World Music Centar

World Music Centre (CWM), independent non-profit membership association formed and originated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is developed with and trough a vision of people of Mostar, who wishes to approach and present to the world a worldwide cultures as well as their own cultural heritage and traditions with a significant focus onto the world music.


CWM beside the dedication to research, present and get acquainted with the finest in traditional and contemporary music and arts in general from all around the world, would like to develop a degree of tolerance, understanding and democracy first and foremost within youth and children, and generally all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.


Considering a culture as instinctive and primordial part of continuous evolution and development, CWM is aiming the idea of culture becoming a mechanism for development and growth in human consciousness, where with persistent work it can produce improvement in peoples lives, help them to develop, throughout culture, their identity and with all of that to express and present their own ideas, feelings and emotions, traditions and all the rest that they are to others.


The primary mission of CWM is to educate the general public about the world music and cultures through organising, promoting and supporting activities such as performaces, teaching, workshops, festivals etc, which honor and celebrate the richness of these cultures; and to foster awareness, understanding and respect of all peoples through shared experiences of their own cultures and traditions.

The spirit of CWM comes from the belief in the worth and potential of a multicultural society and its diversity, the opportunities of cooperation within it, the desire to voice the needs and importance of art in the procedure of globalisation of the worldand the commitment to international exchange on all levels and networking.


" Music is a universal language, it draws people together and proves, as well as anything, the stupidity of racism." – Peter Gabriel


Centar World Music -Mostar is the organizer of :

Mostar World Music Festival 2007

The festival
With world music performers taking the stage in the evening and days filled with cultural and educational events, the Mostar World Music Festival’s programme is a truly exciting event with something to offer everyone.

The programme
The unique programme will include a series of organised cultural, visual and musical workshops for children and adults, a taste of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) musical and culinary traditions all combined with local wine tasting opportunities. Also on offer is the chance to see theatre shows and screenings of world music films, as well as a special screening of promotional films about BiH’s tourist offer.

Aimed specifically at people who are open and interested in other cultures, the event is also a chance to meet people from all walks of life: different generations, religions, nationalities and cultural backgrounds all united under one roof - the Mostar World Music Festival.

Our aims
Our aim is to embrace diverse cultural backgrounds and give visitors an insight into the variety, richness and unique personalities of BiH’s different cultural influences. Through music we hope to change preconceptions and destroy prejudices; helping, in turn, to develop tolerance and engage people in our heritage, reinforcing our democracy and cultural identity.

We believe culture is one of the best universal mechanisms for developing and promoting integration, which, with time and effort, can improve lives. We believe this is especially relevant for young people and children, enabling them to build their own identity through culture and helping them present and express their ideas and feelings more easily.

Mostar
Given its location bridging East and West, Mostar is the ideal place to establish a world music festival. Aside from location, the city’s atmosphere, way of life and natural surroundings combined with the influences from multicultural Herzegovina, make it an inspiring setting for musicians and spectators alike.

Values of the festival
The spirit of the festival comes from our belief in the value of multicultural society and diversity. We believe co-operation in these respects can help demonstrate the importance of art in an increasingly globalised world, and, through music, facilitate international exchanges on all levels.

Long-term goals
Mostar in essence and in character is a place of tolerance and openness. The long-term plan for the festival is to project this image of not only Mostar but also Herzegovina and BiH as a whole.

What else is on offer?
Aside from the inspiring programme of activities, a variety of promotions are also being planned as part of the festival including TV/radio and newspaper adverts, websites, posters, billboards, flyers, VIP passes, gifts and souvenirs (T-shirts, tourist guidebooks, maps of Mostar and BiH). In partnership with our sponsors we hope these promotions will maximise support for the natural richness of our country, encourage tourism as a means of integrating Mostar into a community, thereby returning Mostar to its rightful place on the cultural map.

The media
The festival is set to attract both local and foreign journalists from leading world music magazines such as Songlines, Froots, Folker, and Global Rhythms. Again, through media coverage we hope to reinforce the attractive tourist offer Mostar provides and communicate our unique cultural traditions and homegrown world music talent to new audiences.

Summary
The main aim of the unique Mostar World Music Festival is to provide a lasting contribution to spreading tolerance throughout our region, restoring severed connections with the world and re-introducing Mostar and BiH as true cultural centres. In addition, we hope to reinforce BiH’s democratic values and return self-confidence to our young population, inspiring them to explore new initiatives and cultural themes.

In summary, the festival represents Mostar’s values – a special lifestyle, a unique atmosphere, and a chance to communicate with nature and the local identity.