During the first two years of her MA studies, Azra lived in Berne, and over the next two years, she regularly travelled to Sarajevo because of her work at the Music Academy and her work obligations at the Sarajevo Philharmonics. After her MA graduation, Azra went back to Sarajevo in 2015, but her dilemmas regarding her profession grew, so that in the autumn of 2106, she made a new decision:

''After the studies, I came back to Sarajevo, because I thought that it was the right thing to do and because I wanted to live there. I had never planned to go somewhere else, although many persons have these thoughts. My profession requires continuous learning and professional training, because so many things are happening and everything is changing so fast and advancing, that we have to learn all the time. I saw that there was no other way than to be in a situation where I can progress. I therefore decided to stop working at the Sarajevo Philharmonics and go back to Switzerland, which was a very difficult decision. However, my friends and my parents supported me, which is crucial, because our mentality is such that everyone thinks that, if one has a job, one may not leave it, and they say ''Hush, everything is well!'' (laughter). It was difficult, but I found the courage and came to Switzerland with new plans''.

''After the studies, I came back to Sarajevo, because I thought that it was the right thing to do and because I wanted to live there. I had never planned to go somewhere else, although many persons have these thoughts. My profession requires continuous learning and professional training, because so many things are happening and everything is changing so fast and advancing, that we have to learn all the time. I saw that there was no other way than to be in a situation where I can progress. I therefore decided to stop working at the Sarajevo Philharmonics and go back to Switzerland, which was a very difficult decision. However, my friends and my parents supported me, which is crucial, because our mentality is such that everyone thinks that, if one has a job, one may not leave it, and they say ''Hush, everything is well!'' (laughter). It was difficult, but I found the courage and came to Switzerland with new plans''.

Azra started research studies about the history of music and music institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Second World War until today, which is a comprehensive overview of the development of classical music and music institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, such as the Association of Composers, Music Academy, concert agencies, companies, etc., and that was the topic of her second MA thesis in Switzerland. The Sarajevo Philharmonics is currently the only professional orchestra in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has a full membership, whereas before the war, there was another radio and TV orchestra and opera orchestra. ''My PhD thesis should focus on the topic of my MA thesis'', says Azra, ''but it is problematic to work further on this, because not all necessary sources are available. Many documents disappeared in the war, institutions were destroyed, and this kind of work requires many details and sources and would include a large region. I am still thinking whether I should go in that direction or do research on the instruments I play and production of new instruments''.

''I remember the years of my studies in Berne very fondly'', says Azra, ''because back then all opportunities opened up for me, both my eyes and ears were wide open, I saw and learned so many things. Something was happening every day, concerts were held every day, incredible musicians were playing, and I was in contact with musicians from the whole world! All of that helped me incredibly and shaped me! I am a very outgoing person and I get in touch with other persons quite fast. And when you deal with music, you are surrounded by so many nations, which I love, so that I adapted very fast.''

Organisation of the Sonemus Festival in Sarajevo   

In a short period of time, Azra was hired by various companies in Switzerland, and today she is also working at companies in Poland and Spain. She invested her experience and international contacts in the development of modern artistic music in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her main professional activity related to Bosnia and Herzegovina is the organisation of the Sonemus Festival, which is held in Sarajevo every year. Azra took over its organisation in 2015. Sonemus is an association established in Sarajevo in 2011, which deals with the promotion, playing and education about modern artistic music.

''I have realised that I had to help, that I had to do something…'', explains this energetic young artist. ''I remember concerts organised by Sonemus when I was a student at the Music Academy in Sarajevo… It was an eye opening experience for me back then! I was 16, 17 years old and I had no idea that there were such things. It is quite late for someone who wishes to professionally engage in music, but that is the way it is in our education system, which neglects and omits some important things for students. I was sitting in the audience and thinking, well, I have no idea what is happening in the world, what is this?! I have never heard of this, I simply have to know how this is done! It was like a virus that I contracted, and I started researching and learning about new things.''

The Sonemus Festival, which lasts for a week, usually consists of three concerts, one is performed by the Sarajevo resident company Sonemus, and two concerts are performed by guest musicians. This year, there will be companies from Switzerland and Germany. In addition to concerts, Azra is also participating in workshops with students of the Music Academy in Sarajevo: ''Every year, the guests are various composers, and this year, our guest is Simon Steen-Andersen, a very successful composer from Denmark, who will also do workshops with young composers from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The pedagogical aspect is extremely important at the Festival. And given the influence that a Sonemus concert had on me, I certainly hope that some other young people will have the chance to experience and learn something completely new. I hope that in 10 years we will have a permanent company consisting of Bosnian and Herzegovinian musicians only, that is my goal!'' 

Further development of the modern artistic music in Bosnia and Herzegovina  

At the Sonemus Festival, pieces by composers from Bosnia and Herzegovina are played regularly, and this year, the works of three Bosnian and Herzegovinian composers will be presented. Sonemus particularly promotes young composers, because it is a way to establish contacts on the international music scene and to present themselves to the audience, given the fact that Sonemus is an event that attracts the largest classical music audience in a year. Azra does not hide her enthusiasm while she talks about the audience in Bosnia and Herzegovina: ''Our concerts are full, but really completely booked! We have a wonderful audience, a large number of young people, which is the most important thing for me. Once we played a very well-known piece by Fausto Romitelli, ''Professor Bad Trip'' and there was a ten-minute standing ovation, people were on their feet and could not stop clapping! I have seen the faces of my colleagues from Switzerland, who could not believe that something like that was happening. We have not seen this in any other country. I have never seen concert halls that were so full and such strong reactions as in Sarajevo! That concert is one of my dearest memories, which motivates me and gives me the energy to continue organising the festival.''

However, it is not easy at all to organise the Sonemus Festival. ''It is the task for an enormous team of people, which we do not have. We are only a group of individuals, enthusiasts, who are simply not giving up on their goal. The funds have never been excellent, and it is increasingly difficult to raise them. The assistance provided by Bosnia and Herzegovina is really scarce, and that is disappointing. Most funds are coming from all other international sources, but foreigners cannot always support and pay for this project, if the state refuses to support and finance it at least in part. I initiated a crowdfunding campaign for this year's festival, because I have realised that we are lacking funds, and that would mean that we would have to cancel some things. This has never happened before, and this year's programme is the largest and the most ambitious so far'', says Azra.   

The Sonemus Festival is the most important event in Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to classical music. In addition to concerts by domestic and foreign companies, there are also workshops for students and composers. Concerts are held at the Hall of Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because it is the only hall that disposes of acceptable acoustic qualities for classical music. There is an excellent cooperation with the Music Academy and the Museum of Modern Art Ars Aevi, which provide premises for rehearsals and workshops. This year, the Festival will get a new location for its events, namely the refurbished former cinema Imperijal. There is still no adequate concert hall in the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Azra is looking forward to all visits to Bosnia and Herzegovina. She always combines them with her work and the organisation of the Sonemus Festival. ''When I go to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I prefer to do something useful. It is worth the effort to do anything in Bosnia and Herzegovina that can change the daily routine of other persons or change their whole lives or give some new ideas and new energy to persons or be the occasion for them to ask themselves whether they should engage in something else in life and continue educating themselves. Education is underrated in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are used to such a situation, so that we do not have a clear perspective of things. I am therefore doing my best to organise such a programme, in order to show what is happening in the world. We perform the master pieces of classical music during the Sonemus Festival every year, which are a standard repertoire everywhere else. I really will not be modest – this festival has such a quality that I could imagine it and put it into any other global context, in any other country. We have achieved such a level of quality and I am so proud of it. We have an excellent audience, the fullest halls, the happiest students that are looking forward to working with us so much every year, and this is a sufficient goal for me.''

Azra's vision is to turn the Sonemus Festival into a concert season that would include only Bosnian and Herzegovinian musicians: ''From this perspective, it sounds like a complete utopia, but I will invest all my energy and strength to make it happen. The education is the key to everything, education that makes sense and disposes of instruments that have nothing to do with conservative and ethno-nationalist ideas, because with such ideas there is no progress, and we cannot advance. Persons need education to be able to be more critical, independent and to have the strength and courage to speak up and say that they truly wish to change something. Knowledge is the only authority, everything else is only power. One should not give up, one should fight against all forms of injustice and ignorance, which have become prevalent. One should leave the past behind and focus on the future''.