Bosnian capital city was awarded another prestigious recognition as it was designated a new member of the UNESCO Network of Creative Cities, the news agencies reported on Thursday.
“This is another wonderful and positive news for Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The efforts to put the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina on this prominent list have been recognised,” said Sarajevo Mayor Abdulah Skaka.
The Network brings together cities that base their development on creativity either in music, arts and folk crafts, design, cinema, literature, digital arts or gastronomy.
According to Mayor Skaka, Sarajevo Film Festival (SFF) is the most important pillar of this success.
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“I also congratulate Mirsad Purivatra (SFF director) and his team as well as other film festivals and workers in the City of Sarajevo. To us and our citizens, this means the strengthening of a brand that carries a direct benefit, both developmental and financial, but it also brings back the confidence and a place that belongs to Sarajevo on European and global stage,” said the mayor.
Besides Sarajevo, the list of the creative cities of the film was also joined by Spain's Valladolid, Germany's Potsdam, India's Mumbai, and New Zealand's Wellington.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said that all over the world these cities each in its way make culture the pillar and not accessory of their strategy. “This favours political and social innovation and is particularly important for the young generations.”
The Network today totals 246 members with the 66 urban settlements designated to join as of October 31, which marks the World Cities’ Day.
“We are glad that Sarajevo joined the UNESCO Network of Creative Cities. Successful initiative and a quality application filed by Mayor Abdulah Skaka and the City of Sarajevo resulted in this recognition not only for the City of Sarajevo but also for the rich Bosnian film tradition and cultural heritage,” said SFF director Mirsad Purivatra.
This recognition opens door to Sarajevo for new partnerships and exchange of good practices with other cities within the UNESCO Network, he said.
