This Sunday, we're looking at two things. First, a cool story from the Serbian tech world - a real success that began small but went global. Second, what January is like in Serbia, a time of bonfires, old customs, freezing rivers, and a warm feeling that has nothing to do with the weather.
Part One: Nordeus - How a Simple Idea Became a Huge Game
Back in the early 2000s, Serbia wasn't known for tech. The local scene was small, didn't have much money, and wasn't really on the world's radar. Three friends from Belgrade - who used to work at Microsoft - came back home wondering: Can we build something big from here?
Their company was Nordeus.
At first, nothing happened fast. Their early stuff wasn't super successful. They kept trying things out, failing, and trying again. Instead of trying to be trendy, they just tried to create something people would actually enjoy.
In 2010, they put out Top Eleven, a game where you manage a soccer team online. It didn't have fancy graphics or a ton of hype. It was about feeling something - strategy, competition, community, and everyone's love for soccer.
The result shocked everyone.
Top Eleven became one of the most popular football management games in the world, with millions of players all over the world. Nordeus became one of Serbia's most successful tech companies and was later bought by Take-Two Interactive – a big deal for the whole region's tech scene.
The cool thing about this story isn't just that they made it big. It's their quiet confidence: no shortcuts, no overnight success. Just being patient, staying focused, and believing that great ideas don't need a big country – just hard work.
Part Two: January in Serbia – Bonfires, Water, and Old Traditions
January in Serbia is different. It's slower, colder, and full of meaning. While a lot of countries rush into the new year, Serbia turns inward – to its traditions, customs, and thinking about things.
January 6–7: Orthodox Christmas (Božić)
Christmas here isn't showy. It starts the night before, when families bring in oak branches (badnjak), light candles, and have a simple dinner together. They put straw under the table to represent being humble and starting fresh. It feels really old – because it is.
January 14: Serbian New Year
They celebrate a second New Year according to the old Julian calendar. It's quieter and more chill. No pressure, no yelling resolutions at midnight. Just music, rakija (a local drink), laughter, and the feeling that you still have time to start over.
January 19: Epiphany and the Ice Swim
One of the most striking: guys – and more and more women – jump into freezing rivers to grab a wooden cross. It's not about winning. It's about being tough, having faith, and seeing what you can handle. Watching it makes you feel something real and human.
Less Well-Known Customs
In some places, people still walk through the villages singing old songs to bring luck and protection. January is also when people have slavas – family celebrations to honor their patron saints. Each home tells its own story with food, candles, and memories.
Why These Stories Go Together
At first, a tech company and winter customs don't seem to have much in common. But they both have something important: keeping things going.
Nordeus didn't get successful overnight - they built it step by step. Serbian January traditions don't try to be modern - they keep their meaning alive. Both show us that doing well doesn't mean forgetting where you came from.
So if this Sunday feels slow, cold, or unsure - that's okay. January was never supposed to be loud. It's supposed to be real.
Take a break. Think about things. And let both new ideas and old customs remind you: good things grow slowly.
