21 Years since the Passing of Alija Izetbegović

An event organized by the Alija Izetbegović Museum and the Alija Izetbegović Foundation commemorating the 21st anniversary of the death of President Alija Izetbegović was held on October 18, 2024, in the National Theater of Sarajevo.

The event was organized under the auspices of President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr Denis Bećirović, and with the support of Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Refik Lendo, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, and the City of Sarajevo. Numerous attendees from the diplomatic corps, as well as the government officials, friends and associates of the Museum and the Foundation and Alija Izetbegović’s family members were present.

At the opening of the ceremony, President of the Presidency, Dr Denis Bećirović gave an inspiring speech, emphasizing that Alija Izetbegović was “a great man who left a lasting mark in the modern history of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

During the commemorative event a panel discussion was held on the topic of the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s diplomacy under the leadership of Alija Izetbegović after the gaining of independence. Participants of the panel discussion were Academician Dr Mirko Pejanović, a former member of the Presidency of Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mirza Hajrić, a member of Alija Izetbegović’s Cabinet and a former ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, and Professor Dr Emir Hadžikadunić, professor of diplomacy at the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology and a former ambassador to Iran and Malaysia. The presenter and the panel discussion moderator was Mr Adnan Rondić.  

The panel discussion in Bosnian can be viewed HERE.

The Sarajevo City Orchestra conducted by the maestro Fuad Šetić and the mezzo-soprano Amila Ravkić were in charge of the musical part of the event’s program, and they elated and enriched the night with their performances.

After the end of the program, an exhibition by the Alija Izetbegović Museum was presented in the foyer of the National Theater of Sarajevo. The exhibition was dedicated to the diplomatic journey of Alija Izetbegović, and showed key moments from his political career, his struggle for sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the establishment of peace.

ALIJA IZETBEGOVIĆ FOUNDATION