Big greetings from Raffid and the band Ved from Vranje, a group of top multi-instrumentalists best known to the wider public for their collaboration with Željko Joksimović at Eurovision on the iconic songs “Lane moje” and “Nije ljubav stvar.” Their artistic connection with Sarajevo dates back more than a decade, and now, as part of the 3rd Sarajevo Sevdah Soirée, they are returning to the city with a special concert.
On August 20, 2025, at 8:30 PM at Žuta tabija, Raffid and Ved will take the stage in what they describe as a “musical circle,” bringing together Vranje and Sarajevo sevdah. The evening promises a diverse repertoire – from beautiful sevdalinkas to rhythmic Balkan instrumentals – arranged in a unique style for audiences of all generations.
Performing on original acoustic instruments such as the oriental lute-mandolin (oud), kaval, clarinet, double bass, and bagpipes, supported by a distinctive rhythm section, the group creates a sound that merges tradition with innovation.
“Without an old folk song, a sevdalinka, there is no sevdah. They say that since we are born, someone has been singing sevdah with us,” says Raffid.
The concert will also feature surprise guest performers with whom Raffid and the group have collaborated over the years, including eminent musicians such as instrumentalist Almir Aka Hukelić, the legendary Enver Šadinlija, and professor Enes Ibričević.
For Raffid Subašić, sevdah has always been more than music. His first steps were with the accordion his father gave him, but his path eventually led toward the mystical sounds of the East. “Sevdah is love, it is a song about us and our culture,” he explains. “It is like an apple – if you pick it too early, it doesn’t taste the same as when it’s ripe.”
His performances often leave audiences deeply moved, transcending language and cultural barriers. “It is not my intention to make people cry, but to cheer them up. Yet, such melancholy is always carried within sevdah,” Raffid adds.
The third evening of the Sarajevo Sevdah Soirée will thus be filled with tradition, emotion, and surprises, set against the breathtaking panorama of Sarajevo from Žuta tabija.
This promises to be a night of sevdah and Balkan instrumentals to remember – one that bridges history, culture, and heartfelt music.
