Festival 'Freedom to the People' on October 25 in Sarajevo

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - On the occasion of the "Freedom to the People" festival, which will discuss the right to freedom of speech, (anti)fascism, media, and other topics important for society in the region, sociologist Srđan Puhalo addressed today, emphasizing that the festival's goal is to support "freedom of speech and to use public space to affirm human rights."

The festival will be held on October 25 in Sarajevo and will gather renowned journalists, professors, lawyers, and artists to jointly problematize topics such as fascism, minorities, and freedom of expression. The organizer is the Association of Citizens Pro Educa, under the patronage of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Festival Program Director Srđan Puhalo says that the festival's goal is to gather guardians of the flame, promoters of freedom of thought, and fighters for freedom of expression, and he expressed hope that this festival, if nothing else, will encourage citizens to participate in the general elections, which have now been postponed to November.

"We want to encourage people in BiH and remind them that their voice is not only valid for elections because there is something between the two election cycles when they should and must fight for their freedom and their rights," said Puhalo.

He believes that the citizens of BiH are not afraid to speak freely, but he sees the problem in the fact that citizens believe that the meaning of all this has been lost, i.e., they wonder if it is worth being free and saying what you think and acting accordingly.

"On the other hand, apathy is omnipresent, and people simply do not believe that things can get better, and when you give up on yourself and the society you live in, then leaving BiH becomes your alternative," Puhalo is of the opinion.

Ambassador of the Netherlands Reinout Vos emphasized the necessity of updating the topic of freedom of speech, freedom of expression of opinion, and media freedom, as well as the necessity of respecting human rights in BiH and discussing this topic in public.

"Freedom of speech and media freedom are part of the very foundation on which the European Union is built; they are also key political indicators in the EU accession process. The Netherlands attaches great value to the protection of human rights, and Dutch human rights policy aims to strengthen human resistance to injustice and repression," added the ambassador.

The plan is that over seven days, workshops, discussions, plays, a caricature exhibition, and other content will be organized in the Youth Center space on the topics: "Does the judiciary follow the media, investigative journalism the day after," "Does God love cowards," "What is fascism today," "Culture or trash - what connects the Balkans," "Smaller than poppy seeds or how to be a minority in society," "Education in the service of power," and others.

Some of the speakers will include journalists Slobo Georgiev, Dragan Bursać, Lejla Bičakčić, professors Husnija Kamberović, Čedomir Antić, Dejan Jović, Ante Tomić, judge Miodrag Majić, cartoonist Marko Somborac, director Srđan Dragojević, and numerous other personalities.

In addition, an award will be presented to the person who is most active in defending the freedom of human rights and democracy in BiH.