The most important thing is that that train exists. If it still exists, one of the last transnational railway dinosaurs in operation in the Balkans. Not some colorful, popular, or touristic train, but a train that continues to fulfill, as best it can and knows, the mission assigned to it 70 years ago, to bring people together...
This is just one of the inspiring quotes from the book "A Journey Through a Land That No Longer Exists" by the French writer Jean-François Galteau. The first volume of the book, called "Beograg-Bar Line", was presented by Galta to a large audience on the first evening of the 18th International Podgorica Book and Education Fair, which is being held until May 17 in the garage of the "Big Fashion" shopping center.
"Journey through a land that no longer exists", from the point of view of a travelogue, brings the story of our region in a bilingual edition in our and French, with colorful illustrations by Susan Ajo, and published by the "Sumatra" publishing house from Serbia in cooperation with the French "Plan B" publishing house.
Dr. Miloš Avramović, professor of French language and literature and translator, spoke with Galtu at the Fair, who also shared his impressions related to the books.
"I think that this book of yours will remain simply engraved in the consciousness of people from these areas who, it is my observation, are often not aware of the beauty and colorful wealth and inspiring dimension that surrounds us, so a successor of Pierre Loti from the 19th century had to come and to somehow shake us up and point out to us what unites us in the area of the former Yugoslavia rather than separates us", said Avramović, emphasizing that Galta "wove his love for our climate and people into this beautiful book".
Galtu revealed that he visited the Balkans for the first time thanks to a woman who encouraged him to write a travelogue. His introduction to the Balkans began in Belgrade, which impressed him on many levels, and continued in his desire to discover new places. With his co-author Ajo, who illustrated the book, he went on an adventure along the famous "Belgrade-Bar" line. He wrote during the trip, just like Ajo painted live, without photography and without prior preparation, ready for the unknown. However, in addition to impressions, he told Galt, he also likes to provide readers with information on economic or political topics, for which he must be precise, so the work and responsibility is even greater...
The source of inspiration for the book is the area of the former Yugoslavia, and in this volume the focus is on the territory of today's Serbia and Montenegro. Avramović noted that our Nobel laureate Ivo Andrić, whom Galtu mentions in the book, was inspired by bridges, which for him were a symbol of the bond between people, but that for Galtu that symbol was more trains, which the writer confirmed...
"I fell in love with trains when I was very young, thanks to my great-grandmother. I also remember my whole family using the trains. When we ride the train, we can imagine that we are not moving at all, but that we are static, and a film of the landscape is paraded through the window. You can think of the train window as a cinema screen on which your journey is projected. On the train, we can work, walk, meet people, move around... In essence, we can lead our daily life in one train. If you haven't had the chance, I suggest you visit Tito's train in Belgrade, where he held meetings, received officials, delegations, a whole life actually takes place on a train," he told Galt and reminded that grandparents contributed to the construction of railway infrastructure throughout Europe. of many who ride them today...
Avramović reminded, and Galta announced the new volume of "Journeys" that continue from Herceg Novi...
"I'm a big fan of Pierre Loti and that's why I want to visit that city and see the plaque that testifies to his presence there. In the second volume, we will look at some things that we did not say in the first. It is quite certain that there will be a connection between the first and the second part, but when it will be, I do not know. I hope that we will make that trip in the spring of 2025. The program foresees Herceg Novi, Korčula, Split, Šibenik, Mostar and Sarajevo, and we will see where the journey will take us," Galtu said.
Bonus video:
