The International Association “Interactive Open Schools” (MIOS) Tuzla, in cooperation with the Public Primary School “Harmani II” Bihać, organized the 2nd Kamishibai Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the title “Stories of Youth That Travel.” The festival was held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Ismet Mujezinović Atelier in Tuzla.
This unique event brought together pupils and teachers from primary schools across the Zenica-Doboj, Tuzla, Una-Sana, and Herzegovina-Neretva cantons, with the aim of promoting creative and interactive learning, cultural diversity, and children’s participation in the educational process through kamishibai – the traditional Japanese art of storytelling.
The Zenica-Doboj Canton was represented by pupils and teachers from the First Primary School Zavidovići, the Second Primary School Zavidovići, and the Primary School “Mustafa Mulić” Tešanj.
The festival was also attended by educational advisors from the Pedagogical Institute Zenica, Amila Herceg Hodžić and Amela Serdarević Šogolj, further emphasizing the importance of professional institutional support in developing innovative educational practices.
The program of the festival included storytelling in three thematic circles: “My Local Community,” “How I See My Future,” and “How I Imagine a Happy Environment.” In addition, a cherry tree was planted in Tuzla City Park as a tribute to Dr. Azra Spahić, giving the festival additional symbolic value. A workshop entitled “Closed Kamishibai Showcase” was also held for teachers, aimed at strengthening pedagogical competencies and exchanging experiences in applying the kamishibai technique in schools.
The Kamishibai Festival was conceived as a platform for networking schools, exchanging good practices, and strengthening modern approaches to learning, contributing to the development of children’s communication skills, self-confidence, and creativity, as well as reinforcing the professional community of teachers.
