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MICAHEL PALIN'S NEW EUROPE
BBC-1 September
Michael has travelled all over the world but one region where he hasn't spent a great deal of time is those countries that for years were hidden behind the Iron Curtain, some 20 countries all now wanting to become part of the "new europe".
In a series which encompasses 20 of Eastern Europe's most enticing locations, from Albania in the south to Estonia in the north, Michael discovers sights and sounds and tastes and textures that are intense and overwhelming.
In the first instalment, he becomes acquainted with Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania. From high in the spectacular Julian Alps of Slovenia, Michael heads to the stunning Dalmatian coast and goes on a tour of the ancient port of Split in Croatia.
A ferry-ride away is the paradise-like island of Hvar, where Michael enjoys walks, wine and fine food with a local restaurateur. Then it's on to the pilgrimage town of Medjugoree in Bosnia, where Mirjana Dragicevic tells of her visitations from the Virgin Mary which began 25 years ago.
Michael takes in the spectacular rebuilt bridge in Mostar, visits mine-clearance workers in Sarajevo and meets clubbers in Belgrade. He gains a new perspective on the wars that followed the break-up of Yugoslavia and hears of the hope that reconstruction is bringing.
In Dubrovnik, he meets up with lute maestro Edin Karamazov (who recently made an album with Sting) busking in the splendour of this walled city. An opera-singing captain then takes him down the coast to Albania, once the most secretive country in Europe. Braving the crazy traffic of Tirana on a bike, Michael meets painter and Mayor Edi Rama, who explains how Albania is struggling to shake off its communist legacy. One of the mayor's innovations was to paint the city's buildings in bright colours.
Finally, accompanying a group of pilgrims to an Islamic mountain top monastery, a sheep sacrifice heralds an afternoon of music and hospitality in typical Balkan style.
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