“Kolibri� Kindergarten Kolibri Kindergarten is a long day care centre which provides quality care for children aged 2-6 years. Kindergarten is placed in a very quiet and peaceful place, nearby the city centre. There is a large playground in front of the kindergarten so the kids can play both indoors and outdoors. Within the kindergarten there are also the kitchen and the library. Around 20 children are here every day, usually between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Each child is followed along with their interests and needs, and
again in the interest of its development. The staff consists of 2 teachers (1 educator and 1 pedagogue) who are well educated and prepared and know how to provide stimulating environment for each child. The goal of the kindergarten’s work is to give children a broad range of education and it offers a great variety of activities such as language classes, dancing, painting and different subjects that will help children improve their knowledge and behavior.
AIESEC Banja Luka How to begin our story? How to begin a tale of a group of ambitious, responsible and brave young people who decided it was time to change the future, to become a part of a global change and prosperity? To offer other young people the chance to live life fully, to feel the world and be at their highest? Well, pretty simple. From the beginning. We are proud of the fact that AIESEC Banja Luka was officially established in February of 2012 by a few remarkable and enthusiastic students from the University of Banja Luka, who dared to put the needs of the entire student community in front of their own. The truth is, our story began a long time ago. AIESEC Banja Luka was a part of AIESEC Yugoslavia and later on a part of AIESEC Serbia and Montenegro until 2006, when our committee had to shut down due to practical reasons. For six long years one could
not feel the AIESEC spirit on Banja Luka’s streets nor could our students see the world through the eyes of AIESEC. But then came the inspiring change led by Andrea Djerman, a hardworking student of economy, who thought it was the right time to make Banja Luka a part of the global student machine called AIESEC. The first recruitment went well, and after attracting 70 students to the initial presentation, we gained 20 new members who had a very hard task to handle – make the AIESEC freight train roll again. But they have managed to do so and quickly AIESEC Banja Luka became a well-known and attractive organization. The best proof of this was our second recruitment, held in October 2012, when 183 students applied for membership. 41 made the final cut, and it was clear that our committee is ready to do some big things!
Kastel
Table of content
Food
Curved Clock
Drinks
Safikada’s Tomb
Shopping & prices
Fehrat pasha Mosque
Culture
Petar Kocic Park
People in Banja Luka
Banski Dvor and City Hall
Universities
Orthodox Sanctuary of Christ the Savior
Adventures in Banja Luka
The National Theatre
Sightseeing
Mladen Stojanovic Park
Kastel Built by the Romans and then fortified again by the Ottomans, the fortress often hosts outdoor concerts but it is the feeling of a peaceful retreat that gives it its real charm. It may be Banja Luka’s most striking structure with its high walls and towers, though it could use some renovation. But passing through the archway you are greeted with a wonderful and serene view of the river Vrbas, along whose grassy banks locals can enjoy their free time in any way they choose to.
Curved Clock Curved clock is located downtown and shows the exact time of an earthquake that struck Banja Luka back 1969. It was built as a monument to that horrific event. It is the common meting area for people with plans of going out for a walk or to town. There is not a single person in Banja Luka who has not at least once said: “We’ll meet at the curved clock”. There is another side to this story, a far more tragic side: only 5% of people in Banja Luka know the time that the clock shows.
Safikada’s Tomb Safikada’s Tomb is a constant reminder of the passion and heart of the people in Banja Luka. While there are a few variations to the story, the legend of Safikada lives today in the hearts of romantics everywhere. Safikada was a young lady madly in love with a soldier stationed at fortress Kastel in Banja Luka. Their cultural and religious background differences couldn’t diminish the strength of their love. Inevitably, the soldier was sent off to war.
Ferhat Pasha Mosque Ferhat Pasha Mosque also known as the Ferhadija Mosque, was a central building in the city of Banja Luka and one of the greatest achievements of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 16th century Ottoman and Islamic architecture. Commissioned by the Bosnian Sanjak-bey Ferhat-paša Sokolovic, the mosque was built in 1579 with money, as tradition has it, that was paid by the Auersperg family for the decapitated head of the Habsburg general Herbard VIII von Auersperg and the ransom for the general’s son after a battle at the Croatian border in 1575, where Ferhat-paša was triumphant. The mosque, with its classical Ottoman architecture, was most probably designed by a pupil of Mimar Sinan. There is no written data about the build-
ers who erected the mosque, but from analyzing its architecture it appears that the foreman of the works was from Sinan’s school since the mosque shows obvious similarities with Sinan’s Muradiye mosque in Manisa, which dates from 1585. Ferhadia was demolished in 1993 in the Civil War, and its restoration started in 2006.
Petar Kocic Park The central park in town, named after a turn-of-the-century Serbian poet and writer who was born close to Banja Luka and whose statue is one of the main features of the park. Lots of young people and families go there to rest for a while, before either catching the bus home or carrying on with their shopping or nocturnal frolics.
Banski Dvor and City Hall Banski Dvor is housed in one of a pair of immaculate buildings in downtown Banja Luka. These buildings were built in 1932 to house many governmental and judicial proceedings as well as the local rulers themselves. Today the luxurious Banski Dvor is used for lectures, debates, concerts, book readings and other exhibitions. It is also host of the state television station. The second of the pair of these beautiful buildings houses the City Hall.
Orthodox Sanctuary of Christ the Savior Standing majestically in the heart of Banja Luka, the Orthodox Sanctuary of Christ the Savior is an icon that will quickly become a favorite landmark for the uninitiated. Its golden domes and colorful exterior beg to be photographed and remembered as symbol of the city to visitors and locals alike. To stop at the surface, however, is to miss an opportunity to appreciate contemporary Orthodox architecture at its finest. Originally constructed between 1925 and 1929, the church was destroyed in 1941 during World War II. Using a distinctive volcanic rock substance that originated in Mesopotamia, the church was completely rebuilt in 2004, more than 60 years after its destruction. Today it stands proudly as a beacon of both faith and architecture in the Balkans.
The National Theatre National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska, along with many of the government buildings downtown, was built in the early 1930s. These new buildings helped establish Banja Luka not only as an important location in the eyes of the government, but also as a regional center for performing arts. Since its early days, the Theatre welcomes directors, actors, singers, set designers and composers from all over the world to display their talents in Banja Luka.ff
Mladen Stojanovic Park The largest park in Banja Luka is named after a famous doctor, and national hero from WW2 Dr. Mladen Stojanovic. There are many entertainment and recreational facilities in the park such as table tennis, boccia, cycling and jogging track etc. It is also famous for the tennis courts TK Mladost, on which the International ATP Challenger tournament Banja Luka Open is held.
Food As far as food goes, there’s a variety of cuisines one can find in Banja Luka, but locals love to eat everything with meat. And if you like meat, you’re gonna love Banja Luka. Meat is a standard for any meal. One of the most famous dishes in Banja Luka is Cevapi (globally known as chevapchichi). Cevapi are small meat sausages of lamb and beef mix. They are usually served with fresh onions and pita bread on the side. Cevapi usually come in finger shaped pieces and are offered in five or ten pieces, although the variety commonly found in Banja Luka (banjalucki cevap) usually consists of square pieces of meat. However, there are still lots of interesting meals you can make or have if you’re a vegetarian.
Drinks Our famous drinks are Nektar beer and Rakija (Rakia). Nektar is the local beer, brewed in Banja Luka, Bosnia. Banja Luka brewery was founded in 1873 by monks of the monastery “Marija Zvijezda” in order to produce beer for their own purposes. It has been one of the top beer brands in Bosnia ever since. The latter drink, Rakija (Rakia), is considered to be a national drink. It is frequently used as a common drink at all celebrations, birthdays, Saint Patron’s days (Orthodox Christian custom) and other holy holidays. Common flavors are slivovitz (traditionally made from plums) and lozova (which is made from grapes).
Shopping & prices Lately, new shopping centers have sprung up about town and in the suburbs. If it’s high street shopping you’re after, you will find a variety of brand names such as Springfield, Mango, Terranova, New Yorker etc. in the main shopping street. However, it’s probably good to have a peek in some small family-run boutiques, where you can usually find good quality clothing for a slightly cheaper price. If you plan on cooking during your stay, it’s best to head down to the fruit and vegetable market in the center of Banja Luka. You will the freshest stock, dairy products, meat and fish brought from the surrounding villages. The supermarkets also offer a good choice of food and are widely available.
The official currency in Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is KM (convertible mark or BOSNIAN CONVERTIBLE MARK - BAM; 1KM = 100 fenings) and your money can be exchanged at exchange offices downtown or in one of many banks. The currency rating: 1€ = 2KM (BAM); 1$ = 1.53KM (BAM)
Culture Banja Luka is also famous for its culture events. Here are some that one should visit while staying here. Narodno Pozorište Republike Srpske (The National Theatre of Republic of Srpska) was founded 1930. in Banja Luka and plays an important role in the development of culture and art in the city. The first play was on October 18th 1930. with the presence of the governor Svetislav Milosavljevic who did a lot for the founding of the Theatre. Today, plays are performed every day and one the most popular festivals in Banja Luka, the „Teatar Fest“, takes place at the National Theatre.
fBanski Dvor is a historical building built in 1932. and it was the residence of the Vrbas principality governor until 1941..The Municipality building, the Palace of Republic of Srpska, the Temple Hrista Spasitelja (Christ the Savior) and Banski Dvor represent the historical center of Banja Luka.Today, Banski Dvor is the cultural center of Banja Luka or as some locals call it the Temple of Culture. This is the place where concerts, exhibitions, theatrical plays and other international cultural artistic manifestations take place.
Multiplex cinema Palas has 676 seats, arranged in 4 air-conditioned rooms furnished with comfortable armchairs and most advanced technical equipment for film projection and superior digital stereo surround sound. In the lobby of the multiplex you can enjoy a Cinema cafe, a billiard room and a hall with fun games. On the repertoire of the cinema there are films made by leading U.S. companies, independent films and local productions. The cinema is located in the center of the city on the main square next to Boska (shopping centre).
Music Pavilion and coffee shop Staklenac are located in the heart of the city - in the Park Petar Kocic. Every day there are many cultural and entertainment events held here. The Music Pavilion is ideal for organizing music, dance and literary events, seminars, promotions, presentations, conferences, fashion shows, exhibitions, etc. Coffee shop Staklenac is located on the ground floor and is available for catering services. All of these places are downtown and all are in walking distance from each other. It doesn’t take more than twenty minutes of moderate walking speed to browse through the cafes, theatres and shopping centers.
Today’s music scene in Banja Luka There is something going on in Banja Luka all year round, but probably the best time to catch a festival or two is during the summer, where all citizens and tourists gather on the streets and along the river Vrbas day and night. Banja Luka is most renowned for its various music festivals that range from rock, reggae, electronic and of course Balkan traditional music where bands and musicians come together to play outdoors, usually within the grounds of the magnificent fortress Kastel. Banja Luka also hosts DemoFest (rock, hardcore, reggae, funk, fusion, metal) one of the most popular music festivals in the region. DemoFest is a summer festival which includes competition/ concerts of demo bends from all around the region and lasts 3 days. First DemoFest was held in 2008. on Banja Luka’s fortress
Kastel, and has become one of the most popular festivals on Balkan ever since. Beside demo bands, many famous bands (Kosheen, Skindred, Trickey, etc.) visited Banja Luka’s DemoFest as guests. What you shouldn’t miss is the Neofest - International Peace Festival in June that displays three stages of fusion, funk, reggae and hip hop bands. There is also a DJ stage where everyone can warm summer nights and dance among the ruins of our Kastel fortress. The Jazzlook Festival in October celebrates the art of jazz and blues in various bars and clubs in the city. It is a perfect opportunity to witness the flair of international jazz musicians from around the world. Usually, one can hear turbo – folk, pop and funk music in most of Banja Luka’s clubs and cafes, and great concerts such as these are happening in the city center in front of a huge crowd.
People in Banja Luka A hint of welcoming aura of the characters, combined with a dash of the pleasant sights and good intentions, and seasoned with the long, friendly gatherings that may last well into the night and reach that miraculous moment when the magic of Bosnia and Banja Luka suddenly turns coffee into wine is what lies in the essence of this place. In this city which reveals the true nature of life, mellow hearts will welcome you and keep you warm even during the mild strokes of winter. You have the chance to feel its life – the great number of cultures perfectly fit together to form a single being, like an amazing cocktail that leaves you with a unique taste - the flavor of Bosnia - to be remembered for a life time.
Tread the paths from the Roman fortress Kastel, along the Ferhat-Pasha mosque and the Orthodox Sanctuary of the Christ the Savior all the way to the Franciscan Monastery of Star of Mary. Be one with the history, breathe in the world around you while treading through Gospodska Street, enjoy the world’s greatest brands and taste the cuisine of Banja Luka (chevapchichi, burek) which is guaranteed to leave you speechless.
Universities Banja Luka has 15 state faculties as a part of the state University of Banja Luka, 4 private faculties and 3 private colleges. It is a town with over 17.000 students (at state faculties only) from Banja Luka region, Bosnia and Herzegovina and even some neighboring countries. It has all requiring conditions for students who study here (3 pavilions of student dorms, cafeteria, business center, few institutes, computer center, library, sports hall, student’s infirmary etc.). It’s known in the Balkans as the town with the most beautiful women, and we believe that those responsible for that are female students that come to study here. The legend says that the proportion of women and men in this town is 7:1. We are not going to tell you if this is true, it’s on you to come and see it yourself. Banja Luka - the town of beautiful women, students and above all, the town of history.
Adventures in Banja Luka Whether you are a true adrenaline junky or just someone willing to introduce a bit of adventure to their life, Banja Luka is the place for you. The river Vrbas offers a great variety of water sports such as rafting, kayaking or dayaking. You can choose from battling the fierce rapids, to cruising the calmer parts of the river. Banja Luka and Vrbas hosted the World Rafting Championship in 2009. Perhaps you are not a big fan of water sports – well, fear not because in Banja Luka you can take to the skies and experience the thrill of parachuting and paragliding. Tandem parachute jumping from 3000m is the safest way to feel, for the first time, the freedom and excitement of free falling. Another thing you may want to con-
sider is paragliding. Same as the parachuting, it does not matter whether you are an experienced paraglider or just a person willing to feel the adrenaline rush for the first time, the southwestern part of Banja Luka offers the perfect terrain for such activities. Another thing to consider are the sports that keep you safely on the ground, but are no less exciting than the ones previously mentioned. Activities like free climbing, mountaineering, speleology and mountain biking will let you fully experience the magic of the nature surrounding Banja Luka. Enjoy these activities with people as eager to have fun as you and make memories that will last for a lifetime!
Sightseeing Banj Brdo (The Banj Hill) Banja Luka’s most famous picnic ground is the Banj Hill, situated on the south side of the city at an altitude of 403m. Offering a magnificent view of the city, this picnic ground covered with forest is rich in hiking tracks and crystal clear water springs that bring about a fairytale-like atmosphere to your visits. There are plenty places for rest and recreation where you can either exercise or simply enjoy the marvels of nature. There is a beautiful monument at the top of the Banj Hill dedicated to the soldiers from Krajina who lost their lives in World War II. Krupa na Vrbasu (Krupa on Vrbas) Krupa on Vrbas is located 25km south of Banja Luka. This is the spot where the river Krupa flows into the river Vrbas. A wondrous place enriched by many natural and cultural elements, this area will leave any visitor breathless. Whether you are more of a nature person, in which case you will
be mesmerized by the beauty of the river slopes, springs and caves, or you prefer to ponder upon the mysteries of the historical monuments, such as the monastery of St. Elijah (1289), the medieval town of Greben (1192) and the church log cabin (XVI century), this will undoubtedly remain in your thoughts long after you leave. “Summer on Vrbas” is a traditional event that’s being held every year and each year with bigger number of contestants. The contestants are competing in jumping of the town bridge built after the First World War during the rule of Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Their jumping performance is being judged by 5 judges. “Summer on Vrbas” was held for the first time in 1953. under the name “ The Carnival on Vrbas”, and in 1995. it changed its name into “Summer on Vrbas”.
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