Lijepa Emina je pjesma Alekse Šantića, prvi put objavljena 1902. godine u časopisu Kolo. Inspirisana stvarnom Eminom Sefić iz Mostara, pjesma je vremenom prerasla iz književnog djela u sevdalinku i postala dio usmene tradicije. Ova verzija koristi originalni tekst iz prvog objavljivanja, bez kasnijih skraćivanja i prepjeva koji su se pojavljivali kroz muzičke adaptacije.

Extended Description (English) Lijepa Emina is based on the original 1902 poem by Aleksa Šantić, first published in the literary journal Kolo. Inspired by a real woman, Emina Sefić of Mostar, the poem captures a fleeting moment of admiration that would later grow into one of the most beloved cultural symbols of the region. Over time, “Emina” crossed the boundary between written poetry and living tradition. It transformed into a sevdah classic, reshaped through musical adaptations, shortened verses, and interpretative performances. Yet the version presented here returns to the source — the original 1902 text, without later revisions or lyrical alterations. The poem carries the atmosphere of Ottoman-era Mostar: gardens scented with jasmine, the sound of water from a courtyard fountain, the call of the bulbul in the evening air. The language is rich with oriental imagery and expressions that reflect the cultural layers of Bosnia at the turn of the century. At its heart, “Emina” is a moment suspended in time — a young woman in a garden, a quiet greeting, a gaze that does not return affection. It is longing without drama, beauty without possession, admiration without fulfillment. This interpretation aims to preserve that authenticity. Not a reworked sevdah version. Not a shortened adaptation. But the original poetic voice as it first appeared in 1902 — raw, vivid, and historically grounded. A song that began as literature, and became memory.