When you hear that two famous singers from Novi Sad were neighbors and school friends, you immediately think of rivalry, right? Well, not in the case of Tijana Bogićević and Nataša Bekvalac! Tijana, a native of Novi Sad, reveals that Nataša was the real star of the school, but there was never any rivalry between them. Two different careers, but the same love for their hometown and the freedom Novi Sad offered.
But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Last year, Tijana lost her mother, which left a deep mark on her life. The place where she spent the most beautiful moments with her mother — Petrovaradin Fortress — became a place of sorrow and memories. Her mother was an artist, had a studio at the fortress where she made jewelry and sculpted. Tijana emotionally admitted it was hard to return there after the loss.
Novi Sad for Tijana is not just a city, but a home full of memories. She grew up on Pašićeva Street, in the heart of Podbara, where the street was always lively, full of small businesses, bakeries, and boutiques. She remembers a pastry shop with a doll that attracted children, though that is now a thing of the past. Although she spent several years outside Serbia, she always returned to her city, a place where she felt free and safe.
Tijana openly talked about her childhood, school days with Nataša, and how their careers developed without any rivalry. Nataša was the main star, and Tijana a modest girl who loved to sing. Today, both are successful, but their story of neighborhood and friendship in Novi Sad remains touching and inspiring.
If you thought the life of celebrities is just glamour and spotlight, think again. Loss, nostalgia, and love for one’s hometown are universal, and Tijana Bogićević shows it in the most sincere way. So, do you have a neighborhood story that surprised you? Or maybe a rivalry that turned out to be just a myth? Share your thoughts, maybe together we’ll uncover more hidden stories from our cities!
