Days of Oriental Arts

Group exhibition of Bosnian calligraphers and tezhib artists in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its long tradition of calligraphic art, which was continuously present from the 15th until the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, Bosnia has given many great names of calligraphic art. A certain break in the development of calligraphy was created in the 20th century as a consequence of a difficult political situation, ideological protests and wars. However, after the proclamation of independence in 1992, there was a renewal of calligraphic art in Bosnia, which was a natural reaction to the reconstruction of the Bosniak religious identity. Individuals and certain art associations, as well as an increased interest in the theoretical study of Islamic art in Bosnia and Herzegovina contributed mostly to this renewal.

Through the efforts of two main calligraphy masters and professors, dr. Ä†azim HadÅ¾imejliÄ‡, a student of the famous Turkish calligrapher Hasan Ã‡elebi, and Munib ObradoviÄ‡, who received his ijazetnama (diploma) from the best Egyptian calligraphers, and who is also a winner of several prestigious calligraphic awards; a new generation of young calligraphers and tezhib artists emerged, which is a link to the previous Islamic arts tradition in Bosnia. The proof of this was also the recently held exhibition entitled 'Days of Oriental Arts' (August 7-9) in Mostar, which was organized by the Cultural Center King Fahd in Sarajevo, with a branch in Mostar.

Prof. Munib ObradoviÄ‡ at the exhibition 'Days of Oriental Arts', Photo by Amera ObradoviÄ‡

By far the largest number of Bosnian calligraphers and tezhib artists took part in this exhibition: Prof. Dr. Ä†azim HadÅ¾imejliÄ‡, Prof. Munib ObradoviÄ‡, Izudin DurakoviÄ‡, RaÅ¡id HuseinagiÄ‡, Sinanudin BajriÄ‡, Edina Jugo, Nermina Vehab-ÄuloviÄ‡, Zana TahiroviÄ‡, Lejla BoÅ¡kailo-ObradoviÄ‡, Salko JunuzoviÄ‡, Edina IsiÄ‡, DÅ¾elila Jugo, Elvedina Hebib, Amera ObradoviÄ‡, Samija BeÅ¡iÄ‡-Keskin, NudÅ¾ejma KaminiÄ‡, Indira Hebib, Samija Pehilj, DÅ¾enan Å oÅ¡e and Jasmina KovaÄi.

In addition to the exhibition, lectures on the topic of calligraphy, as well as two workshops 'Arabic calligraphy in Bosnia' and 'Ornaments in action' were organized.

RaÅ¡id HuseinagiÄ‡, exhibition 'Days of Oriental Arts', Photo by Amera ObradoviÄ‡