Minister Kurić presented the results of work in culture and sports

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In the crowded hall of the Sarajevo Youth Center, a presentation of all results in the segment of culture and sports achieved during the three-year mandate of Minister Mirvad Kurić was held today.

This is the first time that a minister, at the very end of his mandate, decides to present all that has been achieved during his mandate in this way, and to those who financed it, the citizens of the Canton of Sarajevo, but also of BiH, was announced by the KS Government.

- At the beginning, I must say that these are our common successes. Without your quality projects, such results would not be possible - stated Minister Kurić. Summarizing three years of work, the minister recalled that investments in culture are the largest in the last ten years.

The ministry's budget in 2015 was 25.5 million KM, and in this year 2018, it is 31.4 million KM. I can proudly say that, comparing the amounts from 2015 with 2018, the budget for sports has increased from 3 to 6 million KM, which is 100 percent, and this is the largest investment in sports since the founding of the Canton. The budget of the Ministry of Culture and Sports is 4.2 percent of the total budget of the Government of the Canton of Sarajevo, which is a rarity in this region. It is even a higher percentage than in some European countries. Precisely thanks to this, we have managed to realize a whole series of capital projects. 770 thousand KM was invested in the segment of culture, while 2 million 120 thousand KM was invested in capital projects in the segment of sports - Kurić said in his introductory address.

Josip Pejaković, head of drama at the National Theatre in Sarajevo, commented on the period of cooperation with Minister Kurić:

- The minister took office in difficult times, but he worked persistently, and it is a great honor for all cultural institutions to have such a man at their head.

- Minister Mirvad Kurić recognized that culture and sports are in his service, and not that culture and sports are in the service of politics. This is, I think, for the first time, and I can confirm it from my own experience - said actress Jasna Diklić.

Minister Kurić also emphasized in his presentation his pride that sports have become accessible to every child in KS in the last three years. Precisely such an approach to sports has yielded top results.

- I must say that we have excellent cooperation with the Ministry and the responsible minister. Support was received not only by judo, but also by all top athletes who come from the Canton of Sarajevo - said BiH judoka Larisa Cerić.

Jovan Divjak, on behalf of the association Education Builds BiH, thanked the minister for recognizing the idea that children who are victims of war are our permanent obligation and for supporting projects focused on inclusion.

- We should not vote for the past, but for the future, and young people are our present and future - stated Divjak.

- During Minister Kurić's mandate, support for the Sarajevo Film Festival gained new, strategic importance. Support was given to the realization of the festival for the systematic inclusion of young authors and filmmakers in contemporary film production trends through the Sarajevo City of Film project, which produced four short films and one feature film this year - emphasized Jovan Marjanović on behalf of the Sarajevo Film Festival directorate.

Visitors also had the opportunity to see a performance by Emina Tarić, with the piece Sova from an inclusive play that will mark the opening of the reconstructed Youth Theatre, which is becoming the first certified theatre in the region, accessible to all persons.

- Inclusion is not about plays realized only within associations. True inclusion is to involve all persons in every activity of ours - emphasized Kurić.

Representatives of the Travnik Muftiship and many other associations presented Minister Kurić with certificates of appreciation today for the support of their projects in the past period.

- Every recognition and certificate is impressive, but I ask you not to thank me for what is my job and my obligation. Politicians have reversed values, so we think we should be thanked when we just do our job, and that must stop - said Kurić.

Referring to the fact that over 500 cultural and public workers and athletes attended today's presentation, Minister Kurić stated:

- When such events are organized at the beginning of a mandate, a large number of attendees should not be surprising; everyone wants to see a new minister. However, when such a large number of people take their time at the end of a mandate, it tells me that I have done a good job, and I must say that I am deeply touched and sincerely grateful.

Minister Kurić especially thanked the media representatives for the successful cooperation achieved during his mandate, as well as for their support in further strengthening culture and sports in our country.