Lately, Vanya hardly gives interviews, which is a shame, because he is always totally frank and open, interesting and authentic, knows when to be funny or, accordingly, serious, says what he thinks and feels, and not what through to be liked. And that’s why we’re even more pleased that Dzaferovic is chatting with us! Read what he had to say about his native Bosnian Brod, Survivor, the crazy nonsense of the modern world, Beroe, the Baltics, the kids’ dog, the mug on the sofa, what he doesn’t like, paint, the attic, will we see him again in reality shows and more:
You were 8 years old when the war started in Croatia. Does the phrase “What doesn’t kill you make you stronger” apply to you? Because there are also experiences that don’t kill you, but leave you with severe traumas that you carry all your life – because of which you have a harder time enduring the next difficult moments. How is it in your case?
Now that I think about it and go back in time, surely the war has made me, if not stronger, then certainly more adaptable to life’s conditions and situations. As for the injuries, they are mine for life. As a fellow football player of mine says: “Man, only when he knows what’s up with him, only I know what’s up with me” (laughs).
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In the book “Moja Bogda Sna”, which came out last year, you talk about many of your experiences as a child during the war in Yugoslavia. When was the last time you returned to your hometown Bosnenski Brod? How has he changed from your childhood memories?
Indeed, in the book I told many stories from the time of the war. I revealed some things I hadn’t told anyone else about before. I was last in Bosanski Brod a few months ago. My wife and I were traveling through Bosnia and decided to stop. I wanted to show my children where their father grew up, but this town is no longer what it was back then. Everything has changed. Interesting how in 30 years so many things can change, be forgotten…
Vanya as a child
Besides the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, what do you think is the craziest nonsense in the modern world?
Wars are the worst thing not only in the modern world but also in the history of mankind. They are part of the human essence, human stupidity. Otherwise, in the modern world, the biggest stupidity is social networks. Created for the manipulation and simplification of society. The bad thing is that we are all part of this simplification. We can’t do without it, but it would be better to read a book or listen to a good album.
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You are the most famous Croatian in our country. Who is the most famous Bulgarian in Croatia? Do you know each other?
The most famous Bulgarian in Croatia is Nikolay Peshalov, a weightlifter. He won medals for both Bulgaria and Croatia. We don’t know each other, unfortunately.
You win Survivor” 5 – do you keep any memento from there, like a pebble, game item or something like that?
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I keep a lot of things. I have a whole room full of Survivor memorabilia. The ballot box from my winning season. Bandanas from all my tribes. I also have a lot of stuff from the season I hosted. For me, Survivor has a special place in my heart. I love this game, mostly because it has changed my life completely and I think that as a concept it is the greatest reality format. And why? Because this is the only type of format (competitive) where every single person can win as long as they play their cards right. In other formats, this is almost impossible.
You have participated in various TV formats. However, what reality show would we never see you on as a contestant?
Certainly in the ballroom. I’m a big tree and I wouldn’t do that to myself, as much as I like to step out of my comfort zone. But you will most likely never see me in a reality format again. It’s time for younger people. Let them try. I took mine.
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In the comments under your posts on your Instagram profile, you don’t seem to be rubbing anything, there are a lot of “colorful” comments about you. What do they have to write to make you delete it?
Lately I’ve started rubbing because of my kids. My daughter has instagram and when she reads something like this she gets sick. Imagine reading that your father is trash, a wretch, and that it would be best if he died. Here are such things they write. But I have already said about the degradation of society. People are becoming more illiterate, more envious and without any empathy. Otherwise, these comments do not hurt me in any way.
With Evgenia, you repeatedly publicly express your great love. However, what is your latest struggle – which movie to watch or why you haven’t taken out the trash, or?
Hmm… Let me think about it. It must have been some stupidity. I must have left my cup on the couch and the dog knocked it over. Something like that.
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What sports, exercises, physical activities is Jenny better than you at – except maybe swimming?
By swimming for sure. I don’t know about anything else. She might be better at everything. I just hope it’s not football.
With his son Bo
And can he, for example, beat you in Canadian?
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We haven’t tried. We’ll give it a try and let you know how it goes.
You recently got a puppy – Toby. Did the kids ask for it or the Women?
Do you want me to tell you honestly? You want… One night I got drunk and the kids asked me about a dog, I said ok and the next day they reminded me. I told them it didn’t count when I said it, but they went wild and we had to get a dog. The bottom line is: Don’t promise anything when you’re drunk.
What pet has no chance of becoming part of your family? What kind of animals do you hate?
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A snake most likely. I would not be pleased to know that I have a snake in the house.
You said that loneliness scares you and for you it is a punishment. But when do you like to be alone, not lonely?
I like to have my peace, to be able to read a book, watch a movie, play my favorite music. I have a room in the attic, just for me, and I let loose there.
The whole family, incl. Toby the dog
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Your father was extremely important to you. As a father – to Bo and Leah – what are the things you want to be like your dad to them?
I want them to feel the love and support that I felt from my father. I think this is the most important thing and it remains for life, it shapes you as a person and helps you grow without complexes.
You became a football player, a defender, inspired by Trifon Ivanov, may God forgive him, whom you watched in the 94th World Cup when you were a child. Who was the first football player your son Bo was impressed by? Or not interested in football?
Yes, Tryphon was a great protector. Many of the Croats liked him, God forgive him. Otherwise, Bo follows football and his favorite football player is… now I will surprise you… Marco Reus.
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Borussia Dortmund is my favorite team. I went to the matches in the 90s when my uncle lived in Dortmund. This love for Borussia I also passed on to Bo.
With the winner of “Survivor” 7 – Blago Georgiev
Source: bTV
You are the first foreigner to captain the Beroe. I remember you as a very strong and courageous fighter both there and in “Loco” St. As the saying goes, “The ball can pass, but the opponent cannot!”. Is there anyone you still owe an apology to for some baltia from those years?
Oh there’s a lot lol. Although I always apologized after the matches. Group A used to be a pretty tough league. Everywhere you went, there were real men. There were no haircuts and epilated legs. That football romance is gone. I miss it from time to time.
Who do you think is the best Croatian footballer who played in Bulgaria? Igor Tomasic maybe?
Igor Tomasic is definitely the best Croatian who played in Bulgaria. If not the best, then certainly the most successful. Dario Zahora played in Lokomotiv Plovdiv for one year and he was better than Tomasic, but he did not leave such a mark in Bulgaria.
As a child, you were a fan of Partizan (Belgrade) – because of your father. Now, who is the football team you follow the shortest and most in your heart? Except Beroe.
My father was a fan of Partizan, but when we moved to Zagreb (I was 9 years old) I became a fan of Dinamo Zagreb. So apart from Berroe, I follow Dynamo, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid the most.
Many people are not happy that Beroe has been filled with Argentines. Are you one of them?
I have no problem with Argentinians if they are good, but most of them are useless. I have a bigger problem if the owners of the team are crooks and frauds as it appears so far. I hope I’m wrong and things work out, but the way I see it, we’ll soon be without an owner.
One of the things you say football has taught you is not to hate. Could you clarify please? People nowadays, who are not close to the game, would probably be surprised – it seems that most of them associate football with aggression and hooliganism.
Football gave me a sense of belonging, pride and made me much more disciplined and tolerant. It taught me to respect all people, no matter the color of their skin. Aggression and hooliganism have always been around football, but it is up to us and the way we raise our children to overcome this.
2-3 years ago you had a fight with Tsitiridis on his show. When was the last time you had a real fight?
Haha yeah that was funny. A lot of people believed that we were really fighting. Otherwise, a real fight… many years ago. I was still a teenager. People fight when they can’t find words and peace.
And if some superpower promises you that guaranteed “Beroe” and Croatia will be the next football champions (Bulgarian and world respectively), but you only have to beat two people of your choice, who will they be?
Hahaha oh.. tc tc tc. I won’t beat anyone. I don’t want to beat people.
If you could live one day as a modern, active soccer player, whose place would you like to be for that day?
In place of Luka Modric. I want to feel how it feels to be a man who has won almost everything in football, despite being born in a country of 3.5 million inhabitants.
In “Survivor” 5, in which Vanya is the winner
Source: bTV
What are you not really good at, but would like to be good at?
I already said I can’t dance, but I don’t know if I want to be able to dance. I would like to be able to sing very well and play the guitar. I will never forgive myself for not learning to play.
Which movie, band or book would you recommend?
I can tell about my favorite ones. Movie: Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone. Band: The Smiths. Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Marquez.
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