The Jewish Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Jewish Municipality of Sarajevo organised in cooperation with the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina a Commemorative Academy on 25 January 2024 in the premises of the Jewish Municipality of Sarajevo. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Academy was attended by Berisa Mehović, Expert Advisor from the Cultural Division.

The Central Commemorative Academy was held on the occasion of 27 January – Holocaust Remembrance Day. The commemoration programme began with the flowers-laying ceremony on the Memorial to the Victims of Nazi Persecution, at the old Jewish cemetery “Borak” in Kovačići.

The Central Commemorative Academy was opened with a musical programme in the Jewish Municipality of Sarajevo, in which the soprano Vedrana Šimić took part, accompanied by Milan Lucić on the piano.

The musical programme was followed by a prayer for the victims of Nazi persecution said by the hazen of the Jewish community of Sarajevo, Igor Kožemjakin, after which, Jakob Finci, the President of the Jewish community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed the audience.

In her address, Mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, spoke about the importance of celebrating this Day, stating that, in addition to honouring millions of innocent victims, forces should be strengthened against the racist hatred that led to the Holocaust, which was to be achieved by constantly emphasising the importance of keeping the victims and survivors in our memory.