Local civil initiative “Young critics” under the leadership of Dženeta Ajanić, professor of mathematics at Druga gimnazija Sarajevo and participant of the Learn, Think and Act! training course for teachers and support staff of secondary schools was carried out in three communities: Sarajevo, Mostar and Vitez. This initiative brought together high school students from three cities, offering them the chance to engage with writers, attend literary evenings, and compose literary reviews, all aimed at fostering a love for reading and promoting critical thinking among young people.
In an era where books are read less frequently and young people are increasingly drawn to digital media, this project highlights the enduring value of literature as a means to foster dialogue and understanding. By meeting writers like Almir Alić, Magdalena Blažević, and Enes Kurtović, students not only connected with contemporary authors but also expanded their perspectives while talking about important topics such as femicide and confronting the past.
The project enriched the collections of school libraries participating in the initiative, ensuring students have access to contemporary and relevant literature. Through literary clubs and literary evenings, Young Critics offers young people a platform to share their opinions and perspectives, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
In addition to enhancing the cultural life of local communities, this initiative seeks to combat hate speech and intolerance by fostering a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding. The initiative’s impact is evident not only in the growing interest in reading among young people but also in stronger connections in local communities.
“The Young Critics project, which promotes reading among young people through the establishment of reading clubs in schools, discussions with writers, and literary criticism writing, was successfully implemented in three secondary schools in BiH. Students from Druga gimnazija Sarajevo, United World College Mostar, and Secondary School “Vitez” organized literary events in their communities, featuring renowned contemporary BiH writers Almir Alić, Magdalena Blažević, and Enes Kurtović. Following the successful completion of project activities, which highlighted the enthusiasm of young people for books and reading, plans are underway to include other schools and introduce new authors, if we can get the needed funding,” said Dženeta Ajanić, project coordinator.
The “Young Critics” project demonstrates how local civic initiatives can create a significant impact by uniting people through a shared passion for books and art, while driving meaningful and lasting social change.
This initiative was implemented in partnership with the Alumni Association of Druga gimnazija secondary school in Sarajevo, with the mentoring and financial support of the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
