Yesterday the Australian government marked the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between BiH and Australia and displayed the artwork that the BiH Embassy gave to the Australian Parliament as a gift.
The artwork is a stećak by the BiH academic artist Adis Fejzić, which was presented by the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bob Carr, the President of the Senate John Hogg, Chairman of the House of Representatives Anne Burke and Ambassador of BiH Damir Arnaut.
Ambassador Arnaut said that this initiative was launched and guided by the idea that Australian supports BiH not only by celebrating the 20th anniversary, but also to have the artwork as a lasting symbol. Only Fejzić could have so effectively connected the motives of BiH and Australia, and the common values of the two countries.
He added that the stećak is a symbol of BiH and its multicultural character, and therefore it is a suitable gift to Australia, a country that shares these values.
Minister Carr thanked the Ambassador for the gift, and emphasized the importance that Australia provides in the development of relations with BiH.
President of the Senate Hogg said that this present reflects the contribution of BiH and its citizens in the best way, while Chairman Burke recalled that the “Australian Parliament receives many offers for gifts, but rarely accepts them’’.
Fejzić explained that this work represents a summary of BiH carved into an Australian stone, and emphasized the combination of the star of David, cross and the crescent, which the artist calls the “Seal of Abraham”.
He added that this stećak combines the traditional with the modern, and that it is the first stećak outside our region.
Around 300 officials attended the ceremony, including a number of members of the Australian Parliament, ambassadors and BiH citizens.
Ambassador Arnaut said that the project is realized with the help of several BiH citizens, and a special thanks was expressed by the most successful BiH businessperson in Australia Fahrudin Šišić, without whose selfless assistance this project would not be feasible.
