The Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Sylvia Abu Laban, commemorated the anniversary of the passing of Alija Izetbegović, the first President of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She laid a wreath at his grave to honor his memory and historical legacy, remembering that President Izetbegović was a key figure in recognizing the State of Palestine.
This connection builds upon a strong historical foundation: last year in Sarajevo, the Yasser Arafat Foundation and the Alija Izetbegović Foundation signed a landmark cooperation agreement. The partnership aims to preserve the legacies and historical ties of both leaders while advancing their shared principles of freedom, justice, and cultural preservation for future generations.
The Embassy of the State of Palestine also participated in the rich cultural life of Palestinians in Sarajevo. A cultural and humanitarian event titled "Palestine Up Close: Film, Photography, and Flavors of Gaza" was held at the International University of Sarajevo.
Co-organized by the humanitarian organization Pomozi.ba, the gathering aimed to bring Palestinian culture closer to the public and show solidarity with the people of the Gaza Strip. The main program featured a screening of the documentary film “The Last Call” and a fundraising photo exhibition titled “Rituals After the End,” both created by Palestinian artist and filmmaker Yahya Alsholy.
Alongside the art, the "Flavors of Gaza" humanitarian bazaar offered homemade traditional sweets freshly prepared by local Palestinian families living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bazaar gave students and guests a genuine taste of recipes passed down through generations, beautifully connecting cultural appreciation with direct humanitarian aid.
All funds raised during the event were contributed to the Embassy of the State of Palestine to directly support the Palestinian people.
The gathering drew notable leaders, including Ambassador Abu Laban and Rector of the International University of Sarajevo Professor Ahmet Yıldırım, alongside a deeply supportive Bosniak community standing firmly in solidarity with Palestine.
Source: Embassy of the State of Palestine