The competition has ended: the Tourist Board of the City of Mostar has chosen the best postcards

The Tourist Board of the City of Mostar, in cooperation with the Mostar Photo Club, has ended the competition for the best postcard of the city of Mostar. The invitation to participate was sent to all lovers of photography and creative people, and the topic included the most beautiful moments and landscapes of our city, from the Old Bridge, the Old Town and natural beauties, to the everyday life and cultural heritage of Mostar.

An expert committee consisting of Alica Jakirović, artist, Marin Margeta in front of the Mostar Photo Club and Katarina Marijanović in front of the Tourist Board of the City of Mostar, evaluated the submitted works and selected the three best photos that will be printed as postcards.

First place was won by a photographer Sead Sasivarevic for the photo ''Golden Bridge, an impressive landscape composition depicting the Old Bridge in Mostar, which brings a perfect combination of architectural magnificence and natural silence.

"The artist skilfully captures the moment of twilight when the sky has sunk into warm, muted tones and descends over the calm surface of the river. The reflection of the bridge on the water further emphasizes the harmony between man's creation and the natural environment. The illuminated Old Bridge, a symbol of connection and permanence, rises gracefully over the river, while the soft light of the evening envelops the entire scene in an almost meditative atmosphere. There is a subtle emotional depth — the work does not leave the viewer indifferent, but invites him to contemplation and inner peace. As a visual homage to the history and beauty of Mostar, this work of art exudes elegance and serenity, making it not only aesthetically attractive, but also emotionally powerful,'' the expert commission stated in its decision.

Second place went to Ivan Kelava for the photo of the name ''Mostar Mornings'', a composition that represents an exceptional achievement in which form, light and atmosphere are combined into an almost meditative whole. The central motif – the Old Bridge in Mostar – is shown with particular attention to proportions, the rhythm of lines and the relationship between architecture and nature.

"The bridge rises above the river as a silent vertical of stability, a counterpoint to the fluidity of the water and the gentle mist that envelops the entire scene. The artist masterfully uses a soft palette of morning tones to create a sense of calm and introspective silence. Light contrasts are restrained, but precisely balanced. The atmosphere of a photograph suggests more than a mere representation of a place: it evokes a sense of place and time, presence and memory. The work does not seek drama, but silence. Its strength lies in the subtlety of expression and the ability to communicate universal emotions through the landscape form – melancholy, peace, nostalgia,'' the explanation states.

According to the opinion of the expert committee, she won the third prize Emir Tipur, the author who in the photo ''Emina'', carefully shapes not only the frame but also the spirit of the time, space and poetry.

"In the foreground, we find a girl - contemporary Emina - standing in the semi-shadow under the monumental arch of the Old Bridge. This shot is not just a documentary representation of the tourist scene, but a visual interpretation of one of the most famous songs of Bosnian literature. This photograph manages to combine literature, history, tradition and contemporary aesthetics in a frame that not only deserves a place on a postcard - but also in the memory of every observer,'' the decision stated.

The authors pointed out that this recognition is a great honor for them, considering that this is a document of the time in which they leave a small mark.

"For me, this is very important. It is a great honor for me that one of my photos will be a postcard of the City of Mostar. This is the result of my immense love for this city, as well as the effort I put into making my photos", stated the first prize winner Sead Šašivarević.

Ivan Kelava pointed out that he was surprised by the recognition considering who all of his fellow photographers participated in this competition, and that for him the most difficult part was choosing the motif.

"I decided on the most recognizable motif of the city of Mostra, the Old Bridge, and I like to say that it is always a photographic problem for me when I come because there is no one who hasn't photographed the Old Bridge. When we start from a photographic point of view, it's very difficult to create something original, impressive, and that's a challenge for me,'' he said.

Emira Tipura pointed out that she is proud that her photo was recognized in this competition.

"This success is a great motivation for me to continue capturing the moments and scenes that tell the story of our city," added Tipura.

The winners of the competition will be awarded monetary amounts for first place 1,000.00 KM, second place 600.00 KM and third place 400.00 KM.

The Tourist Board of the City of Mostar will also print postcards with the best photos, which will become new souvenirs and attractions for visitors to Mostar. This contest is just one of a series of initiatives by the Tourist Board of the City of Mostar to promote the beauty of the city and encourage creativity among photography enthusiasts.