Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival Begins

(Patria) - Two evenings of the Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival lie ahead.

On this occasion, a press conference was held today where some of the upcoming events were announced.

The Mayor of Ilidža, Nermin Muzur, expressed his satisfaction with the return of this festival, whose tradition dates back to 1964, and which launched numerous famous names in folk music in the region.

- We, as the Municipality of Ilidža, together with BHRT, have done everything to restore the festival to its former glory. There is great interest in the festival, and I believe our summer stage will be filled to the last seat - said Muzur.

BHRT General Director Belmin Karamehmedović reminds that the former TV SA, of which BHRT is the legal successor, was also the initiator of this festival.

- I consider BHRT's return to Ilidža an obligation of the Public Service, as the then TV SA was the initiator of the festival.

It is a great pleasure to offer all our viewers a top-notch musical experience on both evenings.

I must emphasize the readiness of all the big regional stars whom we approached when we started the organization; they enthusiastically accepted our invitation.

We have tried to gather the best interpreters of folk music. Tonight is the first competition night, and we are sure that some of them will shine tonight and use Ilidža as a springboard in their careers - said Karamehmedović.

Snežana Đurišić, a member of the jury for this year's Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival, reminded the public that she has participated in this festival many times in the exhibition part.

- I don't enjoy being a jury member because someone always has to be second, third, and so on, and perhaps several of them should be first.

I always try to choose or give points to someone who truly shines as a singer, as a song, or as a composition.

Thank you for the trust placed in me, as I have participated in this festival many times in the exhibition part, and we had a great time here, which shows that you are a wonderful, cordial people.

At the same time, as a singer involved in folk music, I would ask you not to take breaks with this festival and to strive to preserve this sevdah and ensure that young people learn what the previous generation knew.

I am sure that these two evenings will be exactly what the audience wants, as well as the people from the organization - stated Đurišić.

Another name in folk music, Elvira Rahić, reminded that she has been present at the festival every year and that as a child she dreamed of being on that stage one day.

- I am glad that I am one of the hosts of the festival every year. My musical career is also tied to this festival. I dreamed as a child that I would one day be on this stage.

That is why I am extremely happy to be here with you every year and I will try to be here every year in the future. It is important that our music, folk music, has a stage like this, which it deserves - noted Rahić.

Nihad Alibegović is one of the performers who will perform in the exhibition part this year. He recalled the great names of folk music who are no longer with us but live on through their songs.

- It is my pleasure to be in the exhibition part of this festival again this year. This festival is also connected to my beginnings; as a young singer in the 80s, I participated in the festival.

I am glad that this year I will sing the song of Sejo Pitić, who recently left us. Those people who left us long ago are still with us through their songs.

I will sing a second song titled "Tako se u Bosni pjeva" (This is how one sings in Bosnia), which should summarize the entire evening; it is my new song, a saying by Dragan Stojković Bosanac, who also did the arrangement.

Everything else should be watched and listened to; whoever wants to come, let them come, they certainly won't regret it - emphasized Alibegović.

15 songs and performers are participating in the competition evening of the Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Ilidža, Nermin Muzur, and the General Director of BHRT, Belmin Karamehmedović, previously determined the order of performances of the selected songs at the Competition Evening by drawing lots from a drum, reports BHRT.

Compositions and order of participation in the competition:

1. Melodija

2. Da te zagrlim k'o Bosnu

3. Pjesmo moja

4. S tobom ću dalje tugo

5. Tvoja oka dva

6. Društvo staro

7. Tajna

8. Šta bih ja bez tebe draga

9. Da još si tu

10. Ja ne žalim što sam tebi srce dao

11. Imala sam biser dragana

12. Hanka

13. Sevdalinka stara

14. Jedan mi je život malo

15. Sevdalinka

Elmedina Laličić, Tamburaški orkestar "Fijaker", Merjema Alihodžić, Alem Kadić, Tanja Šeter, Ferid Avdić, Ansambl "Stara priča", Abid Sakalaš, Dejan Škuletić, Dejan Ćulum, Mejrema Bešlija, Jasmin Burek, Muamer Bjelak, Almin Džanković, and Nina Kraljić will compete for one of the awards in the live television broadcast.

The overall winner of the festival will be chosen, and awards will be given in various categories for the best arrangement, music, lyrics, interpretation, etc.

In addition to them, special guests, the renowned ensemble "Mostar Sevdah Reunion," will entertain the audience during the Competition Night.

Hanka Paldum, Snežana Đurišić, Dragan Kojić Keba, Miroslav Škoro, Nikola Rokvić, Muharem Serbezovski, Elvira Rahić, Slađana Mandić, Nedžad Salković, Ferid Avdić, Nihad Alibegović, Cecilija, Hamid Ragipović Besko, Šefćet Hamidović Ringo, and a surprise guest will perform at the Exhibition Night of the Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival.

You can watch the live broadcast of the Ilidža 2023 Folk Music Festival on both evenings on BHT1.