When reality surpasses satire, all that remains is for us to speak the truth.

Can laughter help us cope with a reality that is becoming increasingly difficult to understand? Jovan Zafirović, an aphorist and sociologist from Kosovo and Metohija, joined the podcast “How Are Things Down There?” to talk about satire, freedom, the media, young people leaving their homes, and the struggle to remain true to ourselves despite all the challenges life brings.

Jovan Zafirović belongs to a generation of young people who grew up in Kosovo and Metohija during a time of major social change. He has turned his experiences into aphorisms, satirical stories, and written pieces that reflect the everyday lives of Serbs living in this region.

In his conversation with Marija Vasić, he did not shy away from difficult topics. He spoke about fear, injustice, political divisions, and the importance of personal responsibility, as well as the hope we should never lose, no matter the circumstances.

How Are Things Down There? A Question Without an Easy Answer

When asked about the origin of the podcast’s name, Jovan admitted that the answer depends on the moment, his mood, and what one encounters upon returning to Kosovo and Metohija.

Each visit, he says, brings new realizations. Some people have moved away, others have left their homes, and existing problems have only grown worse.

He is particularly affected by the departure of young people and the sense that everyday hardships are accepted as something one is simply forced to get used to.

We Don’t Want Pity – We Want Equal Treatment

One of the most important messages of the conversation concerned the way people outside Kosovo and Metohija perceive the Serbs who live here.

Jovan believes that they are too often portrayed solely through the lens of poverty, suffering, and the need for assistance. In his view, this image fails to reflect their abilities, hard work, and potential.

I want to be treated as an equal. Just like someone from Vrbas, Belgrade, or Novi Sad.

That is precisely why he has never wanted to use his personal circumstances as an excuse for failure.

Although he graduated in sociology and is involved in literary work, he also spoke about the different jobs he has taken on to make a living.

A person has to take their life into their own hands.

He emphasised that while we cannot influence every political and social circumstance, we can take responsibility for the things that are within our control.

Defiance as a Way of Preserving Identity

When asked what had shaped his personal values the most, Jovan singled out one word: inat – a uniquely Serbian concept of defiance, stubborn determination, and standing one’s ground.

For him, however, this defiance is not a rebellion against tradition, but rather a determination to preserve it.

It is that defiance that drives me to preserve it, because it is under threat

He spoke about growing up in circumstances that confronted him at an early age with questions of identity, faith, and belonging.

Still, he admits that sometimes people must also protect their own values from themselves, especially in moments of disappointment, apathy, and the desire to walk away from everything.

You cannot walk away from yourself, and you should never do so.

he stated.

Satire as a Response to Reality

The conversation also explored the role of satire in a society where contradictions have become part of everyday life.

Jovan believes that today’s reality is sometimes so absurd that it is almost impossible to make it any more ridiculous.

Nevertheless, he sees satire as a powerful way to draw attention to problems that are often concealed behind grand words and patriotic messages.

Тhrough satire, we identify our problems, all the flaws and distortions that weigh us down.

For him, writing is not merely a form of literary expression, but a personal need to put his thoughts and feelings into words.

Writing is, in fact, a form of relief.

He adds that it matters to him that his writing provokes a reaction among readers, whether positive or negative.

Keeping Hope Alive Without Turning Away from the Truth

Jovan also offered a critical perspective on media coverage of Kosovo and Metohija. He believes that everyday issues affecting people’s livelihoods are often overshadowed by political conflicts and high-profile statements.

Rather than presenting an idealised version of reality, he advocates for open and honest discussions about the root causes of existing problems.

Although he shared many critical observations throughout the conversation, he did not abandon hope.

He reminded listeners that, alongside hope, patience is essential – a quality he considers one of the important characteristics of our people.

His story shows that laughter does not have to mean indifference. On the contrary, satire is sometimes the most serious way to speak about injustice, fear, and the society we live in.

And when reality becomes more absurd than satire itself, we have a responsibility not to remain silent.

And when reality becomes more absurd than satire itself, we have a responsibility not to remain silent. „How are things down there“.

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