ABOUT BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is the heart shaped land that lies in the heart of southeast Europe. Country where eastern and western civilizations met, enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history.
Official name: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Population: 3.8 million
Capital: Sarajevo
Area: 51,129 sq km (19,741 sq miles)
Administrative organisation: two entities - Republika Srpska (RS) and Federation of BiH (FBiH), and Brcko District
Official languages: Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian (S/C/B)
Religions: Muslim, Serb Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and other
Ethnic groups: Bosniak, Serb, Croat, and others
Time Zone: European Time Zone (GMT +1)
Power Supply: The electric supply is 220V with 50Hz frequency
Water: It is safe to drink tap water in Sarajevo

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT SARAJEVO?

In 1914, Sarajevo was the site where the Archduke Franc Ferdinand (the Austrian heir to the throne) was assassinated, which was the event that triggered the World War I.
Sarajevo was the first city in Europe and the second city in the world to have a full-time operational electric tram network running through the city (the first being San Francisco).
Sarajevo hosted the 14th Winter Olympic Games in 1984.
Sarajevo is one of the Lonely Planet’s top 10 cities to visit in 2010.

ABOUT JAHORINA MOUNTAIN

Olympic beauty and snow queen, Jahorina mountain is one of the biggest ski and tourist centres of Balkan area. It's just 25km from Sarajevo. The highest peak is at 1916 m above sea level.
Popular destinations such as Jahorina, where the nature has been so generous is attractive and acceptable to all top athletes, recreation, hunters, fishermen, mountaineers and those whose senses are eager to enjoy the peace and natural beauty. The clean mountain air does not only relax the body, but also the soul.
Health tourism has its perspective on Jahorina, which has favorable climate elements that have a positive effect on human health. This is primarily related to chronic lung diseases, TBC and anemia, and clean and oxygen and ozone rich air without allergens has a soothing effect on less serious nervous illnesses and recovery from more serious illnesses.

SYMPOSIUM VENUE - AGROSYM 2018

The Symposium will be held at hotel Termag**** on Jahorina mountain, near Sarajevo.

LOCAL TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT

AIRPORT PICK UP
The participants are expected to arrive on 3^rd October 2018, one day before the beginning of the conference. The AGROSYM team will provide airport transfer to respective hotels in Jahorina mountain, based on arrival time. The pickup will standby at International Arrival waiting hall, with AGROSYM 2018 sign.
In case participants do not inform us their arrival time, participants can take the airport taxi, near the exit. The cost to reach Jahorina mountain might be around 25-30 euro per trip.
TRANSFER FROM SARAJEVO CITY CENTER
Also, we will organize shuttle transfer from the Sarajevo city centre on 4^th of October at 11.00 a.m. (in front of hotel ETN – Bascarsija in old part of town) for participants who will arrive in Sarajevo before conference (you have to inform us in advance about number of persons if you will use this shuttle transfer).
It is very easy to find parking in front of ETN hotel and hotel’s address is: Safvet Bega Basagica 12, Stari grad, Sarajevo.

WEATHER

October with many sunny days is good month to avoid the crowds and enjoy the barrage of orange, red and yellow leaves that paint the forests. Temperature during day time can vary from 5 – 20 °C.

VISA

Procedures at both the borders and the airport are standardized and not complicated. Valid passport is required. EU, American and Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the country. Most other nations do need a visa, and getting one is possible through the Bosnian embassies in your respective countries or at the nearest Bosnian embassy, Consular, or Diplomatic Mission in the neighbouring countries.
The list of countries whose nationals need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) can be found at the web pages of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH.
Please note that persons with valid multiple entry Schengen visa or a visa issued by the EU member state or the proper residence permit in the Schengen Area or the European Union member states can enter and stay in Bosnia 7 days and they must enter BiH (via land or flight) from any European Union (EU) country.
For more information on visas please visit: http://www.mvp.gov.ba/konzularne_informacije/vize/Default.aspx
Decision on visas 18.12.2014: here

LOCAL CURRENCY

Local currency is Convertible Mark - international abbreviation is BAM, i.e. KM is used locally (1.95KM=1€). Most shops will accept payment in Euros, using a 1 to 2 ratio.
There are many ATM machines in all major towns and cities (ATM machine available at the Congress venue – hotel Termag).
US dollars, British pounds, yens, and other major currencies can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices. They will also change your leftover of KM back into any of the main currencies.
Although credit cards are widely accepted, you should not rely on them and it is better to have some cash as well. VISA and Master cards will be accepted in most places, but no guarantee with the American Express.

INSURANCE

Participants are expected to organize their own health and travel insurance for the duration of the Symposium. We strongly encourage you to purchase general travel health insurance before departure to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

NATIONAL CUISINE

Location, history, and cultural diversity have given Bosnia and Herzegovina culinary influences from Asia Minor and the Central Europe, with final touch by continental Herzegovinian and Mediterranean tradition. “Bosnian cuisine” offers, in most cases simple and natural dishes, with plenty of meat, vegetables, fruits, and milk products.
When in Sarajevo area you have to try a Sarajevan specialty cevapi – small, charcoal-broiled, minced-meat rissoles, served with the warm flat bread – somun, and yoghurt at one of the restaurants serving this specialty – cevabdžinica.
Burgedžinica is a restaurant specialising in filled pastries made with thin, flat layers of dough called pita. With meat they are called burek, with cottage cheese sirnica, with spinach and cottage cheese zeljanica, with pumpkin tikvenjaca, and with potatoes krompiruša.

WATER

Almost every town in Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina has one or more public fountains with water of excellent quality for thirsty travellers. Bosnia is also rich with small springs and streams of sparkling fresh water to be found along many mountain walking roads. In short, there are no worries when drinking water in Bosnia, be it from the tap or elsewhere. It is probably of higher quality than you have it at home!

COFFEE AND TEA TRADITION

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we drink coffee. It is the backbone of social life. Nowadays, coffee is widely available and affordable. The traditional coffee is called “bosanska kafa” or Bosnian coffee in English. It is similar to what the rest of the world calls the Turkish coffee, a strong coffee served with oddly-shaped sugar cubes. By now, espresso and coffee latte are available everywhere in towns and cities.
There is a tea drinking tradition as well. You can also enjoy tea drinking. However, you might be misunderstood if asking for black tea with milk, because people here are not used to it, and do not serve it in proper way. Try the herbal teas instead. There are many different types and they generally have a very nice fragrance. They are often organic and come straight from the forest.

SAFETY

You are going to Bosnia! Are you sure? Why would you do that? Is it safe there? You cannot come to Bosnia and Herzegovina without having this conversation. Please keep in mind that Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the safest places in Europe! Violent crime is virtually non-existent. For men and women alike, walking the streets of any town or city at any time of day or night is relatively safe.

DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE ALONG

 - Tickets and insurance documentation;
 - Passport (check the validity of the passport; it should be valid for the entire period of your stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina);
 - Cash and/or credit card;
 - Name and contact details of the contact person in case of emergency (Agrosym contact: http://www.agrosym.rs.ba/index.php/en/component/content/article?layout=edit&id=35)
 - Personal items that will help you feel at home.
Finally, be sure to check your baggage weight limitations with the airline company with which you are travelling. Paying for excess baggage can be very expensive.

EVERYDAY LANGUAGE GLOSSARY

Good morning – Dobro jutro
Good afternoon – Dobar dan
Good evening – Dobro vece
Goodbye – Dovidenja
Answer – Odgovor
Building – Zgrada
Direction – Smjer
Excuse me – Oprostite
Where is (the)...? – Gdje je...?
Where do I find...? – Gdje mogu naci...?
Bus stop – Autobuska stanica
Railway station – Željeznicka stanica
Police – Policija
Exit – Izlaz
Entrance – Ulaz
Forbidden – Zabranjeno
Hi – Cao
How much is it? – Koliko košta?
How are you? – Kako ste?
Illness – Bolest
Location – Mjesto
No – Ne
Yes – Da
Please – Molim
Pull – Vuci
Push – Gurni
Question – Pitanje
Square – Trg
Street – Ulica
Thank you – Hvala
Welcome – Dobro došli
What is your name? – Kako se zovete?

CONTACT PERSONS

For any additional information please feel free to contact:
Dr. Sinisa Berjan, Symposium General secretary
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mobile: +387 (0) 65 987 097
Phone: +387 (0) 57 490 401
Fax: +387 (0) 57 342 701
Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Bosnia

and

Dr. Noureddin Driouech, Coordinator of Ciheam-MAIB Alumni Network (FTN)
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +39 0804606203
Fax: +39 0804606206
Ciheam - Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari, Italy