Welcome to Evening of Sevdah

The Love Songs of Bosnia and Herzegovina

A full length concert featuring some of the finest artists in the Pacific Northwest performing the traditional urban music of Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented by Sevdah North America. Sevdah…a music that expresses every shade of love from the first shy blush, to euphoria, longing and agony; whose exotic melodies reflect refined Ottoman aesthetics, whose poetic imagery evokes scenes of fragrant gardens, bustling markets and minarets.

Artists from Bosnia and Herzegovina, America, Croatia, and Serbia will share their common love for this beloved music at the second annual Evening of Sevdah. Emotive vocalists will perform songs from the repertoire of legendary artists of sevdah - Himzo Polovina, Safet Isovic, Nada Mamula, Zaim Imamovic and more. Instrumental textures will range from the traditional saz to tamburica orchestra to the more modern sound of accordion. This year's event features many fine artists including: Mirsad Zulic, saz player and vocalist now living in Chicago; singer Rusmir Sacirovic now living in Portland, Oregon; Nedim H. Hamzic, Srdjan Yevdjevich of Cultur Shock, Zlatne Strune, Balkan Cabaret, Ensemble Behar, Ensamble Sevdah, singer Enes Tirak and more. Slides of places in and cultural images from Bosnia will be projected during the concert to enhance people's memories and impressions of the place from which this rich art form originated. A printed program will provide English translations so all can enjoy the rich poetic imagery of sevdah.

This is a multigenerational community event. The concert will engage community members of all ages in various aspects of the production: cultural displays, graphic design, ushering, making and selling handicrafts, publicity and more. This is the most major sevdah concert in the United States and serves as a model and inspiration to Diaspora communities throughout the world.

Evening of Sevdah is brought to you by Sevdah North America and supported by the Seattle Peoples Fund; 4Culture; the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, City of Seattle; and donations; and is sponsored by Ethnic Heritage Council and New Land Music.

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