The history of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complex blend of culture, religion, and an effortless beauty of lush greenery and colorful rooftops. While the masses of media focus on a turbulent past and ever-changing border lines, the Bosnia and Herzegovina that exists today has many more appealing layers beyond a turbulent history, and now presents travelers with a unique opportunity to visit one of the most underrated countries in Europe without hoards of tourists to fight your way through (yet!). So without further ado, here are 7 reasons that why  you should not miss Sarajevo sooner rather than later…

1.- SARAJEVO FILM FESTIVAL

The Sarajevo Film Festival is the premier and largest film festival in Southeast Europe, and is one of the largest in Europe. It was founded in Sarajevo in 1995 during the siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian Independence War, and brings international and local celebrities to Sarajevo every year. It is held in August and showcases an extensive variety of feature and short films from around the world. The first Sarajevo Film Festival was held from 25 October to 5 November 1995. At that time, the siege of Sarajevo was still going on, and attendance projections were very low. However, a surprising 15,000 people came to see the films, of which there were 37 from 15 different countries. The festival grew at a remarkable pace now being the most prominent film festival in South-East Europe, attracting tens of thousands of people a year, as well as foreign celebrities such as Bono, Willem Dafoe, Angelina Jolie and many others.

Where : Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

When : 14. – 22. august 2015. 

2.- SARAJEVO FASHION WEEK

Everything is ready for the most influential fashion event in the country – Nivea Fashion Week Sarajevo – which is held from April 20th to April 22nd, organized by the Association of Models and Designers of B&H and in the executive production of the ABC Models agency Sarajevo. Festival, luxurious gowns of this fashion audience’s favorite are the most wanted in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Year after year, celebrating the power, strength and beauty of women, work sets new boundaries for domestic fashion design.

3.- INTERNACIONAL FESTIVAL SARAJEVO WINTER

The International Festival Sarajevo “Sarajevo Winter” is a traditional meeting place for artists and citizens from all over the world. The first “Sarajevo Winter” Festival was held from 21st December, 1984 to 6th April, 1985. In the course of twenty six years of its existence, the Festival has become an inseparable part of the city life. More than 3.252 performances and exhibitions with over 3.025.000 visitors and 30.010 participants from all parts of the world took place in the 1161 festival days. The idea was supported by the Sarajevo City Assembly and by 11.000 renowned personalities and institutions from the whole world.

4.-CULTURE AND EVENTS FESTIVALS “Baščaršijske Noći”

“Baščaršija Nights” is the traditional summer festival that takes place each year for the entire month of July on Sarajevo’s streets, squares, theaters, and galleries. The festival offers ballets and theater performances, exhibits, concerts of popular and classical music, and special programs for children and youth.

5.- INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL OF AUTHORING PROJECTS, “TEATAR FEST”

Is a point of meetings and views about contemporary theater flows and the development of theater in the world. It’s held in september in Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an international meeting point for young and professional artistic groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world, which are assembled within alternative theater expressions. “Teatar fest” is a unique international festival that brings up different artistic laboratories from all over the world, and, in this way, it is providing an exchange possibility for cultural progressive perspectives from different parts of the world. The interest of the festival is based on the promotion of authoring, alternative and experimental projects, which are exploring new spaces, visions and media.

6.- MESS – The International Theater Festival (MESS) was first created in 1960 under the name, Festival of Small and Experimental Scenes of Yugoslavia.

The festival itself is actually comprised of several different programs: World MESS is dedicated to plays from other continents; Europe MESS brings performances from Southeastern, Southern and Eastern Europe; Children MESS is intended for youngsters and Future MESS continues the tradition of the Festival of Small and Experimental Scenes by presenting the works of young and innovative theater professionals. Today MESS is the most prominent theater festival in Southeastern Europe and it’s the reason why so many international theater stars come to Sarajevo every year in early autumn. MESS is held from October 2 to 11, 2015.

7.- JAZZ FESTIVAL

The Jazz Fest Sarajevo is an international music festival, held annually in the first week of November in Sarajevo, and is the largest of its kind in Southeastern Europe. Jazz Fest Sarajevo is an annual celebration of contemporary music based on jazz and improvised music. The week-long event features well-known jazz musicians from around the world but also invites new and prospective artists for performances in several venues around the city. Since the festival’s inception, it has presented hundreds of musicians from 60 countries in more than 200 concerts. The festival is an independent and non-profit, and has existed since 1997, since when it is organized every first week in November.

THE BEST JAZZ IS WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT IT!