Sarajevo remembers Safet Zajko, photo exhibition opened

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Sarajevo Canton Memorial Fund today organized the opening of an exhibition titled “Safet Zajko – Hero of the Liberation War“ at the Kovači Multimedia Centre on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of the death of the legendary commander Safet Zajko.

Safet Zajko was one of the symbols of the defence of Sarajevo, a fighter for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one of the key figures in the defence of Sarajevo during the siege. He is one of the nine recipients of the “Order of the Hero of the Liberation War“. He was born in the village of Gaočić near Rudo on March 1, 1959. He graduated from the renowned school for reserve officers in Bileća as one of the most successful in his class. Fighters led by Safet Zajko achieved significant military successes, notably the Pofalići Battle, the defence of Sokolje, and the liberation of Mijatovića Kosa.

The exhibition's author, Azem Heljić, is an expert associate for the museum exhibition and collection of the Memorial Fund.

“The goal of this exhibition is to factually highlight the most important details about the character and work of Safet Zajko, the legendary commander of the Second Viteška Brigade, a Golden Lily, a hero of the liberation war, and a brigadier general. The exhibition, through 17 panels, depicts the character, charisma, and everything that contributed to Safet Zajko being recognized as a leader and commander by his neighbourhood, his neighbours, and his people. His role in the first organized actions for the defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Patriotic League and the Territorial Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, up to the high command positions he held in the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is depicted. The Second Motorized Brigade under Commander Safet Zajko was the first unit of the 1st Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to earn the honorary title of 'Viteška' (Knightly),“ said Heljić.

Safet Zajko’s family, including his wife, daughters, and grandchildren, attended the opening of the exhibition. Visitors and comrades could not hide their emotions, and a particularly emotional moment occurred when grandsons Vedad and Rejan received an infographic about the “Nine Heroes“, with their daughter commenting that their grandfather would be proud.

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton, Omer Osmanović, emphasized that Safet Zajko is one of the nine heroes of the liberation war, a commander from the people, and a brigadier general, and that the very place of his death speaks of his heroism.

“He was always with his fighters; he died on the front line. As a member of the special police unit Bosna, I was always pleased when the Knights from the Second Viteška Brigade, led by Commander Zajko, were with me, and we fought together against the enemy. In this way, through the exhibition, we cultivate a culture of remembrance; we do not forget our heroes,“ stated Minister Osmanović.

He pointed out that the Sarajevo Canton Memorial Fund, led by Director Ahmed Kulanić, is undertaking many activities in this direction so that younger generations know what happened in the past and develop empathy for BiH.

“A nation that forgets its history has no future. In this way, by remembering our heroes, we convey to the youth the message that they did not give their lives in vain, that Bosnia will always exist,“ stated Minister Osmanović.

On December 15, 1992, Safet Zajko received the highest wartime recognition, the “Golden Lily“, for his wartime exploits. He died on Mijatovića Kosa on June 17, 1993, while reconnoitering enemy positions in one of the most advanced trenches on Žuč hill.

For his heroic contribution to freedom in the defensive-liberation war, exceptional bravery, and self-sacrifice displayed in combat operations and the results achieved thereby, he was posthumously awarded the “Order of the Hero of the Defensive-Liberation War” by decree of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 14, 1994.

By decision of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina dated January 12, 1996, Safet Zajko, hero of the defensive-liberation war 1992-1995, was posthumously promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

A street in Sarajevo bears his name, as does a sports and recreation center in the Novi Grad municipality.

The exhibition will be open until June 24, 2022, at the premises of the Kovači Multimedia Centre.