KULTURA / CULTURE
WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL Sarajevo celebrates film
The Sarajevo Film Festival will be at the centre of world film art once again from 12 th to 19 th August, when it will bring together the greatest authors and projects for the 28 th time
CREATED IN A DESIRE TO CELEBRATE THE CITY’S cosmo- politan spirit, the Sarajevo Film Fes- tival has grown to become an inter- national festival with a special focus on the region of Southeast Europe, thanks to which the region’s films, talented artists and future projects are brought to the centre of atten- tion of the international film public. Film screenings, industry meet- ings and events unfold at several locations throughout the festival, including the Sarajevo National Theatre, where the Festival Square is located, and the Coca-Cola Open Air Cinema, featuring films from the festival’s Open-Air programme and representing the largest festival lo- cation, where more than 3,000 film lovers gather for screenings under the stars on the largest screen in the region; but also Meeting Point Cin- ema and numerous other locations across the city. Guests of this festival have in- cluded the world’s biggest stars: Rob- ert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Oliver Stone, Bono, Nick Cave, Er- ic Cantona and many others. And this August will once again provide an opportunity for you to encounter greats of filmmaking, enjoy the best films and have a great time. And de- spite these being quite enough rea- sons to add Sarajevo to your list of this summer’s desirable destinations, there are many other reasons to vis- it this beautiful city, a few of which we bring you here… Baščaršija At the heart of Sarajevo’s Old Town, the 15 th Century Baščarši-
ja, Old Bazaar, is a maze of cobbled streets filled with shops selling jewel- lery, pottery and souvenirs. The shop fronts spill onto the narrow streets, where gleaming copper stalls and tra- ditional coffee sets catch the eye at every turn. Browse the traditional handicrafts, indulge in the local cof- fee and Bosnian ice cream, and ad- mire the architecture of a bygone time. Pigeons at Sebilj Fountain Sebilj is a spot where Sarajevo folk gather, a place where first loves are born, and a drinking fountain that locals rarely pass without tak- ing a sip of water. One of Sarajevo’s most recognisable landmarks, Sebilj Fountain is a must see in the city. Legend has it that those who drink from the fountain will return to Sa- rajevo. As well as attracting tourists, this pseudo-Ottoman style fountain is also a magnet for pigeons, which is why the area is often referred to as Pigeon Square. Sunset at the Yellow Fortress Built in the early 1700s, the Yel- low Fortress is one of the most pop- ular observation points in Sarajevo, with crowds gathering at the fortress every evening to watch the sunset. Not much remains of the fortress it- self, but the spectacular views of Sa- rajevo make this a must see. Beys’ Mosque The 16 th -century Bey’s Mosque exudes serenity and beauty, and al- so represents the pinnacle of Saraje- vo architecture. Built in 1532, it is a striking example of the Ottoman ar-
chitecture that characterises the city. Its interior is adorned with texts from the Quran, while the multi-domed exterior area includes a beautiful courtyard with a fountain. Ride the cable car The beautiful Mount Trebević was serviced from 1959 by a gondola ca- ble car lift that would ferry passen- gers from urban Sarajevo to this lush green mountain. Operations were re- stored in April 2018, after a 26-year break, so visitors can once again take this majestic ride and explore the de- lightful Trebević scenery. A total of 32 gondola cable cars make the two-kilo- metre journey from the city centre. Retrace the 1984 Winter Olympics Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Win- ter Olympics, which required a bob- sleigh and luge track to be construct- ed at the top of Mount Trebević. It’s still possible to walk the length of the track today, which is covered in graf- fiti and surrounded by overgrowth, but nonetheless retains its historical and sporting significance. Eat ćevapi When hunger pangs strike, there’s only one thing for it: a plate of ćevapi. Grilled minced beef is fash- ioned into elongated patties shaped like small sausages. A portion con- sists of at least five of them, which are served in pitta bread or flatbread and accompanied by onions and sauce. Ćevapi evolved into a local staple dur- ing the centuries of Ottoman occu- pation and can today commonly be found in restaurants, but also as pop- ular street food.
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