4.21. Presidency Building | The Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1996

4.21.

Presidency Building

"Foreign delegations were always welcome because their visits meant a temporary respite from shelling."

The building was located in the city centre. It was built in 1885 in the Neo-renaissance style and it was modelled on 15th century Florence palaces. It was the favourite target. A great number of people was killed or wounded in the streets near the building. The Presidency remained in the building throughout the war. Foreign politicians or delegations were always welcome because their visits meant a temporary respite from shelling.

© FAMA Collection Visual Archives, Drago Resner

Sarajevo citizens: In their own words

“We issued a proclamation, thinking that a large number of people would want to join a patriotic front.”

- Stjepan Kljujić, Member of the BH Presidency


“The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by forming the Main Headquarters of Territorial Defence, of Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina has started off from the original idea that the Army and the Headquarters have to be consisted out of all of those who are fighting for Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

- Jovan Divjak, Deputy commander of the BH Army HQ

“One thing that was very important was that people should go to work. That at least those factories that could function should function. Some of them were very important like the Sarajevo Tobacco Factory. We introduced compulsory work.”

- Stjepan Kljujić, Member of the BH Presidency

Video Oral History: The Siege of Sarajevo 1992-96  (© FAMA Collection, 1997-99.)