In 1997, 17 years ago, on this day, the Irish band U2 held a concert as the first big band that performed in the ruinous town of Sarajevo. The concert was held at the stadium Koševo, just after the dreadful war and it attracted people from all around Yugoslavia and marked the beginning of stabilization of the situation in the country.
It was held within of the most important tours of the band entitled “PopMart”. Although Bono and the members of the band wanted to offer Sarajevo a charity concert with no special organization or visual spectacle, the organizers preferred it to be the same as in any other city.
“That day there was so many people from all around Yugoslavia in Sarajevo. There were three reasons to come here: great music, visit to the ruinous town and to meet some people again. I remember thinking “I’m going to meet someone from Banja Luka, as if Banja Luka was million light years away from here.” – recalled Emir Unkić for Radio Sarajevo, one of the visitors of the concert who arrived that day to Sarajevo from Tešanj.
The supporting bands at this concert were Sikter and Protest. The frontman of Protest, Damir Nevesinjac said for Radio Sarajevo:
“I remember we were much, much younger, very proud, relaxed…no one was nervous. It’s only now we see how important it was to us. A young band from Sarajevo, a town that just survived the war.” He added that he believes that this concert was probably the thing that helped Sarajevo the most in that moment.
The concert was held in front of nearly 45 000 people. 10 000 soldiers took care that no incidents would happen. The local and the international media described that moment as a moment which marked the end of the siege of Sarajevo while the members of the media stated that it was one of the most important performances they ever held.
Undoubtedly, it’s an experience I will never forget. Even If I’d have to wait twenty years to repeat it, it would be worth it.” – said 17 years ago the band’s drummer, Larry Mullen.
(Source: Radio Sarajevo)
