Memorial Center Sarajevo repaired 'Sarajevo Roses' and fences at cemeteries and graveyards

(Patria) - Memorial Center Sarajevo - employees of the cemetery maintenance and landscaping sector continue to care for the cemeteries of martyrs and fallen soldiers in Sarajevo. This year, the need was recognized for replacing dilapidated concrete fences with metal fences, in order to further beautify them and facilitate long-term maintenance of the martyrs' cemeteries and graveyards of fallen soldiers in the Canton of Sarajevo.

During this year, the replacement of fences at the Budimlići, Kobilja Glava 1, and Kobilja Glava 2 cemeteries was completed, while work at the Mokrine cemetery is nearing completion. In 2022 and 2023, the Memorial Center Sarajevo completed the replacement of fences at the cemeteries in Ahatovići and Boljakov potok.

"The fundamental task of our institution is the care of martyrs and fallen soldiers. Through continuous activities of landscaping and adaptation of cemeteries, we try to repay them at least partially for their immeasurable merits and contribution to the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to the landscaping and maintenance that we continuously carry out, through the 'Heroes' project, we strive to at least partially tell the stories of the true heroes of the defense of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina," said director Ahmed Kulanić.

This year, a complete reconstruction of four cemeteries in the Canton of Sarajevo is planned.

"The project documentation for their reconstruction is ready, we are currently waiting for the financial resources to become operational, and we hope to complete their reconstruction by the end of this year.
The Memorial Center Sarajevo remains dedicated to preserving memories, building, landscaping, and maintaining the cemeteries of martyrs and graveyards of fallen soldiers – as a lasting memorial to all those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of our only homeland," emphasized Kulanić.

As part of its activities, the Memorial Center Sarajevo, during this year, repaired ten "Sarajevo Roses" – memorial markers in memory of the citizens of Sarajevo killed during the 1425-day siege of the city. Shells left craters in the asphalt, destroyed the city, and killed civilians, and these traces of impact are now filled with red color, as a symbol of spilled blood.

Each rose carries a story, which is why the Memorial Center Sarajevo has paid special attention to the "Sarajevo rose garden," carrying out regular repairs, maintenance, and replacement of missing "petals."

Roses were repaired at the Children's Square of Dobrinja, near the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, in Braće Begića Street, as well as on the plateau of the Historical Museum and along Zmaja od Bosne Street, where five roses were repaired, making a total of ten roses.

In the coming period, by the end of this year, the renovation of thirteen more is planned.

"It is of exceptional importance that these places in the city are marked, that the roses are preserved from decay, as they are memorial markers that authentically depict Sarajevo's past under siege. This city is full of wounds; on average, 329 shells fell daily. 11,541 civilians were killed, including 1,601 children playing carelessly, and in just one day, in the summer of 1993, 3,777 shells fell on the capital city".

Some of the locations where "Sarajevo Roses" are located and which are planned for repair are the "roses" in Isevića sokak, in front of the entrance to the Sarajevo Cathedral, on Karl Paržik Square, and in Maršala Tita Street in front of ASA bank. In addition to these, repairs will be needed for unmarked roses near the Faculty of Philosophy, the Secondary Technical School, the Railway Station, on Trg ZABVNOBiH, as well as along Senada Mandića Dende, Džemala Bijedića, Sutjeska, Hasana Sućeske, Adija Mulabegovića streets, and in the Dobrinja parking lot on Kasima Prohića Street.