National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina relocation effort

The Vijećnica building in Sarajevo marks 34 years since it was destroyed by artillery fire during the Siege of Sarajevo on the night of August 25-26, 1992. The resulting three-day fire destroyed approximately 80 to 90 percent of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s collection, including an estimated two million books, journals, and 155,000 manuscripts. UNESCO has noted that the destruction of the library was a deliberate act.

During the blaze, library staff, firefighters, and local residents risked their lives under sniper fire to attempt to save as much material as possible. While much was lost, these efforts helped preserve parts of the collection and the building’s exterior structure. Following an 18-year restoration process, the City Hall reopened in May 2014 and currently serves as a cultural and multimedia center.

While the building has been restored, the National and University Library has not yet fully returned to the structure. In response, a public initiative led by academic Esad Duraković has gathered nearly 1,200 signatures from 21 countries to petition various institutions, including the Sarajevo City Administration and the Office of the High Representative, for the library’s return to its historic seat. Organizers state the initiative aims to address the protection of cultural-historical heritage and the state’s relationship with its scientific and educational institutions.