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 Presidency of BiH decides the evacuation of children by the organization Children’s Embassy will only be carried out under the strictest security.
Slobodan Milosevic dismisses Milan Panic, the new president of the government of Yugoslavia.
In the Sarajevo neighborhood of Stup, the site of a bustling market, the situation grows tense. The HVO, BiH Territorial Defense and Bosnian Serbs erect barricades against each another.
The city’s government battles epidemics of entercolitis and dysentery.
Sarajevo’s Jewish community announces: “We want to be Bosnian Jews. During the Second World War, the Muslims acted the most justly. They protected the Jews.”
Russian media blames the Muslims for all of the Serbs′ actions.
Serb snipers fire at journalists from “Oslobodjenje” as they enter their office.
An overland corridor is established between Split and Sarajevo.
The Serbs agree to place their heavy artillery under UNPROFOR control after the expiration of the deadline of the ultimatum.
Associations are established in Sarajevo for citizens expelled from other towns in BiH.
An Italian humanitarian flight is shot down.
Geneva, September 4, 1992. In Geneva, under the auspices of the UN and EC, in the Palace of Nations, an international conference begins on the former Yugoslavia.
Humanitarian aid networks bring the citizens of Sarajevo 400 kg of food daily.
The Children’s Embassy convoy is put on hold.
The Ministry of Education issues a statement that enrolment in school is dependent on security conditions.
Geneva, September 6, 1992. At the international conference, the aggressor’s side is asked to place all of its heavy artillery around Sarajevo, Gorazde, Bihac and Jajce under UN control by September 12. Karadzic doesn’t sign the agreement on placing heavy artillery under UNPROFOR control.
Despite the deadline given Radovan Karadzic on handing over arms to UNPROFOR control, he continues to negotiate over the size of artillery pieces to be confiscated.
Robbery of the “Fruktal” warehouse in Stup. HVO units and Juka’s unit compete over who will take more. The headquarters of the HVO in Mostar is given an ultimatum by the Armed Forces of BiH in Sarajevo to withdraw from Stup within 48 hours.
Premier performance of the play “Skloniste” at the War Theatre “Sartr.”
The “Holiday Inn” Hotel makes $230,000 in two months because it is the only hotel that can receive foreign journalists and supply them with food, water and electricity.
Citizens rip out seesaws and benches from parks to survive the winter.
The citizens of Sarajevo can buy a barrel of water up to 30 liters for 10 Deutsche Marks. Those that are able to get water from one of the rare sources in the city know that one canister of water could cost them their lives because of exposure to snipers and shelling.
Dr Mario Landeka, at the “Paleta” gallery, displays 22 paintings on the theme of water.
Bosnian Serb forces place their arms under UNPROFOR control at 11 positions.
The Bosnian Serbs launch a heavy offensive. HVO units flee Stup, retreating from the city’s line of defense.
The BiH delegation travels to Geneva for peace negotiations.
The city lacks chlorine for the chlorination of drinking water, leading to negotations with UNPROFOR.
The Bosnian Serb offensive on Stup continues, in an attempt to enter the city through its weakened defensive lines.
The children’s choir “Palcici” writes to Princess Diana to tell her what’s happening to them.
20 authors display a portfolio of prints “SA 92”.
Football league matches are held in Sarajevo under the slogan “It’s important to participate.”
The city is ravaged by hunger, illness, despair and death.
Muslims and Croats flee Grbavica, the occupied part of the city, paying ransoms on their own lives to the Serbs.
A match is played between Sarajevo and UNPROFOR. The final score is 12 - 3.