Words by Jumana

It was late August when the south of Maldives was made even more beautiful with the presence of beauty, all the way from Serbia with Anja Radic and Vesna de Vinca. Their sense of peace and happiness were reflected in the smiles of the locals as they took in the Greater Male’ Area, attended the second Southern Business Expo in Addu City and took in the evergreen wetlands of Kudakilhi in Fuvahmulah, the nature park in Thinadhoo and swam alongside Tiger Sharks followed by gorgeous sunsets with white sand beneath their feet. We at Kaleo were fortunate enough to sit down with both ladies for a little chat in the evergreen garden space of Ratatouille during their visit.

“Male’ is beautiful. Addu is even more beautiful but Fuvahmulah has become a very special place to me. Mostly because of the people”

~ Anja Radic

Those who know of Vesna de Vinca may know her from her documentaries, or would describe her as the President of the Miss World Serbia and Montenegro organizations. She may also be known as an excellent journalist and renowned author who sat across from history-makers such as Yasser Arafat, Simon Wiesenthal and authored “The Mandela Code”, a look at the last interview he ever gave. Those who have met her however, would see the freedom of her spirit that soars high above the twinkle in her eye; her soul is truly that of a poetic beauty.

“There is a difference between a traveler and a tourist. Tourist is a person who most often pays to go to a location like resorts in a systematic way. Some photos may be taken and time is enjoyed – not necessarily growing. But my aim is to be a traveler. Traveling is to touch the minds and emotions of human beings and to understand their lives better”.

~ Vesna de Vinca

Anja noted that Maldives is stored in her heart as the land of beauty because of the openness and hospitality of its people. Naming it as one of her favorite destinations now, Anja also spoke of having won ‘Top Model of Europe’ at Sharm El-Sheikh in the Top Model of the World competition this past January. She is quick to note that she thoroughly enjoys the process of pageantry and isn’t easily fazed by the competition.

“The first thing they said to me when I came into the company is “Are you ready to lose?” and to that I said, “I am ready to fight to win”.

 ~ Anja Radic

Infact, when she was little she fantasized about the crown and glamor around such a competition. It was in 2019 when a friend encouraged her to apply that she did, and succeeded in getting into the Top 20 for Miss Serbia 2019. She has since completed two years of her Bachelors in Project Management and IT under her scholarship and worked in Public Relations for one of the number tennis players in the world, Novak Djokovic.

“The most important thing while I am holding this title are the humanitarian projects. Of Course I can take on efforts by myself as well but if I win Miss World it will be on a much bigger level. It is one of the biggest wishes in my life, to help as many as I can”

~ Anja Radic

Anja delved into her tenure as reigning Miss World Serbia. Although the international pageant Miss World, under the headline “Beauty with a Purpose” is looking at a tentative date in February 2023 due to Covid-19 related delays, Anja has not slowed down one bit. “The important thing is when you feel the joys of serving.” says the 20 year old who is working to generate awareness about peer violence within schools in Serbia. Anja is an extremely smart, deep thinker with a beautiful way with words who is confident in her ability to work hard for the good that it may bring others. No wonder fate has enjoined her with Vesna de Vinca, who is a kindred spirit.

Vesna can take back her career all the way back to the horrifcs of the NATO aerial bombing  during the Kosovo war. “We were only in shelters for a few days,” she recalled, “Then we came out and together prayed even as they were bombing and saying ‘God forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing’ “. She has a knack for transforming pain into beauty in just one example of the fields of over 8000 lilacs that have been planted till date.

It all went back to the 13th century King Uros Ist Nemanjic who turned the valley of the Ibar River violet with fragrant lilacs for his love, Queen Jelena Anzujska. Fast forward around 600 years and Vesna, along with H.R.H. Aleksandar Karadjordjevic have planted over 8000 lilacs within the past decade, and inspired the “Serbia Fashion Day” where local and international designers showcased their take on the beautiful gift of love – the fragrant field of lilacs. Even with so many achievements in her full life, with so many lives touched by her, Vesna notes that her greatest contributions are the more than 400 scholarships that have been granted to all pageant finalists within the past 17 years to complete four years of study.

“Because the first step to internal beauty is character, then education. Second is wisdom. When we speak about internal beauty, the main thing or character is how you treat other people – how you treat every other person in the world.”

~ Vesna de Vinca

Vesna noted how beauty is more than learning how to do a catwalk, makeup or learning how to dress. The purpose in beauty comes with mind, body and character. Anja also remarked gratefully how she has been able to truly grow and evolve under the guidance of the legendary Vesna de Vinca. We at Kaleo wish them both all the best and hope to see them back in Maldives.