1992: On the night of August 25-26, the City Hall was set on fire, two million books burned

On the night of August 25-26, the Sarajevo City Hall was bombed by the JNA and the Army of Republika Srpska. The fire engulfed two million books and 300 manuscripts of invaluable value. One of the most beautiful and representative buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period burned to the ground. Within a few hours, the flames consumed the national treasure of the National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been available to citizens for nearly half a century.

Firefighters unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire, citizens carried out books and tried to save what was an inseparable part of the culture of the people of BiH throughout history. The restoration lasted 18 years. The restored City Hall was ceremonially opened on May 9, Victory over Fascism Day, and thousands of tourists and citizens have had and continue to have the opportunity to see the indescribable beauty of this unique building, Patria writes.

Today, on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of the fire, an exhibition will be held in the City Hall titled "National and University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina - City Hall 22 years later," but due to a dispute with the City Administration over ownership, it will last only today. The exhibition opens at 12:00 PM.