Interview with Adisa Likic

For "Living History" this month, we highlight the interview with Mrs. Adisa Likic.

To begin with, let me greet you and thank you for agreeing to the interview as part of the "Living History Project" of the Eastern Mining company. To begin, tell us a little more about yourself.

My name is Adisa Likić. I come from the village of Stupni Do. I have lived there since birth until now. I am the mother of two children, wife, housewife, president of the Women's Association for rural development, sustainable return, reintegration and resocialization of returnees "Zvijezda" Vareš.

Can you tell us what was your first job?
My first job was as a trader, and since fifteen years ago it was really hard to find a job, I decided to be a housewife and turned to my household, processing and agriculture.

When you mentioned your association, could you tell us with what purpose it was founded?

The association was founded in 2013 by unemployed women who had innovative ideas, but no opportunity for independent production and development. By joining forces, we became more visible and managed to achieve a better placement on the market. Each member does something, whether it is greenhouse products, berries, animal breeding, milk processing and so on.

Where do you sell your products?

We have regular customers in Vareš. It is market day on Saturdays and occasional orders. We mainly marketed our products at fairs and orders in Sarajevo. Delivery as needed. The corona virus stopped us a bit, but here we are again with the fairs and we are going to the diplomatic bazaar where we have been well recognized for many years.

When you look at life then and now in the area of Vareš municipality, can you make a comparison, what Vareš looked like at the height of its power?

During the lead, zinc and barite mines where my father worked, I was a child. According to the transmitted stories, people were satisfied with the standard of living and business opportunities in Vareš at that time. The only flaw I remember as a child from that period is the orange color of the river Stavnja.
What do you think, will the opening of the new mine and what impact will it have on your association?

You know, I'm normally an optimist in life and if I look at all this now, I think the impact should be positive. Our association has excellent cooperation with the Municipality of Vareš, as well as your company. So I think that my association, as well as the entire municipality of Vareš, will experience a revival, as it once had.

To end our conversation, do you have any message for young people?

Of course I do. Live, love each other, as long as you can to stay in Vareš. My children returned to Vareš, so I would like there to be a little more youth in Vareš and for people to return. To be a little more alive, to build some new story in our town.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you and Eastern Mining for the opportunity and cooperation.