Skenderija is not just concrete: Let's not allow them to destroy Sarajevo's identity

Written for NAP by: Almir Bečarević, gas and energy expert and president of KVSBiH Sarajevo

The iconic Skenderija Hall was opened on November 29, 1969, with the premiere of the film "The Battle of Neretva". It is located on the left bank of the Miljacka River, on the north side, with a center area of 70,000 square meters. In addition to the sports section, Skenderija also includes the iconic "Dom Mladih" (Youth Center) hall.

Skenderija was named after the famous Bosnian Sandžak-bey Skender-pasha, who built a shopping center with 11 shops, a caravanserai, a palace, an imaret, and a tekke in this area back in 1499. In 1969, KSC Skenderija received the award from "Borba" magazine, a general recognition for the best architectural work in Yugoslavia.

Barcelona's stadium "Camp Nou" was opened on September 24, 1957, on the feast day of the city's patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy. Today, Barcelona's stadium is much more than a place where football is played – it is a symbol of the city, its history, and identity. During the repressive years under Franco's regime, its stands were a refuge for free speech and the colors of Catalonia. The architect of "Camp Nou" once stated: "The stadium is not just concrete and steel. It is emotion in stone".

What is the attitude of the authorities towards the iconic hall and stadium that house two sports clubs, KK Bosna and Barcelona?

Before its last reconstruction, Barcelona's stadium was in a deplorable state and was perhaps the worst stadium where Champions League matches were played. Although the stadium, with its concrete and steel, was dilapidated, it never occurred to anyone to demolish it and build a new one. Its identity in the hearts of every resident influenced the stadium's renovation and gave it the appearance it deserves.

Skenderija gained its iconic status, in addition to being an architectural masterpiece, also due to the sports club that played there. KK Bosna was a club of students and a champion of the former Yugoslavia and Europe. Skenderija has not undergone reconstruction over the years and has been systematically allowed to decay. Years of neglecting its renovation and reconstruction have led to pieces of concrete and steel falling off its structure.

The Canton of Sarajevo is indebted by over 900 million KM, and there has been no desire or willingness to allocate a portion of that money for the reconstruction of Skenderija. No, Skenderija was meant to be allowed to collapse on its own, and the story of its complete demolition and the construction of a new hall with a hotel and shopping center was to be initiated. Suddenly, the identity of all Sarajevans and the sporting successes achieved by KK Bosna under the roof of this hall were forgotten.

The "famous" DIF (Faculty of Physical Education) graduates, who lack their own identity, now want to destroy the identity of Sarajevo and the identity of every basketball player who started their journey in the small hall of Skenderija. Now, we are offered to build a new hall through "bijelo" (a colloquial term referring to a specific area or project). Such a hall is not needed by anyone because our history and identity are being taken away.

The Canton of Sarajevo and its budget are burdened by loans, but I am sure that all residents of Sarajevo will make a "sacrifice" to raise a loan of 100 million KM and carry out the reconstruction of Skenderija's concrete and steel, thereby restoring the splendor it possessed in 1969. Sarajevo needs Skenderija and the identity of a city of sports and success. Sarajevo does not need DIF graduates who do not understand what "teta razapeta" (a colloquial reference to the Olympic rings) means, who do not know how many of the greatest music groups started their careers there, who still do not hear the voice of Želimir Altarac Čičak, who do not see Kinđe still playing basketball, who do not understand that the Winter Olympics were held there, and who want the city of Sarajevo to lose its identity and be left without emotion in its concrete.

Barcelona maintained it, so why shouldn't we? Let them invest in "bijelo" elsewhere, as this place is iconic and the canton should renovate it.