Summer on the Vrbas Festival Begins

(Patria) - The "Summer on the Vrbas" festival begins today with traditional jumps from the City Bridge in Banja Luka. 24 participants have registered for the jumps.

The Banja Luka Tourist Organization emphasizes that "Summer on the Vrbas" is one of the most recognizable summer events in the city, attracting a large number of visitors and lovers of nature, sports, and culture.

The program includes a range of activities for all generations, with a special focus on preserving tradition, active time in nature, and promoting the Vrbas River.

The Tourist Organization notes that the "Summer on the Vrbas" festival has changed its name over the years, but the jumps have always been a key event, followed by the dajak boat race.

The jumps are from a height of 12 meters into the approximately three-meter deep Vrbas River.

Due to the bridge jumps, traffic in Banja Luka will be closed in the streets near the City Bridge from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The eastern traffic lane in Cara Lazara Street will be occupied, from the roundabout, i.e., from Mirka Kovačevića Street to the City Bridge, across the bridge and in Patre Street, up to the roundabout.

During the closure, traffic will be regulated by the police.

As part of "Summer on the Vrbas," film screenings are also planned as part of an open-air cinema at Kastel Fortress and in Park oslobođenja.

Open-air screenings will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15 and 16, and July 21 and 22.

Sunday, July 20, is dedicated to families, where parents will teach children games from their childhood, as well as the "Water Sports Day" and "Dance Under the Stars."

On the last day of the festival, July 27, the traditional "Dajak Boat Race" is planned, as the central sporting event promoting Banja Luka's symbol - the dajak boat.

All activities are free and open to the public.

This year, the "Summer on the Vrbas" festival marks its 72nd anniversary. It was first organized by members of the Banja Luka Academics Club in 1953 under the name "Carnival on the Vrbas."