Excerpt from my memoir "The Accordion Player. My Journey From Fear to Love" 

When I was a boy growing up in the turmoil of post-war Yugoslavia, I never imagined that an ordinary instrument would become a symbol of hope, resilience, and connection in my life. The title of my book, The Accordion Player, comes from a simple yet profound moment that shaped my journey and my outlook on life.

One afternoon, walking home from school, I saw a young gypsy boy playing the accordion on the sidewalk. Strangers tossed him coins. I was mesmerized. Despite his ragged clothes, he carried himself with dignity; his music allowed everyone around him to forget their troubles. Watching him, I felt a spark—an awakening—I knew I wanted to learn how to play, to bring joy to others, and perhaps, to find my own voice amid life's chaos.

Getting my first accordion was no easy feat. Living in a poor household and surrounded by hardships, I begged my father for it more than anything. It was a tiny, humble thirty-two-bass accordion—cheap, simple, but priceless to me. It felt like a miracle, a gift that could give me what I craved most: love, friendship, and a means to connect with others.

Self-taught, I learned to play by ear, practicing tirelessly during nights filled with family singing and gathering. The accordion was more than an instrument—it became my voice, my refuge, and a symbol of my hopes. It was what made me feel alive when everything else seemed bleak.

Growing up amid war, exile, and hardship, I discovered that the most unlikely tools—imagination, creativity, and resilience—can carry us through the darkest times. That tiny accordion, simple as it was, opened doors within me and showed me the power of music as a unifying force.

As I write in my book, I want readers to understand that behind the story of The Accordion Player lies a message: no matter how difficult life gets, we all have something inside us—be it an instrument, a passion, or a dream—that can help us overcome adversity and bring light to others.

So, the title is a tribute to that boy playing on the sidewalk—and to every individual who, through resilience and hope, finds a way to play their own melody in the symphony of life.