MINIĆ: THE FESTIVAL DESERVES INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT

FOČA, JULY 17 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić attended the OK Fest festival at Tjentište today and said that the festival deserves institutional support, given that it attracts visitors from all continents.

Minić said that he was once involved in organising the festival with its organiser Dubravko Suvara and provided youthful support, whereas that support is now institutional.

He said that OK Fest deserves the presence and support of all levels of government, adding that such support has been provided continuously, not only for the organisation of the festival but also for infrastructure.

He said that the story of this festival is also the story of Republika Srpska, as it began as an idea for young people to socialise and has grown into a festival known globally.

"These are ambassadors of Republika Srpska because we have people here from Brazil and from all continents," Minić said.

He said that after attending the opening of the festival, he would visit the site where part of the infrastructure is being built, expressing confidence that this part of Republika Srpska will become one of the world's destinations.

The organiser of OK Fest, Dubravko Suvara, said that the 12th edition of the festival opened today, but that it was the first one attended by the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska.

"This represents recognition of our work, but also a moment showing that we have people who have an understanding for this type of event," Suvara said.

He pointed out that the organisers had identified poor infrastructure as the biggest shortcoming, but believes this issue will also be resolved properly, which will make it easier to organise events of this kind.

He expects around 30,000 people to attend the festival over its four-day duration, noting that most visitors come from the region, while 20 to 30 percent are from abroad, from all continents.

Suvara said that the program has become internationalised, given the international stars taking part in the festival.