The grand annual concert A Gift to the Republic, held on June 16, 2026, on the plateau of the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Banja Luka, ceremonially marked the end of classes in the 2025/2026 academic year and World Music Day. This unique open-air musical spectacle brought together several thousand citizens who enjoyed a rich and diverse program.

The concert featured nearly one hundred artists from the Symphony Orchestra of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska, performing masterpieces of classical and film music, as well as symphonic arrangements of popular compositions. Particular attention was drawn by performances from opera diva Dunja Simić, regional music star Lena Kovačević, and internationally acclaimed guitarist Igor Paspalj.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, Savo Minić, stated that through this event, the University of Banja Luka demonstrates that it is not only a place of learning but also an important contributor to the cultural and social life of the Republic of Srpska.

“I would like to thank the University for the excellent organization of this concert, which is a gift to the Republic of Srpska. Our students deserve an event of this kind and a concert that even many larger cities in the region do not have,” said Minić.

The Rector of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Radoslav Gajanin, PhD, emphasized that this is the third consecutive year in which the University has organized this major cultural event.

“This concert is dedicated to the completion of classes in the summer semester, as well as to the celebration of World Music Day. I am especially pleased that the two symphony orchestras—the Academy of Arts and the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska—performed together tonight as a single ensemble. This is the best demonstration of the strength of cooperation between the academic and professional arts communities,” said Gajanin.

He expressed gratitude to the Office of the President of the Republic of Srpska, the Government of the Republic of Srpska, the relevant ministry, and all partners and sponsors who supported the organization of the concert.

The Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, Prof. Draga Mastilović, PhD, congratulated the University and the Academy of Arts on the successful organization of the event and the students on completing the academic year.

“This concert demonstrates in the best possible way that the University is not only a place of learning but also a space for major artistic achievements, creativity, and cultural expression,” Mastilović emphasized.

The concert’s conductor, Dušan V. Urošević, highlighted that this was an exceptionally demanding musical project that brought together students, professors, and professional musicians.

“This concert confirmed the high level of cooperation between academic and professional artists, as well as the tremendous potential of the young musicians developing at the Academy of Arts,” said Urošević.

The Dean of the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka, Prof. Dragana Purković Macan, PhD, thanked all institutions and partners who contributed to the realization of the concert.

The event was attended by ministers of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, representatives of public, political, and cultural life, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the academic community, and numerous guests from the Republic of Srpska, Serbia, and the wider region.

The concert A Gift to the Republic was organized by the University of Banja Luka in cooperation with the Academy of Arts of the University of Banja Luka and the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska, with the support of the Office of the President of the Republic of Srpska, the event’s general patron.

The annual concert is one of the most significant cultural events organized by the University, bringing together thousands of visitors and reaffirming the University’s role as an important contributor to the cultural life of the Republic of Srpska.

Photo: D. Desnica, A. Korićanac