My Bosnian Birthday Experience

As someone who was born and raised in Bosnia, celebrating birthdays was always a big deal in my family. From the decorations to the food, everything was planned with great care. However, one thing that always stood out to me was the Happy Birthday song that we sang.

The Happy Birthday Song In Bosnian

The Happy Birthday song in Bosnian is called “Sretan Rođendan” which means “Happy Birthday” in English. The song is sung to the tune of the traditional Happy Birthday song but with different lyrics.

Here are the lyrics:

Bosnian:

Sretan rođendan, sreću želim ja
Sve najljepše želim tebi sad ja
Sretan rođendan, sreću želim ja
Nek’ ti život bude radostan

English translation:

Happy birthday, I wish you happiness
I wish you all the best right now
Happy birthday, I wish you happiness
May your life be joyful

Step by Step Guide

If you are planning to celebrate a birthday with someone who speaks Bosnian, here is a step-by-step guide on how to sing the Happy Birthday song in Bosnian:

Gather everyone around the birthday person and light the candles on the cake.
Begin singing “Sretan Rođendan” to the tune of the traditional Happy Birthday song.
Encourage everyone to join in and sing along.
After the song is over, have the birthday person blow out the candles and make a wish.
Enjoy the cake and celebrate!

Top 10 Tips and Ideas

Here are some top tips and ideas for celebrating a Bosnian birthday:

Decorate with the colors of the Bosnian flag (blue, yellow, and white).
Serve traditional Bosnian dishes like cevapi, burek, and baklava.
Play traditional Bosnian music during the party.
Have a photo booth with traditional Bosnian props like fez hats and scarves.
Include Bosnian phrases in the birthday card.
Give a traditional Bosnian gift like a handmade rug or pottery.
Make a slideshow of the birthday person’s life with pictures from their childhood to present day.
Invite friends and family to share their favorite memories and stories about the birthday person.
End the night with a traditional Bosnian dance like the kolo or oro.
Sing the Happy Birthday song in Bosnian!

Pros and Cons

Pros:

The Happy Birthday song in Bosnian is a unique and special way to celebrate a birthday.
Celebrating a Bosnian birthday allows you to learn more about the culture and traditions of Bosnia.
Adding traditional Bosnian elements to the celebration can make it more meaningful and memorable.

Cons:

If you are not familiar with Bosnian culture, it may be difficult to incorporate traditional elements into the celebration.
The Happy Birthday song in Bosnian may be difficult to learn and sing if you are not familiar with the language.

My Personal Review and Suggestion

As someone who grew up with the Bosnian Happy Birthday song, I think it is a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday. The lyrics are meaningful and the tune is catchy. However, if you are not familiar with Bosnian culture, it may be difficult to fully appreciate the song and its significance.

My suggestion would be to learn more about Bosnian culture and traditions before incorporating them into a birthday celebration. This will not only make the celebration more meaningful, but it will also allow you to learn and appreciate a new culture.

Question & Answer

Q: Is the Happy Birthday song in Bosnian similar to the traditional Happy Birthday song?

A: Yes, the tune of the Bosnian Happy Birthday song is the same as the traditional Happy Birthday song. However, the lyrics are different.

Q: Do you have to be Bosnian to sing the Happy Birthday song in Bosnian?

A: No, anyone can sing the Happy Birthday song in Bosnian. It is a great way to show appreciation for Bosnian culture and traditions.

Q: What are some traditional Bosnian gifts to give for a birthday?

A: Traditional Bosnian gifts include handmade rugs, pottery, and jewelry.

FAQs

Q: What is the Bosnian flag?

A: The Bosnian flag is blue, yellow, and white with a triangle on the left side.

Q: What is cevapi?

A: Cevapi is a type of Bosnian sausage made from beef and served with bread.

Q: What is burek?

A: Burek is a traditional Bosnian pastry made with phyllo dough and filled with meat or cheese.