EU assistance supports emerging and established musicians to shine at the Ex-Yu Rock Centre

The Ex-Yu Rock Centre, also known as the House of Fame, opened in Sarajevo just over a year ago, becoming the first of its sort in the former Yugoslavia. It was founded on the concept of being a site where a great musical legacy is continuously celebrated, as well as a central gathering place for young talents and other performers from the local music scene.

The Office of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina has supported the work of the Ex-Yu Rock Center by providing technical equipment, furniture, and a modern stereo system worth 25,000 euros.

Last night, Shizif, a young local band, took the stage. Their first single “Tramvaj” resonated very well among the audience, and the release of their first album was also announced.

“Tonight’s vocal-instrumental presentation featured a beautifully packaged repertoire from our future album, as well as numerous covers. On this occasion, we would like to thank the Ex-Yu Rock Centre, which kindly allowed us the opportunity to display our original creations to the audience, who, according to our estimates, really appreciated it”, said Kerim Poturak, from the band Shizif.

Haris Abdagić, the frontman of BalkanEros Banditos, who has published three studio albums, performed after “Shizif”. During his earlier engagements, Abdagić was recognised as a pioneer of new Ethno-rock wave, which modernised and popularised Balkan musical traditions. He is also known as the father of the regionally famous combo “Dad and Kira, sung reading”.

“We are glad that we have been able to provide assistance for a centre that not only celebrates an important moment in Europe’s cultural history that Bosnia and Herzegovina made an enormous contribution to, but also looks to the future by supporting the next generation of outstanding BiH musicians. Music is moreover a great unifier and we are glad that the Ex-Yu Rock Centre is actively engaged in bringing young musicians of all backgrounds together through a shared love of rock music,” said Ferdinand Koenig, Head of the EU Office in BiH Communications Section.

In addition to hosting concerts, visitors to the Ex-Yu Rock Centre can also see a rich exhibition collection of items that belonged to members of some of the biggest Yugoslav groups and solo musicians such as Bijelo dugme, EKV, Haustor, Zabranjeno pušenje, Partibrejkersi, Dino Merlin and many others. In addition to the main exhibitions, the Centre also hosts smaller exhibitions dedicated to the cult band Idoli, whose female artists left an unforgettable impression on the music scene of the former Yugoslavia.

Support for the Ex-Yu Rock Centre was made possible through the project “EU for local communities” implemented by the Centar za promociju civilnog društva (CPCD) with the partner organisation HELP.

The spark of the atmosphere is available in the photo gallery