Božo Vrećo: “My breaths and thoughts are Sevdah.”
The young Sevdah singer Božo Vrećo not only sings old Sevdalinke, but also writes and composes new ones. And quite successfully at that. In this interview, he explains why he is so successful.
Božo Vrećo enters the stage in flowing dresses and high-heeled shoes. The fashions he wears flatter his petite and slender figure. His long dark shiny hair sways harmoniously to the music as he sings the old traditional folk songs of Bosnia-Herzegovina, called “Sevdah”, in a soft and penetrating voice. His almond-shaped eyes are rimmed with black kohl and his face is adorned with a well-groomed beard, like those of saints, dervishes or Sufis. Tattoos with traditional Bosnian-Herzegovinian and Jewish motifs adorn his fine arms, while two angel wings are tattooed on his back. When he raises his delicate hand to the music, adorned with old Bosnian rings like those on display in the National Museum in Sarajevo, the audience’s heartbeat automatically goes up, followed by goose bumps all over the body as soon as the first note leaves his lips.
Božo Vrećo sings old traditional Sevdalinke, a style of music from Bosnia-Herzegovina that has been known for centuries. But he also writes new sevdah. They tell of his deep love for his mother, the story of the colorful Aladza mosque in Foca, his love for women and the story of his family. He never loses sight of tradition. He performs old traditional cultural assets by integrating the modern world. His performances are a three-dimensional work of art. The audience is whisked away into Božo’s matrix.
Božo Vrećo’s performances are a kind of avatara – a journey into a mysterious dimension that lies dormant in each of us, just waiting to be awakened. The voice really does seem like a gift from God when you consider that Božo has never had singing lessons. He is who he is and what he does, he does with passion and conviction – very successfully, as he masters one of the most difficult musical styles in Europe.
Maybe it’s because his religion is love. And it is precisely this religion that plays a major role in his songs. He also loves tolerance and respect for all people and their religions. He sees himself as a woman and a man in one, which can be seen in his appearance. On Facebook, he celebrates all religious festivals as they are known in Bosnia-Herzegovina; in the video “Jalah” there are Islamic, Christian and Jewish elements, while he is dressed as a woman and embraced by a man. He always shoots the videos for his songs in wonderful places in his homeland, whether in nature or in well-known historical buildings. He is perceived as Bosnia-Herzegovina and not as a man with a beard who wears clothes. Which, by the way, suit him very well. He is what the people of the country are looking for and need. Because of his freedom and informality, he is a foothold at a time when political groups are trying to rewrite the country’s history to their own advantage. However, Božo Vrećo shows through his love for his homeland and the Sevdah that the old spirit of times long past still exists and is adapting to the present in favor of charity. He explains how he manages to do this in the interview.
Mit dem Laden des Videos akzeptieren Sie die Datenschutzerklärung von YouTube.
Mehr erfahren
What does Sevdah mean to you?
Sevdah means freedom to me and embodies my whole life, which is dualistic, lie-free, honest, open, emotional and unforced in everything I can be as a man or woman – both privately and publicly.
In your opinion, what significance does the Sevdah have for the history of Europe?
The Sevdah music genre is of great importance for Europe’s history, as it has a very high ranking in the traditional music sector. This genre from the Balkans is very difficult to sing. Its songs are filled with extraordinary emotions, melancholy, sadness and a magical liberating energy that penetrates us through tears and sighs to make us feel it as a part of us.
I sing all over Europe and don’t translate the lyrics. It’s simply not necessary. My voice and emotions are enough for the audience to get an idea of the song. The numerous comments on my performances prove that.
You write new Sevdah songs. Where does your inspiration come from?
I get inspiration from everywhere: old photographs, books, archive photos, traveling and people. I find the greatest inspiration in myself, because my breaths and thoughts are Sevdah.
Sevdalinke, which I compose and whose lyrics I write, are of a special dimension. The audience receives them with an open heart the first time they listen to their sounds. They evoke a bygone era and true personalities that inspire me. They are part of the melodies that I feel inside me. Magical words are created to accompany them. They take wings and fly out into the distance. It’s wonderful to evoke so many emotions and create songs that will remain as a collection for posterity. That is also my mission.
Božo Vrećo was born in Foca in 1983. His father died when he was five years old. So he grew up with his mother and two sisters. His love, however, was the sevdah, which he taught himself to sing. He went to Sarajevo, where his talent was quickly discovered. Since 2013, he has been performing as a singer in the band Halka and gives solo a capella concerts.
More about Božo Vrećo:
