From September 19 to 21, Banja Luka will for the first time host the Festival of Fun, Games and Laughter – ZIS 2025. Over three days, the festival will bring together travel writers, stand-up comedians, and lecturers from various fields, offering a diverse program of activities that will brighten the last weekend of summer in the largest city of Republika Srpska.
The festival program is designed for a wide audience – with certain activities tailored for adults, and others created for families, making it a perfect opportunity for socializing and entertainment. Most events will be held at the Youth Center and its rooftop, while several activities are planned across the city.
The opening evening begins on Friday, September 19, at 19:00 in the Youth Center, with performances by renowned adventurers Igor Damjanović and Dositej Petković, who will share their travel stories – from hitchhiking in Africa to exploring jungles and deserts on a budget. At 21:15, the festival kicks off with the ZIS Party on the rooftop of the Youth Center, featuring DJIMNASTY MUSIC.
The second day includes workshops and lectures, with the highlight being the ZIS Games Without Borders from 12:00 to 16:00 in Mladen Stojanović Park (or indoors in case of rain), where teams of colleagues and friends will compete in fun challenges. In the evening, legendary stand-up comedians Dušan Jokić and Mirko Komljenović Mirkan – pioneers of the domestic stand-up scene – will perform at 19:30 in the Youth Center. Later, at 21:30, the rooftop party “Around the World” will take audiences through international and domestic music hits.
The final day starts at 10:00 with ZIS Treasure Hunt, where teams of three to five players solve puzzles and tasks while exploring the city. Another highlight is the “Meet the Trappists” tour, which includes a visit to the Trappist Monastery Marija Zvijezda, the oldest hydroelectric plant, and the Banja Luka Brewery.
Throughout the day, the Youth Center will host various educational and creative activities, such as a crash course in first aid led by the Red Cross, a self-defense workshop for women, a jewelry-making class by “Lutajuća kreacija,” and lectures on diverse topics. At 17:00, psychotherapists Danka Stojanović Mitrović and Gordana Ružić Milunić (Terapeut’s Corner) will give a lecture titled “From play to defense – what happens to fun when we grow up.”
The festival closes with a talk by Snežana Radojičić – Ciklonomad – a world traveler known for her solo cycling adventures across continents. She will share her stories, tips, and motivation with the Banja Luka audience on Sunday, September 21, at 19:00 in the Youth Center.
The full program, schedule, and details are available at www.zisfestival.ba and on the Putomanija Instagram and Facebook pages.
Source: See Srpska
