LEFT VIENNA TO LIVE HIS DREAMS UNDER MOUNT MAJEVICA

He once lived in Austria, but he was not satisfied with that life and decided to return to his homeland. In the village of Dragaljevac, on the northeastern slopes of Mount Majevica, he went on to create what many now call a true paradise on earth – an excursion site admired by all who visit it.

PHOTO: InfoBijeljina

PHOTO: Darko Stević

This is the story of Darko Stević who, together with Stevica and Darko Vasilić, stands behind a successful business venture widely known as Čičino Sokače, one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in the Semberija region.

Today, this tourist complex, increasingly popular among visitors of all ages, has become a true symbol of Semberija. Speaking to InfoBijeljina, Stević explained how he left Vienna and turned an idea into a top-tier destination now firmly placed on the tourist map of the wider region.

DISSATISFACTION WITH LIFE IN VIENNA

“The decision to return to my native region came from dissatisfaction with life there. Everything looks nice, Austria is an organized country, perhaps one of the most organized in Europe. My wife was born there, and I moved to Vienna in 2015 with the intention of spending my whole life there. However, the lifestyle in that city, the system they live by, and even the job itself simply didn’t suit me,” Stević told InfoBijeljina.

After three years, he began to see a clearer vision of what he wanted next. Together with his wife, he decided to earn as much as possible and invest that money back in Semberija.

“In 2018, through a conversation with my uncle, the idea emerged for us to come to this estate and return from abroad,” Stević recalled.

LOCKDOWN DURING THE PANDEMI

The decision to return was further accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. While Austria was under strict lockdowns, life in Semberija’s villages continued almost normally, with people barely feeling the effects of the pandemic.

“Over there, we felt like we were in prison,” Stević said.

He also recalled that their children had started school in Austria, but the education system did not align with their values and traditions, apart from the local Orthodox church community. That, too, strengthened their resolve to leave Austria and return home.

“We returned definitively in August 2022. My wife came here with the children during the school holidays, while I stayed to work through July and August. From September 1, we were officially back,” Stević explained.

A FAMILY OF SEVEN

At the time, their eldest son started third grade, their daughter Tijana first grade, while their daughter Vasilija has since moved on to second grade. They also have two younger children who have yet to start school. With five children, the family made a conscious decision to live in the countryside rather than in the city.

“I believe it’s healthier to live in the village. We spent seven years living in an apartment in Austria – my wife her entire life, and I was born in the countryside. I grew up with freedom of movement and play in nature. There, we were practically ‘locked in’. After work, you have an obligation to take children to the park or somewhere outside. It’s not relaxed like it is here,” Stević said.

In Semberija, he and his wife can sit down for coffee while the children play freely nearby, without the constant pressure of organized activities.

CHOOSING A RURAL LIFE

“Everything there felt like an obligation. I wanted us to move to the countryside and create living conditions where children can also train and develop their interests. Bijeljina is close – our house is only 18 kilometers from the city center. We try to provide our children with everything a city can offer, from sports training to tournaments,” he added.

Asked whether the local community supports young people in rural areas, Stević noted that incentives do exist for those engaged in agriculture. However, he chose a different path.

“I moved away from agriculture. My uncle worked in farming and had his own agricultural holding, but I didn’t want to stay in that field. The land here isn’t of particularly high quality, yields are often poor and disappointing year after year. Because of the beauty of the surroundings and the nature around us, I envisioned a future in tourism,” Stević concluded.

That vision has since grown into one of the most admired tourist stories in Semberija – a reminder that sometimes, returning home is the key to truly living one’s dreams.