Balkan Geography
This Balkan country has both a coastline on the Ionian Sea and a double-headed eagle on its flag.
What is Albania?
This Russian author wrote "War and Peace".
Who is Leo Tolstoy?
This grilled minced meat dish is claimed by almost every Balkan country as “ours.”
What are ćevapi / ćevapčići?
This smoked sausage is most commonly made from pork and is a staple at barbecues and holiday meals.
What is kielbasa?
This Russian capital is home to the Kremlin and Red Square.
What is Moscow?
This Adriatic country is home to Dubrovnik, often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”
What is Croatia?
This novel by Mikhail Bulgakov features the Devil visiting Moscow.
What is The Master and Margarita?
This layered pastry made of filo dough and cheese or meat is a Balkan staple, and yes, everyone argues about whose is best.
What is burek?
This sour soup gets its deep red color from beets and is often topped with a spoonful of sour cream.
What is borscht?
This Polish city is known for the historic Wawel Castle and a large medieval town square.
What is Kraków?
This Balkan capital is known for its massive fortress overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.
What is Belgrade?
This Polish writer won the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature for works including Flights.
Who is Olga Tokarczuk?
This fruit brandy, common across the Balkans, is often homemade and sometimes dangerously strong.
What is rakija?
These dumplings can be filled with potato, cheese, sauerkraut, meat, or even fruit, depending on the region.
What are pierogi / varenyky?
This Russian author wrote Crime and Punishment.
Who is Fyodor Dostoevsky?
This Balkan capital is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and is built on seven hills.
What is Sofia?
This Russian novel tells the story of Yuri Zhivago during the Russian Revolution.
What is Doctor Zhivago?
This traditional circle dance, common at weddings and celebrations, is known by slightly different names across Balkan countries.
What is kolo / oro / horo?
This comfort dish consists of cabbage leaves rolled around a filling of meat and rice, then cooked slowly.
What are gołąbki / sarma?
This 1986 nuclear disaster occurred in what is now northern Ukraine.
What is Chornobyl?
This landlocked Balkan country changed its official name in 2019 to resolve a dispute with the country south of it.
What is Macedonia?
This Czech writer introduced the word “robot” in his 1920 play R.U.R.
Who is Karel Čapek?
This Balkan city is famous for its iconic old bridge, rebuilt after being destroyed during the Yugoslav wars.
What is Mostar?
This hearty stew of meat and vegetables is heavily seasoned with paprika and originated in Central Europe.
What is goulash?
This Czech capital is nicknamed “The City of a Hundred Spires.”
What is Prague?