The capital city of B&H is a testament to the resilience of human beings. The victims of the longest siege in modern history, Sarajevo continues to stands as an example of the power of forgiveness and need for memory. In the early 1990’s, the collapse of the former Yugoslavia began. After 80 years of unity, individual ethnic groups in Yugoslavia decided to form sovereign nations, writes Hoversen at the beginning of his article.
It would be the decisions to secede that caused a number of bloody civil wars that divided Yugoslavia, with groups trying to expand their territory. Sarajevo was found in the crossfire of the conflict. Located in the heart of today’s B&H, Sarajevo is a city that takes your breath away with its beauty.
Its architecture is designed from the position at the crossroads of Europe, after being under Ottoman rule for four centuries and then under the rule of the Hapsburg Empire for several decades. In just one city block you can see buildings from the Ottoman period and neo-baroque architecture. This is the closest you will get to travel through time, writes the author.
When you look at Sarajevo from above, you can see the towers of the churches that are interwoven with the minarets, which is a perfect illustration of a city that prides itself on its religious tolerance. This beacon of tolerance and cultural diversity was in danger of disappearing, but it was the determination of Sarajevo to not let this happen.
For more than three years, hell descended on Sarajevo from the surrounding mountains. Much of its beauty was destroyed. But, but the city rose from the ashes. From the calligraphy inside the Begova mosque, the most important religious building for Muslims in B&H, to the Holiday Inn, a western symbol of Sarajevo, extensive restoration has returned Sarajevo to its magnificence.
Despite considerable recovery efforts, the city continues to bear many wounds. On the facades of many buildings there are still holes from artillery. The so-called Sarajevo Roses, symbolic places or marks in the ground where a grenade exploded. These are found on many streets. Sarajevo has accepted all of these events and offers them to the world as a cautionary tale for our capacity for violence, writes the American historian.
Walking though Sarajevo, it is impossible not to admire its people and their pride, courage and forgiveness. They are very welcoming and very friendly, which is surprising considering the great difficulties that these people experienced. When the people of Sarajevo describe the hardships their city faced, you will not feel bitterness in their voices.
They recognize that terrible events occurred, but they always point out in the end that the war is over. There is peace and Sarajevo is proud to be able to be welcoming to visitors. No place better embodies the spirit of modern Sarajevo than the Tunnel of Hope, under the Sarajevo Airport which once provided a passage to the UN Safe Zone during the siege of the city. The tunnel served as the only link between the people of Sarajevo and the outside world. The tunnel is now a monument.
Time spent in Sarajevo exceeded expectations. It fills you with awe to watch the city renew without any malice, and how people affected by the war promote peace, and not revenge. Sarajevo is inspiration, writes Bill Hoversen at the end of his article.