Historic Sarajevo venue inaugurated for EBU-led WWI concert

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Picture Gallery from kapija.ba

Vije nica, the Bosnian venue for next month's special EBU co-production featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (VPO) in commemoration of the World War I Centenary has been inaugurated, following a four-phase reconstruction project spanning 18 years.

The invitation-only event on June 28 will be transmitted by EUROVISION to TV and radio broadcasters around the world as part of a co-production involving EBU Members BHRT (Bosnia & Herzogovina), ZDF (Germany) and France T l visions.

Performance fees have been waived for the concert, which will feature a musical programme with strong connections to the historical events of 1914-1918, inviting reflection, analysis and remembrance of an era-defining conflict.

The National University Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, serves as a poignant link between past and more recent European turmoil. One hundred years ago on 28 June 1914, Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated as his cavalcade passed by the iconic building, setting off a chain of events that would embroil the worlds major powers in a war of unprecedented scale. In 1949, after a period serving as Sarajevo's town hall, the premises were established as one of the most renowned and best equipped libraries in the former Yugoslavia. However in August 1992, a substantial portion of the library's collection of rare books, documents and paintings was lost, when the building was shelled by Bosnian Serb rockets during the Seige of Sarajevo.

Initial work to stabilize Vijecnica was completed in 1996 and 1997 with a donation from Austria. The European Commission funded the second stage of renovations, which lasted from 2000 to 2004. Since 2006, the City of Sarajevo has been principally responsible for the reconstruction work.

In a special ceremony to coincide with Europe Day on May 9, Sarajevo's mayor Ivo Komsic publicly showcased the Moorish architecturally-inspired building.

118 years since its first inauguration, we are giving Vijecnica back to Sarajevos citizens because it is part of their identity, mayor Ivo Komsic said. The building, rebuilt as closely as possible to the original, will house the city administration, part of the national library and the Museum of Sarajevo.

The inauguration ceremony included participation by the Sarajevo Philharmonic and 200 other soloists, dancers, and musicians, with the finale being the projection on the facade of the Vijecnica of a 3D video telling the history of the building interwoven with that of Sarejevo.

The EBU has negotiated concert rights for all EBU Members in European territories for the VPO red carpet concert which will be relayed free to giant screens outside the venue to a large public audience.

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