“Banja Luka Creative” CONFERENCE – START OF COLLABORATION WITH THE BRITISH COUNCIL

We have formalized the beginning of our collaboration with the British Council with an event on our own turf – in the creative industry.

Specifically, the City of Banja Luka hosted the two-day “Banja Luka Creative” conference, supported by the British Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the British Council, with Aquarius taking care of the event organization, production, and public relations. The conference brought together numerous professionals from the creative industries in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom, uniting them through the exchange of experiences and good practices with the goal of strengthening the creative economy in these regions.

“Cities are much more than concrete and steel. We must make space for the actual soul of the city – the creatives and artists who give it life and character,” stated Julian Riley, the British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conference opening.

The City of Banja Luka and the British Council took this opportunity to sign a memorandum of understanding, confirming their commitment to further deepening collaboration in the field of creative industries.

“The creative economy is a wonderful phrase – that people can earn a living through their creativity, artistry. We want to initiate such a platform, where someone who is involved in music, film, video games, fashion, and all areas of graphic design and creation has the opportunity to earn a living and reside here,” emphasized Draško Stanivuković, Mayor of Banja Luka.

During the working part of the conference, speakers, including some of the leaders of the creative industry in the United Kingdom, generously shared their extensive experience with Bosnian creatives. Discussions also covered ways to improve one’s creative work, foster connections, and methods for more successful promotion and securing better cultural infrastructure in places where creatives live and work.

As the culmination of this creative gathering, a DJ set by Daddy G, one of the founders of the iconic British band “Massive Attack,” was held at the end of the conference.