On 6 June 2008 Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of Delegation of European Commission to Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the Kid’s Festival opening ceremony organised in Sarajevo by NGO Via Kult. This five-day event will enable 40,000 children from entire Bosnia and Herzegovina to enjoy unique combination of movie screenings, entertainment, workshops, performances, fun, education and awareness rising.

“EU is running many projects in this country, a lot of them are very important, but I believe this is the most important project we have had in the last year”, highlighted Ambassador Kourkoulas and added: “This project is very important not only because of funds we have made available, but because of youth and children of this country.” Ambassador commended Ms. Susanne Prahl-Landžo, Manager of ViaKult Office for her initiative of organising this event for years and greeted the children visiting the Festival: “You have to be proud of your country, because it has beautiful rivers, mountains, nature and because this is the country of very prominent artists, writers, the country with very rich history”, said Ambassador Kourkoulas reconfirming the EU’s commitment to have Bosnia and Herzegovina a part of its family  Ambassador concluded his address by expressing his hope that the next year this Festival would gather children from the whole region.

Ms. Susanne Prahl-Landžo expressed her gratitude to Ambassador Kourkoulas and his team for the support provided by the EC Delegation to BiH, pointing out that this support would ensure that all children who expressed their interest to visit the Festival would have an opportunity to do so. “Thanks to your support we made thousands and thousands children happy and I hope this is the beginning of a long friendship.” said Ms. Prahl-Landžo.  

At the end of the presentation ViaKult handed over to Ambassador Kourkoulas the EU flag made of balloons while a clown that came from Italy to entertain BiH children performed a special show.

European Union provided 100.000 € for the organisation of Kids’ Festival in 2008 and 2009.

About Kid’s Festival  

Kid’s Festival is the largest manifestation for children and youth in BiH which has been organised for five years now by NGO ViaKult. This true children’s festival will provide five days of countless programme items, interactively joining education and entertainment for at least 40,000 children from the whole of BiH. During the Festival, children will have a chance to share and develop respect and understanding for other cultures through entertainment, dance and game. Entertainers from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and many other countries around the world will perform to BiH children.

For many children this will be the first discovery of Sarajevo as the capital of their country. Also, special efforts are undertaken to include children with special needs to this manifestation.

Festival will take place from 6 to 10 June 2008 in Zetra Hall in Sarajevo.

For more information please visit: www.kidsfest.ba