Photo exhibition

Saudi Arabia from my lens

"Very few people from Serbia live and work in Saudi Arabia, and it is still not possible to visit this country as a tourist. We wanted to share our knowledge and experience with Belgrade. There were 35 authentic photographs shown at the exhibition, that will help you discover the new and exotic world of Saudi Arabia"


By NEVENA ŠARČEVIĆ (nevena.sarcevic@wavemagazine.net)
from Belgrade, SERBIA
Translation: Sandra Ivanović


Older generations might have had certain prejudices towards Saudi Arabia, but it was only until late September that Marina and Buda Bulatović, a Serbian couple living in this country, shown Belgrade this mysterious Arab country in an accessible and clear way, impressing visitors at the opening of the exhibition Saudi Arabia from my lens. Unfortunately, Marina and Buda were not present because of some very justifiable reasons - they were on another continent at the time.

This is the first solo exhibition of Budislav Bulatović. The setting is the work of Ivan Stanić - the main coordinator of the Night Museum, and the creator of the project is Buda's wife, Marina Bulatović - a PR consultant and a journalist, who, on this occasion, has said:

- Although Saudi Arabia is now a modern country that has rapidly been built up only after the discovery of oil, their efforts to preserve the heritage and tradition are great and present in every step. Very few people from Serbia live and work in Saudi Arabia, and it is still not possible to visit this country as a tourist. We wanted to share our knowledge and experience with Belgrade. There were 35 authentic photographs shown at the exhibition that will help you discover the new and exotic world of Saudi Arabia. An image often says more than a thousand words.

And so it was. The mere exhibition resonated with the Arab spirit. Especially along with the refreshment - dates that are served there as Turkish delight is here.

There are ordinary people in the photos taken at the Heritage Festival, an event where the traditions and cultural heritage of Saudi Arabia were represented, in cafes, at the painting exhibitions. There are craftsmen, dancers, artists. Old forts, but modern buildings made of steel and glass as well. There are also Saudi gate, dates, a fishing boat, vessels for Arabic coffee. Who else would talk better about a country than the people themselves. They are the best ambassadors.

This project was born out of the authors' desire to bring and meet the two peoples and enhance the understanding among them through the tradition and culture, hoping that this exhibition might mark the beginning of a cultural exchange and cooperation.

Since October 2007 the couple Bulatović have practically been our ambassadors in Saudi Arabia. They represent us, widen Serbian culture; and that the Serbs are successful is proved by the fact that Budislav Bulatović works for a prestigious company Bechtel in a Royal Commission, as a construction engineer. However, wherever he goes he carries his hobby - photography. He definitely does not lack the inspiration in this magical and still undiscovered country.


(Published: 11.10.2009.)