On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Museum of Literature and Performing Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the exhibition Casus was officially opened, marking a significant cultural and academic event in Sarajevo.
The exhibition commemorates the 410th anniversary of the passing of William Shakespeare. Through an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, Casus explores the profound connections between local kara-sevdah tradition and Shakespeare’s global dramatic pathos, presenting them as two mirrors of universal human realities. By intertwining these expressive forms, the exhibition highlights themes of human universality, intercultural dialogue, shared emotional heritage and the timeless resonance of dramatic expression across cultures. Casus represents a collaborative project between departments within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), uniting expertise from English Language and Literature (ELIT), English Language and Literature, Teaching (ELT) and the Visual Arts and Visual Communications (VACD) program. The exhibition stands as both a scientific and artistic contribution, merging literary scholarship, performance studies, visual arts, and cultural theory into a cohesive curatorial narrative.
The mentors of the project are: Dr. Damir Kahrić (ELIT/ELT), Assistant Professor Nejira Mulahmetović, MA (VACD), Associate Professor Roman Sulejmanpašić, MFA (VACD), Associate Professor Dr. Vesna Suljić (ELIT/ELT), Assistant Dino Šahović (VACD), Samina Tanović (external collaborator).
The exhibited works were created by VACD students: Muhamed Fejzić, Belma Karačić, Adnan Keserović, Ilma Tuka, Nejla Mustajbegović, Selma Fatić, Amsal Terzo, Hana Salkić, Nejra Dizdarević, and Amina Purković, alongside more than 30 additional students from ELIT courses and the VACD program. Their collective engagement reflects a dynamic pedagogical model that integrates research, creative production, and public cultural outreach.
The opening ceremony gathered numerous guests, including students and employees of the International University of Sarajevo, as well as distinguished members of the academic and cultural community. The event was also honored by the presence of His Excellency, Julian Reilly, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose attendance underscored the international and intercultural dimension of the project. Through its interdisciplinary character, Casus affirms the importance of collaboration between departments and highlights the role of academic institutions in shaping contemporary cultural discourse. By bridging Shakespearean drama and Bosnian kara-sevdah as parallel articulations of emotional depth and existential reflection, the exhibition contributes meaningfully to the local academic and cultural scene, fostering dialogue between tradition and modernity, local heritage and global literary canon.Casus thus stands not only as a commemoration, but as a vibrant platform for scholarly reflection, artistic innovation and intercultural exchange, affirming the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s legacy within Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.
The exhibition Casus remains open to the public at the Museum of Literature and Performing Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina until March 21, 2026.
