​The Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić, opened the exhibition New Era: Artistic Discourses on Social and Climate Change in Banja Luka, which, according to him, should improve the dialogue in the Western Balkans by strengthening the cultural and creative sector.

Klokić said that the exhibition open at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Republic of Srpska was part of the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans project financed by the European Union.

'As a country in the process of economic and every other transition, we cannot fight climate change alone, i.e. without the support of the international community, but by raising people's awareness of the importance of the fight against climate change, we are still taking a significant step forward', Klokić said.

He added his belief that the 12 artists from BiH, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia presenting their works to the people of Banja Luka in the coming days, would succeed in their noble goal of responding through artistic expression to some of the most current topics of contemporary society – ecology, climate and social changes and environmental protection.

'The topics they deal with are universal, but still insufficiently represented here and in the region, and primarily relate to raising awareness of climate and social changes, but also the problems brought about by modern technologies and their impact on society and the individual', Klokić said.

He hopes this exhibition would encourage many to take more interest in these issues and to be more responsible, at least on an individual level.

'Man belongs to nature, not nature to man. If we treat it with respect, it will certainly pay it back. I hope the conclusions after the panel discussions and podcast shows to be realized through this project, will take precisely that direction', concluded Klokić.