On October 4, the traditional Gathering of Slovenian Choirs in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in the Banja Luka Youth Center, which has long since become a meeting point for various cultural events in our city.
As usual, in addition to the hosts — the Davorin Jenko Mixed Choir — and the Slovenčice and Camerata Slovenica choirs, which operate within the framework of fraternal associations from Tuzla and Sarajevo, we also had guests from Slovenia: the Studenec Singing Group from Pivka.
The Gathering presented a diverse program in which, of course, Slovenian traditional and folk songs, adapted for choral performance, as well as original compositions, predominated. The repertoire included both old-fashioned and popular songs, and even numbers inspired by the musical heritage of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Choir Davorin Jenko, led by Vanja Topić Vještica, surprised the audience by introducing a short play in the interpretation of the song “Ne luduj, Lelo”.
The Tuzla’s Slovenčice performed the composition “Neki novi klinci” by Đorđe Balašević and brought many back to the past and awakened a feeling of nostalgia. They performed with the piano accompaniment of professor Amila Rančić, and under the guidance of Mirela Ibrahimović Mehanović, who showed all the splendor and beauty of her voice in the solo part of the joint song “Slovenija, od kod lepote tvoje” at the end of the concert.
The Sarajevo Camerata Slovenica choir, which consists mainly of young singers, under the young conductor Alek Isaković, lived up to expectations and demonstrated the highest level of choral singing. Their performance of the song “Slobodi” by Vlado Milošević, inspired by the Zmijanje melody, left a strong artistic impression with elements of traditional singing, which in a special way depicts the connection between the people and the country.
The gathered singers, members and supporters of the Association of Slovenians Triglav Banja Luka, as well as fans of choral music, were addressed by the President of the Association Mladen Lunić on behalf of the event organizers. After the program, the newly appointed Consul of the Slovenian Consulate in Banja Luka, Zvone Žigon, also greeted the attendees. The event was moderated by a member of the Association, Bernarda Pleša.
The event was also recorded by Radiotelevision of the Republic of Srpska, and the report will be broadcast on the show Mala Evropa. After the concert, the socializing continued in the pleasant atmosphere of the Hotel Ćubić, where the guests were accommodated.
Another wonderful evening of choral singing and togetherness showed that music brings people together, transcends borders and spreads joy.
Mladen Lunić
