Love is My Driving Force

Love AMRA DŽEKO is My Driving Force

“I’M LUCKY TO HAVE

SUCH A LOVING AND UNDERSTANDING FAMILY

THAT SUPPORTS ME

THROUGH THICK AND THIN. I’M A HAPPY MUM,

BUSINESSWOMAN, AND WIFE.”

Interviewer: Elma Zećo Photo: Private Album

Amra Džeko is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most popular public figures. She has built her modelling career and life abroad, but she is always happy to return to her home country, where she is known as one of the leading advocates of philanthropy. She is the first ambassador of the ‘Heart for the Children with Cancer Association’. Three years ago, as a co-founder, she set out to build the first domestic online platform for buying and selling handmade products called OREA bazaar. This time too, the mission was noble—to support small businesses and handcraft makers from B&H so that their handmade products could reach as many people as possible. One of the achievements that makes her particularly proud of being a part of this story is the happiness and satisfaction of the OREA community members. “We started telling real stories in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now,

three years into the project, I can freely say that we’ve all—both founders and handcraft makers—told dozens of beautiful stories together, and the best is yet to come. I’m glad that when we first said that our Art Markets would give people the option to donate for charity, they themselves suggested that we donate a percentage of sales to the ‘Heart for Children with Cancer Association’.” EXPANSION IN THE REGION

OREA’s creative community is quite large. Whose creative work do you find particularly interesting and is there something you are always happy to buy for yourself?

– I really love them all. Each handcraft maker is special in their own way. Of course, depending on the occasion, I decide on the right one. I primarily enjoy watching them create their products, aware of how much effort, love and passion they put in creating their handcrafts by paying attention to every detail.

How would you like the platform to develop in the future?

– We’re planing to promote the existing handcraft makers, but our doors are open to everyone else who wants to join us. We’ve already managed to expand beyond the borders of B&H and make it easier for small business owners to gain visibility and boost sales. Now what we want is to strengthen our family and expand it. We’re planning to expand in the region, i.e. diversify our product range by adding wonderful new creations from Croatia and Serbia to our current offering.

You have spent years modelling and you have also been involved in acting, but are there any other fields of business you would like to prove yourself in or explore?

Our Children

“We like to say that they’ve picked up both the best and the worst from both of us. They can be a little stubborn like Edin (laughs), but they’re also good and loving just like he is.”

– OREA is a project I’ve put my love into. The idea to create it came about among a group of friends, and then we gathered a large number of hard-working, kind-hearted people, so I want OREA to be even more successful on the market, and I want our people’s creativity to be recognised throughout Europe and the world.

A HARMONIOUS FAMILY

You are an active wife and mother of four children. How do you balance being a mum, businesswoman, and wife?

– When you’re organised and when you get used to being on the move 24 hours a day, then nothing’s difficult. It’s all comes down to love; it’s much easier to live that way. When you love something, nothing’s difficult. Clearly, all of us have got moments of crisis, but with the support of our partner and our loved ones, no obstacle is insurmountable. I’m lucky to have such a loving and understanding family that supports me through thick and thin. I’m a happy mum, businesswoman, and wife.

Your eldest daughter Sofia came of age and enrolled in college in Ame‑ rica, while your youngest daughter Dalia celebrated her first birthday. How challenging is the age differen‑ ce in your approach to upbringing and building relationships with children?

– Letting Sofia go off to college was a very emotional experience for me. I loved watching her grow into a lovely girl. She’ll always be my little girl who’s got her own path in life, and I’ll be there to support her in whatever she decides to do. Even though she’s far away in Los Angeles right now, we’ll all make a joint effort to keep the wonderful bond between sisters and brother strong. Sofia has always been by my side and helped me with the little ones. We’ve always done everything together as a family, we’ve talked a lot and adapted to various changes that took place, so everything flowed naturally and smoothly, without any special challenges.

Una, Dani and Dalia are still quite young, but what would you say, who do they take after more?

– It is much too early to talk about character, but Dani strongly resembles Edin in appearance. We like to say that they’ve picked up both the best and the worst from both of us. They can be a little stubborn like Edin (laughs), but they’re also good and loving just like he is.

This is perhaps our best trait, the fact that we don’t hide our feelings and our passion. We’re trying to raise our children in such a way that they learn to love all people, but also to stand up for themselves.

How would you describe yourself as a mother and Edin as a father?

– We’re responsible and loving.

WINTER HOLIDAY IN THE ALPS

You love to travel. Which place do you always choose for your winter holiday destination?

– Since Edin’s always got a short winter break due to the nature of his job and he’s not permitted to ski, Dubai was our favourite destination. We went there every winter, but this time we’ll use the time we’ve got to have a good rest in the Alps not far from Milan.

When foreigners ask you about B&H, how do you describe your country?

– I’ve lived in Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Milan, stayed in many other cities, but my Sarajevo and B&H are special, primarily because of the people who live there. I talk with much love about my country, its gorgeous mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rivers… We’ve got everything, and yet the most beautiful thing about B&H are its hospitable people. People who’ve been in our country are most impressed by the kindness the Bosnian-Herzegovinian people who’ve gone through a horrible ordeal and who’re always ready to help.

How much has the pandemic affe‑ cted you and how have you coped with the changes it has brought?

– Being isolated from my family has been the hardest thing for me since I haven’t seen them in a long time. I’m an emotional person, and I’ve missed everyone so much. We’ve talked over video call, but it’s not the same as being able to hug someone. It’s damaged us all, not to mention how many people have lost their lives, jobs and roof over their heads. I hope this madness ends soon.

What do you wish for 2022?

– My wishes don’t change. I only wish to have good health. I always wish everyone good health.