Interview of Dijana Kapetanovic and Edina Spahic, from University of Sarajevo - Bordeaux Montaigne University v1.2
Interview of Dijana Kapetanovic and Edina Spahic, from University of Sarajevo
Mis à jour le November 13, 2026
In October 2026, Bordeaux Montaigne University welcomed Dijana Kapetanovic and Edina Spahic, from the University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), as part of a mobility for teaching, within the Erasmus+ KA171 project (2025-2028). Here is their feedback on their experience in Bordeaux.
Could you tell us a bit about you and your home institution?
Dijana and Edina with Ana Stulic
My name is Edina Spahic, a Full Professor of Spanish Language and Translation Theory at the Department of Romance Studies, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. My research interests focus on sociolinguistics, contrastive phraseology and paremiology, the language and culture of the Sephardim, as well as literary and institutional translation and translation in conflict zones.
My name is Dijana Kapetanovic, and I am a Senior Lecturer in French at the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. My research interests focus on medieval French philology, with particular emphasis on the history of French and the Romance languages, as well as historical sociolinguistics. I am also interested in medieval authorship and editorial practices. Alongside my research, I teach French as a foreign language at both BA and MA levels.
What was the main purpose of your mobility at Bordeaux Montaigne University?
We visited Bordeaux Montaigne University from 5 to 9 October 2026 as part of an Erasmus+ teaching mobility hosted by the UFR Langues et Civilisations. Our main aim was to share research perspectives and exchange ideas with students and fellow academics through a joint presentation at the international seminar Words are Bridges held by Ana Stulic.
The visit also offered us an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between our universities.
What did you do during your stay at Bordeaux Montaigne University?
During our stay, we presented our research on the Sephardic linguistic and cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina at ‘Words are Bridges’, organised by Professor Ana Stulic with the support of AMERIBER–GRIAL and MSH Bordeaux. I met colleagues from the International Relations Office, including its director, Deborah Didio and Anna-Karin Boberg, International Cooperation Officer, to discuss future cooperation and opportunities for student and staff mobility.
What were the key events of your stay?
A highlight was our joint lecture, ‘On Some Attempts to Revitalise the Judeo-Spanish Language within Romance Studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina’, held on 5 October in Salle Jean Borde at MSH Bordeaux. We discussed the history of Sephardic culture, the role of the Judeo-Spanish press and efforts to preserve and revitalise the language in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting with the International Relations Office was equally valuable part of the visit.
What are the advantages of doing a KA171 mobility?
For both of us, the main advantage of a KA171 mobility is the opportunity to encounter different academic and teaching traditions in a concrete, collaborative setting. It enables us to share our own experience, learn from colleagues abroad and bring new perspectives back to our students. It also helps turn existing institutional links into teaching initiatives, research cooperation and further exchanges for both students and staff.
What is the best memory of your stay?
Two of us agreed that one of our fondest memories is our presentation at ‘Words are Bridges’. Sharing the history of Sarajevo's Sephardic community and the work being done to preserve its linguistic heritage with an international academic audience was especially meaningful. we also appreciated the warm welcome and the conversations about how our two universities might continue to work together in the future.
During "Words are bridges" seminar, with participants 
"Words are bridges", Dijana & Edina with Ana Stulic
If you could describe in one word (or two!) your experience at Bordeaux Montaigne University, what would it be?
Inspiring exchange!
How do you plan to maintain the links with the colleagues from Bordeaux Montaigne University?
We intend to keep in touch with Professor Ana Stulic and colleagues at Bordeaux Montaigne University, both in the academic departments and in the International Relations Office. We would be pleased to develop further joint seminars, teaching exchanges and research activities in Romance studies and related interdisciplinary fields. The partnership between our universities, dating back to 2018, and the Erasmus+ KA171 project for 2025–2028 provide a valuable framework for continued cooperation.
"We would like to thank Ana Stulic, the organisers of ‘Words are Bridges’, the students and the International Relations team for their warm welcome. This visit offered a valuable opportunity to exchange research perspectives on a shared cultural heritage and to explore possibilities for lasting cooperation between the University of Sarajevo and Bordeaux Montaigne University."
If you want to know more about the KA171 projects at Bordeaux Montaigne University, do not hesitate to contact the International Relations Office at cooperation-internationale @ u-bordeaux-montaigne.fr.