28. February 2018.

Proud of Bosnia and Herzegovina

The EU Info Centre organised in November last year an online competition to encourage citizens, especially young people, to positively reflect on values they can share with other European nations. ​...

The EU Info Centre organised in November last year an online competition to encourage citizens, especially young people, to positively reflect on values they can share with other European nations. ​This competition invited them to show in their works what they are proud of and why they are successful. Success and talent in sports, art, entrepreneurship, science, rich cultural and historical heritage, natural beauty – but also look of the schools, friendships, streets, all that were reasons for more than 60 young people – participants in this competition- to feel proud and feel to have something to offer to a common EU family.

For majority of them, cultural heritage in BiH was in the centre of their attention. As 2018 is European Year of Cultural Heritage, our jury chaired by Amra Zulfikarpašić, designer, decided to award:

  • First prize – Esmeralda Muratović from Gračanica, photos of house of Mara Popović.

In the 19th and early 20th century, the most typical house from central Bosnia is “čardaklija” (house with top floor – čardak). House of Mara Popović was built in 1840. According to the traditional stories, this Bosnian house was built by Mara Popović’s father in-law, where she spent her entire life. By the decision of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, House of Mara Popović in Gračanica was declared a National Monument on October 7, 2003.

  • Second prize – Primary School “Petar Petrović Njegoš” from Velika Obarska, video.

This is the only school in BiH which has its own ethno museum. This museum was opened in 2006 with authentic pieces collected in the area. In addition to museums, the students of this school cherish traditional dances and ethno music.  

  • Third prize – Dino Hasanbegović from Visoko, photo “Dance with pigeons”

The author says he did not believe that all that he was proud of could fit into only one picture but anyway, he managed to do so successfully.

As part of a mini exhibition at the EU Info Center, we decided to display photos we received from Besim Bojadžija from Srebrenik who reminds us that we must always keep in mind the value of our family. The photo we received from Kerim Sadiković, a young sportsperson from Mostar, presents one of the most common topics when you ask young people what they are proud of – sport.