Most Mira’s annual youth art festivals in rural Prijedor are results of year-round planning activities that include training opportunities for young people in leadership development, workshop facilitation and conflict resolution.
Youth Art Festivals
Our youth art festivals are annual celebrations for the young people of Prijedor to cross nationalist divides, explore new artistic talents, and make new friends. Read more about our past three festivals in 2009, 2010, 2011 and what we have planned for 2012.
Festival 2011: Journeys
Most Mira’s third youth arts festival took place from 16th to 21st May 2011. More than 450 pupils from six primary schools and youth groups in the Prijedor municipality took part in a week-long series of creative arts workshops. These students spent the week with 110 volunteers from all over the world, learning new skills and making new friends. On the final Festival day they put on a performance for their friends, parents and local residents.
Festival 2010: Dreams of the Future
Most Mira’s second festival was set up and organised by 93 volunteers from 16 countries, including 22 young volunteers from local organisation, Demokratija Organizovanje Napredak (DON: Democracy Empowerment Progress), an NGO encouraging volunteering amongst youth, based in Prijedor. A total of 412 Bosniak, Croat and Serb children and young people participated in joint workshops in art, circus skills, dance, drama, music and photo-journalism.
Festival 2009: Nature
Most Mira’s first festival was held from 11th-1th May, 2009, and was a six day event, with five days of workshops and one festival day. Nearly 350 school children came to the festival in the village of Kevljani in the Prijedor Municipality, and engaged with 68 volunteers from 14 countries who facilitated different art, drama, music, dance and circus skills workshops.
Year Round Activities
Thanks to the excitement around Most Mira’s annual youth arts festival, we have been able to expand our work throughout the year. More than an event, Most Mira has become a powerful presence in Prijedor.
Throughout the year, we lead joint arts activities, training opportunities and discussion forums in Bosnia and the UK.
Plans for 2012
In 2012, our year round activities will be transformed by the appointment of a Most Mira Capacity Building and Training Co-ordinator working in Bosnia thanks to a grant from the Sir Haley Stewart Trust and by an exciting project to build a permanent centre for youth activities and peacebuilding. We are very grateful to SDL for their support and we are also applying to a range of European funds and local sponsors.