Damir Imamovic was born in Sarajevo. He comes from a well-known musical family. His father Nedžad Imamović (1948-2020) was a bassist, producer, singer and writer, while his paternal grandfather, Zaim Imamović (1920-1994), was a legendary musician and traditional sevdah singer. The musician, composer and singer has taken up his grandfather’s Bosnian traditional music and reinterprets it together with his band Sevdah Takht, which he founded in 2012. In 2021 he won the Songlines Workld Music Awards as “The Best Artist of Europe”.

Why did you become an artist? 

Well, I think this is the most difficult question to answer. Man simply either has a certain way of looking at things or he doesn’t. He doesn’t even have to be aware of it. The only important thing is to decide whether you want to make your view as profession or not. That is an important decision, because it means that one has to concentrate and learn many skills in order to be able to make a living from art at all. However, to think like an artist – you cannot “decide” that.

Photo: Almin Zrno

What does it mean to be an artist in Bosnia and Herzegovina? 

We in Bosnia and Herzegovina have no social agreement on the basic things in political reality, let alone on the perspectives we want to secure for our future as a society. In other words, it is clear from our public policies, budgets and public relations that we do not think very much about the future. We would have to adopt an attitude towards art, following the example of some Western European countries, and grant it a place in society. In our country, the situation is still the same: state support is granted for ephemeral things, but the door remains closed for important projects. My personal advice as an artist based on experience is: Trust only yourself!

What do you want to achieve with your art? 

It is important to me to tell stories. I love it when people can participate and find themselves in it. Every artist wants to communicate with people. That is the reason why we make art.

Photo: Edvin Kalic

What is your message beyond your national borders? 

This is a very complex issue with me. Outside the country I am often perceived as a traditional artist and inside as someone who breaks with this conservative status quo. Somehow I swim between these two worlds and find new moments in tradition that are unexpected. And I emphasise these unexpected moments.

What wisdom drives you? 

I don’t have any wisdom to which I want to ideologically attach myself. I have a nose, and this nose is known as a sensitive organ that looks in all directions.

Interview: Mirella Sidro, Sarajevo