The Fourth Coca-Cola Sarajevo Holiday Market (SAHM) was opened for visitors last evening with the lighting up of a 20 metre Christmas tree by Melvin Asin, Head of Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Sarajevo City Mayor, Ivo Komsic, Director of the USAID Mission in BiH, David Barth and Director of Coca-Cola Holiday Market , Alis Brkic.
Addressing the audience, Melvin Asin underlined the importance of events which promote the values of solidarity, peace, dialogue and cultural diversity. He recalled that Sarajevo has taken a leading place on the European and world stage in 2014 through the numerous sport, cultural and scientific events organised to commemorate the past century of European history, and to look at the challenges facing the region now and in the future.
“I hope that the Sarajevo Holiday Market will offer its best not only to citizens of Sarajevo but also to visitors here and that everybody will find something for themself, be it the work of Bosnian craftsmen, handmade pieces of art, jewellery, souvenirs, traditional product, food, exhibitions, plays or concerts…that it will be a place where people will connect,” he said.
The European Union provided support to this year’s Coca-Cola Sarajevo Holiday Market through its project “PHOENIX – Culture for future”, which is implemented by the Municipality Old Town Sarajevo, ZUP Baščaršija and the Foundation Sarajevo Navigator.
The Project “PHOENIX – Culture for the Future” is part of the EU funded Programme “Sarajevo 2014″ marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War, with the aim of sending a message of peace, reconciliation and solidarity around the world from Sarajevo.
SAHM is a joint project of the Zona unaprijeđenog poslovanja (ZUP Baščaršija) and the Sarajevo Navigator Foundation, founded under the guidance of the USAID – Sida FIRMA Project, and with support from the City of Sarajevo, a co-organizer of the Coca-Cola Sarajevo Holiday Market.
SAHM is a Market modeled after the well-known German Christmas Markets, but adjusted to reflect the unique Sarajevo environment and its citizens. It is open from December 10th till January 15th to cover the range of holidays celebrated by all the citizens of Sarajevo (Orthodox Christmas on January 7th, Orthodox New Year on January 14th, Hanukah, Christmas on the December 25th and New Year’s Eve). SAHM is a venue for crafts people and artisans from all across the country to display the best of BiH traditional craftsmanship and souvenirs. The market has a rich programme incorporating local bands, stage performances, presentations, thematic workshops, and other smaller and larger events.
More information on the Sarajevo Holiday Market available at: www.sahm.ba
