Bosnia’s first exhibition of stringed instruments announced

Read more news stories here 

Organisers have announced the first ever international exhibition of bowed stringed instruments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event will take place on 12 September 2026 in Tuzla, the country’s third-largest city.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be a symposium for professional instrument makers, and a concert by violinist Maida Habibović and violist Wolfgang Wölfer-Roth. Visitors will have the opportunity to try out the instruments, speak directly with their makers, and gain first-hand insight into different approaches to sound, construction and aesthetic expression.

Eighteen luthiers will be exhibiting their instruments at the event. From Bosnia and Herzegovina the makers are Mensur Avdić, Sifet Avdić, Elvedin Hodžić, Mirko Vukeljić, Mladen Sofrenić, Zoran Martinović, Hrvoje Ivanković and Branko Šimić.

From Serbia, the exhibitors are Boris Batalović, Dejan Blagojević, Dragan Filipović, Dmitry Tarakanov and Biljana Čalić, while Croatia will be represented by Željko Ćatić, Vinko Bošnjak, Darko Stipesević, Mirko Slišković and Nikola Dervenkar. 

The exhibition has been initiated and conceived by Mensur Avdić. ‘I wanted to create a space where, for the first time, instruments made here could be presented within an international context, bringing together makers and musicians in one place,’ he said.

‘Our aim is not only to showcase high-level craftsmanship but to establish a basis for long-term dialogue, collaboration and development.’

The German and Polish embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have expressed their support for the project, alongside the Sarajevo Philharmonic. The exhibition is also supported by the Centre for Culture of the City of Tuzla.