Today, starting at 12 o’clock, a programme was held on the Promenade of Culture in front of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports to mark the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Development, which is celebrated worldwide every year on 21 May.

The programme started with the official opening song, after which Minister Sanja Vlaisavljević opened the event by greeting numerous guests gathered on the Promenade.

After Minister Vlaisavljević, the guests were addressed by the Head of the UNESCO Antenna Office in Sarajevo, Siniša Šešum, who explained that the World Day for Cultural Diversity, Dialogue and Development was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly as a part of the Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which conveyed a very simple message that cultural diversity was essential to humanity, just as biodiversity was essential to nature.

The opening remarks were concluded by Nedžad Jusić, a member of the Council of National Minorities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who thanked the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports for its continuous support, stressing that the Roma community’s advocacy for its rights as one of the most present ethnic communities in our region would certainly not be possible without that support.

The musical part of the program featured the Roma Orchestra from Tuzla, which shared its artistic energy with the enthusiastic audience.

After the musical programme, Alena Džebo, an actress and associate of the “Life with Down Syndrome” Association, announced the performance of a part of the documentary theatre play “Up and Down” directed by Ermin Bravo, starring young performers with Down syndrome. A part of the play was performed today on the Promenade of Culture by Anes Kujović and Edna Šunjić, an employee of the Ministry.

A particularly emotional moment followed with the performance of the anthem of the “Oaza” Association from Sarajevo, performed by the choir of the Association’s residents.

In the final segment of the programme, the boundaries between the audience and the performers were erased and an informal gathering followed with additional musical compositions by the Roma Orchestra from Tuzla, which duly rounded off the celebration of cultural diversity.