The 26th International Sarajevo Winter Festival opened on Monday with a charity concert for the victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.

The 20-day festival in the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina features 129 events ranging from art exhibitions and concerts to workshops by artists from 45 countries, according to news reaching here.

In reference to some bleak moments in the festival's history, Spanish ambassador San Martin said the city, when under siege during the civil war, "fought to preserve music and the arts." Spain is the festival's honorary guest this year.

Sarajevo is a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2014.