Home of the Armed Forces of BiH plastered with posters and covered in graffiti

The Home of the Army or the Home of the Armed Forces of BiH was declared a national monument back in 2006, writes the BiH news agency Patria. The Commission for the Preservation of National Monuments of BiH at its session held from March 14 to 20, 2006, made this decision with the following members: Zeynep Ahunbay, Amra Hadžimuhamedović, Dubravko Lovrenović, Ljiljana Ševo, and Tina Wik.

However, the western side of this facility, which is plastered with posters and covered in graffiti, shows the attitude towards national monuments. According to the Commission's decision, and for the purpose of permanent protection of the national monument, the following protection zones are established:

- only conservation-restoration works, works on the presentation of the national monument and regular maintenance, as well as the interpolation of necessary installations for this type of public facility, are permitted, with the approval of the federal ministry responsible for spatial planning and with expert supervision of the competent heritage protection service at the level of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

- repair the damage that has occurred;

- restore the interior spaces of the building and adapt them for cultural purposes, in a way that will not endanger the monument's value;

- illuminate the building.

The Home of the Army was built in 1881 and played a significant role in the cultural life of Sarajevo. The first public concerts were also held in the large hall of the casino. The first concert by the "combined military bands of the local infantry regiments" was held on December 11, 1881. The press recorded this as a first-class event for the city of Sarajevo.

Although significant events, exhibitions, promotions, and commemorations of important dates of the Army of BiH and the Armed Forces of BiH are still held in the Home of the Armed Forces of BiH today, it is surprising how little attention has been paid to the protection of this facility, writes Patria.