About Hungarians, for Hungarians – in Sarajevo

The film screening that took place with the participation of Hungarian EUFOR and NATO soldiers serving in Camp Butmir, Sarajevo was not an ordinary one. The film by Klára Siflis Gordán entitled “Hungarians on the bank of River Miljacka – Mrs. Irma’s story” presents the everyday life of the Hungarian ethnic minority in Bosnia-Herzegovina through the life of its title protagonist, Irma Muratović, the president of the Hungarian Citizens’ Association HUM, providing an insight into the history and programs of the association as well.

Prior to the screening Tünde Váradi, a scholarship recipient in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the Kőrösi Csoma Sándor Program of the State Secretariat for National Policy welcomed the Hungarian soldiers and briefly informed the audience about the content of the film and the sights of Sarajevo. After the screening, Mrs. Irma revealed that the number of Hungarians living in the Western Balkans country is around 1500-2000. Approximately 200 of them live in Sarajevo, half of whom are members of the association. It was said in the film – and Mrs. Irma also personally stated – that “to be a Hungarian in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not difficult, the people here are fond of Hungarians and Hungarian culture.” One source of this affection is Mrs. Irma’s dedication and hard work, which are complemented by the mutual assistance and support among members of the Hungarian community – be it the Hungarian-speaking ethnic minority living here, the members of the diplomatic corps or the peacekeepers.