Drugi jezik na kojem je dostupan ovaj članak: Bosnian
By: Ekrem Dupanović
Another session of the Creative Republic was held in Bihać. It began with the opening of the exhibition of Slavimir Stojanović, and ended with the Business Cafe of Kristina Ercegović. Two days full of positive energy and great presentations. As in previous years, there was something for everyone during the two-day conference, and everyone would gladly come back again.
Here is what some of its participants had to say about the Creative Republic of Bihać.
Branimir Brkljač, Terra Panonica
When I came up with the title of my lecture for this conference, How to become/stay an experienced beginner, I couldn’t even imagine how appropriate the title and the theme were. Everything about the conference Creative Republic of Bihać is different from any conference I’ve been to, or spoke at. From the very name, over the venue, to the people who were part of it and all the formal and informal conversations and socializing during the conference. I met young people from Bihać and the surroundings and was impressed by their ambition and the desire to change the world. Even the people I have known before, I have experienced here in a new and different way, so in a way I met them anew. Altogether, this produced a special positive energy and sense of belonging to that and to such a Republic. In the end, we talked and agreed on what we will do and how we will do it next year, and nobody (still) invited us to come. But, nevermind… I already know we will come again!
Ivan Stanković, Communis DDB
I’m delighted. So much so that I decided to write an article about positive things that give hope that not everything is lost.
All three things I will write about are from Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Creative Republic, the Mixer House and the MM.
I need time to write the way I feel.
For this tomorrow, you can freely write in my name whatever you want, and make it all more than just positive.
I had never been to Bihać, unbelievable …. I’ll come back next year because this was a fantastic experience!
Ismir Omeragić, CEO Valicon BiH
First and foremost, the program was extremely interesting and I’m sure that only the best conferences in the region can offer this kind of content to their guests, at least in one edition of the conference. For a top conference, it is equally important that besides life and business experience of lecturers and advanced marketing approaches, the city where the conference takes place and people who organize it have good energy. The Creative Republic, Nino Kasupović, Bihać and Una most certainly don’t lack such energy. I hope that in the coming years all types of support for this conference will only grow.
Vesna Beganović, CEO Via Media Sarajevo
The excellent Creative Republic has shown that words are not enough. You need action. You need to do something for the environment in which you live and create. An excellent example of how to work on the improvement and development of the creative and communication industry, connecting professionals and those who want to become that. There was so much positive energies, knowledge, creativity and willingness to learn in one place. From the exhibition, the experiential presentations, the panels and the entertainment section, nothing was missing – enough for everyone to leave Bihać richer with new friendships, and filled with the warmness and hospitality of the people of Bihać. A small environment like Bihać is inspirational, it can be a creative nucleus for creating a new generation of creatives who think and create differently. Although it has emerged as a product of visionaries and enthusiasts, it needs support from others. I wish it will grow into a big and significant event, and on this path the organizer can count on our full support.
Maher Al-Osta, Digital marketing&PR Consultant, GSM BiH
A tremendous positive energy could be felt during the two days in Bihać. Emotions were present all the time, there was a lot of laughter and tears – tears of jubilation, but also those honest tears, naked to their core. This is something that only great people can make, who were part of this sincere and creative Republic. Professionals, great scholars, masters of their craft, but above all people. Great people in fact. I’m glad I was part of this creative crew and I hope to continue cooperating with the Creative Republic, to our mutual satisfaction.
Kristina Ercegović, Business Café
Since this was my second time to participate (I was at the 2nd Creative Republic), I knew what was in store for me, but the quality of the speakers, the authenticity and honesty in sharing the information, and of course the usefulness and relevance surprised me and surpassed all my expectations. As the program went, so I had the growing stage fright not to ruin such a great conference at the end, but give it a worthy ending with the latest BusinessCafé.
The words that still buzz in my head, changing my plans, are the story of a famous musician who, playing all day in front of the metro station earned $28, and usually earns thousands of dollars. This story prompts me to think of how much we can really succeed in this region, or are we still confined by the context. Perhaps we are the best in the world in what we do, but we play in front of the metro station, is it not so?
Secondly, I am concerned with the scientific explanation of losing humanity and empathy by hanging on a cell phone all day.
All the lectures were enriched with business and life experiences, authentic sharing of emotions, self, humanity, honest stories about rising, falling and rising again – about life. At Business Café we managed to create additional emotions, and draw out from the guests what they haven’t shared yet – as we always do somehow. We pushed the audience to meet each other, and to hug each other.
An excellent team, an excellent organization. Only the problems with the internet reminded me of how addicted I am on online, or the fact that in some things we are still in the 18th century, or it encouraged me to dedicate myself to the people in front of me, because, as Ivan said – life is now and here, right where we stand.
If I was to summarize everything in a few words it would be – humanity, emotion, empathy, honesty, authenticity, life as it is, and courageous confrontation with oneself.
See you at the 5th Creative Republic!!!
