Sevdalinka, a Bosnian and Herzegovinian urban and folk song, has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On this occasion, a press conference was held at the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports on Wednesday, where it was emphasized that the process of inscription of sevdalinka on the UNESCO Representative List lasted several years, but that thanks to extremely dedicated work, despite numerous difficulties, the process was completed.
“Today is the solemn moment that the Federal Ministry, which nominated sevdalinka, has the opportunity to say that the process is complete, I am convinced that it will bring great joy to all residents, not only of the Federation of BiH, but of all of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said the Minister of Culture and Sports of the FBiH, Sanja Vlaisavljević.
Assistant Minister Mirela Milićević Šečić, who worked with her team on the process of registering sevdalinka on the UNESCO Representative List, said that with this act, sevdalinka becomes “part of the cultural mosaic of the world, a worthy representative of the culture of our peoples and the wealth of the intangible heritage of our country”.
She reminded that Bosnia and Herzegovina has so far registered Zmijanjski vez, Equestrian woodcarving, Iva grass picking on Ozren Mountain, the custom of mowing on Kupres, and the breeding of Lipizzaner horses as part of the serial nomination on the UNESCO List.
“The 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Intangible Cultural Heritage is being held in Paraguay, where the registration of sevdalinka will be made official. But it is very important that a month ago we received the official report of the UNESCO evaluation body, which considered all the elements of our nomination for a year, so that we could give our opinion on it. According to all five criteria, Sevdalinka fulfilled all the conditions and her place on this world list is completely unquestionable”, said Milićević Šečić.
Professional support for the preparation of the nomination document was provided by the academic community, with the participation of representatives of two higher education institutions, the University of Sarajevo and the University of Mostar.
Tamara Karača Beljak from the Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo, said that this institution works a lot to promote the traditional music of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This entry of sevdalinka, and we are infinitely happy about it, opened the door for us and showed us how it can be done and how some other forms of traditional music of Bosnia and Herzegovina can also get on the Representative List of UNESCO”, said Karača Beljak.
Lidija Vladić-Mandarić, a professor at the University of Mostar, who also participated in the process of registering the sevdalinka on the list, said in a written message that “this recognition is not only a confirmation of its exceptional value, but also an invitation to everyone to take responsibility for its permanent protection and transmission”.
“Sevdalinka is not just a musical expression. It is living history, a song that carries the voice of the people, a testimony of past times and the feelings that unite us. At the University of Mostar, and especially at the Music Department, we are deeply aware of the power of sevdalinka as a cultural phenomenon and its immense importance in shaping our Bosnian identity”, said Vladić-Mandarić.
Today’s conference began with the performance of the sevdalinka “Kraj potoka bistre vode” in the interpretation of Mensura Bajraktarević.
The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports believes that this international recognition will encourage further work on the promotion of sevdalinka, as well as projects to preserve other numerous cultural expressions that are part of the cultural identity of the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Photo: Federalna
