Sarajevo Fest

{{Short description|Annual cultural festival in Sarajevo, Bosnia}}

{{Infobox festival

| name = Sarajevo Fest

| image =

| caption =

| location = Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

| years_active = 2019–present

| founders = Haris Pašović

| organiser = East West Center

| genre = Theatre, Film, Public Discourse

| website = [https://sarajevofest.com https://sarajevofest.com]

}}

Sarajevo Fest is an international cultural festival held annually in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Founded in 2019 by theatre director Haris Pašović, the festival is organized by the East West Center. It encompasses theatre performances, film screenings, concerts, public forums, and workshops, aiming to foster dialogue on contemporary social and political issues through the arts.{{cite web |title=Prilika za ambiciozne mlade: Haris Pašović otkriva detalje o radionici 'Misli kritički' |url=https://radiosarajevo.ba/metromahala/kultura/prilika-za-ambiciozne-mlade-haris-pasovic-otkriva-detalje-o-radionici-misli-kriticki/560288 |website=Radio Sarajevo |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

History

Sarajevo Fest was established in 2019 by prominent Bosnian theatre director, Haris Pašović.{{cite web |title=Haris Pašović za "Avaz": Više me cijene u Evropi nego u BiH |url=https://avaz.ba/vijesti/bih/870563/haris-pasovic-za-avaz-vise-me-cijene-u-evropi-nego-u-bih |website=Avaz.ba |date=28 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}} The festival was conceived as a platform to merge artistic expression with civic engagement, addressing pressing societal topics through various cultural mediums.{{cite web |title=Ministar Magoda i Haris Pašović potpisali ugovor o podršci: Sarajevo Fest nastavlja svoj unikatan put |url=https://www.klix.ba/tagovi/sarajevo-fest/75122 |website=Klix.ba |date=22 August 2024 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

Programmes

File:Haris Pasovic.jpg, founder of Sarajevo Fest.]]

Sarajevo Fest features a diverse array of programmes, including:{{cite web |title=Haris Pašović o "Sarajevo Festu - Umjetnost i politika": Festival za koji ne treba napucana haljina |url=https://avaz.ba/showbiz/jet-set/529158/haris-pasovic-o-sarajevo-festu-umjetnost-i-politika-festival-za-koji-ne-treba-napucana-haljina |website=Avaz.ba |date=14 November 2019 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

Theatre Productions: Showcasing contemporary plays from regional and international artists.
Film Screenings: Presenting documentaries and feature films that explore social and political themes.
Concerts: Hosting musical performances that complement the festival's thematic focus.
Public Forums: Facilitating discussions on topics such as secularism, media freedom, and civic responsibility.
Workshops: Offering educational sessions on critical thinking, leadership, and artistic development.{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest 2023: Na programu forumi, radionice, koncerti i predstave |url=https://www.klix.ba/magazin/kultura/sarajevo-fest-2023-na-programu-forumi-radionice-koncerti-i-predstave/231122083 |website=Klix.ba |date=22 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

Past editions

Each edition of Sarajevo Fest centers around a specific theme:

2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the second edition of Sarajevo Fest was held entirely online. The festival featured four main programmes: the Forum, led by historian Dragan Markovina; the Art Forum, moderated by Haris Pašović; the Youth Forum, coordinated by Tarik Bičo and Matea Mavrak; and SF Plus, which showcased artistic works including plays, films, and concerts.{{cite web |title=Forumi i radionice, koncerti i predstave na 5. izdanju Sarajevo Festa 2023 |url=https://n1info.ba/kultura/forumi-i-radionice-koncerti-i-predstave-na-5-izdanju-sarajevo-festa-2023/ |website=N1 Info |date=22 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}} All programmes were accessible free of charge via the festival's official website and the East West Center's YouTube channel.{{cite web |title=HARIS PAŠOVIĆ: Ili ćemo postati normalna zemlja ili doći na nivo zemalja Trećeg svijeta |url=https://autonomija.info/haris-pasovic-ili-cemo-postati-normalna-zemlja-ili-doci-na-nivo-zemalja-treceg-svijeta/ |website=Autonomija |date=2020 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

2021: The third edition, held from 23 November to 15 December, adopted a hybrid format, combining live events with digital content. The festival included a series of podcasts featuring prominent figures such as satirist Zoran Kesić, playwright Biljana Srbljanović, sociologist Tomaž Mastnak, and cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier. A notable masterclass was delivered by historian Peter S. Onuf, titled "The Spirit of Thomas Jefferson and the American Revolution Lives On Today." The Art Forum presented performances from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia, both live and online. The Youth Forum focused on topics relevant to young people, fostering engagement and dialogue. Discussions also featured guests like Mark Pleško, Nebojša Vukanović, Marija Granić, Boris Isaković, and Nihad Uk.{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest: Podcasti, predstave, teme za mlade |url=https://balkans.aljazeera.net/news/culture/2021/11/22/sarajevo-fest-podcasti-predstave-teme-za-mlade |website=Al Jazeera Balkans |date=22 November 2021 |access-date=22 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest - umjetnost i politika: Živimo hibridne živote |url=https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/magazin/kultura/sarajevo-fest-umjetnost-i-politika-zivimo-hibridne-zivote-710263 |website=Oslobođenje |date=23 November 2021 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

2022: The fourth edition continued the hybrid model, offering both in-person and virtual events. The festival featured plays such as "Tri zime" directed by Jasna Đuričić, "Hero 2.0" by Uroš Kaurin and Vito Weis, and "Mihael Kolhas" directed by Boris Liješević. A masterclass was conducted by Tobias Ginsburg, a German writer and theatre director known for his investigative work on far-right movements. Haris Pašović presented his plays "Miss Julie" and "The Third Reich," exploring themes of power and ideology. The Digital Forum hosted discussions with guests including writers Biljana Srbljanović and Tena Štivičić, sociologist Tomaž Mastnak, and political figures like Marija Selak Raspudić. The festival maintained its focus on critical thinking and creativity as foundations for a free and engaging life.{{cite web |title=Gost ovogodišnjeg foruma Sarajevo Festa je Tobias Ginsburg, pisac, novinar i pozorišni reditelj |url=https://www.klix.ba/magazin/kultura/gost-ovogodisnjeg-foruma-sarajevo-festa-je-tobias-ginsburg-pisac-novinar-i-pozorisni-reditelj/221219076 |website=Klix.ba |date=19 December 2022 |access-date=22 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest - umjetnost i politika: Živimo hibridne živote |url=https://www.oslobodjenje.ba/magazin/kultura/sarajevo-fest-umjetnost-i-politika-zivimo-hibridne-zivote-710263 |website=Oslobođenje |date=23 November 2021 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

2023: The fifth edition of Sarajevo Fest was held from 26 November to 2 December 2023 under the theme "What Remains?" (Bosnian: "Šta ostaje?"). A highlight of the festival was the play "Poetics of Silence" (Bosnian: "Poetika šutanja"), directed by Andraš Urban and performed at the Sarajevo War Theatre. The performance emphasized non-verbal expression, focusing on the power of silence in communication.{{cite web |title=Poetics of silence - SarajevoFest.com |url=https://sarajevofest.com/en/events/poetika-sutanja/ |website=SarajevoFest.com |access-date=22 April 2025}} Choreographer Larisa Lipovac led a workshop titled "Diversity of Physical Abilities" (Bosnian: "Raznolikost tjelesnih mogućnosti") at the Youth Theatre Sarajevo, exploring body awareness and inclusivity in dance.{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest 2023: Radionica "Raznolikost tjelesnih mogućnosti" na Maloj sceni Pozorišta mladih Sarajevo |url=https://www.urbanmagazin.ba/sarajevo-fest-2023-radionica-raznolikost-tjelesnih-mogucnosti-na-maloj-sceni-pozorista-mladih-sarajevo/ |website=Urban Magazin |date=30 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}} The "Enabled World" (Bosnian: "Omogućeni svijet") theatre workshop, part of the regional "Enabled Theatre" project supported by Creative Europe, aimed to enhance inclusivity in the arts across the Western Balkans.{{cite web |title=Radionica 'Svijet mogućnosti' na Sarajevo Festu |url=https://balkans.aljazeera.net/news/culture/2023/11/30/radionica-svijet-mogucnosti-na-sarajevo-festu |website=Al Jazeera Balkans |date=30 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}} Additionally, the Denis de Rougemont Forum convened over 35 members of the European Festivals Association, fostering collaboration among European festival directors.{{cite web |title=Denis de Rougemont Forum - SarajevoFest.com |url=https://sarajevofest.com/en/events/denis-de-rougemont-forum/ |website=SarajevoFest.com |access-date=22 April 2025}}

2024: The sixth edition took place from 15 to 22 September 2024. The festival concluded with the multimedia concert "Songs of Liberation" at Susan Sontag Square, in front of the Sarajevo National Theatre.{{cite web |title=SONGS OF LIBERATION - SarajevoFest.com |url=https://sarajevofest.com/en/events/songs-of-liberation-4/ |website=SarajevoFest.com |access-date=22 April 2025}} A notable debate titled "Secular State" (Bosnian: "Sekularna država") featured speakers Tarik Haverić, Franjo Šarčević, and Samedin Kadić, moderated by journalist Danijal Hadžović, discussing secularism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{cite web |title=Rasprava u Sarajevu privukla brojnu publiku: Sekularna država ili religijska dominacija? |url=https://n1info.ba/vijesti/rasprava-u-sarajevu-privukla-brojnu-publiku-sekularna-drzava-ili-religijska-dominacija/ |website=N1 Info |date=20 September 2024 |access-date=22 April 2025}}{{cite web |title=Predstave, paneli, forumi i koncert: Šesto izdanje Sarajeva Festa donosi bogat program |url=https://www.klix.ba/magazin/kultura/predstave-paneli-forumi-i-koncert-sesto-izdanje-sarajeva-festa-donosi-bogat-program/240902076 |website=Klix.ba |date=2 September 2024 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

Locations

Sarajevo Fest events are hosted across various venues in Sarajevo, including:

Sarajevo National Theatre: A central venue for theatre performances and concerts.
Sarajevo War Theatre: Secondary venue for theatre performances and concerts.
Public Spaces: Utilized for open-air events and installations to engage the broader community.

Notable moments

In 2024, Sarajevo Fest introduced the "Misli kritički" ("Think Critically") workshop, a seven-day programme focusing on critical thinking, art, and leadership for young participants. This initiative reflects the festival's commitment to fostering intellectual and creative growth among emerging generations.{{cite web |title=Prilika za ambiciozne mlade: Haris Pašović otkriva detalje o radionici 'Misli kritički' |url=https://radiosarajevo.ba/tagovi/radionica |website=Radio Sarajevo |date=10 September 2024 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

Partnerships and financing

Sarajevo Fest operates through a combination of public, private, and international partnerships that support its diverse programming and international reach. The festival is primarily funded by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Sarajevo Canton and the City of Sarajevo, both of which have supported the festival since its inception.{{cite web |title=Sarajevo Fest 2023: Na programu forumi, radionice, koncerti i predstave |url=https://www.klix.ba/magazin/kultura/sarajevo-fest-2023-na-programu-forumi-radionice-koncerti-i-predstave/231122083 |website=Klix.ba |date=22 November 2023 |access-date=22 April 2025}}

One of the key international partners is the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which provides strategic support for the development of the festival’s cultural and educational initiatives. The German-Bosnian Cooperation Organization (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ) has also been involved in supporting regional collaboration and inclusive programming within the festival.{{cite web |title=Partneri Sarajevo Festa |url=https://sarajevofest.com/partneri/ |website=SarajevoFest.com |access-date=22 April 2025}}

In addition to institutional backing, Sarajevo Fest collaborates with various corporate sponsors from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the broader Balkan region. These sponsorships support specific segments of the festival such as multimedia concerts, masterclasses, and regional workshops.