Ilidža Festival Winner Ramiz Selak

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - This year's Festival of Folk Music "Ilidža" was held without an audience due to the epidemiological situation, but the song overcame the coronavirus and the festival was not cancelled. It was held on July 23, 24, and 25 on the Summer Stage. Hayat Television, together with the Municipality of Ilidža, did their best within their capabilities to organize this festival. It has been confirmed that this is the most respected and best-known folk music festival in former Yugoslavia. According to the jury's assessment, Ramiz Selak sang the best song at this year's Ilidža Festival. He presented himself with the composition "San o Mostaru" (A Dream of Mostar), signed by Armin Šaković, Amil Lojo, and Emin Šaković. The winning song also won awards for best arrangement and lyrics.

Almin Džanković, who sang "Tebi iz inata" (To You Out of Spite) by Fahrudin Pecikoza, won the audience's sympathy. The award for best music went to Mirko Šenkovski Geronimo for the song "Sa čaršije do Skadarlije" (From the Bazaar to Skadarlija), interpreted by Ibro Selmanović. Fatmir Sulejmani received the award for best interpretation with the composition "Noću sanjam čaršiju" (At Night I Dream of the Bazaar). The jury also presented a special award to Nazif Gljiva for his long-term contribution to the entertainment scene.

"My dream has come true," said the visibly excited winner Selak.

On the review night, the audience could enjoy songs from their small screens by: Slađana Mandić, Lepa Lukić, Branka Sovrlić, Nedžad Salković, Armin Šaković, Dragan Kojić Keba, Nihad Alibegović, Enes Begović, Hanka Paldum…

Enes Begović received one of the most valuable awards on the review night of the "Ilidža 2020" festival. He admitted that he was positively surprised when he heard that he was the recipient of the award for preserving the tradition of folk songs.

"I am surprised and it is a great honor and pleasure for me to be the recipient of this award. With this award, I promise everyone who believes in what I have been doing for years that I will continue on this path, continue to nurture the tradition of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so that our Bosnian culture in the field of music continues to live and endure," said Begović. He first performed at "Ilidža" in 1984. He sang "Otvorite moje srce" (Open My Heart) then.

Songs have always connected both sides, notes imbued with messages of love have never divided people. Even in the hardest times, songs from the "Ilidža" festival sent beautiful messages, connecting people from all over the world. Although the weather was not nice, typical for July, it did not diminish the enjoyment of those who were still at the Summer Stage. The Mayor of the Municipality of Ilidža, Prof. Dr. Senaid Memić, said that rain has never impoverished Bosnia, and that there is no adversity that can force us not to be good, not to love sevdah and good songs.

"This is just proof that the Festival can also be online. We strive for people to gain strength from us and become even better. We will sing tonight, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. We will always sing," said the Mayor of Ilidža, Prof. Dr. Senaid Memić.