Dom oslobodilaca opened on Žuč, nearly 3,000 visitors at joint iftar

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - On the occasion of the Day of Defense of the Novi Grad municipality and the 26th anniversary of the victory of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina fighters on Žuč, a central ceremony and the opening of the Dom oslobodilaca were held this evening. The ribbon was cut by the daughters of Safet Zajko and Enver Šehović, (Alma Zajko and Dalila Šehović), heroes of the defense of Sarajevo.

It represents the entrance gate for a future memorial complex that will be built in the coming period on the Golo Brdo plateau, the site where fierce battles were fought during the aggression against our country to defend the city of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The defenders of Sarajevo on June 8, 1992, in a fierce clash on Žuč hill, liberated the peak of Orlić and the wider area towards Volujak and Krstac, as well as the settlements of Smiljevići and Zabrđe.

The Battle of Žuč was one of the key battles for the defense of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past war. That day, the aggressor's intention to divide Sarajevo into two parts was thwarted. The battle involved units of the Territorial Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina from three Sarajevo municipalities: Novi Grad, Novo Sarajevo, and Vogošća.

The opening of the Dom oslobodilaca was attended by the President of the Party of Democratic Action Bakir Izetbegović, the Mayor of Novi Grad Municipality Semir Efendić, the Minister of Veterans' Affairs of the Sarajevo Canton Muharem Fišo, as well as representatives of veterans' organizations and other levels of government.

At the central ceremony, municipal awards were presented: the "Golden Plaque of the Defense of the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality".

The individual "Golden Plaque of the Defense of the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality" was awarded to the wartime commander of the Second Viteška Brigade, Esad Pelka - Brzi, recipient of the highest military decoration "Golden Lily" and numerous other recognitions, while the collective award was given to the Security Service of the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality.

The "Golden Plaque of the Defense of the Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality" was posthumously awarded to war hero Safet Isović, deputy commander of the Second Viteška Brigade, recipient of the highest wartime recognition "Golden Lily" and the decoration for military merits with Golden Swords.