The final exhibition displaying 48 artworks created by students from the BiH fine arts academies was opened in Banja Luka on 30 March 2016. The exhibition is the result of cooperation between EU Info Centre (EUIC) and all four BiH Fine Art Academies: the Academy of Art in Banja Luka, the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, the Academy of Fine Arts in Trebinje and the Academy of Fine Arts in Široki Brijeg. Four students, one from each academy, were awarded for the best artworks with a 3 day study visit to the prestigious Brera Fine Art Academy in Milan.
Opening the exhibition, the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark commended the efforts and commitment of those involved in this EUIC initiative expressing his satisfaction that art in BiH is very much alive.
“Often in the EU we are talking about a community of values, and art is one way to express the common values which, again, relies on the freedom of expression. Also, hereby I underline the value, not only of the artists, but also their teachers. I must say that there is not only one art, and if the country progresses towards the EU you will be more integrated into the art of the EU, whose part you are already in some way“, said Ambassador Wigemark.
Ambassador Wigemark expressed his expectations that the students visiting the Brera Academy will also use the opportunity to present their country and gain some new experiences and perspectives, and generally broaden their artistic horizons.
The awarded students are Nina Ninković, Academy of Art in Banja Luka, Martin Frljić, Academy of Fine Arts in Široki Brijeg, Sonja Beloš, Academy of Fine Arts in Trebinje and Ajla Salkić, Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo. The exhibition was attended by over 40 students and their professors who took part in the initiative.
The EU Info Centre has invited four Academies of Fine Arts in BiH to create artworks on the topics of cultural and natural heritage (Trebinje); water and environment (Banja Luka); human rights (Sarajevo); and children and education (Široki Brijeg). The final exhibition in Banja Luka was preceded by the exhibitions and panel discussions in the respective academies also including representatives of the EU Delegation to BiH, civil society organisations and citizens. A selection committee consisting of representatives of the four art academies selected one winner from each fine art academy and awarded them with a study visit to the Brera Fine Arts Academy in Milan, that will take place from 17th to 21st April 2016.
The EU Info Centre is the project funded by the European Union with aim to increase the knowledge of citizens of BiH on the EU, its programmes and policies, as well as on relations between BiH and the EU.
