Sarajevo  - Bosnia-Herzegovina's largest summer festival Bascarsijske noci (The Nights of Bascarsija) opened Tuesday evening in Sarajevo's Old Town or Bascarsija.

Traditionally, the festival opens with a Viennese concert, but this year the world premiere of the opera Lyssi by French composer Eric Breton opened the event, also marking the French EU presidency.

More than 1,500 artists from 20 countries will present their work through 38 programmes during the 31-day-long festival.

Festival organizers of the festival expect a strong showing at a concert by famous US folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez, scheduled for July 16.

Music and theatre performances, as well as exhibitions, take place at 15 different locations in the downtown Sarajevo, including its streets and squares.

The main stage in front of the City Hall, better known as National Library, was badly damaged during the 1992-95 war in Bosnia- Herzegovina. (dpa)