Spomenik Šabanu Bajramoviću

Monument to Saban Bajramovic - Most important information

On the Nisava quay, in the heart of the city, there is a monument to the esteemed artist Saban Bajramovic. This composer and singer, originally from Nis, is popularly known as the "King of Romani music",The statue of the sculptor Vlado Asanin was unveiled on August 12 2010, marking the beginning of the 27th of Nishvil. Zoran Zivkovic, Ljubisa Samardzic, Goran Bregovic and Goran Paskaljevic financed the construction of this bronze statue which is 2 meters high and weighs 600 kilograms. Bajramovic is shown with a microphone in his hand and in a suit, just as the audience remembers him.

Biography of Saban Bajramovic
He was born on April 16, 1936 and his career consists of 20 albums, about 50 singles and over seven hundred composed songs. Of Roma nationality, he gladly and proudly called himself a Gypsy. His indisputable influence is especially reflected in the fact that the song "Djelem, djelem" was chosen as the anthem of all Romani people in the world. As a deserter, after escaping from the army, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison in Goli Otok, during his stay he founded a jazz orchestra.

The difficulties he faced due to the lack of formal education put him in an unfavorable situation when signing a contract with a publishing house in Slovenia, so the first albums did not bring him enough money despite them being sold-out. He performed in cultural centers, pubs and taverns, and held a big famous concert in the hall of Dom Sindikata in Belgrade in the late seventies. He was accompanied by the band "Crna mamba" for more than 20 years.

Performance he held in India is the pearl of his career because he was invited to sing by Indira Gandhi and Nehru personally; he often performed in Italy. He played short roles in the films of Emir Kusturica, Goran Paskaljevic and his songs and scores were found in numerous films and series. Damaged vocal cords and a serious illness did not prevent him from performing, in 2005 he performed at the Nishville International Jazz Festival. He died in 2008 in Nis at the age of 73 and was buried in the Nis cemetery.

Significance of the Monument to Saban Bajramovic

Saban Bajramovic was on the list of Time magazine, which ranked him among the 10 best blues singers in the world and with his great success he put Nis on the music map of the world
The deserved respect that many have for him can be expressed in every visit to Nis thanks to this monument
The South Boulevard in the city municipality of Palilula was renamed Saban Bajramovic Boulevard on May 5, 2009

How to get to Monument to Saban Bajramovic?
This monument can be visited throughout the year and is a must see when walking along the river. It is located near the park Sedmi jul and from the city center public transport can be used to get to it.

Bus lines: 1, 2, 5, 6
On foot: From the city center it is possible to follow the route through the streets Knjeginje Ljubice or Svetozar Markovic
Taxi stations: Prvi Taxi 018 /4500005, Bros Taxi 018 /4155541, City Taxi 0800 / 000022