A Celebration of Bosnian Folklife
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Thanks to a Folk Arts Project grant, in 2005 the Bowling Green International Festival showcased Bosnian heritage. In addition to an extensive display in the park on Bosnian culture, foodways demonstrations, and a chess tournament, the Bosnian club, Armin Hasanagic and the Small World Singers presented traditional music and dance onstage.
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Foodways: Visitors were able to watch Bosnian Club members Mirzet Mustafic, Grabus Mirsad and Ivica Brekalo make Cevapi and try a free sample. Cevapi or sometimes Chevapi is the name of a popular dish in the Balkans commonly associated with Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are small grilled rolls of minced beef and pork. They are usually served with chopped onions, and butter milk. The best cevapi are reputed to be made at Sarajevo, although the cevapi from Banja Luka also have a high reputation. Bosniaks, because they are largely Muslims usually make the meat from lamb instead of pork. The meal probably originates from the Turkish kebab. The shish kebabs are called sis cevapi.
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Kolo Dance & Bosnian Band: Under the direction of Suad Karic a Lexington choreographer, ladies from the club including Hadjiomerovic Razija, Grabus Amira, Hibic Jela, Hidic Ambla and Mirhet, Hidic Nevresa, Lipljankic Safija and Beganovic Sahzija performed traditional dances. Musicians Ibro Alic, Mustafic Zekir (sargija) and Hadzikadunic Elvir (Harmonika) offered a concert and accompanied the dancers on several of their dances. The audience was taught some of the steps so they could dance along.
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One featured dance, Starobosansko Kolo Danas is an example of a "silent dance", performed with no instrumental music accompaniment. The dance originated in the Glamoc Valley in Bosnia. This ancient ritual dance dates from the five century long domination of the Balkans by the Ottoman Empire. In many areas, the Turkish overlords forbade dancing in order to break down the strong native culture. The defiant peasants retreated to the mountains and danced in silence, accompanied only by the jingle of the coins and the pounding of the dancers' feet. It was performed at public gatherings, such as a local patron Saint's day, regional and national holidays, and weddings.
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One of the functions of dancing was to test the health of the dancers, particularly unmarried women, before family arrangements were made for marriage. During this dance, families kept an eye on the village girls to see which one could dance the longest and jump the highest. It was not unusual for the men of the family to take turns dancing with the prospective bride to test her endurance.
The silent dance has a dance leader/caller, or kolovodja, who is either male or female depending upon the requirements of the dance. In Starobosansko Kolo, first a female, then a male leads the dance. He or she gives verbal or movement cues to designate the change of steps, rhythm, dynamics or pattern of the dancing. The kolovodja is usually recognized as the most skilled and dynamic dancer within the dance group.
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Art Demonstration: Local artist Mirzet Mustafic invited guests to help paint a collage during the festival. He chose the old bridge of Mostar as the subject of the collage and used the opportunity to discuss the meaning the historic monument holds for his countrymen. The bridge designed by the renowned architect, Sinan was destroyed along with most of the city in the 1990 conflict but was recently reconstructed.
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| According to the United Nations website, "The Old Bridge area, with its pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architectural features is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. The reconstructed Old Bridge and Old City of Mostar is a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities. With the “renaissance” of the Old Bridge and its surroundings, the symbolic power and meaning of the City of Mostar - as an exceptional and universal symbol of coexistence of communities from diverse cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds - has been reinforced and strengthened, underlining the unlimited efforts of human solidarity for peace and powerful co-operation in the face of overwhelming catastrophes." |
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Armin Hasanagic & Small World Singers: Armin presented both original and traditional Bosnian music. Armin also served as Artistic Director for the Small World Singers. The group of children from the Bosnian community gathered at the Bowling Green International Center to learn traditional Bosnian songs. Most of the kids were able to perform at the Global Fest in Glasgow before coming to the Bowling Green International Festival.
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| The Bosnian Club also presented pictures and descriptions of their activities since their formation 11 years ago. Some of their favorite activites include chess tournaments, fishing derbies and soccer.
They have participated in the Bowling Green International Festival from the beginning. The Presenting Bosnia project enabled the club to expand their participation. This year more Bosnian artists and community members than ever were able to particpate in the festival and share their culture with their new friends in Kentucky.
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The Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet has provided funding for Presenting Bosnia with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
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