All Inclusive Sarajevo Exhibition 21-28 November 2009
In his opening speech at the exhibition, Michael Tatham, Ambassador of the UK in Bosnia and Herzegovina noted "the success of the project has lain in its ability to draw creatively on the diversity amongst individuals and focus on their strengths to create great products." He promptly ordered Librag's street ashtray for the UK Embassy and Residence.
Miroslav Živanović, Deputy Mayor of the City of Sarajevo, promised to organise an exhibition of the project in the National Parliament building to present it to other government officials and persuade the Cantonal government to place an order of street ashtrays for the city. The exhibition would show the importance and level of excellence of the project.
The Deputy Mayor has since visited Librag and Pismolik with his public relations team and promoted their work to partner organisations and other government bodies.
Librag has been promised assistance in obtaining new machinery and a street ashtray will be installed in Sarajevo to test and develop the design further.
Živanović expressed interest in commissioning printing work from Pismolik. Orders have been placed for Mojatorba bags, which now are available in two iterations - the original one and a larger version that will carry a laptop.
Jasminka Karahasanović, Director of Librag noted that she was at first sceptical about allowing designers to work for her company, but was impressed to see how design is intrinsic to strategic planning, business, function and marketing. She wishes to continue to work with designers and invest in design in the future.
Elvir Carina, a master craftsman behind the new Librag collection, explained that he enjoyed learning how a simple material like sheet metal, that his company normally uses for guttering, can be used creatively to make designer products.
Through the professional network and personal relationships created by the workshop, there have been two new collaborations to date between All Inclusive Sarajevo veterans.
It seems clear that the All Inclusive Sarajevo project is a transferable model.
