ISSA Bosnia and Herzegovina / KORNICA: A Ten-Year Journey of Art

July 24–August 2, 2026 — The 10th KORNICA International Sculpture Symposium, also known as the ISSA Bosnia 

and Herzegovina Symposium, successfully concluded after ten days dedicated to artistic creation, education,

 international cooperation, and cultural exchange.

Once again, KORNICA brought together artists, professors, students, cultural professionals, and visitors from Bosnia 

and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and other countries in the region. Organized by the Croatian Cultural and 

Sports Association KORNICA, the symposium has developed over the past decade into a well-known international

 cultural event. Its mission is to promote contemporary art, encourage cross-border cooperation, and create a lasting

 artistic legacy in the Posavina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Artists and Artistic Creation

This year’s symposium welcomed eight renowned artists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, and

 Serbia: Borjana Mrđa, Boštjan Kavčič, Fedor Vučemilović, Nedim Hadžiahmetović, Ilija Kegelj, Marko Lađušić, Željko 

Koren, and Boris Orenčuk.

During the symposium, the artists worked in a variety of media and materials, including stone, metal, wood, and 

painting. Visitors had the opportunity to observe the creative process up close, communicate with the artists, and 

personally experience the evolution of the artworks.

The sculptures created during the symposium will remain permanently in KORNICA, becoming part of a future 

contemporary sculpture park. Meanwhile, the paintings and smaller sculptural works will enrich the symposium’s 

growing art collection.

Opening Ceremony and New Partnerships

The official opening ceremony began with a Mass at St. Joseph Church, presided over by Fra Zdravko Dadić, Provincial 

Minister of the Franciscan Province of Bosnia Srebrena. The event then continued at Ribnjak in KORNICA, attended

 by artists, representatives of cultural institutions, partners, supporters, and guests.

One of the highlights of the event was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Croatian Cultural and 

Sports Association KORNICA, the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Academy of Fine Arts of the 

University of Mostar, and the Academy of Applied Arts in Priština. The agreement aims to establish long-term 

cooperation for the joint development of the symposium, with particular focus on the newly launched Master 

Workshop.

During the ceremony, Petar Lušo, President of the Croatian Cultural and Sports Association KORNICA, received

 a medal from Strajo Krsmanović, Director of the National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in recognition of 

his outstanding contribution to the development of art and cultural cooperation.

Žana Ćorić from the Central State Office for Croats Abroad of the Republic of Croatia officially opened the symposium.

Master Workshop — A New Chapter

One of the major highlights of the 10th symposium was the introduction of the Master Workshop, an educational 

program designed for students from art academies across the region.

Students worked side by side with renowned artists and professors, gaining hands-on experience, exchanging ideas, 

and learning directly from experienced professionals. The workshop is planned to become a permanent part of 

future symposiums, focusing each year on different artistic media and bringing together new mentors and students

 from regional and international art academies.

This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening the symposium’s educational role and deepening 

its cooperation with academic and cultural institutions.

Dialogue, Education, and Cultural Exchange

The program also included a panel discussion titled “KORNICA International Sculpture Symposium — Present 

and Future,” moderated by art historian Dr. Mirha Šabanović. Artists and representatives of cultural and academic

 institutions jointly discussed the symposium’s journey over the past decade, its role in contemporary art, and 

opportunities for future development.

The discussion placed special emphasis on artistic freedom, international cooperation, and the importance of 

artworks remaining permanently at the place where they were created.

Participants also visited the Jurkić Art Foundry, where artists and students learned about the complex process of 

bronze casting, including the traditional lost-wax technique.

The cultural program continued with a visit to the “Bosnian Sanctuary” Museum at the Franciscan Monastery in

 Tolisa, offering participants the opportunity to explore the rich cultural, historical, and religious heritage of the 

Bosnian Posavina region.

The symposium also hosted an international chess master tournament, continuing its tradition of combining art 

with other forms of creativity, strategic thinking, and excellence.

Ten Years of Art, Community, and Vision

On the final day, a professional review was led by Dr. Mirha Šabanović, who followed the artists and their creative 

processes throughout the symposium. The event concluded successfully with an exhibition of newly created works 

and a ceremony awarding certificates to the participating artists.

Over the past ten years, artists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North 

Macedonia, and China have participated in the KORNICA International Sculpture Symposium. During this period, 

artists have created more than thirty sculptures, as well as numerous other artworks. These works now form 

an important art collection and lay the foundation for the future contemporary sculpture park.

Today, the KORNICA International Sculpture Symposium has become a member of the International Sculpture 

Symposium Alliance (ISSA), further highlighting its growing international reputation.

The success of the symposium would not have been possible without the dedication of numerous volunteers, 

local residents, partners, friends, and members of the Croatian Cultural and Sports Association KORNICA. 

Thanks to their efforts, KORNICA becomes a meeting place for art, culture, and community every year.

With the launch of the Master Workshop, the strengthening of international partnerships, and the continued

 development of the contemporary sculpture park, the 10th KORNICA International Sculpture Symposium has 

opened a new chapter in its development.

In KORNICA, art is no longer merely passing through — it stays, becoming part of the city itself.

Contributed by: Petar Lušo, ISSA Bosnia and Herzegovina Committee Member

Editor-in-Chief: Liu Qin

English Editor: Sun Ya‘nan

Legal Adviser: Tao Ran‘ting