Describe Valjevo in two words.
Unrealized potential.
Valjevo's specialty?
For over 150 years – “Valjevsko” beer.
Vidrak or Pecina? Or something else?
In Pecina, Vidrak hides; from Vidrak, Pecina reveals itself. Let’s appreciate and care for both.
Divcibare or Povlen? Or something else?
Both Maljen (Divcibare) and Povlen, plus something “else” – Jablanik, Medvednik, Magles, Suvobor…
What do we pay too little attention to in Valjevo?
The treasures we inherited, the values we still possess, and the immense potential we’re not using…
Favorite street in Valjevo? A story tied to it?
Filipa Visnjica Street and Nusiceva Street are the two streets where I grew up as a “Valjevac”. The first until ’98, and the second from then to now. Actually, I was becoming a “Valjevac” in several other streets between ’91 and ’93, though my memory of that time is hazy.
Filipa Visnjica Street, regardless of how it looks today or tomorrow, will remain forever in my fondest childhood memories, just as it was until that ’98 when I moved away. It was a street of play and joy, of first friendships, where I didn’t take my first steps but did make my first pedal turns on a bike. Those bike rides later took me through other Valjevo streets and far beyond. Thanks to that bike, I came to know Valjevo and its surroundings, exploring the mountain roads and trails.
Nusiceva Street is where I moved just before starting elementary school. Back then, it was a street of one-story houses and flower-filled yards, green and lush. Not long after, the sound of the first concrete mixer filled the air, and it hasn’t stopped to this day. The street has been overtaken by countless unattractive multi-story buildings, which slowly drained it of its charm. Nusiceva Street no longer exists as I once knew and loved it.
What bothers you most about Valjevo?
VAndalism and VAluelessness – unfortunately, increasingly visible and prevalent.
Valjevo should be proud of?
Its beautiful surrounding nature; Tesnjar, though not in its current state, but how it should be, and deserves to be; its rich, proud history; and the many great people of Valjevo, both famous and lesser-known, and their achievements.
Petnica pool or Gradac river? Or something else?
Both Petnica and Gradac. Valjevo is unique precisely because it has both, and “Valjevci” should be proud and take care of what they have – and there’s so much more… Valjevo sits on four rivers.
The House of the Army should become?
The house of the arts, as art endures forever.
The most beautiful garden in Valjevo?
The old bus station – the linden trees beside the Kolubara… the ugliest ones are those “spontaneous” summer (and winter) gardens in Tesnjar.
A good fairy would bring Valjevo?
Not bring, but restore its old glory, and bring “Valjevci” some sense in their heads.
The original note in Serbian:
Opišite Valjevo u dve reči.
Neiskorišćen potencijal.
Valjevski specijalitet je?
Već više od 150 godina – Valjevsko pivo.
Vidrak ili Pećina? Ili nešto treće?
Na Pećini Vidrak se skriva, sa Vidraka Pećina otkriva. Cenimo ih i negujmo oboje.
Divčibare ili Povlen? Ili nešto treće?
I Maljen (Divčibare) i Povlen, i nešto “treće”, a to su Jablanik, Medvednik, Magleš, Suvobor…
U Valjevu nedovoljno obraćamo pažnju na?
Dobra koja smo nasledili, vrednosti koje još uvek posedujemo, i ogroman potencijal koji neiskorišćavamo…
Najdraža valjevska ulica? Neka priča vezana za nju?
Ulica Filipa Višnjića i Nušićeva ulica, dve su ulice u kojima sam postajao Valjevac. U prvoj do ’98. a u drugoj od tada, do sada. Tačnije, Valjevac sam postajao u još nekoliko ulica od ’91. do ’93. ali me sećanje iz tog perioda baš nešto i ne služi.
Ulica Filipa Višnjića, bez obzira na to kako ona danas ili sutra bude izgledala, ostaće zabeležena u najlepšim dečjim sećanjima, kao takva kakva je bila do te ’98. kada sam se odselio – kao ulica igre i radosti, ulica prvih drugarstava, ulica u kojoj nisam načinio prve korake, ali u kojoj sam načinio prve okrete pedala na biciklu, koji će me kasnije odvesti duž ostalih valjevskih ulica i mnogo dalje od toga. Upravo zahvaljujući biciklu upoznao sam Valjevo i njegovu okolinu, istražio planinske puteve i puteljke.
Nušićeva ulica je ulica u koju sam se doselio pred polazak u prvi razred osnovne škole. Bila je to tada ulica prizemnih kuća i cvetnih dvorišta, puna zelenila. Nedugo zatim, začuo se zvuk prve mešalice, koji nije utihnuo ni dan danas. Ulicu je okupiralo mnoštvo nekvalitetnih i neuglednih višespratnica, pred čijim naletima je ulica gubila poslednje znake života. Nušićeva ulica više ne postoji, bar ne onakva kakvu sam je upoznao i voleo.
U Valjevu ti najviše smeta?
VAndalizam i neVAspitanje, koji su nažalost sve prisutniji i izraženiji.
Valjevo bi trebalo da bude ponosno na?
Prelepu prirodu koja ga okružuje; Tešnjar, ali ne onakav kakav trenutno jeste, već onakav kakav zaslužuje i kakav bi trebalo da bude; bogatu i slavnu istoriju; mnogobrojne velike Valjevce, poznate i manje poznate, i njihova dela.
Bazen u Petnici ili Gradac? Ili nešto treće?
I Petnica, i Gradac. Jer, Valjevo posebnim čini upravo to što poseduje i jedno i drugo, a Valjevci bi trebali da budu ponosni i čuvaju to što imaju, a imaju i mnogo više… Valjevo leži na četiri reke.
Dom vojske bi trebalo da postane?
Dom umetnosti, jer umetnost ostaje za večnost.
Najlepša valjevska bašta je?
Stara autobuska – lipe pored Kolubare… dok su najružnije one letnje (i zimske) “samonikle” u Tešnjaru.
Dobra vila bi Valjevu donela?
Ne donela, već vratila staru slavu, a Valjevcima pamet u glavu.