Building objects

During the siege, the continuation of normal life in the city, continuation of creativity, for all citizens of Sarajevo was as important as bread or medicine or water.

This segment in FAMA research period 1992-1996 contains the question "Could you describe a creation of yours?" and interviewees' answers. Sarajevans (in this case: interviewees) created and accepted this model in order to survive: "We were all innovators of our own methods of survival" – as put by one of the respondents.

Sources: FAMA Collection 1992-1996: Oral History, Survival Questionnaire, Sarajevo Life Magazine, archival video and photo collection.

HAZNADAREVIC FURNITURE

FAMA Collection - Visual Archives 1992-1996

Haris Haznadarevic, Furniture Manufacturer used many boards that dove cots or chicken coops were made of. He made a whole walnut furniture set, buying the material from five different sites. This particular set was designed in the shape of leaves. And he managed to drag one complete set through the tunnel and export it to the USA. It was a bit strange at the time; grenades exploding, all the killings, everything falling apart, and then a commercial: Haznadarević company manufactures furniture in Sarajevo. ‘So it was known that ‘Haznadarević’ not only stayed there but was manufacturing furniture. And exported it to America to boot! Through the tunnel!’

A FLOOR PLAN

© FAMA Collection - Visual Archives 1992-1996

Ognjenka Finci, architect and FAMA raised a traditional Bosnian house using material from the ruins of former military barracks. Building a house was a way of resistance to the ongoing destruction. Ognjenka produced plans for the house Fama team intended to build. It was the only undamaged building in Sarajevo, located indoors, within a space that was not shelled.

A THEATER SPOT LIGHT STOVE

© FAMA Collection - Visual Archives 1992-1996

Milenko Simić, architect, made a stove out of a theater spotlight; it heated the apartment during the four years of the siege.