Sanela Diana Jenkins Accepts Patriotism Award

The 2013 Isa-beg Ishaković award for Patriotism was presented to Sanela Diana Jenkins: “We honor the global humanitarian Sanela Diana Jenkins with the award in the field of Patriotism—a person whose love of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina state deserves more than awards and whose humanism knows no bounds.”

“I am proud to be a woman from Sarajevo and a Bosnian woman,” said Jenkins upon receiving the prize from the Association for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Klpesidra.

The Isa-beg Ishaković award is the most significant independent civil prize in Bosnia and Herzegovina and transcends any political, ideological, national or religious beliefs. It was founded in 2007 with the aim of promoting the multicultural traditions of Sarajevo—a city founded in 1462 by Isa beg Ishaković, after whom the award is named.

The Isa-beg Ishaković award was presented on September 5th to five distinguished scholars, artists, and activists for their contributions in music, art, science, cultural heritage, and patriotism. This year’s award was granted under the slogan “Sarajevo, European Jerusalem”.

“I’m excited, and this award is a great honor,” Jenkins said. “I’ve received several international awards, but this one means a lot to me because it’s from my hometown of Sarajevo. Thank you all. Thank you Sarajevo. Thank you to my Bosnia and Herzegovina.”