BOŽO VREĆO

BOŽO VREĆO  (Foca; Bosnia y Hercegovina, 1983)
Legend has it that Božo was born on the 18th of October, 1983, in Foča, a city in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of Serbian origin, he had a tough childhood, fatherless, in the company of his mother and sisters. He inherited his mother’s love of art, especially the Sevdalinkas (Sevdah songs) that she used to listen to on an old radio as she cooked. Božo emigrated to Belgrade where he studied archaeology, but his love for music led him to Sarajevo, a mecca for Sevdah (Sevdah-Makkah).
Those fortunate enough to have been there say that the first time Božo showed his true soul was at a concert in Sarajevo in 2013. After seducing the audience with his angelic and crystalline voice, Božo left the stage only to return moments later to continue his concert dressed as a woman. In a society where the vast majority of gay people stay in the closet, it took the audience a while to realise what was happening. But when what was true, genuine and beautiful surfaced, the audience roared with their utter and enthusiastic approval.

I wasn’t scared – recalls Božo – I wanted to see their reaction when they saw who I really am.  To see if being honest with the people who love you is enough. And it is.