A tree will be planted in Sarajevo in honour of Arman Soldin: 'He loved life, nature and animals… He was a proud Sarajevan'

(Patria) - It has been a year since the death of Sarajevan Arman Soldin, who was killed on 9 May 2023 while reporting from the Ukrainian war zone. The 32-year-old Arman was a long-time reporter and cameraman for the Agence France-Presse. On the first anniversary, his family and friends will plant a tree in his honour today in Pionirska Dolina. His sister Enra said they chose this location because Arman was "proud to be a Sarajevan" and because he loved life, nature and animals.

“Today marks one year since the saddest day in our family, and it is hard to stand here. Arman was proud to be a Sarajevan and he always emphasised that. He deeply loved life, nature and animals, and he helped them even in war circumstances. He fed them and saved them from certain death. Because of all that, and in honour of his love, we decided to symbolically plant a tree in Pionirska Dolina, which will continue to grow and be a symbol for future generations. Arman spent his childhood here. He carried Sarajevo in his heart, that is why we are here today. Thanks to the wonderful people of Pionirska Dolina, we were given the opportunity to mark this day. Arman is still here with us, I know that, and thank you to everyone for keeping him in our hearts forever,” Enra Soldin told N1.

They chose a birch tree because, as she says, it is a symbol of beauty, youth and longevity. And for them, it will also be a symbol of the fight for truth. Today at 12:00, Arman's family, friends, and the French ambassador will gather in Pionirska Dolina.

“The tree will be a reminder of everything he did during his short life. Our wish is for this tree to grow and reach toward the sun and the sky, things Arman always admired,” added Arman's sister.

Arman Soldin was killed on the Ukrainian battlefield. A team of four AFP journalists was moving away from the front line when they were fired upon with Grad rockets. Apart from Arman, the rest of the team was unharmed. His colleagues testified that he died with a camera in his hand. We recall that before leaving for the war zone, Arman was a guest on Novi Dan, he visited his family in Bosnia and Herzegovina… He spoke with great passion about the journalistic calling and the need to tell human stories, the fates of people living in war-affected areas.