aiesec
LC Banja Luka
AIESEC Banja Luka
AIESEC is an international non-profit organisation which was founded in 1948. The two main beliefs which were born when the organisation was formed and which are still true are “Friendship crosses boundaries” and “The young people change the world”.
That is the path that AIESEC Local Committee Banja Luka, one of the four branches of this organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has chosen for itself. This organisation has provided a chance for many generations, during the course of its existence, for personal and professional development, gaining practical knowledge in the fields of PR and Marketing, Corporate Relations, Incoming and Outgoing Exchange, and abundance of useful knowledge for an individual to succeed in the world that lies ahead.
Chain of Knowledge “The Chain of Knowledge” is a project which is supposed to gather interns who will organise workshops on volunteering, CV writing, professional presentation, rhetoric, project management, marketing, design, logistics, the importance of the Internet, but also those who are interested in how to make a positive impact on the community. We expect around 50 to 70 people living in Banja Luka between the age of 15 and 30 who will participate in the project together with 5 trainers on the above mentioned topics.
The project is scheduled to last for six weeks, from March 9 to April 24 2015. The accommodation and food are provided. It will be carried out with the support of Ministry of Youth, Family and Sports and with the cooperation of our partner organisation UESF (United for Education and Sustainable Features) from Vienna and the implementation of their YEA programme (Youth Education Ambassadors). The main benefit of this project is the impact on the high school students
which will enable them to become the young people who work actively on their professional development with the aid of non-formal education and other opportunities which are on their disposal.
https://experience.aiesec.org/#/opportunities/629440
WHEN?
https://experience.aiesec.org/#/opportunities/629438
https://experience.aiesec.org/#/opportunities/629437
https://experience.aiesec.org/#/opportunities/629269
https://experience.aiesec.org/#/opportunities/629439
Food and accommodation are provided. Beginning of the workshops: March 9, 2015.
March 9 to March 16, 2015: Arrival of the trainers from our partner organization UESF (United for Education and Sustainable Features) from Vienna. Implementation of YEA programme. April 17 to April 24, 2015. Final event. This event is going to be organized as a contest where the best project idea as well as the best simulation of a job interview will be rewarded. Also it is going to be covered by the media and open to public.
WHY? By participating in this project you’ll be encouraging high school students in the areas which are important for their future development and the development of the society they live in. In the same time, You will be the ones who will gain practical knowledge and new experiences which will help You in your future. Working in the community and new surroundings has many benefits which cannot be achieved through individual work: meeting new people,
seeing things from a different angle, socializing, teaching others and in the same time being the ones who learn. If you haven’t visited Banja Luka so far, this is the best opportunity to do it. Our city is famous for its hospitality, good food, great parties and people who want to socialise. P.S. There's a legend which could be intriguing for all the men applying and that is - there are 7 women in relation to one man in Banja Luka. ;)
Table of content
Banja Luka
Kastel
Food
Curved Clock
Drinks
Safikada’s Tomb
Shopping & prices
Ferhad Pasha Mosque
Culture
Petar Kocic Park
People in Banja Luka
Banski Dvor and City Hall
Universities
The National Theatre
Adventures in Banja Luka
Mladen Stojanovic Park
Sightseeing
Orthodox Sanctuary of Christ the Savior
Kastel Built by the Romans and then fortiďŹ ed again by the Ottomans,the fortress oftenhosts outdoor concerts but it is the feelingof a peaceful retreat that gives it its realcharm. It may be Banja Luka's moststrikingstructure 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.
Ferhad 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 builders 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 KoÄ?ić 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.
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.
Park Mladen Stojanović 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.
Orthodox Sanctuary of Christ the Savior the church was completely rebuilt in Standing majestically in the heart of 2004, more than 60 years after its Banja Luka, the Orthodox Sanctuary destruction. Today it stands proudly of Christ the Savior is an icon that will as a beacon of both faith and quickly become a favorite landmark for architecture in the Balkans. 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 ďŹ nest. 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,
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 qualit 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.
Banski 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.
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.
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, Banja Luka is most renowned for its various music festivals that range from reggae and hip hop bands. There is also a rock, reggae, electronic and of course DJ stage where everyone can warm Balkan traditional music where bands summer nights and dance among the and musicians come together to play ruins of our Kastel fortress. outdoors, usually within the grounds The Jazzlook Festival in October celebrates of the magnificent fortress Kastel. the art of jazz and blues in various bars Banja Luka also hosts DemoFest (rock, and clubs in the city. It is a perfect hardcore, reggae, funk, fusion, metal) opportunity to witness the flair of one of the most popular music festivals international jazz musicians from around in the region. DemoFest is a summer the world. festival which includes competition/concerts of demo bends Usually, one can hear turbo – folk, pop and funk music in most of Banja Luka's from all around the region and lasts clubs and cafes, and great concerts such 3 days. First DemoFest was held in 2008. on Banja Luka’s fortress Kastel, as these are happening in the city center in front of a huge crowd. and has become one of the most
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 consider 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.
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.