Sarajevo Winter Festival
Annual cultural festival in Sarajevo, Bosnia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sarajevo Winter Festival (Bosnian: Sarajevska zima; Serbo-Croatian Cyrillic: Сарајевска зима) is an annual international cultural festival held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 1984. It encompasses a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, theatre, visual arts, literature, and film. The festival serves as a platform for artists from around the world to showcase their work and engage with the local community.[1]
| Sarajevo Winter Festival Sarajevska zima | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multidisciplinary arts |
| Dates | February 7 – March 21 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Locations | Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Founders | Ibrahim Spahić |
| Website | sarajevskazima.ba |
History
Over the years, the festival has attracted thousands of artists and visitors.[2] By its 40th edition in 2025, the festival had hosted over 45,700 artists and cultural workers, presenting nearly 5,000 events.[3]
The festival is a member of the European Festivals Association (EFA).[4]
In 2019, the festival opened with the performance Buka i bijes ("Noise and Fury") by artist Braco Dimitrijević, where artists marched through Sarajevo's streets carrying messages of peace and coexistence.[5]
In 2017, the 33rd edition of the festival awarded the "Silver Snowflake" to Mila Melank and Collegium Artisticum for their exceptional contributions to the arts.[1]
The festival has also featured international collaborations, such as the Silk Road of Art program held at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[6]
In 2015, the festival included a Japanese Film Week.[7]
By its 40th edition in 2025, the festival had hosted over 45,700 artists and cultural workers, presenting nearly 5,000 events.[8]
Notable Editions
2018: 34th Edition – The Other Face of the World
The 34th International Sarajevo Winter Festival in 2018 was held under the slogan The Other Face of the World. The opening ceremony featured a concert by the Guardian Orchestra of Bulgaria, dedicated to the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Council of the European Union. The festival gathered 1,500 artists from 43 countries,.[9]
2020: 36th Edition – Time for You: Pick Up Art
The 36th edition of the festival in 2020, themed Time for You: Pick Up Art, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]