Darija Matijević, Bijeli Brijeg, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Amidst the bustling crowd
Author: Darija Matijević
“Are you planning to join the Summer Fest this year?” became a recurring question in early May. “Honestly, I am hesitant. It coincides with my exams, and salvaging my academic year remains my utmost priority…” I responded with a knowing smile, fully conscious that this has been my annual mantra. Yet, in keeping with my consistent habits, I find myself, for the sixth consecutive year, journeying to the acclaimed Summer Fest. As I sifted through this year’s lineup of talent, I couldn’t help but wonder if the festival’s planners had hit a creative wall, seemingly recycling the same or similar musicians in a monotonous loop. Nevertheless, as a true inhabitant of Mostar, I couldn’t resist expressing a dash of skepticism, even if it’s directed towards a lone shining light in our urban cultural panorama, one that invariably stirs currents of positivity, warmly welcomes both the young and the old, inspires laughter, and nurtures a sense of unity. When I allude to unity, it may come across as a trite phrase that a pageant queen would incorporate into her speech, along with the traditional appeal for global peace.
However, without a doubt, those who attend Mostar Summer Fest, whether they are locals or visitors from afar, demonstrate a vibrant and practically tangible embodiment of unity, particularly throughout those exhilarating three days. Even if you were among those who expressed dissatisfaction with certain performers and attended for other reasons, witnessing the sheer joy and excitement of the crowd during a performance and immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere would inevitably draw you into the same state of elation. The contagious energy spreads rapidly, enveloping everyone in its path. Observing the radiant smiles and enthusiastic dances of teenagers swaying to the music of Grša or witnessing an older couple deeply in love swaying to the tunes of Bajaga would undoubtedly evoke a desire to join in the laughter and dance until the early hours. And let us not forget the indescribable sensation that overwhelms you when your beloved band graces the stage.
This year, on the third evening of the festival, there was an unexpected summer shower. Although it was sporadic, it made outdoor activities quite unpleasant. Since I had bought a festival ticket, I had intended to attend the final evening. After discussing with my friends, we hesitated as we thought there might be fewer people and the usual atmosphere could be lacking. However, once the rain had stopped, we decided to go anyway because we weren’t going to let a little rain spoil our plans. As we arrived at the festival, I couldn’t help but smile to myself because I consistently underestimate the resilience of our people. The festival carried on without interruption; people were singing and dancing in the rain. During those three days, problems, worries, skepticism, indecision, second-guessing, and fear seemed to fade away. Good vibes permeated every corner, every glass raised, every joke shared, and every lyric sung.
The young volunteers never complained about their fatigue, despite not receiving any payment or reward. Their satisfaction came from being part of our annual story, where no one judged their background or beliefs. Only the present moment and the enjoyment it brings matter. Headlines like “Mostar’s Summer Festival Begins” or “Excitement Builds in Mostar” have been promoting the event for months, inviting non-residents to join our excitement. Mostar has always been and should always be an open and welcoming city. These festivals show that culture is more than just pronunciation or book knowledge. It’s about smiles, good manners, music, and embracing others. Culture introduces us to new artists and their messages. It’s about revisiting familiar performances and appreciating their growth. Culture means making toasts and drinking with friends, clapping and cheering, singing songs by heart, dancing with others, talking to strangers, and making new connections.
These are the enchantments of the festival, particularly our “small” Mostar Summer Fest. Someone in the crowd remarked, “This is a revival of the joyous celebration of life that we’ve been longing for!” It resonates with all of us. It’s not about false optimism or emphasizing informality, wild behavior, and a lack of obligations. Mostar Summer Fest is an event where the most wonderful ideas come to life.