Uros Zivkovic: Saban Sang at Fairs Too, It's No Shame
Singer at the Sabac fair fires back at colleagues embarrassed by such gigs, saying even Saban Saulic played fairs and there's nothing wrong with that.
Is playing a fair beneath a singing career? The question has split the local pop folk scene again, after several well known names started steering clear of exactly this kind of gig. Singer Uros Zivkovic was the first to answer publicly, and he did it from the stage of the Sabac fair itself.
Zivkovic performed at the Sabac fair on September 20 and, facing reporters afterward, addressed the colleagues who clearly find such gigs embarrassing. He said there was no reason for that, since some of the biggest names on the domestic scene played fairs long before him.
The Sabac fair is a fixture for him. He says he has been performing there for so many years running that he has lost count of which appearance this even is.
The biggest stars used to sing at fairs, starting with Saban Saulic. I don’t see what’s shameful about that. This is a fancy setup, young people come here. People from 7 to 77 come here, I love the Sabac fair as a guest too, and I love singing here. It’s not the same fair anymore. I was here 20 years ago, I was really small back then, I’m from Srem, that’s where my roots are.
As proof that a fair gig is nothing to be ashamed of, he pointed to Saban Saulic himself, the folk music legend who performed at these very kinds of events. Zivkovic adds that he first came to the Sabac fair twenty years ago as a child, and that his family’s roots trace back to the Srem region.
His Wife Stayed Home
His wife was not at the fair this time. Zivkovic says she would have gladly been there, but had to stay home that evening.
She would be the main guest here, she loves this. But tonight she’s watching our child. We’ve had a few events these past few days, so she can’t make it to all of them.
He explains that he has had several performances back to back in recent days, and the schedule simply did not allow them to attend everything together.
He was also asked whether he remembers any particularly awkward or funny moment from performing in kafanas. His answer was short but clear: he has seen all sorts of things on stage.
Oh, all sorts of things have happened. Basically I approach people with positivity. Kafana, alcohol, all sorts of things, it happens.
On Djurisic and Bekuta
Zivkovic also touched on Snezana Djurisic, considered one of the strictest judges on the “Zvezde Granda” panel. For him, she remains a role model.
She’s like a role model for future women. And they should be afraid of her. She’s the mother of the scene.
He also brought up Ana Bekuta’s departure from the “Zvezde Granda” jury, saying he owes her a great deal for his own career.
Maybe she just got tired, she was there a long time. She’s the reason I am what I am today, because she was on the jury, so I wish her all the best, Anci, you’re a legend.
In the span of just a few minutes on stage, Zivkovic managed to touch on three separate topics: fairs as a supposed embarrassment, his wife’s absence, and the changes on the “Zvezde Granda” jury. All three statements came the same day, at the same place, to reporters who were waiting for him after the show.
So far he has not announced any new fair performances for this summer, nor has he commented on whether the colleagues who avoid such events plan to respond to his remarks.
