The 23rd Anniversary of the Death of Alija Izetbegović Marked with a Ceremonial Academy
Organized by the Public Institution the Alija Izetbegović Museum and the Alija Izetbegović Foundation, a ceremonial academy was held at the National Theatre in Sarajevo on 19 October 2026 on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the death of the first President of the Presidency of the independent Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alija Izetbegović. The academy was attended by numerous prominent figures from political, diplomatic, social and academic circles, and the event was an opportunity to recall the significance and role of Alija Izetbegović in the modern history of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The academy was held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Denis Bećirović, and the Vice-President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Refik Lendo.
At the beginning of the event, the attendees were addressed by Prof. Dr. Fahira Fejzić Čengić, professor at the Department of Journalism of the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Sarajevo, who pointed out: “Exactly 21 years ago I was writing the foreword to a book by Alija Izetbegović titled ‘Bosnia Is a Great Secret’. That book gathered his 53 interviews from the most critical years of his activity, from 1989 to the end of 1995. I titled that text ‘The Man Who Spoke Quietly but Was Heard from Afar’, because that is the complete truth, viewed from this enormous distance in time.”
As part of the Academy, a panel was held dedicated to freedom of thought, speech and reporting, with particular attention to the place of freedom in Izetbegović’s thought and political activity.
Journalists Almasa Hadžić, Sead Omeragić, Asim Metiljević and Adnan Rondić, who moderated the discussion, spoke about President Izetbegović’s attitude toward the media and critical voices, the importance of open dialogue and media pluralism, and the challenges of preserving freedom of public expression.
Through personal recollections of meetings with President Izetbegović in various circumstances and their own professional experiences, the participants also reflected on how those freedoms are understood and realized today.
The programme of remembrance for President Izetbegović was graced by the performances of musicians Lejla Jusić, Amila Ravkić, Ileš Bečei and Enver Solak.
The ceremonial academy on the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the death of Alija Izetbegović was broadcast live by TVSA, and the signal was also picked up by RTVTK, RTVUSK and BIR TV.
The complete recording of the Academy can be viewed at THIS LINK.
Photographs: The Alija Izetbegović Museum
ALIJA IZETBEGOVIĆ FOUNDATION
