Ibrahim Spahić

International Festival Sarajevo Winter has been enriching the cultural scene of Sarajevo for the past 27 years, by bringing, each February, an array of superb artists from all over the world.

At the beginning of our interview, we asked Mr. Spahić where he grew up, and what is his favorite part of Sarajevo?

- I grew up in the center of Sarajevo, ten steps from the Old Orthodox Church. And I am fond of the each step between Kozija ćuprija (Goat's Bridge) and Rimski most (Roman Bridge).

We were interested to find out what is his most memorable image of Sarajevo and what comes to mind when he thinks of the city?

- There is one image that cannot be forgotten. It is an image of Sarajevo when I was a child, in the same neighborhood where I grew up. There was a lot of snowfall that year. It was over one meter high, and I was just a bit taller; only my head was sticking above and the snow was all around me, as if I was swimming in it.

When we touched on walking routes, Mr. Spahić told us that he likes to wander around the mountains surrounding Sarajevo: Bjelašnica, Jahorina, Igman, and Trebević. And when asked which season best fits Sarajevo, he answers:

- All four seasons fit Sarajevo, since the city is like that pizza Quattro Stagioni (Four Seasons). However, this city looks its best during Sarajevo Winter.

From the standpoint of our visitors, the most beautiful view of Sarajevo is provided from within the city, and the most beautiful building is the Palace of Solomon, on Titova (Tito's) Street, where you can still find water tubs for horses.

Mr. Spahić revealed that the place to savor good food is Pod Lipom restaurant, while the best coffee is served in a cafe Baščaršija that has a slogan: ”Ova se kahva tuca i pije, ko može i ko smije.” (This coffee is ground and drunk by those who can and those who dare.) It is the only cafe that serves hand-ground coffee.