Wednesday marks 29 years since the reintegration of the Sarajevo neighbourhood of Grbavica. For four years, Grbavica stood as a symbol of destruction, horrific crimes, and the location from which enemy forces targeted civilians.

The anniversary was commemorated in Sarajevo with the laying of flowers at memorial sites in Novo Sarajevo, honouring the day when Grbavica was returned to the city, making the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina whole once again.

A few months after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and lifted the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo, on March 19, 1996, security forces of the Federation of BiH entered the neighbourhoods of Grbavica, Kovacici, and Vraca. This act marked the end of almost four years of occupation, returning these areas to the municipality of Novo Sarajevo.

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March 19, the day of the reintegration of Grbavica, Kovacici, and Vraca, is also recognized as the Day of Local Communities for Grbavica I, Grbavica II, Kovacici, Vraca, and Gornji Kovacici.

Footage from that day remains as a testament to history, showing long columns of people crossing the “Bratstvo i Jedinstvo” Bridge—now named after Hamdija Cemerlic—with tears in their eyes, embracing loved ones they had not seen in years, and returning to their homes, most of which were destroyed. Among the many symbols of devastation, the Grbavica Stadium, a landmark of this part of Sarajevo, was also left in ruins.