Sevdalinka included in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

At the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage, which will be held in Paraguay from 2 to 7 December 2024, on 4 December, the sevdalinka entered into the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was made official. On this occasion, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports held a media conference where Sanja Vlaisavljević (Federal Minister of Culture and Sports), Mirela Miličević Šečić (Assistant to the Federal Minister of Culture and Sports) and Prof. Dr. Tamara Karača Beljak (full professor at the Department of Musicology and Ethnomusicology of the Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo).

After the performance of the sevdaline "Kraj potoka bistre vode" interpreted by Mensura Bajraktarević, Minister Vlaisavljević congratulated her on the extremely dedicated work and especially highlighted the contribution of her assistant Mirela Miličević Šečić, who was at the head of the team in the long process of entering the sevdaline on the UNESCO Representative List:

"Today is that solemn moment that the Federal Ministry, which was and was a candidate for Sevdalinka, has the opportunity to say that the process is over, I am sure to the great joy of all residents, not only of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but of all of Bosnia and Herzegovina."

She noted that she believes that this recognition will encourage further work on the promotion of sevdalinka and projects to preserve other numerous cultural expressions that are part of the cultural identities of our peoples.

Assistant to the Minister Mirela Miličević Šečić reflected on this multi-year complex process. She emphasized that by entering the UNESCO Representative List, sevdalinka became part of the cultural mosaic of the world as a worthy representative of the wealth of our country's intangible heritage, recalling that Bosnia and Herzegovina has so far entered snake embroidery, equestrian woodcarving, picking willow grass on Ozren, custom mowing on Kupres and breeding Lipizzaner horses.

She emphasized the importance of the initiative of the Association of Music Artists from Tuzla, and pointed to the exceptional professional support of representatives of the academic community from the University of Sarajevo and the University of Mostar in the preparation of the application document and the contribution of numerous representative interpreters of Sevdalinka, recognized writers and artists who are the authors and signatories of the letters, the most important segment of the nomination documentation.

Prof. Ph.D. Tamara Karača Beljak stated that the Music Academy of the University of Sarajevo is continuously working on promoting sevdalinka, as well as the traditional practice of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole. In addition to pointing out that the entry of sevdalinka proved that some other forms of traditional music of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be found on the UNESCO Representative List in the future, she recalled individuals, such as prof. Ph.D. Munib Maglajlić, and the former professors of the Academy of Music Mira Fulanović-Šošić and Jasna Hadžisalihović-Spaić, who with their research laid the foundations for the adequate valorization and inclusion of sevdalinka, but also other musical forms of Bosnian vocal, vocal-instrumental and instrumental music on the national cultural heritage list . She also pointed to the support of the heirs and bearers of the sevdalinka, both doyen and interpreters and researchers of the younger generation, whose interest and tireless engagement is an indication that the sevdalinka is an exceptional transformative and adaptive form that lives on.

Lidija Vladić-Mandarić, a professor at the University of Mostar and one of the participants in the process of registering sevdalinka on the UNESCO list, said in a written statement that this moment is not only a recognition of the past and a confirmation of the exceptional value of sevdalinka, but also a call to all of us to take responsibility for permanent protection of its strength and authenticity and passing it on as a priceless cultural treasure.

"Sevdalinka is not just a musical expression, it is a living history, a song that carries the voice of the people, a testimony of past times and the feelings that unite us."