BOJAN ČIKIĆ, THE UNCROWNED KING OF BANJA LUKA'S TAVERNS

The tavern serves as inspiration for creativity. It has always been frequented by writers, poets, intellectuals, welcoming the dawn, drawing ideas. The tavern is my love! In it, I am fulfilled, happy, and content - said musician Bojan Čikić, a bohemian and the uncrowned king of Banja Luka's taverns, for the Hedonist magazine.

Rarely seen in the media, reality shows, or on TV screens, but he enjoys considerable popularity in his hometown.

I mostly attract difficult patients, those afflicted with love. I strive to convey emotion, regardless of the genre. It's all about timing and recognizing the situation. You have to feel the people and the atmosphere, but also love the tavern. I mostly sing sad songs, those with soul, for the troubled and brokenhearted. People love pain, to mourn prematurely - Čikić says with a laugh.

Due to his similar vocal style, he is compared to the "king of merriment" Haris Džinović.

They've dubbed me the Haris Džinović for the poor, because I'm, supposedly, accessible to everyone. I find that amusing. It's nice to be compared to the best. However, as much as it's good, it can also be bad, because you need to define yourself and be recognizable. When I was younger, I tried to imitate Haris with my singing, which I now avoid and seek more of myself. I had the opportunity to sing until dawn with him. We sang together. It was a competition.

Čikić has been on the scene for 17 years. Before the coronavirus pandemic, he performed an average of three gigs per week, including around fifty weddings per year. Due to his busy schedule, he didn't work much on his own music. He has released only two singles. He says he was never attracted to the mainstream music scene.

As glamorous as the mainstream might seem, it has another side that I've come to realize. I shy away from popularity and consider myself a modest person. I work in my city, with my people. I have good support. I earn enough for a good life. I enjoy what I do. The combination of work and satisfaction fulfills a person the most. I don't need more - says Čikić.

He has played in numerous taverns. He brought joy to many hosts because the crowd followed him wherever he played. He has anecdotes for entire volumes of books.

As Toma Zdravković would say: "Money spent in a tavern is money invested in memories." That's wonderful and it's true. That's why I'm a fulfilled person. When I grow old, I will have memories of beautiful moments, people, taverns...

Source: Hedonist Written by: Ognjen Matavulj / Photo by: Dušan Vučenović