Merlin's concert costs 250,000 KM: Easy until the 1st, but what about after?

By: Amra Varatanović

The initial offer from BiH singer-songwriter Dino Merlin and his management team for the public New Year's Eve celebration in Sarajevo was worth almost half a million KM! The City Administration rejected the offer, stating that it exceeded the allocated budget, and new negotiations followed. The second, "cheaper" offer of 250,000 KM was accepted, and the organization of an "unprecedented spectacle" in Sarajevo began.

The BiH public was and still is divided. While some believe that this pleasure costs us dearly, others, including the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Elmedin Konaković, are of the opinion that there will be benefits from the number of tourist arrivals and that Sarajevo will be packed with guests from the region and other parts of the world that night.

It is known that Sarajevo has always been an interesting destination for New Year's holidays, so it is even stranger that it is only now being emphasized that numerous tourists are expected. If we recall last year, due to the terrorist attack at the end of November, numerous arrangements were canceled. It is interesting that we have a similar campaign before this New Year, and the question is whether thousands of guests from Croatia and Serbia can really be counted on that night in the BiH Square.

Merlin, speaking at the official presentation of the program, said that he would put on a concert that night on par with European productions. We are sure that Sarajevans, as well as guests, would come to the Magician's concert even without that European production.

It is difficult to remain indifferent in this situation and not wonder if it is moral to give so much money while public kitchens in Sarajevo are barely functioning, and hundreds of our fellow citizens rely on them for their only meal, while the Parent's House for children suffering from cancer still lacks permanent funding, while there are too many socially vulnerable people, while there are 70,000 unemployed in Sarajevo Canton...

A shining example of morality came from Kakanj these days. Although a public New Year's Eve celebration was planned, Mayor Nermin Mandra and his associates abandoned the idea and directed the allocated funds towards the treatment of a seriously ill fellow citizen. In just two days, 130,000 KM was collected.

Merlin's concert is jointly financed by the City Administration with four city municipalities, as well as Sarajevo Canton. As the people say: easy until the 1st, but what about after the 1st?