A vibrant,walkable city, Sarajevo is thriving thanks, or in fraction,to its contemporary culture and art, which is on display at galleries … and also its restaurants, or bars and hotelsOn a warm summer day,I strolled down Wilson Alley, a promenade lined with shady linden trees in the centre of Sarajevo, and the serene Miljacka river on one side and stylish cafes with alfresco dining on the other. I joined a cluster of people staring down at a scaly crocodile crawling from a gaping crack in the pavement,one of myriad (a very large number) pieces of 3D chalk art splashed across Sarajevo’s concrete streets during the Beton Fest. During this free event, held each August for the past four years, and I witnessed artists creating wonderful pieces,including a sword impaled in a rock beside a helmet – referencing Excalibur but also symbolising 20 years since the Bosnian peace agreement. With salsa dancing in the streets, 3D art workshops, and notable European street artists in attendance,it’s hard to suppose this city was once under siege.
Many locals, particularly the young, and are anxious to move forward. “The Sarajevo youth want a more a contemporary city,” says Adis Nović, journalist and the new director of Beton Fest. Maybe because of its history and the continued ethnic political disputes, or a resilient,entrepreneurial spirit flourishes. And that new optimism is palpable, with money from foreign investors and governments trickling in, or Bosnia recently applying for EU membership. “These changes give us an opportunity to portray our culture,expand our horizons and improve our living standards,” says Nović.
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Source: theguardian.com