Photo Reportage by Eldar Sarajlić
Sovereignty
State flags of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, together with the entity flag of the Republic of Srpska waving at downtown Doboj, in northern Bosnia. With several levels of governance, Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complex country consisting of two entities (the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and a small district, Brčko. Such a setup is a result of political negotiations between the warring sides mediated by the Clinton administration and established in Dayton, Ohio in 1995. The two-level entity shape of the country determines much of the legislative frameworks, including citizenship, but also most of its everyday political life.
From a Protectorate to an EU Member
An old Austro-Hungarian building in ruins stands adjacent to the new headquarters of the European Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country’s recent, as well as distant past reflects its particular and complex relationship with Europe. Following the evolution of these historical patterns, the citizenship regimes and policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina have changed accordingly. Once subjects of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, citizens of Yugoslav socialist federation and Bosnian socialist republic and today members of an independent yet complex state, Bosnians are still hoping to cede some of their sovereignty to the new supra-authority, the EU.
Sunny Day
As soon as the spring sun emerges from the surrounding mountains and breaks the accumulated city smog, many Sarajevans head for city cafés and bars to enjoy the sun and socialise with their friends. Although this appears idyllic, this Bosnian habit reveals a grim fact that explains some of its nature: a high level of unemployment. According to some data, more than 40% of Bosnians are unemployed today. The recent economic crisis has additionally worsened the situation.
Snow Walk
An older citizen of Sarajevo is passing by one of the city’s downtown shopping locations. A generation that had rebuilt Bosnia and Herzegovina after the destructions of the Second World War is now being marginalized due to the grave economic circumstances, but also misbalanced state welfare policies, corruption and overall unemployment.
Baščaršija Pizza House
One of the Sarajevo Old Town’s pizza houses, blending traditional Bosnian with the popular Italian cuisine. Being historically exposed to various cultural influences, Bosnians have easily embraced different global trends, including those of a gastronomical nature
Old and New
An old house awaiting demolition, overlooking the succession of architectural generations in Sarajevo’s administrative center. The background features the twin Unitic Towers, a business center build during the 1980s, as well as Avaz Business Center, a home of the largest circulating newspaper in the country.
Train Station
Railroad service employees stand in front of their offices at the Sarajevo’s main train station. Once a mighty force in transport throughout socialist Yugoslavia, trains have become less popular with the dissolution of the old country and the emergence of new and supposedly more convenient means of transport. Struggling with financial problems, old infrastructure and more competitive transportation services, the railroad still tries to keep customers, revamp the old glory and offer new destination routes. In 2010, for the first time since the outbreak of war in 1992, the train service between Sarajevo and Belgrade was reestablished.
Looking for Audience
A Roma trumpet player looks for potential audience in one of the residential areas in Sarajevo. During different holiday seasons, Roma tin orchestras traverse across the city neighborhoods, play Gipsy music in hope of receiving some reward. Roma citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the poorest and most excluded parts of population, which forces them to find alternative sources of income.
Hometown Overlook
A Bosniak returnee to Doboj, in the Republic of Srpska , walking on the hills in the old parts of the town, overlooking newer residential areas in the valley. Although considered as one of the most important task of the postwar reconstruction, given the imperative to reverse the effects of ethnic cleansing, the refugee return remains a difficult, if not disputed, programmatic and practical issue. Most of the returnee population, however, consists of older generations, while younger ones, following employment prospects and social networks, less frequently decide to return to their place of origin.
A New Dawn?
Sixteen years after the end of war Bosnia and Herzegovina still lingers in underdevelopment, political tension, unemployment and corruption. The perspectives of European integration, no matter how distant at the moment, continue to feed hopes of citizens that better days are ahead.
Updated on: 31 March 2011
