At a time when many young people leave their hometowns in search of a better life, Aldin Krgo from Stolac is an example of dedication to his homeland. This graduate trainer, fitness expert and founder of the “Koraci” sports school, decided to stay in his beloved city despite the challenges that have followed him for years.
Born and raised in Stolac, after finishing his studies at the Faculty of Sports in Sarajevo, Aldin, instead of looking for a job in a big city with better salaries and infrastructure, decided to return to Stolac and help its development. He became a coach of younger categories at Football club “Iskra” and a fitness coach at the Youth Women’s Club “Iskra”, thus starting to build a bridge between sports and the local community.
Aware of the importance of providing opportunities and support to young people, Aldin founded the universal sports school “Koraci”, through which he promoted the importance of team play, discipline and the values that sports bring to children’s lives.
Aldin’s contribution to Stolac did not stop only in the field of sports. He is one of the founders and president of the Association “Koraci mladosti/Youth steps”, which for years has been actively engaged in the social engagement of young people through various projects.
“The Association provided scholarships to elementary and high school students and university students, organized the event “Stolacko ljeto/Summer in Stolac” with concerts, plays, book promotions. Members of the Association also participated in the renovation of Mehmedbasic’s house. Unfortunately, today, due to the departure of a large number of young people from Stolac, the Association works with a reduced capacity,” Aldin does not hide his disappointment.
Promotion of the tourist potential of Stolac
Stolac is one of the most beautiful cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a rich history and exceptional natural beauty. It is precisely on the promotion of these beauties that Aldin has been working the most in recent years. It all started through engagement in the “Crossroads of Civilizations” project, which aimed to promote the rich heritage of Stolac and attract visitors from both the country and the world.
“The Project Stolac X: Crossroads of Civilizations started during the corona virus pandemic. The goal was to create a new cultural-tourist route that will unite the rich cultural heritage of the Stolac region. A lot of domestic tourists came to the city, so information boards were placed for easier access to the sights of Stolac, such as the Old Town of Vidoski, Daorson, Sara’s bridge, the Boljuni necropolis…,” Aldin points out.
Then the Center for the Interpretation of Cultural Heritage was formed, in which young people from Stolac worked. Thanks to the Center, five films were made about the beauties of the Stolac region. When the project was completed, the works from the Center were moved to Mehmedbasic’s house, where they are still available to visitors today.
Mehmedbasic’s house, Istup and fig cake
Ten years ago, when more and more tourists started arriving in Stolac, a problem arose – the lack of accommodation. The city needed a place for accommodation, and Aldin saw an opportunity in the restoration of Mehmedbasic’s house – a national monument from the 19th century that, despite its beauty, had been neglected and empty for years.
“I came to the house by chance in 2016. It was owned by the Vakuf Directorate, in very bad condition. The then members of the Association “Youth Steps” and I got together and renovated the house in three months. We did everything ourselves, respecting the rules of the Commission for the Protection of National Monuments. When the house was opened in July that year, I remember that our first guests were two couples from France. Today, the house is an indispensable place for tourists to stay in Stolac,” Aldin points out with pride.
The accommodation complex with 30 beds consists of: a house with a veranda, a mutvak or summer kitchen, a new house, a courtyard with courtyard walls and a large garden with a view of the panorama of Stolac and the Old Town of Vidoski. Staying in the house is a unique experience that you will rarely find.
Aldin tries to offer something new to tourists in Stolac and guests in Mehmedbasica House every year. First, as part of the Stolac X project, a two-hour tourist tour through the city center was created. Tourists visit the Old Town of Vidoski, Cuprija, Begovina, Sara’s Bridge… After that, last year tourists were offered a visit to the hidden treasure of Stolac – the Istup waterfall and its pools.
Stolac’s hidden gem
Istup waterfall, over 200 meters high, is created by the river Svilica, and ends at Tabacki guvn. At the foot of the waterfall there are natural pools of exceptional beauty. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the road to it leads past the incredible Hellenic town of Daorson – Herzegovinian Mycenae. It is also interesting that many residents of Stolac have never heard of this waterfall.
“The tour to Istup lasts 5-6 hours. We start from the Mehmedbasic house, and after a short car ride, a 3.5 kilometer walk follows. After arriving at the location, part of it is passed through water. The final destination is the pools where we swim, and on the way back a picnic is organized on Bregava. This tour is very popular, so you should book a few days in advance if you want to experience this unique experience,” recommends Aldin.
Starting this year, tourists in Stolac, that is, guests of Mehmedbasic’s house, can make and taste traditional Herzegovinan figs.
“That experience of making a fig cake was declared one of the five best in the world by National Geographic. Since the publication of the article in the National Geography, interest in fig cakes has grown in all pastry shops in Stolac, and there are more and more tourists who want to learn how to make it”, Aldin does not hide his pride.
Slovo Gorcina in memory of Mak Dizdar
Aldin has been involved in another important project in Stolac for years – the Slovo Gorcina Culture Festival. This traditional manifestation was held this July as well, and as before, it gathered some of the most prominent artists. The festival began at the necropolis of the stecak Radimlje, with a poetry recital by Mak Dizdar performed by Izudin Bajrovic, and continued with a gathering with the writer Abdulah Sidran, concerts by Bozo Vreco and Banja Luka composer David Mastikosa, accompanied by performers Bartolomej Stankovic, Snjezana Pavicevic and Andrea Fisher, and exhibitions and book promotions. A special festival award “Before Dawn” was also awarded. The festival was closed by the iconic play produced by Chamber Theater 55, “Mirna Bosna”.
The idea of the culture festival “Slovo Gorčina” originates from Mak Dizdar, who towards the end of his life had the idea to bring all the best of culture and art from Bosnia and Herzegovina, that is, Yugoslavia at the time, to his hometown.
Aldin seems to follow that idea, so he wants to show all those who come to Stolac all the best that this city has.
And when you ask him why he decided to stay and not leave like many others, his answer is simple: “This is a city that is hard to leave and worth fighting for.”
Author: Vedada Sećerbajtarević
This article was written thanks to the generous support of the American people through the “Local Works” program of the United States Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID). The contents of the publication are under the exclusive liability of its author and “Network for Building Peace”. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the US Government.
