A New Chapter: From a Refugee to an Aspiring Artist
When Reza Sharifi arrived in Serbia as an unaccompanied child in 2017, he carried with him only dreams — of safety, belonging and a future he could build for himself. Today, Reza is in his final year at the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade, studying painting. He is...
After Two Decades of Struggle, a Young Man Finally Receives Personal Documents
Ersan and his family know all too well what life without personal documents is like. Although he was born in Serbia, his mother did not have personal documents and Ersan inherited her fate. For the next 20 years, Ersan spent without personal documents. As part of the...
Burundian Refugee Shares Her Daily Life in Serbia Through Video Series on Social Media
After being forced to flee her home, Kathia found safety in Serbia where she was granted refugee status. Though the journey was not easy, she embraced the challenges of building a new life, determined to turn uncertainty into opportunity. She and her mother also...
Small Businesses Empower Refugees and Enrich Serbia’s Culinary Scene
Restaurants in Belgrade and across Serbia are becoming increasingly diverse, with small hospitality businesses run by refugees contributing to the country’s flavors and cultural tapestry, as well as its local economy. Serbia’s culinary scene recently gained its first...
An Afghan Refugee’s Journey Toward a Future in Serbia
Muhammad fled Afghanistan six years ago. After an uncertain journey through Pakistan, Iran, Türkiye, Greece and North Macedonia, he finally arrived in Serbia. Soon, he realized that he could build a new life there. However, the early days were not easy. Upon arriving...
The Resilient Voice of a Ukrainian Refugee Preserving Tradition Through Song
Liana arrived in Serbia two and a half years ago from Ukraine, with her children. Back home, she studied music at Prokofiev Music Academy. She could not express herself in the Serbian language at the time, but she found her expression in what she does best – singing...
Integrating into Serbian society through the eyes of a Burundian asylum-seeker
Kharim, 29, fled his native Burundi in search of protection almost two years ago with very little but his old camera, a portfolio of works and knowledge of several foreign languages. Finding himself in Serbia, he was put up at a reception centre on the outskirts of...
UNHCR Serbia Marks World Refugee Day 2024 – For a World Where Refugees are Welcomed
World Refugee Day (WRD) 2024 in Serbia was a celebration of unity and cultural exchange. The event kicked off with a collaborative cooking session, where refugees from Iraq, Iran, and Ukraine, along with students from the Hospitality and Tourism School in Belgrade,...
Ukrainian Refugee in Serbia Pursues Her Dreams Through Traditional Painting
Natalia arrived in Serbia from Zaporizhia in Ukraine with two small children. She learnt Petrykivka painting, a traditional Ukrainian decorative painting style, when she was a girl and has been doing it ever since to create decorative objects and presents for friends...