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Saturday, November 14, 2026Nov 14

AP PHOTOS: Bosnian promoting ‘slow way of life’ to artists

In this photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, amateur painter Safet Berber puts final touches to a painting during a weekend gathering of artist in the village of Dzafici, 100 kms north of Sarajevo. To allow people a break from their busy lives, Bosnian man Rasim Hamidovic, 60, is organising weekend gatherings of various artists in his home  in Dzafici to remind them and other villagers of the old way of life in harmony with nature. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)
In this photo taken on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, amateur painter Safet Berber puts final touches to a painting during a weekend gathering of artist in the village of Dzafici, 100 kms north of Sarajevo. To allow people a break from their busy lives, Bosnian man Rasim Hamidovic, 60, is organising weekend gatherings of various artists in his home in Dzafici to remind them and other villagers of the old way of life in harmony with nature. (AP Photo/Amel Emric)

DZAFICI, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) – A carpenter who builds traditional Bosnian houses wants to remind people of the old way of life in harmony with nature – far from the hubbub of city life, TV and computers.

So Rasim Hamidovic, 60, invited 26 artists to this quiet village last weekend to paint, write or just hang out and rediscover traditional Bosnian “slowness.”

“We promote art, friendship, nature, to people who spend their lives working all day long, watching TV or starring at computer screens,” said Hamidovic, who has staged the weekend “art colony” event for the past five years.

Apart from enjoying the breathtaking October scenery, the artists painted or wrote poems while enjoying traditional food, laughter, dancing and singing.

Villagers joined the project, offering cooking and accommodation, and organizing village parties.