The PitchWise Festival of Women’s Art and Activism, a signature initiative of the CURE Foundation, is a unique feminist international event that unites activism with socially engaged art. Over the past twenty years, the festival has welcomed more than 10,000 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region and the world.
We launched the festival in 2006 with the aim of occupying and transforming neglected public spaces into safe spaces for encounter and creation – spaces for a new generation of artists, theorists and activists. Through solidarity and connections with sisters across the globe, we continue to weave networks of resistance against patriarchy and violence.
This year’s PitchWise Festival highlights the continuity of our uncompromising feminist engagement: ‘20 Years Together – Visible – Strong – United* – Holding the Line for Women’s Rights – No Turning Back!’
Going backwards would mean stripping away hard-won rights and freedoms for girls, women – and all marginalised groups.
For decades, we have stood up – on the streets and in safe spaces – through art, academic research, theory and practice, interactive workshops, lectures, book and film launches, feminist advocacy and lobbying – for a life of dignity, for women’s human rights and culture, and for the values of gender justice, equality and feminist ideals.
We resolutely defend the fight against discrimination and unequal treatment, and advocate for equality in all areas of life – the right to education, equal pay for equal work, access to healthcare, sexual and reproductive rights, a life free from violence, political participation and decision-making power for women, greater representation in culture and the media, gender-sensitive content in school textbooks, the inclusion of various vulnerable groups in society, economic independence and support for women, a better quality of life for women in rural areas, a feminist approach to justice and the politics of remembrance.
In short – we fight for fundamental freedoms, dignity and safety for all girls and women.
We are celebrating our 20th anniversary at the History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina – just as this national institution marks its 80th anniversary. There is deep symbolism in this. Together, we send a clear message of continued resistance to politics of forgetting, to the erasure of women’s history and contributions to culture, science, sport, art and society as a whole. We stand against efforts to undermine democratic standards and restrict or reduce the rights of women and all others who are different.
As we did on day one, so we do now – two decades later – our message remains unchanged:
There is no turning back. We will not return to a past in which girls and women were denied rights and excluded as equal human beings. We move forward – into a feminist, emancipatory future where women are free and respected. We are creating a culture that empowers, festivals that celebrate women, equality and diversity – a space in which every person has an equal opportunity for a fulfilling life.
The XX PitchWise Festival of Women’s Art and Activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina will span four days, offering audiences from across the country, the region and beyond a rich programme – featuring photography exhibitions, book promotions, concerts and musical performances, creative workshops, as well as panel discussions and public conversations on pressing social issues.
Our workshops are spaces for the exchange of knowledge and experiences related to art, feminism and social change. Panel discussions with researchers, theorists, activists and artists open dialogue on key societal challenges, while book promotions place feminist literature and theory in the spotlight. Bold, resonant messages echo through musical performances, while exhibitions, films, performances and theatre pieces shed light on social issues and critically reflect on the world we live in – crafting unique visual messages of resistance and freedom.
PitchWise is not just a feminist festival – it is a space of resistance, a place of empowerment, and a creative platform where art and activism come together to shape a better future for all!
See you on 11th – 14th September 2025 at History Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zmaja od Bosne 5, Sarajevo!
