The Ambassador of the US to B&H Patrick Moon and his wife visited Vijećnica in Sarajevo today with the Mayor of Sarajevo Ivo Komšić. Vijećnica is a symbol of the wartime suffering of Sarajevo. They visited the areas inside the building and Ambassador Moon was informed of the final phase of construction.
“I am very impressed with the work that has been done here, and the very detailed and caring work that has been done on the reconstruction of Vijećnica so that it is returned to its original look. I congratulate those who are working on the reconstruction because they are very careful and pay attention to every detail, and insist on its reconstruction in accordance with the original appearance’’, said Ambassador Moon.
He pointed out that he and his wife during the three year mandate have always found Vijećnica appealing, and expressed the desire to be present at its official opening in the Spring of next year.
Moon pointed out that he was very pleased that the EU and the Austrian government were generous donors to the project, and assessed that it would be a great pleasure for the citizens of Sarajevo and B&H to see a renovated Vijećnica.
He also briefly commented that at the end of his term he sees a future for B&H, and added that he is very optimistic in this regard.
“I think that B&H will be fully integrated in Europe and would be a member of the EU and NATO. Of course, this will last a little longer than we would like, but I am certain that it will happen’’, said the Ambassador.
Mayor Ivo Komšić expressed his satisfaction for the opportunity to host the Ambassador and his wife, because they wanted to see the current phase of the interior renovation of the building.
“Vijećnica is a symbol of Sarajevo, and it was a symbol of B&H because it was the location of the National and University Library. Vijećnica will now receive the appearance that it had when it was first constructed, because the decoration that it had 100 years ago will be placed on it’’, said the Mayor.
He added that the benches in the hall will be renovated in its original appearance, and one part of Vijećnica will be dedicated to the National and University Libraries.
He recalled that the Vijećnica will open alongside the Vienna Philharmonic next year as part of the marking of the 100 years of the anniversary of the First World War.
“During this period, we will send different messages from Sarajevo than the ones that were sent 100 years ago-message of peace, and internal solidarity and the solidarity of B&H with the world’’, concluded Komšić.
Until now, 22 million KM have been donated for the reconstruction of the building. The fourth and final phase of the reconstruction is underway, where all types of installations and paintings and decorations are being installed.
(Source: Fena)
