Performances by the biggest stars of the domestic and regional music scene concluded the Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival.

(Patria) - The Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival was officially concluded with a Gala Night featuring performances by major stars of the folk music scene.

On the crowded Ilidža Summer Stage, great names such as: Hanka Paldum, Snežana Đurišić, Dragan Kojić Keba, Nikola Rokvić, Muharem Serbezovski, Miroslav Škoro, Elvira Rahić, Slađana Mandić, Nedžad Salković, Ferid Avdić, Nihad Alibegović, Cecilija, Hamid Ragipović Besko, Šefćet Hamidović Ring, and Nedžad Salković entertained all visitors with their songs.

Before the start of the gala night, a posthumous plaque was awarded to our best sevdalinka performer, Safet Isović. The plaque was accepted by his son Benjamin Isović, and presented to him by the Mayor of Ilidža Municipality, Nermin Muzur.

The plaque was awarded to him for his exceptional contribution to folk music creation and the preservation of the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mayor Muzur emphasized that the Ilidža Festival is a tradition and that the Ilidža Municipality will continue to nurture and preserve what it is known for throughout the region.

"We are proud that the Ilidža Festival has returned in its full glory after so many years. The beautiful atmosphere, beautiful songs, and a full Summer Stage are just indicators of how much we all missed it.

My heart is truly full, and the greatest reward are the comments from the music stars who performed, and who highlighted that Ilidža and the Ilidža Festival are special, that there is a special energy, and that Ilidža is a place that connects and shares beautiful emotions.

This festival has produced many famous singers and they say it was a benchmark for folk music singers, and it was considered that whoever won and performed at the Ilidža Festival had a guaranteed good career.

We hope it will remain so because we will continue to nurture our tradition, and this festival certainly is that," said Mayor Muzur.

The great stars of the folk music scene who were guests of the festival expressed special emotions towards Ilidža and the Ilidža Festival.

Snežana Đurišić pointed out that everything performed at this festival becomes and remains a hit.

"What is important is that Ilidža is here again, and I sincerely hope, believe, and pray for people to cherish Ilidža, and as long as I am able, I will always come at your every call," said Đurišić.

Nikola Rokvić emphasized the importance of the festival and the fact that he grew up with it, and through the performances of his father Marinko Rokvić, he learned the significance of "Ilidža" in the entire region.

"As long as I can remember myself, I have known about Ilidža; my father always told me about his beginnings, about the importance of the festival in the entire former Yugoslavia. How many names and hits this festival has produced, and that sense of seriousness is still felt," emphasized Rokvić.

Also, during the Gala Night, Dragan Kojić Keba premiered his new musical piece “Sarajevo”.

With beautiful hits from his opus, visitors enjoyed the songs of Hanka Paldum, who addressed the audience after her performance, and in an emotional speech, urged us to spread love in order to ensure peace and a better future for ourselves.