Measure I.2 Cross-border initiatives targeting the exchange of people and ideas to enhance the professional and civic society cooperation.
Project Title: The Bridge on the Drina
Project Budget:
| Project Value | EU Contribution | |
| Republic of Serbia | € 58,363.00 | €48,791.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | € 52,989.00 | €44,298.80 |
| TOTAL | €111,352.00 | €93,089.80 |
Beneficiary of funds in the Republic of Serbia: Association “Natan”
Beneficiary of funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Choir “Srbadija”
Partners:
Area of implementation:
- Serbia: Municipalities of Irig, Sremska Mitrovica, Bogatić, Šabac, Šid, Loznica, Valjevo, Užice, Prijepolje, and Priboj
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Municipalities of Brčko, Ugljevik, Tuzla, Foča, Zvornik, Doboj, Goražde, Lopare, Sarajevo, Bijeljina, and Višegrad
The target groups of the project: Wide population of 21 towns in the programme area where the concerts took place. Music schools in the target area and music students at the universities in Sarajevo and Bijeljina who were invited to the concerts.
Project duration: 01.12.2010. – 31.08.2011.
Project objectives:
The overall objective:
To create/expand the cooperative area between people and communities from Serbia/B&H border area.
The specific objectives of the project:
To strengthen cross border people to people interaction through joint activities in the field of culture.
Activities and results of the project
The string orchestra Kraljevski Gudači Svetog Đorđa from Serbia and choir Srbadija from Bosnia and Herzegovina rehearsed together, made new music pieces, and organised 22 concerts of classical music with ethno elements, 10 in Serbia (Irig, Sremska Mitrovica, Bogatić, Šabac, Šid, Loznica, Valjevo, Užice, Prijepolje and Priboj) and 12 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Brčko, Ugljevik, Tuzla, Foča, Zvornik, Doboj, Goražde, Lopare, Sarajevo, Bijeljina twice and Višegrad).
The audience was very supportive and appreciative in every town where the concerts were held. There were total of 3400 spectators on sites plus more via internet links that were provided at four locations (Sremska Mitrovica, Tuzla, Zvornik and Foča).The performers, accompanied by two project team members, travelled together over 4000 km and performed in 21 different towns. During that time, while varying in the level of professional experience (professional musicians on one side and amateur choir singers on the other), age (ranging from 18 to 64), ethnic background (Bosniac, Croatian, Roma, Serbian) and personal interests, they developed strong bonds, both professional and personal.
The focus of the project was on cultural diversity. The cultural program promoted musical traditions of both countries, which were then sublimed into one symbolic music piece, composed especially for the project ‘Drino, vodo’ (‘Drina, water’) as the Drina river is a natural border and common asset of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This and other pieces were performed throughout the cross-border region. The venue of the last concert strongly emphasized this concept, as it took place on the bridge over the Drina River in Višegrad, a symbolic connection of the two cultures. The concerts were free of charge which ensured wider attendance of the local community and citizens. All concerts were recorded on a DVD, which is also available on You Tube.
