STEVANDIĆ: BANJA LUKA THE SECOND SERB CAPITAL

BANJA LUKA, JULY 2 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić said that the Banja Luka Tourism Organisation is doing an excellent job of promoting the city as the second Serb capital.

"With its geographical location, culture, creativity, people, resources and natural beauty, Banja Luka represents the westernmost centre of Serb culture," Stevandić told the press at the opening ceremony of the traditional Summer on the Vrbas festival.

Minja Šurlan, director of the Banja Luka Tourism Organisation, said the month-long event will feature an expanded programme with a greater number of activities.

"We are introducing a new concept while preserving the traditional highlights, such as the Banja Luka Swallow diving competition from the City Bridge and the dajak boat race," Šurlan said.

She added that this year's programme has also been enriched with wine festivals, open-air theatre performances and music festivals, among other events.

The traditional Summer on the Vrbas festival officially opened this evening at the Kastel Fortress, organised by the Banja Luka Tourism Organisation.

The event was first launched in 1953 by members of the Banja Luka Academicians Club under the name Carnival on the Vrbas.

In the late 1970s, it was renamed Meetings on the Vrbas, before adopting its current name, Summer on the Vrbas, in 1995.