At the Cantonal Hospital in Zenica, the heart of the great man and actor Haris Burina, aged 61, stopped beating forever on Tuesday.

Earlier, he had been diagnosed with cancer and had been experiencing bleeding in recent days but did not seek medical attention.

Haris Burina was a Bosnian film, television, and theater actor who became widely known for his role in the comedy series “Crazy, Confused, Normal.” Some of the films in which Haris acted include “When Father Was Away on Business,” “Operation Cartier,” “Father and Sons-in-Law,” and “Nafaka.” In the 1980s, he was considered one of the most famous actors in the former Yugoslavia.

In 1982, Haris enrolled in the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, specifically the Acting Department under the mentorship of professor, actor, and director Emir Kusturica. During his studies, he played notable roles in many theatrical and film projects such as “Audition,” “Tattooed Theater,” “When Father Was Away on Business,” “Kuduz,” and others.

Personal Life

Haris Burina was born on February 2, 1963, in Zenica. He encountered acting in his early childhood and felt a calling and love for the theater. As a child, he acted in numerous school plays where he saw how the audience enjoyed various humorous stories. This encouraged him to start performing recitations at his elementary school at the age of eight. He soon became a member of the children's drama group at the National Theater in his hometown of Zenica. Over time, Haris received praise from everyone and was predicted to have a prosperous acting career.

Regarding his love life, he married actress Uranela Agić in 2010. Uranela was also born in Zenica and graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Tuzla in 2005. They were united by their shared love for the theater. Their wedding was reported by many media outlets, but they wanted to celebrate it with family and friends. Along with relatives and friends, members of the band “Zabranjeno pušenje,” with whom Haris had successfully collaborated, attended the wedding celebration. In 2020, he confirmed that he and Uranela had divorced.

Career

Haris Burina belonged to the second generation of actors from the Sarajevo Academy. While attending the academy, he acted in cult plays “Audition” and “Tattooed Theater.” Besides Haris, the play “Audition” featured well-known actors and his colleagues such as Senad Basic, Emir Hadžihafizbegovic, Mladen Nelevic, Branko Djuric, and many others.

Towards the end of his studies, he acted in the cult film “When Father Was Away on Business” in 1985. After graduating from the Academy of Performing Arts, Burina became a member of the Belgrade Drama Theater Ensemble, making him one of the most sought-after actors of that time.

Due to the circumstances, primarily the war in Bosnia, Haris moved to France. However, his love for acting and creativity did not cease with his move abroad. In France, he founded the cult theater “La Fenetre,” where his most famous play “Birds of Sarajevo” was performed. This play participated in prestigious festivals and competitions across Europe, winning awards.

Later, he returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where renowned directors eagerly welcomed him and offered him new roles. He made notable performances in films like “Nafaka,” “Heavens Over the Landscape,” and “Go West.”

Haris Burina excelled in comedic series. He acted in the well-known series “Crazy, Confused, Normal,” where he seamlessly fit into the cast alongside top actors such as Emir Hadzihafizbegovic, Mustafa Nadarevic, Senad Basic, Moamer Kasumovic, and Tatjana Sojic.

Besides that series, he also acted in “Military Academy,” where his sense of humor once again shone, further boosting his popularity. Alongside Haris, actors such as Anja Stanic, Mirsad Tuka, and Branko Janković also performed in the series.

Haris Burina worked on various projects, resulting in a friendship with members of the band “Zabranjeno pusenje,” with whom he later collaborated professionally. Their collaboration produced the film “Ballad of Pišonja and Žuga,” inspired by the band’s song of the same name.

Haris is the author of the monodrama “Corkan,” inspired by Ivo Andric’s story “Corkan and the German Girl.” He dedicated the monodrama to his father, tied to the story of its creation. During the Bosnian war, Haris sent packages with food and money to his parents from France. Since the packages did not return, Haris knew his parents were alive. However, one package was returned, leading him to conclude that his greatest fear had come true. When he opened the package, he found a letter from his father, who had no other way to contact him, along with the story “Corkan and the German Girl.”

In 2014, Haris premiered his first stand-up comedy, “This and That and Everything,” which received positive reviews from critics and audiences across the region and beyond.

He also acted in the plays “Epitaph” (2016) and “So Said Lepi” (2017), and in early 2019, it was announced that he would return to the series “Crazy, Confused, Normal,” where he first appeared in 2007 as the businessman Jakov.

Major Achievements

Haris Burina played roles in numerous films, series, and plays, and his talent was recognized by both the audience and juries at various festivals. For his role as Veselin in the play “Epitaph,” he received the Best Acting Performance Award at the Comedy Festival “Mostar’s Liska” in 2016, and a year later, he won the same award for his role in the comedy “So Said Lepi.”