Amendment signed for the completion of the new building of the Academy of Performing Arts of the University of Sarajevo

Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth of the Sarajevo Canton, Prof. Dr. Dušanka Bošković, and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Renaud Meyer signed Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement on Co-financing the Construction of the New Building of the Academy of Performing Arts of the University of Sarajevo.

The signing was also attended by the Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, and the Dean of the Academy of Performing Arts, Prof. M.A. Lejla Jusić.

The amendment increases the total value of the agreement by four million KM and now totals 7.5 million KM. The funds are intended for the continuation of activities on the construction of this building within the project "Infrastructure Development Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina", implemented by the UNDP.

All contracting parties expressed their hope that the building will soon be completed and made available to students and the academic community, which has been waiting for this project for more than 15 years.

Prime Minister Uk said that the completion of the construction remains one of the clear priorities of the cantonal government.

"The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the academic community have been waiting for this project for more than 15 years. We are doing our best to complete the construction works this year and equip the building. If everything goes according to plan, students will spend the next academic year in these premises. The ASU building will become a unique space for the development of talents and raising standards in education," said Prime Minister Uk.

Minister Bošković emphasized that this project has a much broader significance than the construction itself.

"The Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Youth is following this project with great interest and we hope to soon complete the Academy of Performing Arts building, as it is a very important facility not only for higher education, but also for culture in the Sarajevo Canton. We must constantly remind ourselves how much art academies have contributed to the development of this city and the recognition of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regionally and internationally. This building is a measure of everything that our artists offer us, and we will only now provide them with conditions that are measurable for their artistic contribution," said Minister Bošković.

UNDP Resident Representative Renaud Meyer emphasized that UNDP is proud to support the construction of the Academy of Performing Arts building, contributing to the creation of better opportunities for future generations of students and artists.

"We remain committed to being a reliable and long-term partner to the Government of Sarajevo Canton in the implementation of priority infrastructure and development initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and improving the quality of life of citizens," said Meyer.

Rector Zaimović and Dean Jusić thanked the partners for their support, saying that after 15 years of waiting, they can't wait for students in the new building - which, they emphasized, will be a turning point for art education in Sarajevo.

The building of the Academy of Performing Arts was designed according to the award-winning conceptual design by architect Jonus Ademović, selected in an international competition that received more than 30 works from all over the world, and the commission was chaired by director and Oscar winner Danis Tanović. The facility, with a total area of ​​5,500 square meters, will contain a small and large stage, acting rehearsal rooms, post-production rooms, a small TV studio and supporting facilities, all adapted to the needs of a modern art academy.