Sarajevo International Guitar Festival

Sarajevo International Guitar Festival
GenreClassical guitar
DatesApril
Location(s)Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Years active2011 – present
FoundersAssociation of Guitarists in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Organised byFabrice Lamproie
Sarajevo Music Academy
Pro Helvetia
Websitesigf.ba

The Sarajevo International Guitar Festival (Bosnian: Međunarodni festival gitare Sarajevo / Међународни фестивал гитаре Сарајево) is an international multi-day classical guitar music festival which annually takes place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1] It was established in 2011 and is the only festival of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2017 it is a full-member of EuroStrings.[2][3] The festival has hosted numerous international names such as Margarita Escarpa, Rovshan Mamedkuliev, Sérgio Assad, Juanjo Domínguez, Le Trio Joubran, Roland Dyens, Dušan Bogdanović, Yorgos Foudoulis, Petar Čulić, Hubert Käppel, Pablo Márquez and others.[4][5][6][7]

History

[edit]

The Sarajevo International Guitar Festival was founded in 2011 by the Association of Guitarists in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming to promote classical guitar music and education within the region. Đani Šehu, a prominent Bosnian guitarist and educator, serves as the festival’s director.[8] Over the years, SIGF has evolved into a significant cultural event, attracting international artists and participants.[9]

Since its inception, SIGF has hosted over 27 concerts featuring artists from countries such as Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.[8] The festival’s educational component has seen participation from lecturers and pedagogues from over twenty countries, with workshops attended by over 700 young guitarists, teachers, and professors.[10] 

Programme and Activities

[edit]

SIGF offers a diverse programme that includes:[11]

  • Concerts: Featuring performances by renowned international guitarists. 
  • Competitions: Open to various age categories, providing a platform for young talents. 
  • Masterclasses: Conducted by esteemed guitarists and educators, focusing on technique and interpretation.
  • Workshops: Covering topics such as guitar construction, history, and pedagogy.
  • Exhibitions: Showcasing guitars and related accessories from luthiers and manufacturers.

The festival’s competition segment is divided into multiple categories based on age, ranging from young children to professional-level performers, with specific repertoire and time requirements for each category.[12]

Locations

[edit]
Pablo "Mezcla" Menéndez performance, 2025.

SIGF events are hosted at various venues across Sarajevo, including:[12]

These venues provide both historical significance and acoustical excellence, enhancing the festival experience.

Notable Editions

[edit]
  • 2013 (3rd Edition): Concluded with a concert by Bosnian guitarist Sanel Redžić at the House of the Armed Forces.[13]
  • 2014 (4th Edition): Opened by Russian guitarist Anton Baranov at the House of the Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in the festival’s history.[14]
  • 2023 (12th Edition): Featured performances by artists such as Raphaël Feuillâtre, with events held from April 27 to May 1.[15]
  • 2025 (14th Edition): Scheduled from April 10 to 14, the festival continues its tradition of high-quality concerts and educational activities.

EuroStrings Membership

[edit]

In 2017, SIGF became a full member of EuroStrings, joining a network of European classical guitar festivals. This affiliation has facilitated cultural exchange, artist mobility, and collaborative projects across Europe.

[edit]
  • Vedran Vujica at Sarajevo International Guitar Festival, 19 April 2018.
    Vedran Vujica at Sarajevo International Guitar Festival, 19 April 2018.
  • Student workshop during the 2019 edition.
    Student workshop during the 2019 edition.
  • Alvaro Toscano performing in 2025.
    Alvaro Toscano performing in 2025.
  • Vasilina Shashkova, 18 April 2025.
    Vasilina Shashkova, 18 April 2025.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". eurostrings.eu.
  2. ^ "Veliki uspjeh Sarajevo Guitar Festivala". oslobodjenje.ba.
  3. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival postao dijelom EuroStringsa". fokus.ba.
  4. ^ "Otvoren Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". klix.ba.
  5. ^ "U Vijećnici svečano otvoren 6. Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". klix.ba.
  6. ^ "U petak počinje Sarajevo International Guitar Festival 2015". klix.ba.
  7. ^ "Koncertom Paca Seca zatvoren 4. Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". klix.ba.
  8. ^ a b "Nastupom Özberka Miraça Sarıgüla počeo 14. Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". Klix.ba. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  9. ^ "About SIGF". Sarajevo International Guitar Festival. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". EuroStrings. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival: Oduševila Norvežanka Kristina Varlid". Avaz.ba. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Bogati program, koncerti i promocije: Sarajevo International Guitar Festival počinje 10. aprila". RadioSarajevo.ba. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival 2013 has finished with the concert of Sanel Redžić". Sarajevo Times. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2025. 
  14. ^ "Russian Guitarist Anton Baranov Opened the 4th Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". Sarajevo Times. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Sarajevo International Guitar Festival". Sarajevo Travel. Retrieved 21 April 2025.


[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarajevo_International_Guitar_Festival&oldid=1286775618"