In Belgrade (above) New Year comes before Christmas.  The Season starts on Dec 23 to accommodate those who celebrate Western Christmas but the real holiday starts on Dec 31, New Year's Eve.  Then Orthodox Christmas.  On January 13 some people celebrate "Old New Year."  Above, decorating, getting ready for the holiday, December 5.  The Cola wars in the Balkans.  Above, the Coke Santa in Belgrade, below, a yellow clad Santa, more along the lines of Father Frost in Sarajevo.  The Christmas trees outside the Cathedral in Sarajevo and to the left, the bridge where the First World War started, sitting in a winter Sarajevo.

All Photos © 2005 Rich McClear, All Rights Reserved