WE DANCED THE KOLO WITH A ZAMBIAN, A CHINESE, AND A SERB: THEY ARE INSEPARABLE, LIVE IN BOR, AND THIS IS THEIR STORY
Nino, Thomson, and Zoi met in the mine, and now they can't even have a coffee separately.
In recent years, Bor has become a gathering place for various cultures and nations. Mining has started bringing together people from different parts of the world who have come to Serbia in search of work, mostly in its eastern regions. It was in Bor that three friends met, and their friendship will last a lifetime.
Thirty-two-year-old Nino is a native of Bor. He has been working at Zi Jin Mining for several years. He graduated from the Faculty of Sports but found a job at the green mine, Čukaru Peki. He is satisfied with his job and says that young people in Bor can live very well from their work and decent earnings. Collegiality is essential in the mining industry, and Nino never expected that he would meet lifelong friends in his work environment.
I am pleasantly surprised because I have met people from various continents, different cultures, their customs, and traditions. I socialize with many, but Thomson from Zambia and Zoi from China are closest to me. Somehow, it has become a habit for us to hang out in the city even after work. We are dedicated to work, learning, and sharing experiences. Both Zambians and Chinese, like us, are oriented towards traditional values. They respect family and friends, which is why we have built good relationships. I have fun with them, they have embraced our cuisine, they love ćevapi, our traditional dishes. I am slowly learning from them about their countries, and I am very happy because I have made new friends. I would love to visit them someday and get to know their countries, their people, and of course, the families they constantly mention," says Nino from Bor.
Thomson Musonda came to Bor two years ago from Zambia. He is a mechanic by profession and has already tried his hand at mining jobs. Since he is married and left his wife and two sons in his country, that is the hardest part for him. However, he says that it is very difficult to find a good and well-paid job in Zambia, which is why he decided to come to Serbia and try to earn in Bor to provide a better life for his children.
I came to Serbia in November 2021, and it was very difficult for me to get used to the cold. It's very warm in our country, with high temperatures, so unless I had to go out for work and food, I wouldn't go out. It was awful for me, but now it's funny because I've gotten used to it. I have many friends among the Serbs and Chinese with whom I go out. I go to the gym, and I love Serbian cuisine, especially ćevapi and pljeskavica. I was at a colleague's party and learned how to grill," says the Zambian.
He says he now has a favorite cafe where he is a regular guest, and on the social network TikTok, he has an account with a Serbian name - Toma.
"Bor is a quiet town, and the people are very hospitable. I socialize, I even have a favorite cafe where I am a regular, and I have a picture on the wall with friends. Now I hang out intensively with Nino and Zoi, and it helps me distract from thoughts of my family and children. I know I came here with a goal because you can advance well in your career here and earn for your family, so I focused on that. We keep in touch regularly, and I am active on social networks, especially on TikTok, where I have a Serbian name, Toma," says the charming Zambian with a laugh, who was eager to show us some moves of his traditional dance.
The daily companion of Nino and Toma is the Chinese geological engineer Zoi Yi, whom we immediately gave the Serbian name Zoki in the café. He accepted it with pleasure. He is in Bor with his wife, who is also Chinese, making it a bit easier for him than for Thomson.
"I came to Serbia four years ago, just before the start of the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, I didn't have the opportunity to go out and socialize with people or get to know the beauty of this country. But when that passed, I made up for everything. I can say that I have bonded with the Serbian people; they are very communicative and friendly. I love this food. Serbian cuisine is very delicious, and I love ćevapi. Now, I also learned about šiš ćevap from a journalist, which I can't wait to try. Honestly, despite the different cultures and customs, we are essentially the same people with the same interests. We are one big family. I love dancing like Toma, and since I'm weak on TikTok, I often dance with my wife; I need to get more active. Your journalist also gave me the Serbian name Zoki! I really like it and accepted it. Zoi - Zoki," says the charming Chinese man with a laugh.
The story of the three young men from Serbia, Zambia, and China is a good example that friendship knows no boundaries. All three love dancing, good food, and fun, and they are connected by the job that allows them to live comfortably.
The Čukaru Peki mine started with nurturing good relationships among the workers from the beginning. "All for one, one for all" certainly helped them function well, socialize at work and outside of it, and form lifelong friendships.