Chronology → Video Oral History

The Siege of Sarajevo 1992–1996

This Interactive FAMA Project integrates the documented chronology of the Siege of Sarajevo with first-hand testimonies within a single interface.

The material can be explored month by month by selecting any point between March 1992 and March 1996. For each chosen month, the user can review the corresponding textual chronology alongside video oral history interviews from the same period. By aligning the chronology of events with personal experiences, the platform enables a more layered, contextual exploration of how the siege unfolded over time.

The Siege of Sarajevo: Chronology 1992-1996

Compiled shortly after the war, this comprehensive chronology of the Sarajevo siege covers the period from March 1992 to March 1996. Structured by month and year, it draws on articles from the “Oslobođenje” newspaper, UN archives, reports from foreign correspondents, and citizen testimonies to document key social, political, military, cultural, and personal events of that time. By recording major developments and everyday survival, the chronology remains a vital reference for understanding how the siege unfolded and transformed every aspect of city life.

Oral History: The Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1996, video

Structured chronologically and thematically, this is the first and largest video oral history of the Sarajevo siege in the world, featuring nearly 1,000 interviews with over 450 citizens from diverse backgrounds. Produced soon after the war, it presents personal testimonies covering all aspects of life in the besieged city. This 30-hour collection serves as both an educational resource and a historical record, offering future generations an unparalleled insight into first-hand accounts of the longest urban siege in modern history.

Chronology

The siege of the capital, Sarajevo, is officially lifted by the members of the Federal Police, accompanied by IFOR and international allies. The police first arrive through the road from Sarajevo to Visoko and thus open the capital of Bosnia.
Avdo Hebib, Minister of the Interior of the Federation, on a ride through free roads, symbolically opens the road from Sarajevo to Zenica and Tuzla. On the occasion, Avdo Hebib says: "I declare to all citizens that Sarajevo has been opened. This is a moment that will enter into history." In Ilijas insignia of the state of BiH is posted in public.
Alexander Ivanko, spokesman for the UN: "All industrial and other equipment from the suburbs will be taken away by orders from the highest officials in the Republika Srpska.”
American and Russian troops carry out joint patrols in eastern Bosnia.
The Vatican: "Sarajevo should be given an award for its resistance to this Holocaust."
Visas for Croatia are abolished.
Terror in Grbavica: Looters roam freely, people barricade themselves in their homes. The school in Grbavica is set on fire.
According to the Dayton Peace Agreement, Annex 9, BiH obtains a unique international telephone code for its entire territory: 387
Hadzici is opened through peaceful reintegration.
Ilidza is opened on March 12th, 1996 through peaceful reintegration.
The Mayor of Sarajevo, Tarik Kupusovic, resigns.
Conflict between Europe and the United States over the arming of the Bosnian army.
Bakir Alispahic, head of AID is removed from duty at the request of the United States: "AID is associated with secret training camps of terrorists who were planning attacks against the 20,000 U.S. troops in Bosnia."
Grbavica in flames. Looting, lawlessness.
The European edition of the "Oslobodjenje" is published.
Through peaceful reintegration Grbavica is opened. Vraca, Faletici, Mrkovici, Spicasta stijena and Gornje Biosko are liberated.
The "Centrotrans" transit company removes containers that provided refuge on the streets of Sarajevo. There were 380 structures "for protection”: cars, trolleybuses, buses, concrete slabs.
The BiH Army withdraws to its barracks.