Graz - the Balkans in miniature

Graz is the second largest city in Austria in terms of population. It was often the first point of contact abroad for people from the former Yugoslavia, after which they stayed or went on to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Today, in Graz, you can feel the charm and atmosphere of Europe in an ideal way, as we all would like. A huge number of differences that are respected, art and prosperity work perfectly here and captivate every visitor.

In Graz, people from the Balkans, who lived in the former common state, still feel like countrymen and their own.

City of students and migrants

There are four universities and two colleges in Graz where over 40.000 students from different countries of the world study. Today, 73.726 foreigners live in this city, of which 20.837 come from the former Yugoslavia. Their rights are taken care of and represented by the Advisory Body for Migrants in Graz, which was established in 1995 by the decision of the Graz Municipal Council, and consists of nine members who are not citizens of the European Union. They are directly elected in local elections by migrants, who do not come from the countries of the European Union, for a term of five years.

Just at the beginning of this year, in the local elections, representatives for the Council of Migrants were selected, including students from Bosnia and Herzegovina - Adis Draganović from Cazin and Adea Hadžiabdić from Gornji Vakuf, who now represent the rights of foreigners in the municipal council. They point out that the City Administration provides great support to migrants, and especially appreciates those coming from the area of ​​the former Yugoslavia.

"On this occasion, I would like to emphasize the good cooperation of Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs here. Probably because when they come to an unknown place, only then do they realize how important it is that someone understands them verbally. Another important fact is cooperation in a business sense. Here, Rambo's statement Amadeus about salary and nationalism goes from theory to practice. Because when you have a job and a solid monthly income, when the state subsidizes your healthcare and education, when you and your family can successfully plan for the future, then nationalism and all those complicated topics lose their importance." , explains Draganović.

When they came to Graz, they knew few people, but over time the circle of friends expanded and they met many people from the area of ​​the former Yugoslavia, especially through their platforms such as Facebook groups and associations. They hang out with each other and organize joint activities, try to bring about certain changes in society and improve the position of migrants.

"I believe that we are a good example of integration, primarily because we are made up of three or more different peoples who live together in another country and strive to help each other," Adea points out.

Valued in the labor market

It's time for Advent and Christmas markets. The city of Graz has prepared excellent decorations and offers this year as well. Our interlocutors from Graz point out that they will gladly host tourists from the Balkans, which is also very important for them, because you never know what kind of idea or business cooperation they can exchange with each other.

Ramiza Hašić (45) was born in Velika Kladuša, has lived in Graz for 27 years. There she graduated from the faculty of personnel management and underwent numerous educations in the field of labor market development. She currently works as a consultant for the labor market at the Employment Agency in Graz (AMS), which actively advocates for the integration of foreigners into the labor market. He says that one of the biggest problems that foreigners face when coming to Graz is the language barrier, and it is precisely for this reason that the Employment Office offers consultations in their native language, and German language courses are also available to people who have free access to the labor market.

"A very small number of people from the Balkans are classified as unemployed. They are valued on the market as hard workers who are dedicated to work and well-integrated citizens. People who came to Graz during the last 10 years as students deserve special praise. They have shown that education at the Balkan area is very important, they help each other and selflessly. After finishing their studies, many stayed in Graz and took appropriate positions on the labor market," says Ramiza.

There is no place for nationalism and divisions

Zehida Tahirović-Begić from Cazin belongs to the pre-war generation of migrants who came to Austria in search of a better life. When she came here with her family, the plans were for her to stay there for just a few years until she got her bearings. But since plans are one thing and life is another, fate wanted Zehida to stay in Austria until today, where she has lived for almost three decades. She has a solid life in Austria, where her children grew up and received their education. Young people simply have to flee from the entire former Yugoslavia, says Zehida, and the politicians of the time did nothing about it. Unlike the authorities of the former Yugoslav states, the local authorities in Graz help their citizens a lot, only if they are ready to cooperate.

"Our children and youth should be introduced to the culture and traditions of our country, which should be presented here in Austria, so that the local population does not think that we come from some backward country and that we are illiterate," says Zehida.

Nikola Petrović came to Graz from Pale and has been living there for two years. He came to study and enrolled in a master's course. When he arrived, he did not know the language and enrolled in a German course, which he successfully completed. He points out that "everything is great in Graz and that in general people from the Balkans have excellent relations here, because there is almost no nationalism". He believes that the situation is like this, primarily, because of the different attitudes of people towards each other, because "everyone here has the same problems and must fight together for a better future".

"Everything works perfectly here, in contrast to the interpersonal relations of us Balkans there in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. We have more opportunities here than in our home countries and the standard of living is higher, and there is less nationalism and political arguments," explains Nikola

Adi Pejdah came from Sarajevo, where he graduated from the Faculty of Criminology, Criminology and Security Studies. Since he was unable to find a job even a year after graduation, he decided to go to Graz, where he enrolled in a master's degree in criminology. Here, he says, interpersonal relations are very positive, and one of the reasons, he says, is that there are no politicians in Graz like there are in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He lives in the Gries district, which has a bad reputation, but as such, he says, it is better than any city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"It's positive that we all have good relations here, regardless of religion and nation. I think it's because there are no politicians and politics here like we have down here and no one looks at what was 20 years ago," says Adi .

Discarded emotions, turned to work

Edvin Kahrimanović from Gračanica belongs to the first post-war generation of students from the former Yugoslavia. He has lived in Graz for almost two decades and says that the main topics among the Balkans here are problems with studies and the struggle for accommodation and work. There is no place for 'fierce politics', because mostly everyone is working and they don't have much time for useless discussions.

Edvin points out that the main differences between Balkans and Austrians are that the latter do not pay much attention to emotions compared to reason and that they believe in work:

"People here deal with topics that directly concern them, and leave other matters to professional politicians, which are not available in the Balkans. They simply work and don't have much free time for nonsense. While here, people have no work and their heads are full of dark thoughts, which is why it is born depression. You should take those good things from the Austrians and they also went through a difficult period after the Second World War, but with less emotion, more openness and a lot of work, they managed to overcome all that and achieve success".

The life of Balkan migrants in Graz is a good example of how differences in religion, nation or different views are not an obstacle to a good and successful life. Approaching every problem with a cool head, and putting work, order and discipline above all else, is a model that BiH can get out of the political, social and economic crisis it has been in for more than two decades.