13 Sep 2018 | 03:33am IST
Where lovers gather to laugh and make merry
Belgrade, the capital and largest city of Serbia, is gaining popularity with Indian tourists. Its Republic Square is the city’s central point and the main gathering venue for locals and visitors alike
At the magic hour, just past midnight when the rest of the
world is in a slumber, lovers gather “near
the horse” to give wings to desires that seldom find expression during the day.
And what do they do? They laugh and make
merry, caress their lovers, dance their hearts out and sing melodies that
soothe the atmosphere. They use the cacophony of the city’s vibrant nightlife
as a little night music to snatch fragments of joy from their otherwise humdrum
lives.
Republic Square is Belgrade’s central
point and the main gathering venue for locals and visitors alike. In its
concept and planning, it is in line with most other European town squares and,
in fact, one can also draw similarities with New Delhi’s Connaught Place (now
called Rajiv Chowk).
Just as the Central Park is the meeting
point around which the inner and outer circles run in India’s national capital,
there is a bronze statue of Prince Michael on a horse at the centre of Republic
Square and surrounding it are some of Belgrade’s most recognisable public
buildings, including the National Museum and the National Theatre.
But while the city’s distinct architecture
– shining in the faint moonlight – draws visitors for photographs and selfies,
Republic Square also has a lot of open spaces, fountains, benches to sit on and
just be with oneself, along with a large number of eateries, bars and cafés
dotting the various lanes that emerge from the Square.
“Meet me near the horse,” is what they say
in local terms to refer to the oft-frequented spot by young lovers – as also
the middle-aged and old – seeking nothing more than moments of indulgence in
each other’s company.
The day is usually bright during the summer with colourful
flowers in full bloom greeting passers-by, but this place adorns an altogether
different look during the magic hour, starting at midnight and ending close to
dawn. This is when the day is done and the crowd is gone – and adventure is set
in motion.
Notably, the culture and lifestyle of people living in this part
of the world is such that the little things in life have enduring relevance to
them. Dining out is not an once-a-week phenomenon for most localities but
rather an almost customary act. It is affordable too, wine is cheap and entry
to most nightclubs free.
Therefore, what strikes one most past midnight at Republic
Square is the coming together of carefree couples, who breathe life into the
city square, and lull the atmosphere in some sort of a soothing song.
One may also be amazed to see people dancing outside bars, not
as an organised event or anything of the sort, but as an everyday act. The
dance sessions take place in the open and they last for hours, while scores of
couples await their turn. They are not bothered about recording their dance
moves or clicking a picture in their lovers’ arms. They live in the moment and
live it to the fullest.
It is also a relief for travellers from a country like India
where the “mall culture” seems to have disrupted the entire cityscape. The
areas surrounding the Republic Square are dotted by numerous shops and cafes
but they are not confined in a given area and sealed off within walls. The open
spaces, fountains and gardens create the atmosphere that a setting such as this
requires.
Above all, the magic hour at Republic Square is an experience
worth having for travellers. There is not an itinerary that one is required to
stick to, or a list of cafés and nightclubs to explore; instead, it is an
overall experience, of which the traveller too becomes a part, that can only be
relished and felt from the heart.
Belgrade also ranks high among the safest European cities.
Walking down the streets surrounding Republic Square, one can spot numerous
women going about their tasks and there is no fear or hesitation in their eyes.
India is seeing a rise in solo women travellers in recent times
and given that an Indian national does not require a visa to visit Serbia for a
period of less than 31 days, along with an almost-equal currency, it may also
be a good option for Indian backpackers.
Turkish
Airlines operates daily flights to Belgrade from New Delhi and Mumbai, via
Istanbul. Hostels and hotels are easily available in most parts of the city,
starting as low as Rs 1,000 ($15) per night. – Agencies