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IN BRIEF
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Ombeline Duprat’s atypical journey in the Balkans invites the discovery of a little-known and fascinating region of Europe. Her book, A Backward Journey in the Western Balkans, published in May 2025, recounts her trip through Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro. This adventure, marked by the deconstruction of prejudices and encounters with the locals, reveals another facet of the Balkans, far removed from the conflict image often associated with these countries. Ombeline shares her anecdotes, the cultural and social issues faced by the inhabitants, while immersing herself in local life to the point of settling in Sarajevo. This narrative, oscillating between external perspectives and deep immersion, offers a vibrant and enlightening testimony about this part of Europe.
Discovering the Balkans: Ombeline Duprat’s Unique Journey
The Call of the Unknown and the Strength of a First Solo Journey
Driven by a desire for adventure off the beaten path, Ombeline Duprat decides in 2019 to travel alone to discover the Western Balkans. Armed with her backpack and an insatiable curiosity, she chooses to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and part of Montenegro. In a sincere account, she confesses having favored less touristy territories, dreaming of immersing herself in rich and often forgotten cultures. Ombeline explains that her approach was inspired by local popular wisdom, notably a Bosnian proverb: “The fool observes. The wise writes.” This principle urged her to document every moment, every encounter, to preserve the authenticity of her emotions and to avoid the temptation of rewriting her memories.
Up Close with the Daily Lives of the Locals
Ombeline’s journey is punctuated by encounters with local populations. Invited to share intimate moments, meals, and stories, she discovers the generosity and simplicity of the men and women in the region. By genuinely engaging with the culture, the gastronomy – which you can explore in more detail on this culinary journey in the Balkans – and the traditions, she forges strong bonds. Ombeline realizes how different daily life in the Balkans is from the frenetic pace of Western Europe: here, taking time and appreciating the moment are deeply rooted values.
Overcoming Prejudices and Revealing the True Nature of the Balkans
While the region often evokes images of conflicts and instability, Ombeline is committed to showing the complex and nuanced reality of the Western Balkans. “We know absolutely nothing about these countries except for the war,” she says, emphasizing how this reductive view obscures the human and cultural richness of the region. Through conversations with young people, she is struck by a common issue: exile to Western Europe to escape precariousness and endemic corruption. The political, economic, and social realities facing the Balkans are thus revealed candidly, through the confidences of the inhabitants and the journalist’s attentive observation.
A Personal Learning Experience and Deep Integration
The writing of Ombeline Duprat’s book is itself a journey, filled with doubts and questioning. Not being from these lands, she imposes on herself the discipline to remain objective, seeking to faithfully convey the voices and experiences collected. Also shaped by a love story in the area, Ombeline ultimately chooses to settle in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This life choice, motivated by a genuine affection for the country and its people, reflects the strength of the attachment one can feel for this region. Today, Ombeline is a journalist for the Courrier des Balkans, speaks the local language, and passionately engages in traditional singing. This authentic integration reveals the richness of the human experience that such a journey can offer.
The Balkans: A Region to Explore from Multiple Facets
Ombeline’s book offers a unique gateway for those wishing to discover the Balkans differently. Beyond clichés, it makes palpable the extraordinary cultural diversity, the complex history, and the warmth of the inhabitants. To delve deeper into the historical and cultural dimension of this region, one can look into the city of Sofia in Bulgaria or the rise of tourism in Croatia, mentioned here: Croatia, the other Mediterranean and the rise of travelers in Croatia. Through this unique journey, Ombeline Duprat inspires a longing to dive into the exploration of these countries with preserved authenticity, sometimes even outside the eurozone, as detailed on the European countries without the euro.
