Minister Kurić presents results in the fields of culture and sports

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

This is the first time that a minister, at the very end of his mandate, decides to present in this way everything that was achieved during his term, and to those who financed it, the citizens of Sarajevo Canton, but also of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it was announced from the Government of Sarajevo Canton.

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

The Ministry's budget in 2015 amounted to 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 these are the largest investments 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 Sarajevo Canton, which is rare in these areas. It is even a higher percentage than in some European countries. Precisely thanks to that, we managed to realize a whole series of capital projects. In the segment of culture, 770 thousand KM was invested, while 2 million 120 thousand KM was invested in capital projects in the segment of sports”, Kurić said in his opening address.

Josip Pejaković, a leading actor of 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 person at the helm.

- Minister Mirvad Kurić recognized that he is at the service of culture and sports, and not that culture and sports are at the service of politics. That is, it seems to me, for the first time, and from my own experience I can confirm that - stated actress Jasna Diklić.

Minister Kurić in his address also emphasized pride that sports have become accessible to every child in Sarajevo Canton in the last three years. It is precisely such an approach to sports that has yielded excellent results.

- I must say that we have excellent cooperation with the Ministry and the minister in charge. Support was received not only by judo, but also by all top athletes coming from Sarajevo Canton - said BH judoka Larisa Cerić.

Jovan Divjak, on behalf of the association Education builds Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanked the minister for recognizing the idea that children 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 the mandate of Minister Kurić, support for the Sarajevo Film Festival gained new, strategic importance. Support was given to the festival's realization for the systematic inclusion of young authors and film workers in contemporary trends of film production through the project Sarajevo City of Film, which this year produced four short films and one feature film - 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 (Owl) from the inclusive play that will mark the opening of the reconstructed Youth Theatre, which becomes the first certified theatre in the region, accessible to all persons.

- Inclusion is not plays that are realized only within associations. True inclusion is to include all persons in every one of our activities - emphasized Kurić.

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

- Every recognition and letter of thanks is flattering, but I ask you not to thank me for what is my job and my obligation. Politicians have turned values around, so we think that thanks should be given when they only do their job, and that must be stopped - 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 the new minister. However, when such a large number of people set aside their time at the end of the mandate, it tells me that I did a good job, and I must say that I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful.

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