MUSCLE LOVE

Though Communism has long fallen, its historic myth “In a healthy body lives a healthy mind” seems to be alive and well in the region of south Eastern Europe. Sports is still an important part of daily life especially in the collective mindset and identity of the Balkan people though as the post communist societies struggle though the political, economic and social transition, the importance of sports has changed as well. Sports is no longer just about overcoming physical barriers allowing the mind to control the body, but it is also about looking good while doing so. The Balkan Body Building competition is an annual event held each year in a different participating country. On this occasion it was held in the sleepy Serbian town Bor which in recent history has lost a large part of its revenue and population due to the closure of the industrial steel complexes which once defined its existence. Participants from most Balkan countries were present at this event and the competitions were held in most light and heavy weight categories in preparations for the annual European championship, which of course is a much more glamorous and glitzy affair.