After seven days filled with art, music, dance and unforgettable encounters, the TrotoArt Street Performers Festival once again confirmed its status as one of Banja Luka’s most important and recognisable summer events.
The festival officially opened on 16 June with a grand parade of participants through the city, followed by numerous performances, artistic presentations and cultural events held in the streets, squares, parks and promenades of the city on the Vrbas River. Over the course of seven festival days, more than 500 local and international performers transformed Banja Luka into a vast open-air stage, offering residents and visitors a unique blend of creativity, entertainment and artistic expression.
Street Artists and International Performers Captivate Audiences
Festival locations across the city offered a rich and diverse programme for all generations. Visitors enjoyed concerts, art installations, living statues, dance performances, workshops and street shows that attracted large audiences every day.
Particular attention was drawn by the striking performances of international artists, including Signora Gomez, a tightrope performance by Swiss artist Eva Čermak, and the appearance of Italian clown Barabba, known for his distinctive fusion of humour and circus art.
During the festival, Gospodska Street became the setting for numerous street spectacles, including cartoon-inspired costumes presented by Duncan Theatre and Dance Club, as well as Galumphing, a performance by Argentine-Italian artist Nicolás Galarza.
A Rich Musical Programme for All Generations
This year’s edition was given a special musical touch by the saxophone quartet Saxum, the Lira ensemble, and Sister Duo, made up of Katarina and Kristina Babić. They delighted the audience with the sounds of violin and cello, as well as a spectacular stilt performance in lavish dresses.
Among the notable acts was also the performance by British group The Blue Red Blue Band, organised in cooperation with the Embassy of the United Kingdom in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The band presented the audience with a vibrant repertoire spanning rock, pop, jazz, acoustic and funk music.
Squares and Parks Filled with Creativity
Krajina Square hosted numerous dance performances, including an impressive aerial silk act, while Petar Kočić Park served throughout the festival as a meeting place for creatives, handmade crafts exhibitors and participants in workshops for children and adults.
TrotoArt Confirms Its Place Among the Region’s Leading Festivals
This year’s TrotoArt once again demonstrated the power of culture and art to connect people of all generations, bring public spaces to life and give the city a special energy. Thousands of visitors enjoyed a programme that turned Banja Luka into a meeting point for artists, residents and guests from different parts of the world.
With the closing of this year’s festival, the curtain fell on another successful edition of TrotoArt, which brought seven days of creativity, joy and positive energy to the city. The festival once again confirmed its distinctive identity and importance on the region’s cultural map, with the expectation that next year it will bring together even more artists and visitors.
