicaucaso.org
January 26, 2026 at 3:45 PM
An intriguing question - 'Are public services in the Western Balkans ready for the challenges of AI? Research highlights the creation of basic institutional and ethical frameworks, but digital transition and AI management remain insufficient.' www.balcanicaucaso.org/en/cp_articl...
'#Bosnia and #Herzegovina’s defense industry, rooted in its Yugoslav legacy, is quietly reemerging as a key player in Europe’s security landscape. Specializing in NATO-standard and Soviet-caliber munitions, it serves diverse global markets...' www.fairobserver.com/business/bos...
Bosnia’s Quiet Rearmament: How a Small Defense Industry Is Becoming Europe’s Hidden Supplier
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry, rooted in its Yugoslav legacy, is quietly reemerging as a key player in Europe’s
www.fairobserver.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:36 PM
'#Bosnia and #Herzegovina’s defense industry, rooted in its Yugoslav legacy, is quietly reemerging as a key player in Europe’s security landscape. Specializing in NATO-standard and Soviet-caliber munitions, it serves diverse global markets...' www.fairobserver.com/business/bos...
To showcase its shared history, nature and culture, the #Karst region has established a new #EU-funded cross-border geopark, known as GeoKarst, and is hoping to secure Unesco designation. #Slovenia #Italy. www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/...
Going beyond the surface in the Karst plateau: exploring the new cross-border geopark in Italy and Slovenia
GeoKarst is a new EU-funded project highlighting a unique landscape of caves, gorges and medieval villages near Trieste
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:48 AM
To showcase its shared history, nature and culture, the #Karst region has established a new #EU-funded cross-border geopark, known as GeoKarst, and is hoping to secure Unesco designation. #Slovenia #Italy. www.theguardian.com/travel/2026/...
Years of civil war have turned whole areas of #Aleppo into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of #Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuild. #Syria. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Out of the ruins: will Aleppo ever be rebuilt?
The long read: Years of civil war have turned whole areas of the city into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuild
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:03 AM
Years of civil war have turned whole areas of #Aleppo into rows of empty husks. But after the fall of #Assad, Syrians have returned to their old homes determined to rebuild. #Syria. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
In Rajac, in eastern #Serbia, a new Association, Mladi sa Rajačkih pivnica (‘Young People for Rajac’s Pivnicas’), is striving to safeguard the traditional wine cellars that are integral to local wine culture and heritage. On @Autochthoinos substack. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/serbia-saf...
Serbia, Safeguarding Rajac’s wine heritage
In Rajac, close to Negotin in eastern Serbia, a new Association, Mladi sa Rajačkih pivnica (which translates as ‘Young People for Rajac’s Pivnicas’), is striving to safeguard the traditional wine cell...
autochthoinos.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:20 AM
In Rajac, in eastern #Serbia, a new Association, Mladi sa Rajačkih pivnica (‘Young People for Rajac’s Pivnicas’), is striving to safeguard the traditional wine cellars that are integral to local wine culture and heritage. On @Autochthoinos substack. autochthoinos.substack.com/p/serbia-saf...
2026 is the year of the #cabbage according to Vogue. The #Balkans' best kept secret is finally revealed to the world. Time to pitch an article about #Sarma! Let's see what their editors have to say. www.vogue.com/article/cabb...
The Healthiest Green of 2026? Cabbage
Dig in!
www.vogue.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:11 AM
2026 is the year of the #cabbage according to Vogue. The #Balkans' best kept secret is finally revealed to the world. Time to pitch an article about #Sarma! Let's see what their editors have to say. www.vogue.com/article/cabb...
Read another extract of my novel, Luka, on @BalkanInsight. Inspired by #Bosnia-#Herzegovina and the wars in the former #Yugoslavia. A battle between truth and justice. balkaninsight.com/wp-content/u...
balkaninsight.com
January 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Read another extract of my novel, Luka, on @BalkanInsight. Inspired by #Bosnia-#Herzegovina and the wars in the former #Yugoslavia. A battle between truth and justice. balkaninsight.com/wp-content/u...
Get 18% off my book about north #Kosovo, 'Dragon's Teeth: Tales from North Kosovo,' for a limited time only. Read about the history of Trepca, the university, Mitrovica Big Band, the Main Bridge, and many other intriguing dimensions about the north. www.amazon.co.uk/Dragons-Teet...
www.amazon.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Get 18% off my book about north #Kosovo, 'Dragon's Teeth: Tales from North Kosovo,' for a limited time only. Read about the history of Trepca, the university, Mitrovica Big Band, the Main Bridge, and many other intriguing dimensions about the north. www.amazon.co.uk/Dragons-Teet...