On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Assistant Professor Dr. Mejrema Zatrić-Šahović from the IUS Architecture (ARCH) study program delivered a lecture on the history and significance of the Cultural and Sports Center "Skenderija" as an essential part of Sarajevo’s cultural heritage. The lecture provided valuable insights to students of the Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design (VACD) study program attending the Graphic Design II course, led by Associate Professor Branko Vekić, as they worked on their assignment titled "Reaction."
During the lecture, Dr. Zatrić-Šahović explained that the design of Skenderija was initially inspired by the Belgrade Fair – Hall 1, as the City of Sarajevo sought to create a similar multifunctional space. While there were initial plans to hire the same architect, local architects opposed the idea. As a result, the project was assigned to the Association of Architects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which selected three renowned architects for the task: Halid Muhasilović, Živorad Janković, and Ognjeslav Malkin. Notably, Skenderija -alongside the Radio and Television building of Bosnia and Herzegovina - remains one of the two examples of Brutalist architecture in the city.
The vision for Skenderija extended beyond a fairground; it was designed as a multifunctional complex featuring a concert hall, an art gallery, sports halls, commercial spaces, and a central square. The goal was to create a "city within a city" - a space where people from all walks of life could gather and engage in various activities. Over the years, Skenderija became a cultural and sports hub, serving as a launching point for numerous music bands and as the home of the Basketball Club “Bosna.”
Severely damaged during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Skenderija underwent post-war reconstruction. However, much of the original material used for the windows, square, and façade was not preserved. Since 2015, proposals for a complete redesign of the complex have emerged, but they remain unimplemented due to controversy. Additionally, DOCOMOMO International - a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting and conserving Modern Movement architecture - has been actively advocating for the preservation of such architectural landmarks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
The lecture was open to all interested participants, drawing not only architecture students but also others intrigued by the topic, with a total attendance of around seventy. The students engaged enthusiastically, demonstrating their interest through thoughtful questions and creative ideas that impressed the guest lecturer.
We look forward to seeing the remarkable outcomes of this collaboration between the two study programs and faculties within IUS.
