On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Smiljan Franjo Čekada, an international academic symposium titled “Shepherd of the Church, Witness of the Time, and Heir of Hope” was held in Sarajevo. The event was dedicated to the scholarly evaluation of the life, work, and legacy of one of the significant figures in the ecclesiastical and social life of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports provided major support for the symposium, thereby demonstrating its recognition of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna’s contribution to the research, evaluation, and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The symposium was opened by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Dr. Tomo Vukšić, which further underscored the importance of commemorating this anniversary and reflecting upon Čekada’s contributions to ecclesiastical, educational, and social life.
Addressing the symposium, the Federal Minister of Culture and Sports, Sanja Vlaisavljević, emphasized the importance of academic research and the preservation of cultural and historical heritage—not only as a foundation for understanding one’s own past but also as a responsibility toward future generations.

In discussing the significance of such gatherings, it is important to highlight that the life paths of individuals, their decisions, and their intellectual contributions remain an enduring legacy for generations to come. This is exactly how the life and activities of Archbishop Čekada opened up space for reflection on the importance of preserving human dignity, education, inter-religious dialogue and the continuity of institutions in complex historical circumstances.

The participation of students gave the meeting a special value, which encourages young researchers to actively engage in the study of history and the preservation of cultural memory.