Continuation of the signing of the online petition for the return of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Sarajevo City Hall and its permanent funding solution. The petition was initiated on May 18, 2026. Thousands of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe, and the world had signed the petition by June 13.
Among others, the request for the return of the Library to the City Hall was signed by Jasna Šamić, a prominent Orientalist, linguist, and author from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Jasmin Duraković, director, screenwriter, producer, and journalist from Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Sinan Alimanović, conductor and the member of the legendary group “Indexi” from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kemal Kozarić, diplomat and a former Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Alban Ukaj, the prominent actor and director originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo; and Professor Nerzuk Ćurak, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Political Sciences in Sarajevo.
The list also includes Lejla Alimanović, author, artistic producer, and jazz singer; Salem ef. Dedović, Mufti Mostar; Alma Leka, Director of the Museum of Sarajevo; Enes Škrgo, writer, theater artist, and curator of the Birth House of Ivo Andrić in Travnik, as well as Ibrahim Spahić, a writer and a poet from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the founder and director of one of the most prominent festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the International Festival Sarajevo Winter.
“I am an honored member of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I was also the president of the Inter-Ministerial Committee of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for outlining the Strategy of cultural policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I suggest that the petition be submitted both to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The valid Strategy of Cultural Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and recognized at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, defines the relation towards the state scientific institutions, education, culture, and art, exemplified by the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is undisputable that it applies to the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Spahić said, adding:
Regarding the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina/ City Hall Library, all documents in the archives and publications of the competent institutions demonstrate that it is not about returning the National and University Library to the City Hall, but realizing the rights of its legal and legitimate user. Renewal and reconstruction of the National and University Library/ City Hall Library is an international project defined by relevant documents.”
Among the signatories are also Marija Fekete-Sullivan, a writer from the United States; Mladen Uhlik, Ph.D., a Sarajevo native and assistant professor of Russian language and Russian linguistics at the University of Ljubljana; Belma Kalamujić Stroil, Ph.D., from the Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the University of Sarajevo; Ali Jusović, the president of the Students’ Parliament of the University of Sarajevo; Said Šteta, a writer; and Emina Vildić, the first lecturer of Bosnian language and literature at Istanbul University, who sent a touching message.
“As the first lecturer of Bosnian language and literature at Istanbul University, I believe that the National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most important state institutions in the field of culture, education, science, and protection of the cultural-historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the central library state institution, it has invaluable significance for preserving the written, scientific, and cultural identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only within its borders, but also as a sort of ambassador for Bosnian culture and history in the world,” Vildić said.
Among the signatories is also Assistant Professor Lejla Osmanović, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo. “Due to the significance of the National Library and the symbolism behind the destruction of the City Hall in 1992, it must definitively once again become a place for preserving the cultural identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Osmanović stated.
Zoran Ivančić also reached out from Warsaw, warning about the unfair treatment of the benefactors who helped rebuild the City Hall.
“Because that is the proper purpose of a building that was rebuilt by citizens from numerous cities and countries with their own money, expecting to see a library in it once again. Images and footage of the burning library touched people worldwide, and using the building as a ‘wedding salon’ and a venue for commercial events constitutes a fraud against those contributors,” Ivančić believes.
The initiative was supported by Professor Hamid Čustović, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the University of Sarajevo (retired) and a corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I fully support this idea. The city’s leadership can occupy another vacancy. The Mayor’s and Secretary’s Office could remain – everything else must be urgently removed. They have no authority, except formal and protocol one, “Čović said.
The petition was also signed by Nataša Prodanović – Lubura, Lea Bebek, Madžida Smajkić, a librarian, Midhat Kasap, a former director of the General Library Zenica, Davor Golubović from Sarajevo, Darija Čuturić from Vitez, and Marija Bošnjak from Žepče, and many others.
The initiative to return the books, namely the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Sarajevo’s City Hall, which was launched by Bosnian-Herzegovinian writers and intellectuals, has been gaining increasing support by the day. The idea is to return the books to the City Hall to mark three major milestones: the 80th anniversary of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 130th anniversary of its construction, and the 12th anniversary of its restoration.
Numerous prominent public figures have supported this noble and symbolically important initiative over the past few days.
