Jovana Arrives in Split and Gives It a Piece of Her Mind
Serbian TikToker Jovana Čulibrk sparked heated reactions with her criticism of cleanliness and prices in Split, then responded with an explanation and a plea to spread love instead of hate.
Serbian TikToker Jovana Čulibrk sparked heated reactions with her criticism of cleanliness and prices in Split, then responded with an explanation and a plea to spread love instead of hate.
Serbian TikToker Jovana Čulibrk found herself at the center of a debate after sharing her impressions of a summer vacation in Dalmatia. Her comparison of Trogir and Split, in which she deemed Split dirty, and especially her comments on prices, triggered an avalanche of reactions on social media.
In her videos, Čulibrk frequently mentioned prices, considering it useful information for people planning trips. She was particularly surprised by the cost of food, saying, "Why would I pay seven euros for seven ćevapi?" She compared this to a Pandora charm she bought for 20 euros, which, as she put it, will last her forever.
According to Slobodna Dalmacija, the TikToker was also shocked by the prices at the popular Bačvice beach. They paid 30 euros for two loungers and an umbrella, while a Coke and a coffee together cost them ten euros. A bus ticket from Kaštela to Split cost them four euros per person. The biggest surprise came when they saw a portion of ćevapi priced at 17 euros, which made them skip lunch. "We decided to eat pâté instead," Jovana said in the video.
In the comments on Slobodna Dalmacija's article, readers questioned her claims. "Where was it dirty???? Unbelievable, what misinformation," one commenter wrote. Another added, "The city is dirty, but Bačvice is fine?! Ćevapi for 17 euros, I just don't know where." One reader pointed out that at the Pauline restaurant, seven ćevapi are sold for 7.5 euros, noting that you don't eat on the Riva.
After the heated reactions, Čulibrk decided to film a new video to further explain her stance, emphasizing that it was not her intention to offend anyone or spread intolerance. "I'm sorry if I offended some people by saying Split is dirty. That's not your fault, but the fault of rude tourists," she said.
She also addressed criticisms regarding her nationality. "It's really ugly to bring up someone's nationality and spread hate just because someone didn't like something. I gave my assessment based on my own judgment, not nationality. You didn't talk to me that way when I praised Trogir," she said.
At the end of the video, she urged her followers not to spread hate and emphasized that she wants to continue enjoying her vacation and the beauty of the Croatian coast. "For some, Belgrade is dirty, for others, Monte Carlo is a hick town, and for some, people in London are unfriendly," she said. "Many people in our region have suffered throughout history, so let's not let that happen again and let's spread love. Now I'm off to enjoy the beach and the beauty that Croatia has to offer," she concluded in her new TikTok video.
