With another blog post comes another new story about an interesting Zagrebian. Mirna Savić is my dear friend and a TV and radio presenter. Although still very young, Mirna already has a genuine TV and radio career. She was born in Koper, Slovenija, in 1992, but came back to Zagreb with her parents the first chance they've got:

"After we got back in Zagreb, I worked during my whole education here. I went to elementary school in Vrapče, to Tituš Brezovački highschool in Zagreb Upper Town, and finally, I've studied Journalism at the Faculty of Political Sciences." 

Photo Credit: Mirna Savić

Her first touch with mass media

During her first few years at college, Mirna received an invite to an audition from the Croatian national television and accepted immediately. Although, as she says, that didn't go so well, she remained there on some phonetic training which, later on, took her to the second channel of the national radio. There, she worked on her first radio show "HR Demo Klub": "I'll never forget my first time—sitting there behind that big green desk—feeling out of place. But soon, everything came to place. A moment when your guests spontaneously start to play pianino, and you think to yourself: well, this is a great Wednesday." 

Photo Credit: Mirna Savić

Love towards radio + love towards Zagreb

Today, Mirna is working at one of the most popular radio stations, which Zagrebians simply adore. Much like in any other country, our radio stations are divided into regional and national. The station I'm talking about is Antena Zagreb, and she couldn't picture herself anywhere else at the moment: "The audience from Zagreb? That's my people!".

Mirna also told me about the time Zagreb was hit with that earthquake, and her entire experience of it: "That morning, when all of us were woken up and terrified by that horrid earthquake. I remember going out in my PJ's to the playground, anticipating after shakes. As time passed, I had to get to work, so I went on air as I was, in my sleeping gear. To be able to be with my fellow-citizens on such a day was, at the same time, the most beautiful and also the hardest thing which happened to me in my career. Our country is filled with different traditions and mentalities, and I'm delighted to be able to communicate with my town because I like to think I know its pulse. Zagrebians are passionate, quick-witted, all in all, a bit of a rascal, and when they like you, they'll make your day like no one else...".

Photo Credit: Mirna Savić

Zagreb in my eyes

Mirna left her family home seven years ago to live with her boyfriend near the Franjo Tuđman square. She was delighted to see that most of her friends live right there, and she likes to say she's feeling like they're living in an ideal small town inside Zagreb.

There's one thing you got to know. 99% of Zagrebians will talk about their neighborhood like it's undoubtedly the best one in our capital. I'm like that, and Mirna is no different: "All of us, living here, are constantly commenting how right here is the best part of Zagreb. The proximity of the center is practical, the greenery is amazing, and our little coffee shops, where everybody knows what you're drinking, are irreplaceable." She basically described a lot of neighborhoods in Zagreb, but I understand her. I would have said the same thing about mine as well. It's just how we Zagrebians are. Rascals. 

Photo Credit: Mirna Savić

If Mirna took you touring through Zagreb 

First of all, you would visit Kino Tuškanac, out in the open because: "I'm sure you haven't seen a movie in a prettier and more charismatic ambiance." After that, if you'd be up for a walk, she would take you to the Upper Town because: "It's the cutest." Out there, on Strossmayer square, you'd grab a cold beer, and after that, the main stop in Ilica Street would be Elis Caffe bar. When it comes to places a bit further from the center, Mirna won't miss taking you to park Maksimir, Šestinski Lagvić to see our lovely hills, and Sljeme so you'd see how "out-of-shape she is." :)

Growing up in Zagreb

As the years go by, Mirna noticed how little she likes going out: "Nothing will ever top my clubbing nights in Peppermint on Ilica Street, which is unfortunately closed now. These days, I prefer going to some interesting coffee shops such as Kinoteka, Mio Corazon, and Melin on Tkalčićeva Street.

On another day, I like to take my dog, Mango, out for a walk. When it comes to going out, I like to take a relaxed drink somewhere in the city, and then go to a concert, rather than to a club. Am I getting old? Haha".

Photo Credit: Mirna Savić

Yeah, that's Mirna for you. Speaking from my personal experience, she's a brilliant and fun person to be around and a goofy one at that. If you ever come to Zagreb, be sure to listen to Antena Zagreb at the weekends to check out her DJ-ing and radio hosting skills. You might not understand what she's saying, but there's one language everybody understands, and that's music. 

Until next time, take care! ✌

Header Image Credit: Mirna Savić

Author: Tibor Trupec